Squeeze Page Marketers...Time To Put Up Or SHUT Up!

is there any way you can capture the contact information for the people that went straight to your sales page (assuming it was for an affiliate product?)

long-term value is in the list, and all that ....

I would never NOT use a squeezepage. Lifetime value is too important to give up.

bump.......

LOL WHAT?

interesting test.... how long did you run it for?

keep in mind, your autoresponder will get you sales for a long time... vs the 1 shot deal. assuming you have an AR sequence in place. but it will take some time.

miles t.....

"I would never NOT use a squeezepage. Lifetime value is too important to give up."

LOL... what are you talking about?

lifetime value of what?

this is cold traffic.

they come to your site and they either buy or not.

if not, you just lost all that traffic.

Honestly even if converts better, I'd rather have the squeeze page (I tweak mine up to 40% for targeted traffic though) so that I have a moer long term model. Thanks for finally testing it though :-)

#1 I didnt test these results over a long period of time following up with them by emails. These results were based on sending them through the squeeze page VS directly to my sales page. The results of the test did NOT calculate any emails sent out as a result of the opt in.

LOL.... Thats the whole point of having a squeeze. Obviously you're not going to get good, ACCURATE data doing it your way.

#2 The squeeze page wasn't high converting like many marketers brag about. In fact the conversion rate of the squeeze page was only 20% but keep in mind this was COLD traffic.

20% on cold traffic isn't that bad. it depends on the cost per click etc.

Always build the list, no matter which model you prefer. Get a list of buyers. You're being very short-sighted if you don't. So if you send visitors straight to a sales page, in the sales process opt them in to your buyers list. Proven buyers are like gold.

The people who are downplaying the power of the squeeze page >> sales page model are probably not doing it right. They're probably failing at the all-important trust building stage of list marketing. It doesn't surprise me that just squeezing then immediately presenting the sales page doesn't convert as well. In that case, it really is just an extra hoop and probably irks some visitors. The prospect still knows nothing more about you, so his/her impetus to buy from you is, if anything, reduced by the extra hoop.

The real way to go is squeeze page >> build trust >> sales page. No other model I've ever tried even came close in terms of conversion rates.

John

I have tested sending traffic from the same source to each variation: straight to sales page; squeeze then sales page immediately; squeeze, then trust, then sales page. If you can live with the delayed gratification, the best option (at least in the IM/MMO niche) is squeeze, then trust, then sales page. Hands down.

Keep in mind, however, that I write my own sales pages and I confess to being far from a pro at copywriting. I have not tested this after employing the services of a trained copywriting professional. I'm sure I will at some point. So this might be good info for DIY marketers out there, but I would not want anyone to take this to the bank under any other circumstances (different niches & using a pro copywriter).

John

John , this is great info (thanks a lot). I really do appreciate it and I will heed your warning about testing it myself in other niches.

Now, when you say "squeeze, then trust, then sales page" at what POINT to you hit them up with the sale?

And, Im assuming the very first priority (on the thank you page after the squeeze) is to get them to check their email and opt in?

Another short sighted factor you are not considering...

No matter how awesome your content is - how awesome your sales pages are - how awesome you are - some people just won't buy from you. Period.

If you have these people on a list, the good backend strategy is then begin promoting other people's products. This increases the chances that they will buy from that person, thus giving you the commission.

You can't factor that into your test - in fact, there is no quick way to split test this without months of testing, tracking, and tweaking.

This is just one of many factors to consider.

Also, 40% + conversion on squeeze pages are easily achievable - especially after tweaking and testing them.

And if you can presell them before they ever get to your site, you will have increased chances of a sale after the squeeze page.

Finally, if you do the campaign correctly, your list will convert higher.

The key is patience - list building is a long term strategy, but one that has much higher payouts in the end.

Rob

Tried a single opt-in squeeze page and it killed conversions. I would only use aweber now to build my buyers list, capture leads for a pre-launch or when I am bridging to an affiliate product.

You say for a clickbank product you don't see the top marketers using a squeeze page.

There are a few reasons for this which at least a few tested and reported in their blogs, product or shared publicly. Conversions is one, for an affiliate product building a list from affiliates efforts doesn't go over well especially if it is done with no way to track affiliate id's or earn on backend or upsells.

There are a few paydotcom products I am promoting that have at least one offer that is to a squeeze page BUT it tracks all sales made including upsells from those lists.

Have you personally tested squeeze page offers? How did you set it up?

For most part squeeze pages are used in a sequence of marketing.

1: Initial offer for free offer, package download... something of value that would be worth giving up email for

2: upsell or OTO

3: on going updates about initial offering, product offers, upsells, cross sells, affiliate products etc... sell sell sell

4: when they purchase are added or moved to a buyers list where there is more content, sell sell sell and special offers as well as updates to purchased product(s)

Go from free list to purchasing something to buyers list to more expensive items like seminars, home study courses etc... I know quite a few marketers that wont share any real juicy content or information to anyone that is NOT on their buyers list. The others are just designed to get them to the buying stage and then the buyers list is there to keep them buying.

Squeeze pages are primarily, an introduction to the marketing funnel. Which unless affiliates can earn commissions on future purchases made, squeeze pages on clickbank or other affiliate products is a turn off to affiliates.

Putting a squeeze or johnson box on a sales letter is a no no because it decreases conversion. I have tested this and either they sign up to the list, don't buy or buy and don't sign up to the list, OR don't do anything and click off. You want to make a choice between buying or buying not buying or signup to my free list.

Squeeze pages have their place and in conjunction with other marketing but not in competition. The more ways you have to get people introduced to your funnel, your products, YOU the more money you will make. By all means use squeeze pages but think in terms of how it can be used in conjunction with your marketing systems.

Also tests that took place a year ago may or not still be valid today, so you need to keep testing and see if changes are taking place. It is possible what didn't work yesterday will work today and vice versa, sometimes you see fads or certain times of the year certain things work or don't due to some event, holiday or launch(es) etc...

Marketing isn't a test once and stays same forever kind of thing. You need to keep at it and tweak as you go based on what you see happening. Sure you can do the set and forget but those that just do that extra thing, that extra effort seem to consistently end up in the top %.

Also some don't get this but each step in the marketing funnel is designed to weed out people. Tire kickers from doers, freebe seeker from buyer etc... I see a lot of complaint about losing people during the marketing campaign... You need to test and find out why, maybe there are things you can change to limit this but if done right you are not for the most part going to have as many buyers as you do signups to your list. It isn't suppose to work that way. If you have the ability to design your products and systems to do that, awesome but most people can't do that and it is not something you should feel bad about. Noone knows everything there is to know.

If you have studied this, in what cases are the top marketers using squeeze pages and when are they not? That will give you a lot of insight there. I have not really formally studied that myself.

- T

ok guys I have two burning questions that I cant shake before I take action and start implementing these amazing tactics...(this info is fantastic by the way thanks to all of you for making this thread hot)

#1 I really like Johns method of giving free stuff away and building trust days BEFORE you hit them up with a sale...but cant help but wonder, if I use this tactic, should I leave a link to the salespage at the end of each content I give away for free?

The reason is...I really dont understand what my cleint is getting out of "WAITING" to see my product.

Sure, I understand the soft sale approach and being subtle by leaving it in my ps BUT not even SHOWING it to them for 4 days? I just dont see how that benefits anyone...

I am NOT questioning Johns tests I just want to understand! lol

John?

#2 If I dont show them the product for 4 freaking days what is going to be my excuse?

Hey! I just created this product and it just so happens to = everything we have disused over the last few days!? I havnt showed it to you until now BECAUSE_____?

Mix up both. Have a sales page where you offer a freebie and build a list that way. Best of both worlds.

I never use squeeze pages but I know I really need to start.

#1 - Many of us Affiliates will not send traffic to their product if they do.

#2 - Your question makes a basic assumption I will only sell them one offer.

#3 - When they sell the product, those people do go into their email system to create future sales.

#4 - They know top affiliates are going to capture the name and try to sell them more than once.

My question back to you. Have you tested the lifetime value of an opt-in compared to not getting the opt-in and only getting 1 sale?

I suppose it may depend on what you are selling. If its a physical product, using a squeeze page may be a waste of time. Though when it comes to buying digital ebooks, the buyer needs to trust you first and thats why you need a squeeze page.

Well if you are a top guy and have a high converting sales page, I don't think there is anything wrong with it, but upon them exiting without buying, should be a video to capture their attention and an optin box.....

Hi,

IMHO this is apples and oranges. I don't track as much as I should, but here are some of my opinions and experiences.

The squeeze page scenario will grab a lot of freebie seekers and make tick off some others that know the game being forced to give up the name/email before seeing the offer. Also, if you are trying to get JV partners, most don't like this tactic as they feel you are skimming their lists.

The salespage is more geared towards buyers and that is what you will have on your list if they make it through the process of buying. This is how most of my sites are designed and it has worked pretty well for me.

I will use a slide-in to try to nab the freebies to see if I can convert them later

Rod

all traffic can be converted with the right offer... weak or not

the key is knowing your user, why they are on your site, what they really want, and how to give it to them while making commisions, sales, and other revenu.

"all advertising works at the right price"

I have tested this and my conversion rate on sales boosted 5 times than if sending traffic straight to sales page.

It will depend n your offer. Simple as that.

I didn't read through all the comments so apologies if it was already said.

I used to not have a sqeeze page on my main site. People just came to the site and got 9 free secret ebook tips tomaking money online and a complimentary subscription to my eBook Profit Secrets newsletter.

But about a year ago traffic started to slow so I created a squeeze page with a free pdf "9 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid For Outrageous eBook Profits" added to the mix and doubled the conversion. But we did leave a small click through if they didn't want to opt in. I now need to test it vs. taking that option away. But I'd still say it works. But you have to be giving something people really want.

It depends.

On where the traffic is coming from. AND

They type of customer you WANT. OR...the product itself.

On certain types of information products, I want to take them to the sales page. As often as not, depending on the product, it is a short VENDO MATIC type sales page. They want it or they don't.

On other types of products, those which are more expensive or may have a back end element to them...I have to "educate" them somewhat. And a FREE report, thus the squeeze, is more appropriate.

Over the years, as I've "weeded" out the customers I don't want anymore...I'd say that most of the time (with a few exceptions [how's that for weaseling?] ) they go to a sales page.

And IF they want more info, rather than a squeeze, I ask them to send a personal email....now the "TRICK" is, I have scores of responses in my draft folder, and a simple name insertion gives the impression I took a lot of my time to answer them personally.

It helps develop a respect and rapport which gives me a LifeTimeValue customer over a pain in the patoot guy who is going to eat my lunch over 20 bux.

As always, the TEST, TEST TEST part, knowing what kind of a customer you want...gives you the best answer.

gjabiz

Ok, just from the buyer POV here for a minute:
When I know what I want, I have gotten pissed and left for another site because the seller wanted me to be their FB Friend / Subscribe to their oh-so-great list. @#)&$. I want to BUY something and you're )#*ing around? Bye.

...Back to the marketers POV:
Traffic source matters. That is the difference for me. Lets look at it from the easiest source to control, PPC...
"Best place for men's Adidas?" --> Sales Page.
"Best running gear?" --> Squeeze page.

Your list segmentation would follow similar lines, and have proper cross links (after all, if I hate all your links I'll un-sub day one... but if I think 'crap' about one or two in any given email I won't care and stay on the list).

So...
Do what you can to sell to people when they are trying to buy.
Do what you can to become a trusted source to the other folks for when they are ready to buy.

That's what has worked for me. I would have starved to death on the squeeze only method, and this gets me both 'instant' sales, and 'on the radar' of other folks.