33 replies
Hi everyone, hope you're well.

Today I'm going to introduce you to something that you may or may not have heard of. It's a list-building technique called the sandwich method.

Now what this is in a nutshell, is a page that goes in between your squeeze page, and your download page.

Squeeze ---> Sandwich Page ----> Download page.

Now, with a sandwich page, it doesn't neccesserily have to have a link to the downlaod page. After your visitor opts-in, you could have a sandwich page that says "Thank you, please confirm your e-mail to receive the download link to your free report"

Now, most marketers will leave it at that. But I can tell you that by doing so, you're not takinf full advantage of the situation. On this sandwich page you should be making your visitor an offer of some kind (Providing that this offer is useful and related to the free report)

(This is just an example, there are many other ways of utilising a sandwich page, I personally think the best way is to offer another suprise freebie. But DO NOT overwealm your visitor with freebies. If you are going to do this, make sure that the amount of information is digestable, and related.)

As your visitor has just opted-in for a report, they're clearly in the mindset of searching for information. Meaning if you throw in another un-mentioned report for free, they're going to be very appreciative. If you can put something infront of them which matches what they're looking for, you should.

Another example, you could say, "If you take your list-building seriously, you should check this out" This would then link to an offer, or a product of your own (Which you could offer at a one-time discount as they are new subscribers to your list)

This is something you can easily play around with to gain different results.

Hope this helps.

Pope.
#method #sandwich
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Actually the way a lot of marketers use a sandwich page is to deliver the free content you have promised the visitor. You do this in a short video or a few paragraphs of text. After they have consumed the information they then click to continue and are taken to your offer.

    I've never really been a fan of sending them straight to an offer before you have given them that free information you promised. I don't think it starts off the relationship very well.
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    • Profile picture of the author BenoitT
      When someone subscribe, he obviously want the freebie. I used to offer them another freebie on the thank you / confirm your e-mail address. They will think damn this guy give me good stuff and then, you send them to a relevant product
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      Benoit Tremblay

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      • Profile picture of the author spope91
        Originally Posted by BenoitT View Post

        When someone subscribe, he obviously want the freebie. I used to offer them another freebie on the thank you / confirm your e-mail address. They will think damn this guy give me good stuff and then, you send them to a relevant product
        I often add in a "Bonus Freebie" too, as I absolutely love it when it happens to me. It's a nice suprise
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    • Profile picture of the author spope91
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      Actually the way a lot of marketers use a sandwich page is to deliver the free content you have promised the visitor. You do this in a short video or a few paragraphs of text. After they have consumed the information they then click to continue and are taken to your offer.

      I've never really been a fan of sending them straight to an offer before you have given them that free information you promised. I don't think it starts off the relationship very well.
      Woah I think you've slightly got the wrong idea.

      I was not focusing on the element of sending them straight to an offer, the main point here was to advise people to utilise the sandwich page, how they do it is up to them, my example was just an example. I personally think the best method is the one mentioned above, by using it as an oppurtunity to add another suprise freebie to the equation, Subscribers LOVE this.
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      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

        I personally think the best method is the one mentioned above, by using it as an oppurtunity to add another suprise freebie to the equation, Subscribers LOVE this.
        There is such a thing as giving away too much free information. Moving the free line does not mean giving away more information like so many think - it is about giving away more valuable information.

        If you give your visitors too much free information to consume then the last thing they are going to want to do is buy your product and be swamped with even more information.

        Just give them your one BEST tip or trick and make it something that can be explained in only a few paragraphs or a short video. That way they can easily consume the information right away and will be open to any products you try and recommend to them.
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        • Profile picture of the author spope91
          Originally Posted by WillR View Post

          There is such a thing as giving away too much free information. Moving the free line does not mean giving away more information like so many think - it is about giving away more valuable information.

          If you give your visitors too much free information to consume then the last thing they are going to want to do is buy your product and be swamped with even more information.

          Just give them your one BEST tip or trick and make it something that can be explained in only a few paragraphs or a short video. That way they can easily consume the information right away and will be open to any products you try and recommend to them.
          I somewhat agree with you, you're right, but I still feel that in some cases 2 reports are better than 1.

          Suppose you give away a report about listbuilding, "20 ways to build your list" something that like. A great follow-up freebie would be a short, 8 page report on "How to write good e-mails" (Terrible title but you know what I mean.

          I think something liek this has to be played with, but you're definitely right in saying you don't wanna throw a tonne of free stuff at the visitor, not only may you overwealm them, but they may think freebies are all you;re good for.

          P.S. I've edited my original post, after re-reading it, I see your point, I rushed what I was typing and should have paid more attension to what I was saying, I made myself look bad in places, and that just ins't me. Thanks for the heads up.

          Edit: After your latest post, I now feel I have to add some of the contents of this post to the original one lol
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          • Profile picture of the author WillR
            Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

            I somewhat agree with you, you're right, but I still feel that in some cases 2 reports are better than 1.

            Suppose you give away a report about listbuilding, "20 ways to build your list" something that like. A great follow-up freebie would be a short, 8 page report on "How to write good e-mails" (Terrible title but you know what I mean.

            I think something liek this has to be played with, but you're definitely right in saying you don't wanna throw a tonne of free stuff at the visitor, not only may you overwealm them, but they may think freebies are all you;re good for.

            P.S. I've edited my original post, after re-reading it, I see your point, I rushed what I was typing and should have paid more attension to what I was saying, I made myself look bad in places, and that just ins't me. Thanks for the heads up.

            Edit: After your latest post, I now feel I have to add some of the contents of this post to the original one lol
            Yeah exactly. As long as you are not overwhelming them with the free information, that was my main point. I used to also think giving away more and more stuff would help but what I realized was people were leaving my site to consume that information and never coming back.

            So I started giving away less information and using the sandwich page method to deliver that information to them instantly, and my results shot up.
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            • Profile picture of the author spope91
              Originally Posted by WillR View Post

              Yeah exactly. As long as you are not overwhelming them with the free information, that was my main point. I used to also think giving away more and more stuff would help but what I realized was people were leaving my site to consume that information and never coming back.

              So I started giving away less information and using the sandwich page method to deliver that information to them instantly, and my results shot up.
              This is what I'm talking about. The main aim of this thread was to inform people of the benfits of optimising a sandwich page, I was then hopingpeople would post with different ideas and methods of doing so, making this thread an awesome resource for people new to this concept.

              The method you've stated above works brilliantly, if the information you're delivering can be consumed in a fairly short space of time. This works great with videos especially.

              Thanks for the great post.
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              • Profile picture of the author WillR
                Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

                The method you've stated above works brilliantly, if the information you're delivering can be consumed in a fairly short space of time. This works great with videos especially.
                If you do use this method I suggest trying to fit it into a short 2-3 minute video BUT also having a text version of the video below - so those who don't want to sit through a video can just read the text version. You want to cater to both types of viewers.

                Then at the bottom you just have a link that says 'Click Here to Continue >>' and send them to your offer page. Another thing that helps is to make the process flow seamlessly. So have the sandwich page and your offer page designed in the exact same way so when they hit your offer page they keep on reading thinking it is more free information to consume.

                This catches them off guard and gets them reading through your salespage.
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                • Profile picture of the author spope91
                  Originally Posted by WillR View Post

                  If you do use this method I suggest trying to fit it into a short 2-3 minute video BUT also having a text version of the video below - so those who don't want to sit through a video can just read the text version. You want to cater to both types of viewers.

                  Then at the bottom you just have a link that says 'Click Here to Continue >>' and send them to your offer page. Another thing that helps is to make the process flow seamlessly. So have the sandwich page and your offer page designed in the exact same way so when they hit your offer page they keep on reading thinking it is more free information to consume.

                  This catches them off guard and gets them reading through your salespage.
                  Awesome post. Couldn't have explained that method better myself.

                  Of course, it goes without saying, that when doing this, the offer you are making must be relevant to the free content you're giving away on the sandwich page.
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        • Profile picture of the author BenoitT
          I was listening to a Workshop of Frank Kern recently and he completly prooved you are wrong. He was asking his crowd who finished the whole course they all had before. A very thin pourcentage had and it turns out out of 500+ buyers, only 2 or 3 readed/listened to the whole thing.

          When you get something for free, people don't think it is that valuable. However, once they got the "real" offer that will tell them exactly HOW TO do it, they will buy it anyway.

          Guess what happens then? They don't even do all the course. You release a new one that should help them. They buy it and they most likely not finish it too.

          Everybody wants new content, but you can't reinvent the wheel. That's why you need to repackage the same information so many times to make them understand it.
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          Benoit Tremblay

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          • Profile picture of the author spope91
            Originally Posted by BenoitT View Post

            I was listening to a Workshop of Frank Kern recently and he completly prooved you are wrong. He was asking his crowd who finished the whole course they all had before. A very thin pourcentage had and it turns out out of 500+ buyers, only 2 or 3 readed/listened to the whole thing.

            When you get something for free, people don't think it is that valuable. However, once they got the "real" offer that will tell them exactly HOW TO do it, they will buy it anyway.

            Guess what happens then? They don't even do all the course. You release a new one that should help them. They buy it and they most likely not finish it too.

            Everybody wants new content, but you can't reinvent the wheel. That's why you need to repackage the same information so many times to make them understand it.
            Sorry, but I don't quite understand what you're saying. Which one of my posts is this aimed at? Are you suggesting that you should send your subscribers to a purchasable offer straight after opting in?

            I'm not sure if I agree with the statement that no one uses Free reports, or regards them as invaluble. Some of the things I've received through subscribing to lists are GOLDEN. Plus I always read through a report I've subscribed for, that's why I opted in afterall

            Sorry if I sound rude by the way, I genuinely don't quie understand the point you're making.

            Thanks.
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            • Profile picture of the author BenoitT
              No no, I just misclicked the quote button. I was talking about the "don't give too much free" WillR were talking about.

              I use to give a 60 minutes video as soon as someone opt-in and they still buy from me

              Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

              Sorry, but I don't quite understand what you're saying. Which one of my posts is this aimed at? Are you suggesting that you should send your subscribers to a purchasable offer straight after opting in?

              I'm not sure if I agree with the statement that no one uses Free reports, or regards them as invaluble. Some of the things I've received through subscribing to lists are GOLDEN. Plus I always read through a report I've subscribed for, that's why I opted in afterall

              Sorry if I sound rude by the way, I genuinely don't quie understand the point you're making.

              Thanks.
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              Benoit Tremblay

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              • Profile picture of the author spope91
                Originally Posted by BenoitT View Post

                No no, I just misclicked the quote button. I was talking about the "don't give too much free" WillR were talking about.

                I use to give a 60 minutes video as soon as someone opt-in and they still buy from me
                Oh right my apolagies. Well that's an interesting fact. So what you're saying, is that putting up your huge free video, would make the visitor exit the page through your offer?

                Would the video be of good quality? or would you make it purposfully hard to watch and useless? (Remins me of some of the old Adsense websites)

                Like I said in my first post, this really is something you can play with to get different results.

                Cheers.
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                • Profile picture of the author BenoitT
                  Good quality of course you want to give them massive value.

                  And for those that don't like to watch a long video, I split it and send them 6 videos of 10 minutes in the next 6 days.

                  Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

                  Oh right my apolagies. Well that's an interesting fact. So what you're saying, is that putting up your huge free video, would make the visitor exit the page through your offer?

                  Would the video be of good quality? or would you make it purposfully hard to watch and useless? (Remins me of some of the old Adsense websites)

                  Like I said in my first post, this really is something you can play with to get different results.

                  Cheers.
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                  Benoit Tremblay

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                  • Profile picture of the author spope91
                    Originally Posted by BenoitT View Post

                    Good quality of course you want to give them massive value.

                    And for those that don't like to watch a long video, I split it and send them 6 videos of 10 minutes in the next 6 days.
                    I see, great info. It would seem that after receiving great value, your subscribers are happy to buy from you as they know they'll get more great value.

                    This is why building trust with your list is INVALUBLE.

                    Cheers.
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    • Profile picture of the author butcher57
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      Actually the way a lot of marketers use a sandwich page is to deliver the free content you have promised the visitor. You do this in a short video or a few paragraphs of text. After they have consumed the information they then click to continue and are taken to your offer.

      I've never really been a fan of sending them straight to an offer before you have given them that free information you promised. I don't think it starts off the relationship very well.

      I completely agree, the relationship must start with trust, it's the main thing when you have to build relationships behind a screen I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
    Here's what I did one of my free ebooks.

    Opt in --> Confirm email page (Includes a few ads)
    --> Download Page (More ads to RELATED products)

    Surely the conversions weren't mind-blowing because
    majority of the traffic was freebie seeking. But that
    worked. ;-)

    Karan
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    • Profile picture of the author spope91
      Originally Posted by Karan Goel View Post

      Here's what I did one of my free ebooks.

      Opt in --> Confirm email page (Includes a few ads)
      --> Download Page (More ads to RELATED products)

      Surely the conversions weren't mind-blowing because
      majority of the traffic was freebie seeking. But that
      worked. ;-)

      Karan
      Another great method. This takes little effort, and shows how easy it is to monetise your sandwich/download page.

      Every little helps aye

      Cheers.
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  • Profile picture of the author astrellalopez
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      • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
        Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

        lol did you even read my post?

        The sandwich method you're referring to is completely different to the one in my post.
        I think you'll find he copy and pasted the answer from "Ask", right here.
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        • Profile picture of the author spope91
          Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

          I think you'll find he copy and pasted the answer from "Ask", right here.
          What the hell!? lol

          You think that's a bot or something? Or just a moron? :rolleyes:
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          • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
            Originally Posted by spope91 View Post

            What the hell!? lol

            You think that's a bot or something? Or just a moron? :rolleyes:
            I'm not sure, potentially both.

            I've just looked through a small selection of his other posts and they have all been lifted from other sites.
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            • Profile picture of the author BenoitT
              Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

              I'm not sure, potentially both.

              I've just looked through a small selection of his other posts and they have all been lifted from other sites.
              Look like he's trying to build backlinks
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              • Profile picture of the author spope91
                Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

                I'm not sure, potentially both.

                I've just looked through a small selection of his other posts and they have all been lifted from other sites.
                Originally Posted by BenoitT View Post

                Look like he's trying to build backlinks
                Oh well. I'm sure his posts will be deleted pretty soon. Remarkable what some people think they'll get away with.

                Mildly entertainign though I suppose :p
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  • Profile picture of the author brobdingnagian
    Excellent post! Thank you!
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    • Profile picture of the author spope91
      Originally Posted by brobdingnagian View Post

      Excellent post! Thank you!
      You're welcome pal. Hope you found the information here helpful.
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    I have been doing something similar for a long time, but you give a very good explaination of this process and how it can apply to any business.
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    • Profile picture of the author spope91
      Originally Posted by celente View Post

      I have been doing something similar for a long time, but you give a very good explaination of this process and how it can apply to any business.
      Thanks for the post.

      Just to put it out there, I'm not suggesting that this is something new and fancy, or my idea for that matter, but is a great technique to use when list-building, and has many ways of being utilised. Like the majority of techniques in internet marketing lol

      Disclaimer: I wasn't implying you was accusing me of this :p
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    • Profile picture of the author spope91
      Originally Posted by sirtiman View Post

      Just need more info about the conversion rate.
      I don't understand what you mean?

      The conversion rate for this method can be anywere between 0% and 100%.

      Please be more precise.

      Cheers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stuart Stirling
    hows this for a sandwich page idea..

    I have tested it and it kind of surprised me...

    On the 'sandwich' page, say "check your email for the confirm link" etc..

    but right after that, have the optin form again on the page asking
    "did you use the wrong email address? sign up again here..."

    this is to catch the people who use fake emails to get your download..

    I was actually surprised to see that a fair few people would use the
    second optin form to enter their real email..

    or, you could just tell them to click the back button.. which is probably easier.. haha
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    • Profile picture of the author spope91
      Originally Posted by Stuart Stirling View Post

      hows this for a sandwich page idea..

      I have tested it and it kind of surprised me...

      On the 'sandwich' page, say "check your email for the confirm link" etc..

      but right after that, have the optin form again on the page asking
      "did you use the wrong email address? sign up again here..."

      this is to catch the people who use fake emails to get your download..

      I was actually surprised to see that a fair few people would use the
      second optin form to enter their real email..

      or, you could just tell them to click the back button.. which is probably easier.. haha
      Haha that's not a bad idea at all. I like it. We all know that many people use "Dummy" e-mail addresses to just grab freebies.
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  • Profile picture of the author gorgybowe
    Thanks a lot, I'm going to try out this method today!
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