9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What Reasons Do People Sign Up For A List?

by doylesoft
8 replies
Why would someone sign up for a list in the first place, in general?

My list didn't mention any special offers, at the time, but I still got about three dozen subs. Are these people who wanted to buy but were hesitant?

I guess I'm trying to uncover the psychology behind a list.

I still only have about four dozen subs, do you have any tips to get more, or does that relate back to getting traffic?

Thanks in advance!
#list #people #reasons #sign
  • Profile picture of the author martinp
    I usually only ever sign up for a list to get whatever is being given away for free (if I feel it's something that will benefit my business). I usually stay on the list for at least a few weeks to see how that marketer markets to their list, but more often than not I end up unsubscribing (especially if they pitch nearly every single product launch as many do).

    I've signed up to a few warriors lists just because they provide good content here on the forum and have a good reputation.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42480].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Dominic
      I sign up for a lot of lists to get free offers. I'll stay on the lists to see if they can provide more valuable information or products.

      I'll also subscribe to lists of big internet marketers and people who give good information. I'm more likely to buy from these people.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42491].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author George Wright
        Hi,

        The main reason I seek out a list and sign up for it is because someone I respect recommends the list. To illustrate, Allen Says recommended the Makepeace list. I've been a member ever since and archive everything Makepeace sends me. I get 2 or 3 from him a day and couldn't possibly read them all but I read the ones that interest me and archive the rest for a time when I just feel like reading all day.

        The other reason I sign up for a list is if I have to collect something I paid for or receive something being given away.

        I hardly ever quit a list once I sign up. gmail makes it easy just to file things away even if it's file 13.

        George Wright
        Signature
        "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42519].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author stacyfox
        I am only on a half dozen or so lists that go to my mail email account. Those are people who I trust and who I have bought from before.

        Whenever I sign up for a "freebie," I do it with a secondary mail.yahoo.com account. I check that account periodically and only open a handful of the emails (usually ones with good subject lines).

        Your most valuable list is a buyers list, not a freebie list.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42525].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Fladlien
    If you have to ask, maybe you should consider another business.

    Why do people sign up for lists? Because of perceived value. I might sign up for your list if you give me something that will benefit me. The value here is that I get something for nothing. Who doesn't want that?

    If you boil it down to everything, the main reason that people sign up for your list is that they think that by doing so it will benefit them more than not signing up.

    So you might be getting signs ups because they are scared for the order, and want to "think it over". Or, you might be getting signs up because people are curious.

    Who knows? I'd focus more on getting sign ups with the old "here's something of value for free"... Also, I know some gurus do this, but I personally think you should either sell the sign up or the product... but not try to do both.

    -Jason
    Signature

    Co-creator of WP Twin. Perhaps the most expensive yet most reliable wordress cloning tool on the market. We've definitely been used more successfully than all other options :)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42486].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Simon_Sezs
      It all boils down to WIIFM. Whether you are password protecting sections of your sites (like a member's only section), offering something for free, or just are delivering great information.

      I have found that my most responsive lists are the ones where I don't offer anything, followed by the "member's only" technique and finally the one where I give stuff away.

      As far as giving stuff away, I do something different than most marketers. We all know that most people who are trying to get something for nothing are usually only there for the free stuff. One and done in most cases. And I know that some use email servers such as guerrilla mail (especially in the IM world) to grab things and keep on moving. Since Aweber is now charging according to list size, I have had to re think my list building strategies.

      I have managed to fight this by delaying my autoresponder by a day. Just a little trick I do to keep the freebie hunters at bay.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42572].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        1) Free stuff. This can be a free "special report," an eMail course, information, regular newsletter, etc.

        2) Notifications. Maybe I bought something and want to know about your future offers. Maybe I found your product interesting but, for whatever reason, I don't want to buy right now, but I want to remember you for the future. Maybe your current product didn't interest me, but some future product may.
        Signature

        Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

        Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42837].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
    Building a list is a give-and-take relationship. Most people will join a list for something of value. If you are in a market where people are accustomed to putting their name and e-mail and for everything, it is easy my opinion to grab the opt in.

    In your case, I don't fully understand the question, but would assume the reason people subscribe to your list is because you asked them to.

    Now imagine if you would've actually had an offer or something of value to give away.

    In my own experiences, I see the opt in conversion rate climb drastically if the opt in boxes in the top right above the fold.

    This combined with a great offer really gets your list growing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[42541].message }}

Trending Topics