Create an Opt-In Incentive to Increase your email Subscriber Numbers
One of my suggestions was to offer your readers some kind of incentive to subscribe (also called 'opt in' or 'lead magnet'). And today I would like to talk about the things that you can offer as an option.
Why do you need to opt-in?
Obviously, opting in will help you grow your email list. After all, who can fight fraud? But with the right offer, you can do more than just increase the number of your subscribers.
For starters, you can show your readers that you know who you are talking about. Giving them something that can change their life or solve their problem shows that you are a reliable source of information.
It can also build trust and goodwill with your readers. Not only have you made this product for them, you are also giving it to them for free. It shows that you care more about them than your bottom line. And it can make a lasting impression on people.
Finally, it can go a long way in turning your readers into customers. You have proven that you can develop quality products full of useful information. So when one of your paid products gets their attention, they will be inclined to buy it because they know it will be just as useful.
A note for established bloggers.
If you've been blogging for a while now, you're already using Opt-In on your blog. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook. Now is the time to create something more up-to-date. Or you can create another opt-in that targets different types of readers. You may even want to create one for a post that has a lot of traffic. So don't think that you can sit there like a smuggled child who completes his exam first. You haven't worked yet.
What you can offer your readers.
Now that you know why you should opt-in, it's time to offer what you can to your potential readers.
Ideally, your choice should help your reader solve a problem relatively quickly. This not only gives them an instant win but also encourages them to subscribe as you may be able to help them again.
Of course, in order to do this, you need to know what is bothering your readers. And to find out if you need to do some research. What common questions do your readers ask you? What do people look for when they post to your blog? You may need to create a pool or view your Google Analytics data. But it will be worth trying to find out because you will be able to create an opt-in that will give your readers the instant win they were looking for.
How to deliver your opt-in
So how can you give your readers the information you promised them? The most common opt-in bloggers offer is a PDF of what they write - an e-book, a report, a guide, or a white paper. This could be a fraudulent sheet, checklist, template, or sample document (for example a sample contract).
But it should not be a written document. You can offer them a mind map, an infographic, a blueprint, or an action you use.
And these days you can offer audio recordings and even videos. You may have a series of podcasts that explain the process from start to finish or even a series of videos.
The advantage of having a series is that you can sort things out so that your series is delivered in one installment over several weeks. This will encourage people to keep subscribing so that they do not miss any of the steps.
You can zoom in on something like a ten-minute consultation. However, you may want to limit it to the first ten subscribers, or you may end up spending hours on video chats.
You can provide software such as lightroom presets or WordPress plugins. You can present the first chapter of your e-book. Or you can subscribe to their Facebook group or forum.
The choice is yours.
How to promote your opt-in
Once you've created your opt-in, you need to let everyone know. We covered that up in last week's post, but it's worth repeating.
Tools like SumoMe and Lead Pages can help you see your opt-ins. But you should advertise it regularly on your social media accounts.
Make sure you mention this in your posts, especially those that are closely related to your offer. You might even want to mention it in your newsletter if your subscribers send it to their friends.
And if you've got the budget, you'll want to consider promoting your opt-in on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platform.
Your turn
So now you know what you can make as opt-in, how you can pack it, and how you can tell your readers what's on offer. So what are you waiting for? Go on to make your first (or maybe next) opt-in, and let us know how it all happened in the comments.