You want people to sign up for your email list, so you have a sign up box (or opt-in) on your website. You might also provide a chance for them to sign up when they make a purchase, on social media, or in ads.
Not everyone who sees your sign up offer will take the opportunity. Yet there are some proven techniques which will cause more people to do so.
One of your primary business aims is to increase the number of email sign ups. Just remember, those sign ups are new customers. And that’s the major way your business grows.
A savvy business person knows that their success is in watching the percentages. Not everyone who has the opportunity will sign up for your emails. And not everyone on your list will purchase from you. But a certain percentage will do each of these things.
So how can we increase the percentage of people signing up?
Let’s look at five tips for increasing the percentages on our opt-in rate.
- Be Sure to Provide Something of Value in Exchange for their Email Address.
Spend some time thinking about your customers’ needs and desires. What would really benefit them? Then start planning a response to those needs and desires. Your lead magnet.
You could send out a questionnaire asking for your customers’ wishes. Or you could check out the magazines in your niche. A lot of marketing savvy goes into magazine articles, so you can trust that the subject matter displayed on the covers is what the customers want.
For instance, every January many magazines feature articles on weight loss and organization. Why? Everybody’s New Years Resolution is to lose weight and get organized. This is the year!
So find what your people need or want and meet that need. It can be an E-book, a Tip Sheet, a One-on-One Call, or a Webinar.
Just make sure that you are offering them targeted value, and they will want to sign up for your offer.
2. Use Pop-Ups
For many years, I avoided pop-up opt-ins. It annoyed me when I was trying to read a page and these boxes kept popping up, so I didn’t want to use them.
However, many marketers insist that the opt-in rate is greater with pop-ups, so I installed a couple of them to see for myself. Now I have to agree that pop-ups can be a great reminder for your viewers as they are leaving or browsing your website.
However, I still say, don’t overuse them, as they can quickly become annoying. Most readers expect a few, but if they pop-up too frequently or make it too difficult to browse the site, the readers will simply get discouraged and leave.
3 .Make the Opt-In Process Obvious and Easy
Be sure to optimize the signup process for the devices your readers use the most. It’s a good idea to always plan for smartphone use, since many are using them for emails.
If the opt-ins or lead magnets are not optimized for their cell phones, they won’t be able to complete the process. Many readers will abandon a brand or business altogether if the business hasn’t adapted to their audience.
Then, keep the opt-ins organized and straight to the point. Don’t overload the reader with too much information. For the most part, the opt-in should be scannable and understood in a few seconds.
4. Add Prominent Testimonials
This is a great idea I heard just recently.
Even when you are attempting to sign up people for email, testimonials from other customers can validate your business.
If you do this, make these testimonials obvious and near the signup button to show your readers that you are trustworthy. If others are seeing the benefit you promised they will want to participate.
5. Use the Fear of Missing Out
Urgency is a useful tactic to get your readers to act now. Discounts with deadlines or early bird tickets for hands-on classes are great examples of these.
Most people can’t pass up a good deal, nor do they want to miss out.
Creating this sense of urgency can make the difference in someone signing up -or not.
6. One More Thing…
Humans love to feel like they are important or part of a community. Whether you are inviting them to a short one-on-one call, a free webinar, or offering a Tip Sheet, be sure to make them feel valued. And that there is a real person who cares on the other side.
It shows that you are there for more than just monetary gain. Increasing their trust and loyalty to the business.
Overall, providing value is key to increasing your opt-in rate and achieving your email marketing goals. So spend time planning and developing what your customers will receive in exchange for their email address. Then try these techniques for increasing their response.
You’ll find that your results will be worth the extra effort.
