By now, you probably have put an e-mail sign-up form on your blog. If you haven’t, do it today. Building your e-mail list will jump start your blog’s growth.
Over the last few months, I’ve experimented with ways to get more e-mail sign-ups. Some methods flamed out the minute I tried them, and others have had surprising performance.
In this quick video, I’ll show you a “dumb” little tweak that is working like a champ. Once you’ve watched the video, let me know what you think of this “tweak” and any questions you have about making it work on your blog.
[tubepress video="aDdBkPKxm8s" embeddedHeight="400" embeddedWidth="600" showInfo="false"]
About Stanford
Wow, I loved this video!
When saw your blog for the first time, which was only just yesterday, I did in fact think that top banner looked much like an ad. I hardly paid any attention to it. Besides, I don’t particularly like getting blog updates in my inbox, especially when I have all my emails from different accounts forwarded to a single account, and my inbox gets full enough as it is. But your freebies look interesting, so I just signed up! I’ll probably switch to RSS later, though.
Thanks for these tips! I have my subscribe buttons on my sidebar, but I think I may try adding something at the bottom of my posts too. Do you think I should have an option for RSS too? And maybe Twitter? Or do you think that would be too much?
Thank you for sharing this, Stanford. My opt-in forms have been doing well, but this is something I definitely hadn’t thought of. Can’t wait to see the results!
Hi Stanford,
This is a great post. I was inspired to change my RSS feed box on our company blog. Thanks for the great tip.
@Faryna I disagree. I thought Stanford’s use of video was effective. For me it was very useful to get a visual of the “banner” sign-up box, the in-post sign-up box, and the table of stats for each. I would have lost a lot of that if this was audio-only. Thanks for the great tip you shared here, Stanford!
@Stanford I think there is too much pressure on us all to go with the video. I feel it too!
http://yoursalesplaybook.com Hope to see you there!
@Faryna Thanks for the feedback. Let’s call me and my video skills a work in progress. I wish I were talented enough to offer a Spielberg production right out of the gate. Oh well…
@Brankica@dino_dogan Thanks for the WP Subscribers suggestion!
@dino_dogan Hey Dino. Great to see you hanging out here
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Now for the technical stuff…
I’m not using a plugin for the bottom banner. I created the image and the form and stuck it into a “hook”. Hooks are easy ways to add changes to specific parts of wordpress. I’m looking for a “plugin” to make this easier for less tech savvy readers.
I use Aweber to deliver the book.
I use Google Analytics to measure sign-ups.
Now you have the secret sauce
@SallyE Thanks Sally. I love that you are taking immediate action. Bravo!
@dino_dogan and yeah, that is the reason I removed Livefure off my blog
@dino_dogan I have the same thing (maybe not same plugins or codes) but you can use WP Subscribers as plugin (or no plugin at all), Aweber, and Aweber measures which form is converting in which manner
I think a podcast would be more appropriate. Generally speaking, people rightfully expect more from video. Paul Wolfe writes about this on his blog here: http://www.onespoonatatime.com/the-three-layers-of-compelling-video-content
Hi Stan,
I have enjoyed all your tips, especially on writing blog posts, but this is above and beyond. It really helps to know what you’ve tried and found lacking – even tho it looked nice. I’m adding an email opt-in to all my posts ASAP.
Make that “I wonder* what would happen”.
Very interesting….livefyre doesn’t have Edit feature…hmmmm
I think your assessment of why it worked is spot on. I owned what would happen to shares and opt-ins if you disabled commenting on some posts.
I’ve been meaning to experiment with that , just been little busy…but I think I’ll give it a try. You in?
Also, what plugin are you using at the bottom, what auto responder service are you using to deliver the book, and what are you using to measure the sign ups?
Great video post. I’m setting up both a standard article footer sign up (via Custom Headers & Footers) and an RSS footer one (RSS Footer) in my redesign at playnoevil.com. Both via free plugins. I’m looking forward to seeing how they work out. I’ve still got to work on that free content.
@Faryna Welcome! Glad you stopped by. Did you like the video?
@paulcastain You’re welcome Paul. Where are you blogging at?
Hi Stanford. I came to your blog post via Jessica Northey’s retweet on Twitter.
Very helpful Stanford . . . I really need to implement these ideas!
Thanks!
Respectfully,
Paul Castain