Whenever someone new visits your website, your #1 goal is to get them on your email list. That way you have a method of keeping them up-to-date on your latest offerings, so when they’re ready to hire you or buy your product, you’re right there in their inbox.
And having a way for them to join your list that is both simple and effective will dramatically increase both your list numbers and your sales.
Here are the three biggest mistakes I see regularly on business websites:
1. Not having a way to capture your visitors. Most people don’t bite on the first pass, and once they click away, it’s unlikely they’ll be back. Don’t lose them by not having a way for them to sign up for your list.
2. The opt-in box is buried. If your visitor can’t find the form to sign up, then how can they?
TIP: Testing shows that the upper right-hand corner of your webpage is still the best spot for your opt-in box.
3. The sign-up form says something unenticing like "click here for mailing list" – ugh!
So, here are 5 proven ways that you can instantly increase your opt-in rates:
1. Give your visitor only one choice.
Some of you may have heard of a 1-banana or a single action website, which is exactly that. You’re giving your visitor only one option – sign up for your list via your free ezine, special report, checklist, ebook, etc. They get their freebie in exchange for giving you their email address.
One of my clients recently implemented this idea for her coaching business, which was a big leap of faith for her. I just got a joyful email from her saying that she’s noticed a substantial increase in her opt-ins since!
It works, so don’t be afraid to try it. And by the way, a testimonial or two on your 1-banana website doesn’t hurt either.
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Do you ever find yourself tempted to purchase something online, and even with a money-back guarantee, you’re still not quite sure about handing over your cash?
Well, some of your prospects will feel the same way as they read your sales page for your product or service. Your offer sounds great, the right guarantee eliminates their risk, but they still wonder if whatever it is they are considering purchasing is right for them.
If you want to increase the likelihood that they will take out their wallet, simply offer them a free or paid trial! Haven’t you loved it when you’ve been given the option to try something out for free or very little cost to make sure it’s what you want?
By offering a trial to your prospects, you’re doing two things of value for your business-building. One is that you are showing that you are confident in the value of your product to offer a trial, and the other is that you are essentially eliminating the last lingering question in your prospect’s mind: "What if I don’t like it?"
Allowing your prospects to decide for themselves whether or not your product or service is for them answers that question for them.
So, what kinds of products and services are best for free trials?
1. Downloadable products
If you’re offering information products, like ebooks or how-to guides, you can offer a sample chapter as a free trial. If you’re offering an e-course, you can offer one lesson as a free trial. If you’re offering an audio program, you could offer a 15-minute clip as a free trial. You could also create an introductory component to any of these that gives solid information, but that also leaves your reader or listener wanting more.
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Do you get discouraged or stuck in building your business because you think there's too many others to compete against in your niche? A lot of solo business owners feel this way, especially when they are first starting out. I don't want you to give up before you really get started, so I'd like you to consider thinking about your competition in a different way.
1. There's an abundance of clients and customers for everyone.
2. Your competitors are potential collaborators and strategic alliances for you.
3. The better you come to know your competitors, the more you will become aware of the uniqueness of your own message and your own offerings.
If you embrace this perspective, you'll find that those feelings of discouragement and "what's the point – I can't compete" will melt away.
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If you publish an ezine regularly, inevitably there are times when you get stuck and can’t quite come up with the perfect article for your issue. Sometimes just taking a break and coming back later will give you a fresh start. But other times you need more of a "writing prompt" to get you going.
The following 7 ways should help you get unstuck and get writing:
1. Write a Tip Sheet
Sometimes it’s easier to get started by creating a list of tips: How to _______; The 5 Ways to ____________; Top Ten Tips to _______________; Write a couple of sentences for each tip, and before you know it, you have a completed article full of practical information for your readers.
2. Answer Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
As your clients interact with you, you’ll likely get the same kinds of questions over and over. Take one or two of your most frequently asked questions and answer it in an article.
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Writing a regular ezine (online newsletter) can sometimes feel like hard work. So if you're putting in the time and effort to give your readers valuable content, consider implementing at least a few of the strategies in this article to help your efforts pay off in pro^fits.
Here are 4 ways to help your ezine make you more mo^ney:
1. Self-promote
Besides giving valuable content in each issue of your ezine, don't forget to add a little self-promotion as well. After all, it is one of your best marketing tools, and you want to make sure that you're letting your subscribers know what products and services you have available for them. It's best to do this in a separate section of your ezine, instead of in the copy of the article you write for your readers. A short blurb about you and what you offer, as well as a bit about one of your products and services with a link to more information is all you really need to do.
A tip: If space allows, consider adding one or two short testimonials from your clients/customers who are raving fans, too.
Depending on the method through which you are publishing your ezine, you can track how many times your links are clicked on, which gives you valuable market research information about what your readers are interested in finding out more about.
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When you're deciding whether or not to hire someone or invest in their product, doesn't the image they project go a long way in making you feel good about parting with your hard-earned cash?
So, for example, if you're looking for a nutritionist, it's unlikely that you'd hire the one who offers donuts in her waiting room, right? 🙂
Well, the same is true when YOUR potential client or customer is making the decision whether or not to invest in you or your offerings. If you have an image that is congruent with your claim, you've made it much easier for your prospect to say yes to you.
And living your message makes everything about building your business with integrity and authenticity that much easier – and more fun – too!
Here's an example from my own client files: I was working with a life coach who came to me because she wasn't getting ANY clients and was about to give up her business dream and go back to working for someone else. Once we took a look at what was going on in her business, it was clear to me what the issues were.
She was trying to position herself as someone who could help others reach their dreams, whatever they were. The problem was she hadn't achieved her own dream of a successful life coaching business, which was the one that was the most important for her to reach to get new clients!
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