What is an Opt-In Box how does it Work?

I find a lot of business people do not know what an auto responder is, how it can help them build their business and bring in revenue.

I know we have all come across those little sign-up (commonly referred as opt-in boxes) where you leave your name and email – to get information or to be on a mailing list. This is what the front end of an auto responder looks like.

It drives me crazy when I have clients that do not want to collect names and prefer not to have one. That is marketing 101.

DEFINITION:

Auto-responder: An e-mail utility that automatically replies to an e-mail message with a pre-written response when that e-mail comes into a specific e-mail or Internet address.

An auto-responders (or opt-in box) can be used if you need a way to send information about your services, products, price lists, or if there are repeated questions asked across large numbers of e-mails.

Maybe you want to offer your site visitors a special bonus of some kind, such as advice or relevant articles. All of this can be handled by an auto-responder.

You can set up campaigns for your business and then build stable relationships with your customers by using auto-responders. Auto-responder programs vary from software that runs with your email program to a specialized script that runs on your web hosting company's server. This kind of script may use a web page form or simply operate with your e-mail account. This kind of script is programmed to send out a standardized message whenever an email is received. The message is sent to a particular script or email address.

This saves you time, and time is money…

They can do more than simply send out standardized messages. They can send out an unlimited number of follow-up messages sent at pre-determined intervals of time. For example, you can set your auto-responder to send out a new message every day for as long a period as you desire.

If you have a website and do not have an Opt-In box – you need to get on the stick! Your data-base is gold, how are you going to contact people who have come to your website and are interested in your products/services when you have a sale or new service?

How many times have you forgotten a website you had visited. Do you know that people usually visit a website more than once before they buy?

How are you going to be able to remind your visitors about you and your service?

Auto-responders are an effective and powerful marketing tool, allowing you to contact thousands of potential customers. This is an invaluable asset considering how many potential customers you usually have contact with before you make an actual sale. Essentially, an auto-responder allows you to automate part of your marketing campaign.

E-mail is an excellent marketing tool; it is inexpensive and fast.

I know there are a lot of auto-responders on the market. I use the professional version of Get Response (www.getresponse.com) I love it and don’t see how I ever did without it.

For a free month subscription here is a link. Check it out and you will see how easy they are to use.

If you feel a little intimidated and need someone to help you put up your opt-in box contact me. When you feel comfortable, you will be able to upgrade to the pro-version.

Un-complicate your life! Save time, save money, markets effectively use an auto-responder!

PS If you would like an auto-responder that can set up affiliate account and other high level marketing strategies you may like Kick Start – Click Here

To Exciting Opportunities & Endless Possibilities!

Pamela Jacob – Artista Design

Providing Creative Solutions & Amazing Results

Are You Getting What You Pay For?

As I was finishing up a clients site – I started thinking about all the small details that had to be done and put into place before I could consider the web site complete.

A lot of businesses that hire web designers/developers really have no clue as to what makes a web site – an outstanding marketing tool. In fact, some web site designers have no clue (because of the lack of experience and/or knowledge) what needs to be in place for the “complete package”.

I have seen it time and time again, – so I thought I would take this thought and put together what you should expect, from a professional web designer.

I am sure you are aware of the standard things you want when your website is being developed such as:

• A great looking and customer pleasing interface.

• Graphics that are optimized. This will allow your website to load fast in any computer browser.

• Copy/text that is professional and conveys what you are going to do for your customer – and why they should come to you, for the service or product you are offering.
• Navigation that is straight forward and direct so that visitors can find whatever they are looking for in 3 clicks or less.
• A opt in-box (auto responder) so you can capture the information from visitors that come to your site and are interested in what you have to offer.

What are some of the things you may not be aware of –, or that you didn’t realize your web professional can or should do for you?

• Each page of your site should have its own unique title.

• Keywords should be placed in the copy/text of the page and reflected in the meta-tags. I have my clients send me the keywords they want to place and do a little research to see if those are the keywords that should be used, or if I can find something better but similar.

• Have no more than 10 great keywords in your meta tags This is according to Hub Spot a leader in SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

• Make sure some type of analytics is available for your website. I always put Google analytics on each web page so that my clients can see a broad spectrum of what visitors are coming to their site, where they are coming from, what percentages are from search engines or back links etc. The information you can collect while using Google analytics is invaluable and can help you tweak your marketing.

• Create a site map not only an html site map but an xml site map. It is so important – the search engines love site maps and so will your visitors when they want to find something fast.

A web site is much more than a brochure online – of course you can have that if you would like, but you will miss so many opportunities to market to your target audience –, and I am sure your competition will love you for it!

Some other things to think about – if you are not familiar with Internet jargon – (a lot of successful business owners are not), don’t be afraid to talk to your web site developer about hosting, domain names, and how to market your web site online.

You should also be able to count on recommendations about services and product that will enhance you targeted goals and/or can be used in conjunction with your online marketing such as web 2.0 sites, auto responder, what you need in a host, etc.

You should be able to have an open dialogue with the professional that is building your online business, without feeling stupid, or that you are being condescended to – if not – how professional are they??

Until Next Time -

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design

Check some of my sites! http://linkbun.ch/6ymj

Squeeze pages, Opt in-boxes, Auto responders HELP!

Unless you have been living under a rock you should know that your database is gold and one of the most important things you can have on your website. FYI – opt in-box is just another name for and auto responder.

No matter how great your site is people get distracted and your visitor can be gone before you know it. That is why you need to collect information through an opt in-box (auto responder).

Capturing the names of visitors that come to your site only makes sense, you need to understand a simple fact, most visitors who come to you website will visit about 6 times before they decide to buy anything. The person who signs up, for your freebie is someone who is interested in what you have to offer, they simply do not know if they should trust you – or even if you know what you are talking about.
  Caution: Make sure and reassure you visitor you will not be selling, trading or other wise using their information for anything other than what they are signing up for…

This being said – it is essential to have it on our website(s), but have you ever thought about developing a squeeze page – and using this explosive combination! The value of a squeeze page is you can micro - target your market and get people who are extremely interested in what you are offering.

This is why using a squeeze page with an Opt in-box (getting permission to follow up with your visitors) can be so powerful.

What is a Squeeze Page?
A squeeze page – that gives away something of value in return for information is one of the most important things you can do for your business.
Consider it a marketing page that distributes information of value FREE. And in return will give people a sense of your expertise and/or credibility in the market place.
A squeeze page is really a 'trading' page - you are trading something of value to your visitor and they in turn give you information about themselves.

Why do businesses use squeeze pages?
They help target and capture potential clientele that are interested in your product and service. The most valuable squeeze page will combine two elements – offer the visitor a product at a discount and even when they don’t purchase the item, give them something of value for FREE… The visitor that signs up will be able to go away with a valuable piece of information. You will then have their information to thank them for visiting – and to announce other specials in the future.
Can you see why having a squeeze page can be invaluable? Having an auto responder, to collect information that you need, being able to market to that person, keeping your company/business name in front of them, letting them know when you have specials (etc.) is essential, for both a squeeze page and website.
It should be an integral part of you online marketing strategy.

Squeeze page Layout:
Keep the layout simple and to the point.
It is important to capture (opt in-box) only the minimum amount of information needed for the follow up - name; email address is all you really need.
Asking for state, country or phone should only be done later after they commit to more than the "freebie".
People are often reluctant to give up a phone number - especially on the first contact. They fear being put on lists or being called at all hours of the day or night.
It is important the visitor understand his/her information will be kept confidential. Remember that you can, and should, acquire more information as you develop the relationship between you and your customer.
You can make your own squeeze page but I am tired of seeing the same old page again and again… Are you??
Hire a designer to build a professional template squeeze page for you. This is especially important if you are not technically savvy. The cost of a good squeeze page is an excellent investment and well worth the money.
Make the effort to monitor your page by putting Google analytics or your favorite statistics code in the page. I love Google analytics because it is free and you can find amazing things about your visitors. If you don’t have a lot of visitors or people are coming and not signing up – you will be able to see what is happening. You can then go and tweak your page.

Graphics & Content:
Graphics are important – I am a visual person so I really love to see a page that is attractive and modern. Copy – I am sure you have heard often – sell the sizzle not the steak. That may be true with the first page of your website but a squeeze page is different.
This page is should be very targeted and direct. Let your visitors know exactly what this information or product will do for them.

Put your picture and a short bio somewhere on the page, this will lend credibility to your offer, what a great way to introduce yourself to first time visitors. Don’t forget to link back to your web site.
You need a high quality offer to entice the visitor to hand over her/his information. It should be something that is valuable – don’t be afraid to share – I promise it will come back to you ten times over.

Free reports are great items for squeeze pages. And these items need not be your product but can be products for which you are an affiliate.The information you are offering is only limited to your imagination – Example – lets say you are a sculptor and you don’t have a clue what to offer… What about the history of a famous piece of sculpture?

I guarantee anyone who is attracted to your page will want that information…
See what I mean. Be creative – put in the best keywords – send them out to search engines, tweet about your page – tell your friends on FriendFeed – and what about FaceBook, >LinkedIn, Plaxo…

The possibilities are endless. Need I say more?? Pamela Jacob - Artista Design Check some of my sites! http://linkbun.ch/6ymj