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How-to Build An Effective Squeeze Page
Not only is marketing to a list of people that didn't opt-in to that list ethically wrong but it's in direct violation of the CAN-SPAM act of 2003. So, you need a way to protect your integrity and you friendships with your address book. Enter the squeeze page. A squeeze page is a simple HTML page that allows visitors to your site opt-in to the list you are offering. But how do you make this list? Where to begin? First off, the concept of a opt-in form is one that you are probably familiar with already. If you have surfed the web for more than a day you'll see them EVERYwhere. Literally, Every company that even thinks you are worthwhile enough to market to time and again will have an opt-in form somewhere on their site. These forms ask you for your e-mail address, usually with the offer of a free gift or information. A squeeze page is a page on a site that is designed for JUST that purpose. What I mean is, it doesn't do anything else but take down your e-mail address and maybe a bit or two of personal information. It's just that simple. What they do from that point on is up to them and they can do so knowing YOU gave them permission. The formula for making a successful squeeze page is as follows: Eye-popping graphics + Attention Grabbing Headline + Attractive Sub-header + List of Benefits + Call to Action + Collection Form = their e-mail address sent to you for your marketing efforts. Sound simple right? It really is! Let's take a look at the list of things you'll need. This is a bit like a craft project that, when pieced together right equals gold for you. The first thing you'll need is an attention-grabbing headline. Without know anything of HTML you'll need to know a few things here. this Headline is a can't be missed element of your squeeze page. So, make it stand out. It should be large and probably colored in such a way that is is different from any of the text on the screen. This is often done in red, but your site's overall look should really determine the formatting here. Keep your message short and use it to address a real need in the readers life. Next, build an attractive sub-header that supports your main header. Often this is done in a slightly smaller font and placed directly below the main header. Be creative however, if your full page only just fills the screen, place the sub-header at the bottom of the page or in the middle. The important thing to remember her is that you will need to support the main header. do not try to do too much at once. If your carefully crafted sub-header starts to look like a new main header switch it around or save it for a new squeeze page (yes, you can have more than one). Often all of this is followed by a short well-crafted list of benefits. A bulletted list of things that the reader will or should gain by opting-in to your list. These are done in a number of way and can be placed in several places on the site. most often they are formatted to fit beside and to the left of the opt-in form. Keep your list short and to the point. Identify real benefits to be gained, not flimsy encouragements to sign-up. Tell people what they are getting and they will opt-in to your list time and time again. Next is your call to action. This behind the collection form and header is the single biggest item of your squeeze page. You need to prompt your reader to sign up now, not later. Most squeeze page are only viewed for a few seconds to a minute before the decision to sign-up or move on is made. The call to action needs to instill urgency. Most will tell the reader to,"Sign up now for your free ____". Make the list they are signing up for sound like a can't miss event and people will opt-in rather than returning to Google. The collection form is a simple form asking for one important detail, their e-mail address. Anything else is secondary and should be carefully thought out. Do you intend to send them anything in the mail? No? Then there is no need for their address. Do you wish to market differing products to differing age groups? If yes, perhaps asking their age is appropriate here. Remember this when crafting your form though, less is more. the easier you make it for your reader to opt-in the better it will be for you. With that said there is still probably one thing you'll always want to collect, their name. You may not need their full name, but having something like their first name will help you to personalize your relationship. This is a relationship that, you hope, will last for years to come. In the same way that you want to make the opt-in process easy to accomplish for our reader, you'll want to assure them that what they are doing is safe. A few words below the form explaining that you have no intention of spamming and/or selling their address is key to maximizing your sign-ups. People are hesitant to give out their e-mail address to just anyone that asks so take a moment to make them feel at ease. Finally let's talk about those eye-popping graphics. You don't HAVE to be a graphic arts major to accomplish this but a few well placed images will make a HUGE difference in your conversion rate. Keep it simple but make it spectacular though. Do not overload the user or outshine the single most important piece of the page, the collection from. Often websites will include graphics like arrows pointing out the collection form and stars or check boxes to illustrate their benefits. Most e-mail marketing gurus will tell you that, like the informational items you collect in your form, less is more. Be creative and make the page attractive, however do not overwhelm. That's it! Once you have completed this and connected your list to a autoresponder service that will handle your emails you've got yourself a great squeeze page. You can then begin to market the page, offer giveaways and freebies to encourage sign-ups and soon your list will grow, giving you many opportunities to make money again and again. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Michael is currently working as an Internet Marketer online specializing in E-mail list building. More information on e-mail marketing can be obtain on this blog: www.squidoo.com/moneymakingquest |
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