How an opt-in works

Notice the graphic below and then we'll talk about what happens..

#1 = The lead magnet is presented 

First, People are presented with the opt-in.

They can take it or move on. This, in effect, is our, “Hey, would you like to chat more and see if we get along? Maybe there’s a relationship here…?”

I currently have 12-15 lead magnets running on my site.

#2 = They register (or not)

Second, if they choose to opt-in by providing us with an email address, they take the assessment and then are directed to a “thank you” page.

We acknowledge them, and communicate to check their inbox— we’re sending them valuable information. Sometimes, I present a one-time offer here, as well.

#3 = If they register, they receive the value

They drop into a pre-written e-mail sequence whereby we continue offering value to them.

Eventually, during this sequence, we ask them to purchase something. Remember, consistency over time builds trust. At some point, purchasing from you becomes the logical next step.

Questions & answers

A common question is, “How valuable does the content need to be to get people to opt-in?”

“About $15,” I generally reply. “Your opt-in can be a PDF download that gives people pointed info, it can be a mini-course, an eBook… an assessment… really, it can be anything. However, the opt-in always needs to relate to your core message, and you need to have a plan— after that opt-in— to continue moving people back to your content.”

Where do we share these opt-ins?

In a word, everywhere.

On the home page.

I always have an opt-in placed prominently on the front-facing page of my site. That way, anyone who arrives on my home page can quickly — and easily— take a next step.

Here’s a tip: always have one opt-in that’s easy to find. Place it in a predominant location.

If you were leaving something outside your house in case your friend might swing by and grab it while you weren’t physically there, you’d place it where they could easily find it— like near the front door or in the mailbox.

You wouldn’t tuck it behind a tree on the side yard or under a piece of lawn furniture out back. You’d set it where they can get it. Though this makes sense, consider how hard people often make it to find information which should be easy to locate.

As a next step on blog posts, podcasts, and emails.

I place others as a CTA at the bottom of blog posts and as the P.S. in emails.

On social media.

I place them on my social media feeds. Rather than sending people from the site to social media, this strategy entails using social media to invite them to your site.

Your next step = Learn how to start from scratch

Watch the video at no charge-- instant access to a pre-recorded webinar-- and you'll learn how opt-ins fit into the bigger picture of creating a website, releasing other forms of content, and more.