I was wondering if any of you use Opt-in boxes on your sites to get a prospect list? If yes, what kind of information are you offering (news letters, tips, etc). Last question: are you generating business from it?

Very curious to see what you're all doing...

Thanks

__________________
Genevieve Lachance
VA Simple Services

Hi Genevieve,

Yes, I have more than one opt-in box. One is for a free download and another is for opt-in to my newsletter list. Both work very well. I have them on my blog and my website. When I post a blog, I receive several new entries on both my blog and my site.

I hope to add more opt-in options but those are two most common; newsletter and free download.

Janine

__________________
WRITE FAB RFP PROPOSALS & land THE VA job. WinningRFP unveils soon! SignUp www.WinningRFP.com

Hi

I do too. I think it's so important to have because then you get more chances to show potential clients and others what you offer.

I'm in the middle of changing things around a bit, but I offer my PR informational package.

I do believe I generate clients from it because when I send out newsletters, I'll often get clients from that. So I'd definitely recommend going for it.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen / www.virtualwordpublishing.com

I do have my opt in box on my site and like Diana I am getting ready to change my offer. It is easy to set up and what a great way to lead capture. I surely would recommend it.

__________________
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the research phase right now and still trying to figure out what "free offer" to include in my opt-in box. What would make people want to click on it. Also, should it be a newsletter or tips on something valuable to my visitors??? I would prefer to use something that doesn't require too much upkeep. I'm doing research on LinkedIn in the Question/answer section to see what people would be interested in and from that will probably do some kind of survey on other social networks. Hopefully I can do it right the first time

__________________
Genevieve Lachance
VA Simple Services

Sounds like a good plan, Genevieve!

Let us know how you do!

Janine

__________________
WRITE FAB RFP PROPOSALS & land THE VA job. WinningRFP unveils soon! SignUp www.WinningRFP.com

Hi Genevieve,

If you don't want to write a lot of updates or newsletters, you could set up a short series. Something like "Five ways to [fill in the blank]". Write those up and set them to be sent out one at a time - at intervals you choose (ex: weekly). When someone opts in they are sent the first message, a week later they get the second, and so on until the series is up.

Then you could use your list to send out a bit of news here and there. I wouldn't leave it too long between emails (after the initial series) or people might forget who you are (and that they opted in) and report you as spam. You don't want that to happen.

Another option (if you blog) is an opt-in that automatically sends your new blog posts out by email. Or you could send a monthly recap newsletter that lists your blog posts for the last month.

Deb

p.s. I'm guessing that you already know about autoresponders like AWeber. But if you don't - it's pretty easy to set up, saves you a lot of work because it automates everything, keeps track of stats, keeps your lists, handles unsubscribes, makes sure you comply with all the laws and regulations, etc. It does have a monthly charge, but it's worth it.

__________________
Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros