As a business owner, a mailing list is one of the most valuable tools that you have. Building your mailing list is crucial for building a relationship with potential customers. You’re not just a swipe-able post on Instagram, you’re right there in there inbox, their hub for all important work and personal contact.
Building a mailing list is also a valuable form of protection for you. Google, Facebook and Instagram are constantly changing their algorithms, often leaving you penalised with the changes. You own your mailing list, no one can take your contacts away from you, nor can they change what content of yours is seen.
The purpose an opt-in is to create an irresistible offer that new visitors to your website just can’t refuse.
| Tip: Not sure what an opt-in is? Read this first.
Here are 15 opt-in ideas for your business
- Roadmap
- Checklist
- Audio file (like a meditation)
- Video training
- Free online workshop (this is a great intro to a paid program you offer)
- Resource library
- Design templates (Canva templates, Instagram highlight covers)
- eBook (recipes, or a how-to guide)
- Access to your private Facebook Group
- Email challenge (“5 days to do XYZ”)
- Swipe files (such as email scripts or blog writing prompts)
- An interactive quiz (this is a great way of serving your audience content relevant to their results. Use tryinteract.com)
- A discount code for your store
- Access to a VIP offer (like early access to a sale, bonus training modules or a free trial period)
- Digital resource (such as stock photos or Lightroom presets)
My most popular opt-ins of all time:
- Pinterest Makeover Guide
- Instagram Highlight Covers
- Free resource library (access to templates, stock photos and printables)
Where to promote your freebies:
1. Your Pinterest bio
Space in your Pinterest bio is very limited (read: you’ve got 60 characters to tell your story and promote your freebie).
My tips:
- Keep your ‘about’ blurb to one sentence (with as many relevant keywords as possible)
- Use a link shortener like bit.ly to create a custom link to your freebie opt-in page that’ll save on character space
- Add an emoji or 2 to make your freebie link stand out (personal faves are ⇢ ♥︎ 👉 ✨)
2. Add a link to your Instagram bio
Handy tip: You can add custom fonts to your Instagram bio (like bold or italic) by using a free tool like this or this.
This is a super simple but effective way of making your freebie stand out to new visitors to your profile.
3. Add a website pop-up
Word of warning: Pop-ups can be super annoying for new visitors arriving on your website for the first time (especially those on mobile). Furthermore, the chances of them handing over their email address to you before they’ve had a chance to see if they like your content is very small.
Instead, I like to use an “exit intent” pop-up. This means that the pop-up only appears when the user’s cursor moves outside of the top of the webpage, indicating that they’re likely about to leave my site.
The idea is simple – capture visitors who are about to abandon my website with a free bonus (my Pinterest Makeover Guide).
I set up mine using Leadpages as it was super simple and didn’t require any coding. (full transparency: I am a proud affiliate for Leadpages and may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you decide to purchase).
4. Your Facebook page cover image
Promoting your freebie on Facebook doesn’t have to be limited to posts in your feed.
For a strategy that will stay front-and-centre on your Facebook page, edit the description of your cover image and link to your opt-in page. #mindblown
5. Within your blog post
Make your blog posts really work for you by adding a freebie “button” that promotes your freebie.
This technique works best for content upgrades – a freebie that ties in directly with the subject of the blog post, adding additional value for the reader.
6. Your website navigation
Want to know what small tweak made the biggest change to my conversion rate? Linking to my freebie in my website’s navigation menu. Simple, right?
Keep the title short, sweet and punchy. In my main menu, I called mine “Pinterest Freebie”.
7. Website homepage
When creating a new website (or refreshing your current design) I highly recommend adding an opt-in form. Depending on what email software you use, the process of doing this does vary.
For mine, I used ConvertKit’s free WordPress app.
8. Your email signature
Below your contact details in your email signature be sure to link to your freebie opt-in page.
Got questions or suggestions? Drop them into the comments below!
good article love it