Comments on: Holding Your Freebies Hostage?

By: Alice Seba

Alice Seba — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:41:05 +0000

Interestingly enough, today one of my own subscribers (I don’t know that he read this post prior to commenting), posted a similar experience to “Jane”.

Of course, I got trouble in the process as I am the one who linked to the offer…but it’s interesting to read how he described it.

Yes, he’s just one person and doesn’t in itself prove anything, but does give pause for thought on the experience your user is having with your own offers.

By: Alice Seba

Alice Seba — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:49:36 +0000

Thanks again everyone for your input.

Michel – I really appreciate your input as I know you’re always testing these types of things out. That’s an interesting option on the download/confirmation link. Makes perfect sense.

By: Ashraf

Ashraf — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:24:23 +0000

Hi,
I definitely agree with you. Please are more eager to a freebie than to buy any product.

As for selling a product, it can be done well if it is done through free ebook. People will be naturally inclined to buy after reading good information.

Just my thoughts
Ashraf

By: johnyeng (John Yeng)

johnyeng (John Yeng) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:50:18 +0000

Food For Thought : Are You Holding Your “Freebies” Hostage ? http://bit.ly/uCAFz

By: Julie Lewin

Julie Lewin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:04:19 +0000

Thanks Alice and Michel. I’m new to lists and opt-ins and must confess to feeling a little confused … Michel, I really get what you say … and I agree. Your analogy was really helpful. I like the confirmation email being disguised as the download.

By: Michel Fortin

Michel Fortin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:33:04 +0000

I agree.

Here’s an interesting twist, though, which I’ve tested and had some great results. Depending on your autoresponder provider, you can ask for the optin, and on the resulting page, it says “An email with your link to download your freebie has been sent to you.”

The email says “click on this link to download” and the result is leading you to a page that automatically starts the download.

The process here, is that the link in the email is really a confirmation link, disguised as a download link.

Now, before you shoot arrows at me, keep this in mind. The purpose of a double opt-in is NOT to ensure the person really wanted to join, which is what most people think.

It’s not.

The purpose is to ensure someone else did NOT enter your email, and that you are who you say you are. It’s to ensure you are the rightful owner of that email address, not to invite procrastination or create doubt AFTER you requested to optin.

It’s like me going to a corner store, bringing a chocolate bar to the counter, I pull out my money, and the clerk says, “Are you sure? If you are, just tap on the counter.”

Versus…

Me buying a chocolate bar and paying with my credit card, and the clerk asks for a piece of ID to confirm I am who I say I am on the credit card (I am the rightful owner of the card).

Just a thought.

By: Alice Seba

Alice Seba — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:54:58 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, guys.

Just to clarify:

I am not making a case for or against double opt-in, confirmed opt-in or whatever you want to call it. I am talking about allowing your new subscribers to get their freebie on the thank you page…even if they haven’t confirmed yet.

I’m also not talking about being passive and hoping they’ll opt-in or hoping they’ll buy. I’m talking about delivering on promises, making a strong offer and encouraging the new prospects to buy right away.

That’s all.

By: Alice Seba

Alice Seba — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:52:56 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, guys.

Just to clarify:

That’s all.