Some marketers also like to ask for subscribers' first names. It makes it easier to personalize emails in the future. However, if you don't need it, don't ask for it.
2. Give your visitors a good reason to sign up for your list – use a lead magnet
Lead magnets are among my favorite strategies for gathering more email subscribers . They provide added value and encourage opt-ins.
You may have noticed in Neil Patel’s pop-up above that he offers a free cheat sheet. It’s super easy to create, but it also has an excellent impact on sign-ups. Neil’s conversion rate averages over 7 percent, which is way above average.
Your lead magnet can take many forms. You can offer a toolkit, a template, a checklist, a video, or anything else you think your audience would like. Be sure to include value in your opt-in form.
Give your visitors a good reason to subscribe to your list – use a lead magnet
Ideally, a lead magnet should answer one question: “What’s in it for me?”
3. Make your login form visible to your website visitors
You can place email opt-in forms anywhere on your website, but some places tend to work better than others. You want these forms to be seen by as many people as possible.
Sidebars are popular places, but they don't always work as well as other places. We've already recommended top bars, which are always visible to your visitors, but exit pop-ups can also work well.
Make your login form visible to your website visitors
When a visitor tries to leave the browser, a Hello bar will appear to take over the page. If it's engaging and offers significant value, visitors will want to stay on the page.
Using Hello Bar, A/B test different form types and different placements. The more data you collect, the better, because advertising database you don’t want to miss out on email marketing opportunities.
4. Use a real login form – don’t use a link to your login page
There’s nothing wrong with creating a login page on your website. In fact, I encourage it, especially if you can optimize it for SEO and generate organic traffic.
However, this is not the best strategy when you want to direct people to sign up for your email list. When you include a link on your opt-in page, you create another step in the process. They have to click the link, fill out the form, and click the CTA button.
That's a lot of work. Instead, use header bars, sliders, and similar tools to present the form to visitors. You can also include the form in your navigation bar, header, or sidebar if you wish.
Adding just a few lines of copy to your email opt-in form can make a huge difference. Set subscriber expectations from the start so you don't irritate or confuse anyone.