Anatomy of a lead capture page

I’ve talked about the importance of building your list and using a lead capture page for years…

(you can always refer back to this previous post on the subject of list building)

This article will focus on the basics of what a lead capture page should consist of as well as a few tips.

• Your Ad Copy

Your ad copy (the text on your pages) is as important as the design. In fact some say even more important.

Start with your headline. This is a hard and fast rule: your lead capture page must have a powerful headline. That is the first thing your prospect is going to look at when he/she visits your web site. Not having a headline is like looking at a headless person!

Your headline serves as an advertisement to your prospects. Your headline must grab the attention of your visitors immediately.

Here is a recommended copy layout a lead capture page:

-Your main headline

-A subhead

-A few bullets providing the benefits. Note that benefits are different then features.

Use the ‘WIIFM’ RULE: What’s in it for me…Your ad copy should speak to your prospect directly… use the word YOU and ME. Eliminate the use of the word ‘I’.

- Call To Action: Tell them what you want them to do. Example, Simply enter your name and email address in the form below, and you’ll gain instant access.

- A simple privacy statement is also recommended.

Additional Tips:

• Keep the opt in form above the fold. This means that it can be seen without having to scroll down the page.
• Videos are HOT right now. A powerful video on your lead capture page can completely eliminate the need for much ad copy. I’ve seen high conversions with no more than a really compelling video and an optin form.
• The less information you ask for on your form, the higher chance your visitor will sign up. The more fields of required information you ask for on your form, the more ‘friction’ you are adding to the process. At most, ask for name and email address.

• Bonus offer or incentive

Consider offering some sort of bonus or incentive to your new subscribers- something other then the promise of more information. The bonus itself should tie into your main offer.

It can be a free report…software, maybe you have a CD to offer…or record an audio or video presentation.

Hope this helps out,

Rhonda

Popularity: 18% [?]

Welcome back! Be sure to grab your free Social Networking Guide.
Your comments are always welcome- Rhonda Crosby

Intro to social networking

We have all likely heard of it before, but not everyone knows what it means? If you were asked to define what social networking was, would you be able to give an accurate definition? Unfortunately, most individuals cannot, even though it is likely that they participate in some form of social networking, especially online.

If you are wondering how and why you should use social networking websites to promote your online website, you are not alone. A fairly large numbers of Internet users aren’t even sure what social networking sites are or how they work. Online social networking websites are like online communities. They give Internet users an easy and fairly safe way to come together. Many social networking websites are designed to make it easier for you to search for and make contact with other Internet users, especially those that you have something in common with.

Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profiles or profile pages of other members or even contacting them. The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online.

With a fairly large number of social networking websites, including MySpace, having over a millions users, there is a good chance that you could not only make new friends, but find Internet users that would be interested in visiting your online website, especially if that website is your personal website. When joining an online networking community, you should be given your own profile page. On this page you could not only describe yourself, your online website. By mentioning what your personal online webpage is all about and providing a link, you should receive a number of new visitors.

Here is a list of the more popular social networking sites and tools:

• MySpace
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• FriendFeed
• Squidoo
• Meetup
• Ryze

• A comprehensive list of 350+ social networking communities

I encourage you to get involved in social networking yourself.

Rhonda

Popularity: 13% [?]

Intro To Blogging

What is a Blog?
They are a hot topic. Everyone seems to have one or they are talking about starting one. In fact, your reading one now.

In my virtual assistant business, I’ve been recommending my clients setup blogs in addition to their websites to enhance their marketing for a couple of years now. Recently, I’ve suggested they choose to setup and use a blog ‘instead’ of a typical ’static’ website and here’s why…

1. Blogs are simple to setup and inexpensive to maintain

2. By nature blogs are fresh in content so search engines love them

3. Blogs are very easily updated by you the user from a simple admin area. No HTML skills required. If you can type an email, you can post to your blog.

4. As blog themes, especially wordpress themes have gotten more sophisticated they can easily be used as a content management system (CMS) and won’t even have to ‘look’ like a typical blog.

I could go on and on about the benefits of blogs but the main point I want to get across is that blogs are now mainstream so you should start thinking seriously about blogging.

Blogs or webLogs are simply an online journal, organized in chronological order. Blogs have been around for years; mostly used for personal websites. Most normally focus on a single topic or theme and allow visitors to add comments, thus creating an interactive dialog between owner and visitors.

Until now, blogs have been its own little niche on the Internet. But more and more are using blogs. Businesses, small and large, are increasingly adding blogs to their marketing repertoire. Search Engines love them…peope love to read them. What does this mean to you? Increased Traffic and Sales!

Internet Marketers are branding themselves better, attracting a bigger following, building their web site traffic, increasing their sales and making more money online through the magic of RSS & Blogs.

Should you be a “Blogger”?

One word – YES! Blogs are a great way to really drive the Search Engines where you want them to go plus they generate a ton of traffic if you write well.

Recommended Blogging Resources:

Wordpress.com It’s free and hosted, simple to get started. You just signup, choose a template and your ready to go. Your blog is hosted by wordpress so you would not need hosting with this option. Good way to get started blogging in the beginning.

Wordpress Pro: The software is still free but it does need to be installed on a web hosting account. This way offers more flexibility and features than the hosted wordpress blog above does.

Wordpress Tutorials -Learn To Blog Today with Wordpress. Easy to follow, Comprehensive, beginner-and-advanced, non-geek-speak, audio/video tutorials to help you blog for fun & profit! I highly recommend it!

Happy Blogging,

Rhonda

Popularity: 17% [?]