If you're working a home based business opportunity one of the key internet marketing elements you'll want to understand really well is the 'Capture Page' or ‘Opt-in Page’.
I'd like to go over a number of critical elements to having a successful one as soon as we quickly go over the basics so we don't leave our newer brothers and sisters behind.
These pages are all about prospecting, but hopefully are designed in a manner which assures a person that giving up their contact information will be worthwhile
You have encountered Capture Pages many times whether or not you knew what they were called.
These pages, also known as a 'Squeeze' pages, have one primary purpose: to collect the email address and preferably some additional information about you such as first name, last name, phone number, etc.
This activity is done by people interested in building their 'list' of prospective customers.
That information to a home based business Marketer is gold – especially the email address. What's the big deal? The importance of this strategy is huge because it gives that marketer access to your world via email.
A savvy marketer will waste no time to start emailing you messages. Even though the marketer is actually prospecting you, if they are smart they will not immediately start badgering you to buy what they are selling. That method was once standard procedure on the internet and is now seen as primitive and marginally effective.
The new trend on the internet is to provide great value to people who submit their information. Naturally it only makes sense to be providing the type of information that the person expects.
For instance – if your capture page is about teaching people how to attract more prospects to their home based business and you start sending information on computer programming, you're going to lose people off your list fast.
So what elements make up an effective capture page? Make your offer for free information (report, eBook, etc) so compelling that it will be harder for the visitor to your page to say 'no' to your request for their email address than to say 'yes'. Add bonuses, extra reports, etc. If possible include testimonials that include the person’s full name and city. Invest the time to clearly spell out one or two key benefits they will receive from getting your report. Get same feedback from friends to make sure your page reads well and includes a powerful call to action (tell them what you want them to do). Even if you do what I'm suggesting above it's not enough. Take as much care to avoid the following mistakes when designing a capture page: Demanding that your visitor fill out too much info will often cause them to skip it altogether. Asking for a first name and their email address is usually plenty enough info for you to have Failing to ensure your visitor that their email information will not be shared or sold is not wise. These prospecting Capture Pages should be designed to elicit their curiosity. If you have too much information on the page people may just decide they know enough about what you're offering and pass on giving you that precious information. 'Screaming' your offer is a turnoff. Structure your offer in a way that your visitor can come to their own conclusion that getting your report is a good idea. Another great piece of advice I've heard many times but did not understand the importance until Seth Godin pounded it thru my head was this: 'Facts tell but stories sell'.
'Facts' and features are suspect until they can be backed up via testimonials, personal experience, etc. That means they are less significant than ever and are easily ignored by people. If you want to grab someone's attention tell them a story.
Stories draw people in. The longer people stick around reading your capture page, your sales letters, your website the more likely they will get drawn into the story and convince them selves they want what you are offering – and that they need it. Designed properly, a capture page can do much of the prospecting work for your home based business opportunity.
John T. Kelly
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