There are dozens of them on the Internet. We read them every day but are they effective? Do they make you want to actually do the thing they are asking you to do – which is normally to sign up for an email list? What are we talking about? Why, squeeze pages, of course.

What is a Squeeze Page?

It sounds like it has something to do with fruit. What you are squeezing is not produce but people. You want their information for your list. Whether you are looking for sales leads or subscribers, a squeeze page is an effective way to get what you seek.

A squeeze page is essentially a landing page. It can be your home page on your site, but if you are running more than one marketing campaign, it can be a separate page, the purpose of which is to get people to opt-in to your list in exchange for something.

What can they opt-in for? It can be newsletters, free reports, free analysis, catalogs and the like. You choose who you are looking for and what media will get the names and email addresses for you.

These pages are important because their sole purpose is to get the reader to perform an act that has been predetermined by you. The “act” does not involve sales directly. You want to gain the trust of your potential customer before you ask them to consider buying something from you.

One benefit you will gain here is a list of subscribers that are within your target market. Someone who is not interested will not sign up. Using a squeeze page as a sales page can draw people who are not within your target market. If you post a page that offers “get rich quick” scenarios, you are guaranteed to get lots of takers but not the ones you want.

Characteristics of a Squeeze Page

People pay a lot of money to have squeeze pages constructed for them. With this page, you want to pull out all of the stops to get noticed by your niche. So, let’s start at the top, the top of the page that is.

1. Headline. People glance over pages when they read on the Internet. Your headline may be the only chance to gain their attention. Sum that up in a few words and use it as your headline: “Researchers Say it takes Two Weeks to Make or Break a Habit.” Don’t forget to use the same keywords you researched for your website.

2. Get personal. Share a story that is relevant to your subject matter. Maybe you had a habit you wanted to create. Give the reader insight into your issue and how you solved it.

3. Get user-friendly. Use bullet points and numbered passages to gain the reader’s attention. Emboldened wording stands out and lets the reader glance to see if you have to say anything that they want to hear.

4. The action. Don’t forget to include what you want them to do. If it is signing up for something, tell them how to do it and what they will gain. Have your opt-in form clearly labeled with a link to your site.

Squeeze pages are one way of creating a targeted list of interested people who will hopefully become customers. They are a great way to not only grow your list, but potentially your profits too.

People want good information. If the seekers are looking for something in your niche, you want them to find you. One way to gain new leads is through newsletters.

Wouldn’t it be great to get the information you need delivered right to your inbox? You can, or at least your readers can if you create a newsletter.

Your website contains content that will help draw your target market to you. You use keywords (that you carefully researched), catchy headlines and other tricks to provide interesting tidbits for your readers. But, there are more tidbits in the marketing kitchen that you can cook up. Save those for the newsletter.

Benefits of a Newsletter

What makes a newsletter so special? It gives the reader more detailed information than they can find on your website. You can upsell it as exclusively for subscribers. That alone can get your readers to opt-in for it and also tell their friends.

What are the components of a newsletter? It varies, but the more features you add, the more attractive it will be. Here are a few ideas:

· Contest entries

· Preview new products before the general public

· Discount coupons

· Letters from you

· Tips and articles

· Pictures

· New product info

Newsletters are usually delivered monthly on the same date each month. You can set your newsletters up to be delivered through your autoresponder service so your subscribers get them on time.

Newsletters can be created in a couple of different ways. Some people have their entire email be their newsletter. It is a one-page piece that includes links to areas on your website where they can find more information. If it is a contest entry, a link will bring them to the landing page where they can enter and read up on the contest particulars. That page can also link to other offers they may be interested in.

Others post emails that tell you the newest newsletter is available. Subscribers click a link that takes them to a “subscriber only” area of your website. Here they can read and download the newest newsletter. Also let them know that they can access your archive of newsletters that were created before they found your site. Creating timeless content makes these past pieces valuable months or years later.

Want to build your list? Offer newsletters to readers if they subscribe to your site. By including some of the information above, readers can stay connected in such a way that eventually leads to recurrent sales.

Autoresponders are a series of messages you can send to your list via email to let them know that you value their participation in your business. Autoresponder emails are not sales pitches but a way to communicate with people on your list that will hopefully lead to a sale.

If someone has signed up as a subscriber, then you know one thing already: they are interested in your niche. Your content, blog posts and other marketing tools have led them to believe that you just may have a product worth buying.

There are some people who find a site that they instantly click with and purchase right away. They are not usually the norm especially on the Internet where “sight unseen” can spell disaster and lost cash for customers. People will ask friends, visit review sites and follow you for a while before deciding to hit the checkout page.

Constructing an Autoresponder Email

Email marketing is an effective campaign when done right. Once you have someone’s email address, you also have the addresses of their friends and their influence. You just have to get at it. Use targeted emails and an autoresponder service.

Autoresponder services take the guesswork out of delivering your email series. You can also deliver other products also, but that will come later.

If your emails read like a sales letter, you will probably get a lot of unsubscribe notices. Avoid this with these few tips.

1. Use keywords in your catchy headline. Headlines are going to be the first thing that your subscriber sees in their subject line. If you want them to open it, get straight to the point. Tell them exactly what they will find if they open the email. It could be the answer to a question you pose or specific information:”3 Easy Ways to Create a Family Budget.”

2. Address your subscriber by name. General greetings don’t let your reader know that you know them. It’s a sign that you are too busy to actually be “connected” with your readership. Address each person directly in your email series.

3. Provide pertinent content. Begin with the question you posed or the statement you made in your headline. If you are focused your subscribers will be also. Give what you promise in as few words as possible – 300 to 400 words.

4. Ask them to do something. This is not a sales hook. If you are offering a free eBook with more information, this is when you discuss what they will find in it and provide a link to the landing page. If you would like them to opt-in for something else like a monthly newsletter, include that here.

5. Salutations. Use your real signature. Let them know that you are personally involved in everything that you send out to your subscribers and customers.

An autoresponder program lets you communicate with your subscribers in a variety of ways. What is important to them is what you say and how you say it through well-constructed emails.