Do you have an eye-catching subscribe button on your blog? Here’s what you need to look at …
When you start any new site and you start to invite others to visit your site you will want to decide what you want them to do when they get there. You probably want them to do several things while they’re there so you’ll need to write those out and number them.
If you have a product for sale then you probably want to invite them to a sales page where you have sales copy for your product and their options are either buy or leave.
If you want them to read your posts and find your content valuable then you want to make reading your posts your main focus.
If you are trying to grow a mailing list or RSS subscriber base … then you want those to be the dominant feature.
For my Bikini After 40 site I want my main focus to be on gaining RSS subscribers. Eventually I will offer some nice freebies to grow my mailing list but that will come down the road.
So if my main focus is gaining RSS subscribers I want to (a) put my opt in box in a “prime real estate” area of my blog, (b) draw some attention to it, and (c) ask readers to subscribe.
I put the opt in box in the area that’s called “above the fold.” That means the part of your page that you can see when the page loads without having to scroll down the page. Then depending on where your side bar is located you would want to put it at either the top left or the top right side. Research shows that our eye scans a page in a “z” pattern … starting at the top left side … moving straight across to the top right side … then down and left … and then back across to the right so you’ll want to keep that in mind when choosing the opt in location.
To draw some attention I like to use something animated in the opt in area. I hired Chrissy Jensen to design the opt in area for the site and I think she did a great job. I told her to use the one here on suzannefranco.com as a guide and to make it match the look and feel of the bikini site.
In the box I ask readers to subscribe. Seems obvious but sometimes I just see icons and a field to fill in … and I like to make it a little more apparent that I want them to subscribe. I’m still coming up ideas for something to dangle and a call to action but I’ll get it there eventually.
Here’s the screen capture video I made for you:
So what do you think of my opt in on the bikini site? Do you have some ideas for me? I’d like to entice visitors to subscribe … do I need a good freebie? What info do you think my readership would most appreciate?
Do you know what your number one priority is for your site? Have you focused your efforts and energy there? Is it obvious to your visitors/readers? Do you have any questions I can answer? Let us hear from you! *SmiLes* Suzanne
P.S. If you’ve enjoyed the post and video would you please take a quick second and share it with your friends on Twitter or Facebook (or your favorite social site) … I’d really appreciate it! 
Glad you're here! I wrote my first eBook, "Blogging Idol Secrets Revealed," and it's my FREE gift for those who supported me in the Blogging Idol competition (and for my new online friends too LOL).
Go download it and learn how I drove new visitors and grew my RSS subscribers by over 800% ... in 30 days flat! Let me know what you think of the book ok?
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41 Comments
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing
on 19th May, 10 05:05pm
make a list! So simple, yet rarely done. I’ll be making a lot of these kinds of lists soon.
Opt-in boxes – oh yes, above the fold at all times; mines right smack in the header for now…can’t get much more above then that. lol
Freebie bribes – the class is torn on this although i think the yes vote wins most of the time. I know i did quite well without one on DSWM, but I also held some contests with subscription as a factor.
I’ll be using freebies soon myself.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..10 Social Share Sites Chosen – Do You Agree?
Suzanne
on 20th May, 10 11:05am
Dennis ~ me and my lists! LOL … some think I have lists … of my lists! LOL
As for freebies … do you have a way to offer them for RSS subscribers or just for those who opt in to a mailing list? I think I remember some sites where once you subscribe via RSS you see a some text that is only seen once you subscribe … and there’s a link for a free ebook (Chris Garrett I think it was – gotta go check now) … so that’s a thought. Do you (or anyone reading) have any ideas for the best giveaway for the bikini site? I’d love to hear all feedback on this one.
I’ve considered a contest for the bikini site but I also wonder how many people just subscribe for the contest and don’t stick around after the contest. I guess that depends on the target market and the content once they get there huh?
Thanks for the feedback … and let me know what ideas you have for me k? *huGs* S
Andrew @ Blogging Guide
on 21st May, 10 07:05am
Hi Suzanne,
Found your site via Daniel’s RT club!
Re: Giveaway. What about a 30-day plan of diet, recipes, exercises to get people in shape?
Re: Contest
I’ve run a few now and you are right many people stick around for the contest and that’s all. However, the outlay is normally small so if I get 100 or 200 more regular visitors, I’m happy.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Premium WordPress Themes For Free…
Suzanne
on 21st May, 10 08:05am
Andrew ~ Thanks for the feedback.
I love the giveaway idea … I have a small list going so maybe I’ll put them all up and we can “vote” via a poll
I’d actually like to do a contest there … and maybe if I gear it towards similar blog owners they’ll stick around (i.e. post your top weight loss, fat loss, exercise tip, etc.). I love contests when they’re done right … super fun. LOL *huGs* S
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing
on 23rd May, 10 02:05pm
Nothing personal, but that depends on the blog and the contest. I ran a bunch on DSWM, and hardly ever lost people afterward.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..UPDATED: Aweber Affiliate Link Contest! – This Is It!!
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing
on 22nd May, 10 04:05pm
I recently read an article on this. Something about playing with the feedburner confirmation page.
A book on how to stay healthy in the sun.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..UPDATED: Aweber Affiliate Link Contest! – This Is It!!
Mahesh
on 20th May, 10 07:05am
Good post!
Jorgen @ Personal Branding
on 20th May, 10 09:05am
I have actually ‘hidden’ my RSS a bit, I want people to opt-in to my mailing list instead. If they scroll a bit, they can still find the RSS though!
Jorgen @ Personal Branding´s last blog ..Social Bookmarking Made Easy by Caroline Middlebrook and the IMAutomator
Suzanne
on 20th May, 10 11:05am
Jorgen ~ I would love to grow a mailing list too … do your blog posts go out via your mailing list as well as your RSS?
I’ve never invested the time to compare my visits to my subscriptions … do you know your percentage? Hmmm … I might need to start monitoring that (add it to the “to do” list *sigh* LOL).
Thanks for sharing and that’s exactly why I say to know ahead of time what’s most important to you so you put your #1 front and center … good job! *SmiLes* S
Jorgen @ Personal Branding
on 28th May, 10 01:05pm
Hi Suzanne, yes indeed I have blog broadcasting enabled so the email list operates like a Feedburner subscription. The big difference however is that I have full control of who signs up, I can track opens, clicks etc. And I can send emails whenever outside of the broadcast – all in all pretty nifty!
Jorgen @ Personal Branding´s last blog ..How to Land a New Gig with Twitter
Morten Pedersen
on 20th May, 10 12:05pm
Interesting reading i will take this in mind when I do look at my web sties and blog over agian.
Morten Pedersen´s last blog ..Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso ( Santa Sofia ) 2007
Suzanne
on 21st May, 10 08:05am
Hi Morten ~ let me know if I can help you in any way.
Andrew @ Blogging Guide
on 21st May, 10 08:05am
I target my opt-in and build my list rather then build my RSS subscribers.
I’ve always done that from day one.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Premium WordPress Themes For Free…
Suzanne
on 21st May, 10 08:05am
I’d actually rather build my list than my RSS … so what method are you using? Did you integrate Aweber to handle your RSS as well? Do you send out new blog posts via RSS/feedburner and through your email list? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks again. S
Andrew @ Blogging Guide
on 22nd May, 10 11:05am
Suzanne
I use Aweber- great, simple to use and excellent real-time support.
I don’t really concentrate on RSS, I concentrate on my list.
Re: Marketing. I provide lots of extra advice to my list over and above my blog posts – extra guides as well.
Plus I send them reviews of the tools I personally use.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Premium WordPress Themes For Free…
Καλοριφέρ Πάνελ
on 21st May, 10 08:05am
I have actually ‘hidden’ my RSS a bit, I want people to opt-in to my mailing list instead. If they scroll a bit, they can still find the RSS though!
Suzanne
on 22nd May, 10 09:05am
Who do you use as your auto responder? Do you have it integrated with your RSS feed too? How are you marketing to your list? Any tips and ideas are appreciated.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing
on 23rd May, 10 02:05pm
Soon I’ll be dumping RSS altogether for an Aweber list….it can handle all.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..UPDATED: Aweber Affiliate Link Contest! – This Is It!!
Jason Acidre
on 24th May, 10 07:05pm
I agree with you, placement will do the trick. Just the way you have placed your RSS at the top right sidebar, I surely have noticed it before I get to read the entire post
Suzanne
on 26th May, 10 07:05am
Hey Jason ~ Thanks for the feedback
Witzig
on 26th May, 10 07:05am
I think you should also have a good explanation of what RSS is next to the subscribe button. Many people will see it and perhaps wonder what it actually means but will not put in the effort to find out what it does on google or where ever.
If you give a decent explanation just next to the button it might help getting some of those people to subscribe.
Witzig´s last blog ..The Test
Suzanne
on 26th May, 10 07:05am
Thanks for the great tip! Do you think I need to explain it right there or do you think a link with “What is an RSS Feed and How Do You Subscribe” linking over to an article would work? http://www.suzannefranco.com/rss-feed-how-to-subscribe (I could re-do this article for that site?)
Jason Acidre @ Affiliate Marketing Blog
on 27th May, 10 11:05pm
Absolutely right! There are still a lot of web users that are not really well oriented with RSS feeds. So defining what it is to your visitors will certainly make them subscribe to your feed, especially if you have clearly stated benefits of subscribing from your blog. I’ll definitely try this one out! thanks for the idea Witzig
Jason Acidre @ Affiliate Marketing Blog´s last blog ..Is Eben Pagan the real deal?
d3so
on 27th May, 10 11:05am
List building is crucial, especially if you plan to market continuously to your customers.
But I have to say, I don’t see how relevant RSS is. I don’t use it nor know ANYONE who does.
Photo Retouching and airbrushing
on 27th May, 10 12:05pm
hey gr8 site lots of learning can be done..congratulations for your site..
Name (required) Jen @ Blog Writer
on 28th May, 10 12:05am
Aha! So THAT’s what that little box on my blog does! Thank you Suzanne for the tips – I’m going to go away and try to optimise my site now so more people subscribe!
Jen
Name (required) Jen @ Blog Writer´s last blog ..On seeing a fantastic play…
Brandon Connell | Make Money Blogging
on 29th May, 10 05:05pm
I don’t have mine standing out at people, but I get a good amount of daily subscribers. I am focusing more on my newsletter list by offering unique content created just for those who subscribe.
Brandon Connell | Make Money Blogging´s last blog ..The SEO Book for Bloggers… Make these changes for greatness
Emily
on 1st Jun, 10 10:06pm
hey gr8 site lots of learning can be done..congratulations for your site..
Fred
on 4th Jun, 10 12:06pm
Hello Suzanne. Thanks for the great article. I agree wit you for 101% that one of the key parameters to successful RSS usage and active RSS subscriptions is the placement of this element on the page (I like your placement a lot
) On the other hand, the information you are sharing with people should be useful and interesting enough to make them want to subscribe to your feed and get the updates from you in the future. You are doing a great job, please keep it up!
Fred´s last blog ..Best Mozilla Firefox extensions for website SEO
Mike
on 14th Jun, 10 06:06am
Now that you mentioned this, my RSS feed subscribe button in my other blog is below the fold. I’m gonna have to transfer that so that it will be more prominent. Your subscribe now button for bikiniafter40.com is catchy. If I may add, I think the arrow animations is too fast. ^_^
Mike´s last blog ..How to Prevent Video Poker Addiction?
Jennifer R
on 15th Jun, 10 06:06pm
But which RSS program that you used to read all of them?
Jennifer R´s last blog ..Link Love Wordpress Plugin
boat cleaning supplies
on 17th Jun, 10 02:06pm
I guess i haven’t put that much thought into subscription call to actions before..
James@VB .Net Tutorial
on 25th Jun, 10 01:06am
thats why i think we need to follow this to get some attention and do the RSS feed stands out from other distractions.
thank you for the great post
Aaron
on 28th Jun, 10 12:06pm
Hi Suzanne. Thanks for the tips. I’ve already done this, and actually have my social and RSS icons float on the edge of the page, so you see them even if scrolling. Yours stand out very well in the sidebar and footer also. Great job and nice job matching the icons and text colors.
Aaron´s last blog ..Free Blogs
Tracy
on 30th Jun, 10 10:06am
I changed my subscribe button from a boring default one to a crisp vibrant one that was placed where it could not be missed on the screen and signups immediatly went up. This is something every blogger should do.
Tracy´s last blog ..It’s Funky- Freaky Friday- Fashion’s Oddest Finds- Right Here-
Top Engineering College in Jaipur
on 1st Jul, 10 06:07am
I have tried blogging before and given it away as i thought that it was not my cup of tea. But reading some posts on your blog i am slowly getting motivated and thinking to give it another try!
Even i have used the subscribe box i the left sidebar but didn;t got much response!
Just got an idea what about picture near it which would point towards it?? What do you say? Would love to hear all visitors and blog owner reviews on this part!
Bookmarked your blog
mom earns online
on 9th Jul, 10 11:07am
That just reminds me that I actually have not put even a link to my rss on my blog..lol Will definitely try to create one for that tonight. I find personalized rss graphic links are often more inviting rather than the plain old logo. =)
mom earns online´s last blog ..welcome to single mom earning online blog
Rowan
on 15th Jul, 10 08:07pm
RSS readers are a key component to a consistent marketing plan…..once you get them, they tend to be very loyal, and provided that you are giving them good content, they don’t leave!
Rowan´s last blog ..List of Life Insurance Ratings by Company
JJ
on 5th Aug, 10 09:08am
That rss feed box is bright and colorful enough to get my attention. I would like to get one for my own blog.
JJ´s last blog ..Unit betting in Sports
Print photo book
on 14th Aug, 10 04:08am
Do you have it integrated with your RSS feed too? How are you marketing to your list? Any tips and ideas are appreciated.
Amber
on 7th Sep, 10 08:09am
I agree with you, placement will do the trick.