MarketingExperiments.com is a very cool place that helps you to see what may work for your business. I say, "May," because only you can know what's right for your own situation by testing the elements of your opt-in process yourself. However, MarketingExperiments.com can give you some great places to start.

A little more than 3 years ago, MarketingExperiments.com conducted a study on subscription rates. They based their findings on many different variables, and though the tests are old, the principles still apply. I'd like to share some of the results with you here, as they apply to list building, but you can see the entire report at http://tinyurl.com/2ymexr:

1) Your value proposition should be prominent.

The value proposition is the primary benefit of whatever it is you're providing for the customer. It should be unique and stand out on your page. You may be giving away a free report, if you're list building with your niche in mind. How does the report solve your potential list member's problem? Let's say your niche is gardening, for instance. Perhaps the report is about how you can keep deer from eating your plants. What's your unique angle on this? Don't give too much away, of course, but you might write something like: "Report proves that you can keep deer happy and away from your plants, without bother." There. The plants are intact, the deer are happy, and you won't have to go to much trouble to keep things that way. That's your value proposition. Sign up free and learn... Your unique value proposition should probably be your headline.

2) Make signing up quick and easy

Stick to simple information, such as first name and email address when putting an opt-in box on your list building page. The easier you make it for people to sign up for your list, the more likely they will be to do it.

3) Tell them you'll protect them

In these days of identity theft, which is all over the media, people are very leery of signing up for anything, especially online. Let them know that you're one of the good guys, at least in theory. "We protect your privacy. Your information will never be sold, rented, or given to anyone for any reason" would be a helpful statement, if you place it directly under your opt-in box on your list building page.

4) Assure them of a low-risk factor.

Letting people know that they can unsubscribe at any time often boosts your opt-in rate. Sometimes, they just realize how much mail they have coming in, and shy away. But if you let them know that they can always unsubscribe without issue, they'll be more likely to join your list.

5) Use your list building page to funnel your customer into a sales process.

Regardless of what it is you're selling, you'll want to get your customer into a "funnel" that leads to the ultimate purchase. Your thank you page or the redirect after signing up should be to the product you're trying to sell. So, let's say someone signs up to get a free report on colored widgets. I'm trying to sell the ultimate multi-colored widget that everyone wants. OK, so I give them the free report that advertises my muti-colored widget throughout and my redirect offers them my multi-colored widget sales page. Maybe the customer doesn't buy the first time they see it. That's OK. You can include a series of messages in your autoresponder series, giving more information about why people should buy your multi-colored widget with a link to your sales page. Keep giving people more and more information about your niche and keep selling them on your product.

Though you have to track and test your own list building pages, these 5 hints will certainly help your opt-in rate and potentially, your conversion rate, as well. Always remember to answer the "What's in it for me?" question, and help people solve their problems. When you can do that, you'll build a customer base of loyal people that will last a lifetime.

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