AWeber Email Marketing Tips

Rebecca (The Voice of Truth):

Sometimes incentives can be deceiving. It really depends on how you present them. If your incentive has nothing to do with your offer, or anything else that you’ll ever send again, it’s almost like you’re encouraging people to sign up to your email list under false pretenses.

Justin (The Assessment Advocate):

If you already have a good number of subscribers, incentives could possibly increase that number. But they’re not something you should be using out of the gate before you test if the offer itself is working for you. And you could potentially be giving away the wrong thing as your incentive, or giving away something you could sell.

Jay (The Optimist):

I think bonus incentives are good. They’re like samples at the grocery store: give them a little something for free, and they say, “That was really good.” They come back for more and you say, “That’s a little bit more money this time.” And they say, “Okay; it was good enough the first time.”

Nicolas (The Cynic):

I think incentives can seem like a scam. I feel like whatever they send for free will be worthless or in order to get it, I’ll have to commit to spending money. Let’s say I really want your free report. I sign up, get it and unsubscribe. Or I’ll feel like, “Why are you sending me emails? Please stop.”

Andrew (The Use and Lose Consumer):

Don’t equate free with valueless. Don’t send crap, because then they’ll automatically assume that is the caliber of stuff they’re going to get from you from now on. I’ve signed up for things just to get the incentive before. And then I was out – I unsubscribed.

Amanda (The Tightrope Walker):

You want to give something that will be appreciated. But at the same time, don’t undermine your offer. An incentive that’s too big could imply that there’s no intrinsic value to subscribing. It says that signing up isn’t worthwhile without the incentive.

1. FX
   

   When you think about it, every time you subscribe to something, it’s because you’ve been hooked on an incentive, e.g…..free report, free eBook, free newsletter, etc…..is there really a better way to bring in new subscribers? I find the best incentive is something that offers real value, explains your product/service better, however induces the “cliffhanger” effect, that is, the last missing part, which they can get through your offer

   4/7/2011 10:44 am
2. Doug
   

   I have used bonus incentives for sites before… like free ebooks and they have worked great, but you definitely should give away something related to your website. You can also use your free incentive as a marketing tool to sell something or get your visitor to take some sort of predetermined action you have driven them to.

   What I like to do on many of my sites is to run contests, and giveaway inexpensive (and even better… FREE) products as prizes.

   4/7/2011 10:54 am
3. Dave Doolin
   

   I’ve not used incentives for over two years on my main website, and I believe that is one of the key reasons which my list has not grown at a viable rate.

   Personally, I don’t like incentives, but in my niche, they seem to be expected.

   Creating something interesting and valuable to give away is on my very short list of things to do.

   4/7/2011 10:58 am
4. Glenn Coleman
   

   I follow a rule that I learned from John Reese, to give away 10% of my best material for free. I’ve taken a book I wrote and chop it up into emails. Normally they would pay $12.95 for the ebook, but they get it free if they read my emails that contain advertising.

   I have a very responsive list using this method — there is good reciprocity since I gave them such good information.

   4/7/2011 11:05 am
5. Eric
   

   I think these observations are key. I believe I have been in the shoes of all six POV. It really depends on what you, as a subscriber, is looking for.

   4/7/2011 11:57 am
6. Ruthi Backenroth
   

   People who subscribe to my email list receive detailed instructions for a non-medical way to relieve aches and pains. I love this as a valuable informational tool and a service to the world. It is so easy and too many people don’t yet know how to do it.

   The incentive is a free, 64 page manual explaining how to do EFT tapping. For those who don’t want the manual, I also offer a two-page Tapping Guide with Tapping Hints and Tips.

   4/7/2011 12:14 pm
7. Dan
   

   Thanks for your feedback. It’s certainly appreciated. I believe anything you offer,(free or not) to anybody doing business with you, must contain value. The more value you can offer, the more likely it is they will keep coming back.

   4/7/2011 2:37 pm
8. Mike
   

   Great thoughts about free offers… but I have a thought to bounce off you. Once they do sign up (free offer or not!) what do you think about having a video welcome message on the subscription success page? Maybe we can do the same thing on the unsubscribe page… like a sorry to see you go – come back anytime kind of thing???

   4/7/2011 2:56 pm
9. Gidon
   

   very important, foundational issue, and creative way of presenting it. (btw, you guys are cute!:-)

   I think a freebee is almost expected. It should have real perceived value, a connection with the theme of the list, and a strong way for the subscriber to leave feedback so you can tweak it.

   4/7/2011 3:04 pm
10. Rob
    

    What? I had no idea this was a debate. Rebecca, irrelevant. If you’re offering something completely unrelated to your offer then you’ve missed the point entirely of what the free offer is meant for.

    But I think I may be missing the point of this article. Are you suggesting that we don’t use an opt-in form to build a list and just send them straight to a sales page? If so, seems strange coming from a business who’s sole purpose is to help build a list.

    But if that is what you are suggesting, then I’d have to say that offering something and building a list is a WAY better option. The reason being that in the future as you roll out new products/ideas/tips/suggestions (which you should almost always be doing), you don’t have to wait for people to come back, you can take it right to their doorstep.

    But yes, obviously you have to do it right. Offer them great value in order to build trust. And don’t abuse that trust. It’s what sets you are apart from “everyone else”, obviously without giving away the farm. Or perhaps give away the farm in one area, for example, the complete X-Y-Z of getting traffic. Once they know you know what you’re talking about, they’re definitely going to be listening when you send them info on other related topics, for example, getting better conversions, etc.

    Again, I must admit, very surprised to hear that this has been an ongoing debate.

    Thanks all!

    4/7/2011 3:14 pm
11. Mal
    

    The newsletter in itself needs to be valuable to retain the subscriber.

    If I think that the newsletter is going to be crappy, but I really want to check out their freebie (e.g. ebook) then I would use a disposable email address to subscribe.

    4/7/2011 8:47 pm
12. Stan Dubin
    

    We provide affordable employee testing and a free Hiring Tips Newsletter. We are very upfront with our prospective newsletter subscribers when we tell them:

    “As one last incentive, we have a 76-page eBook that has helped many companies improve the honesty, trustworthiness and dependability of their employees. Subscribe to our newsletter and a complimentary copy of this eBook will be made available to you.

    “You may unsubscribe to the newsletter at any time. The eBook is yours to keep.”

    This helps us in three ways:

    1) We get more subscribers as a result of the free eBook offer.

    2) The eBook is not a slapped together product. Reader feedback tells us it provides real value. This increases the quality of our exchange with our customers and prospects.

    3) The eBook has our contact data and links so this is a product that’s on our prospect’s computer with a means to come back to us.

    4/8/2011 4:24 am
13. David
    

    I offer a number of incentives on my site as essentially free gifts. If people grab the gifts and unsubscribe (it happens) not much I can do. I know the right people stick around for more of what I have to share.

    4/8/2011 6:33 am
14. Amanda Gagnon
    

    Thanks for your feedback, everyone. Some of you use some great incentives!

    FX and Rob ~ The debate isn’t whether to provide value – of course you need to do that. But there’s a difference between your offer (what subscribers get as part of your email series as far as information, coupons, etc) and an incentive, which is a little extra bonus given as a thank-you for signing up. And that’s the debate.

    4/8/2011 9:48 am
15. TonyS
    

    Giving something of value free is now almost standard in the industry. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve signed up only to discover that the free item was to me of little value or was lacking in real content.

    While attracting signups in the first place is always a challenge I feel the real challenge is really about getting those same subscribed customers to open future emails.

    I know from my own behaviour that I ignore many emails from individuals that I respect, like and have received value from in the past but I know that to open their email would distract me from my current task, so they remain unopened.

    Interesting discussion, thanks

    4/9/2011 11:47 am
16. Matt Alston
    

    I have used incentives more often than not. In the marketing of information products I use a sample product or a single chapter sample of a larger product as both and incentive and as a way for the customer to get a preview of the total product.

    There are other solutions for clients where their product does not fit well into the sample concept. I do not use incentives in that case.

    I think the global answer of course is that it is situational. If the incentive increases the customers reach and interest in the product it is usually good. If it distracts or has not relation to the product then that is Bait and Switch marketing and I adamantly disagree with that tactic.

    I have been the V.P. of Marketing for a large manufacturer and saw first hand how competitors acted in the market place. There are many tactics that destroy customer loyalty and I never use them.

    4/9/2011 4:32 pm
17. Amanda Gagnon
    

    Matt ~ Thanks for providing that insight. The term “bait & switch” certainly puts that technique in it’s place. I like the idea of a single chapter sample – they get something for free and you leave them wanting more!

    Tony ~ You make a good point; one shouldn’t give away an incentive just to give one away; it should have some real value. And yes, no matter how good your emails, sometimes people will just be too busy – the key is to just keep patiently providing value.

    4/11/2011 8:43 am
18. Ralph Thelemaque
    

    Great article, I notice most of my subscribers that i have in my list are very interested in my business and what i do..not only that i don’t be spamming them with worthless email. if you do that you will loose a majority of them..

    4/11/2011 10:28 am
19. Ed Mero
    

    I just started a campaign for the next 6 months. We are having a sweepstakes where we will award a $5400 dollar painting of Van Goghs Starry Night. We sent 5000 post cards out to our exisiting list of 15000 old addresses.(Response weak) We want to buy a email list and see if this may work???? We ahve a good rep and have been in bus for 10+ years. What is the best way to get a good list to test? If this even makes sense? Should I be focusing on just a small village. Our in house email list is 850 very small. Was hoping to get more email addresses from existingDB. Is emailing to a purchsed list a viable option.
    Thank you for your advice.

    4/13/2011 1:32 pm
20. Amanda Gagnon
    

    Ed ~ Sending to a purchased list isn’t an option. We’d recommend starting with your house list and using these methods to keep growing it.

    4/13/2011 3:27 pm
21. Carol
    

    There is just oe point I would like to make as a relative newbie.

    If your incentive or “free” bonus or gift requires me to sign up with another marketer, it really isn’t free. I am “buying” the product with my email address.

    I made that decision when I signed up for your list or gift. If you are giving me something free, I want to see the active download right there.

    More than one chance to upgrade usually makes me want to unsubscribe. When does no mean no?

    4/15/2011 4:23 pm
22. Dr. Michael Haley
    

    I agree, Amanda, and I usually don’t sign up for the free download or video view… I want it right there truly for free. But I will sign up for say a coupon for something that I plan on purchasing. I don’t like sales in the emails, but rather on-going free content that makes me more likely to shop on their website. When I offer a coupon for first visit chiropractic services, the future emails they receive are health oriented bites that are hopefully beneficial with no strings attached. But I know that they are reminded of me and might connect Agape Chiropractic as a solution to the neck pain, back pain, or headaches they have at the time they receive my email… which might make them want to call me for the correction.

    4/18/2011 8:41 am
23. Nathanie
    

    Am right there with Jay I give away a report I know will be of value to the subscribers and I know its content will keep subscribers returning to find answers to questions in subsequent emails that arose from reading my report.

    6/27/2011 7:19 pm
24. SIT
    

    First what i do, i provide some portion of my product as a incentives. And after that if any body go through it and if they like it then finally they gonna need the whole product or can say the full version of the product.

    11/17/2011 8:04 pm