We’ve now done the free report writing, uploaded the free report and set up an autoresponder and now we’re ready to capture addresses and begin to build your list. One of the best ways to do this is by adding an opt in box to your sidebar.
An opt in box is simply a space where people can add their name and email addresses to your list. When they fill in the box they will automatically be sent the confirmation email for your email series and then they will receive the first email (which has the link to your freebie in it). Having a place to do that on your blog is really important, because as people come by reading your content they will be more likely to opt in because they already feel like they know you. It’s a good idea to have a squeeze page for your freebie so you can send traffic directly there with no other distractions ~ and we’ll be talking about that on Friday. 
Creating your opt in box. There are a couple ways you can go about this. Super simple and kinda plain and really simple and gorgeous. Here’s both options.
Super Simple Opt In Box
Go to your autoresponder and log. Find the place that creates the code for your opt in box. At GetResponse it will be under contacts –> web forms. Make sure the little box on the right hand side that says “your current campaign” is showing the list you want to create code for.
Click the create new web form button.
Name this opt in box ~ this is just for your reference. Just make it clear what it is so you can get it later if you need it.
For the sidebar you’ll want an inline form.
This is the really simple version remember. It’s not super pretty, but it will get you started. Choose your colors, fill in the title for your opt in box, and then choose the words you want on your “subscribe” button. When you’ve added those things make sure you click the “change” button right under it to make it show up.
Untick the counter ~ because you don’t really need it or want. Click next step.
Copy the fast and simple code they provide.
Go to your blog. In your dashboard go to appearance –> widgets and choose a text widget. Open it up and paste the code in.
Save.
You can then move the widgets around by dragging and dropping them. It’s a good idea to put your opt in box as close to the top of the page as you can get. Above ads. Building your list for long term income is more important than a one off sale from an ad click.
Go to your site and you should see your opt in box right there in the sidebar.
Really Simple Opt In Box Solution
If you want to get a little prettier than the plain old blue or grey and add a little text to your opt in box as well, this is probably a good option for you. Upload the MaxBlogPress Opt In Box Adder Plugin. This little plugin will help you create a gorgeous opt in box in four easy steps. There are step by step instructions, written, pictures and video to walk you through the process on that page. This is what I used when I first added the opt in box on this site! Works like a charm.
There you have it two very simple ways to get your opt in box in your sidebar and start building your list. If you have questions feel free to ask, and I’ll do my best to help.
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Can anyone suggest which autoresponder is the best and most affordable? I’ve heard aweber, constant contact and get response. Is there a free solution that is nearly as good as any of these?
the three you mentioned are the best there are… however, mail chimp is up and coming. I have friends who use it and like it very much. It is free for your first 500 subscribers. After that the price is fairly comparable to the others. Just realize it is a HUGE pain in the butt to have to change autoresponders down the road. You will probably lose half your list, because people will have to resubscribe, so make sure you do your research and pick the one you think will work best long term, and not just right now.
Is it possible to use cpanel , provided by webspace hosting company , to set up the auto responder and add opt in the box of my sidebar asks Gifts from India.
or can we set opt without auto responders.
The whole point of an opt in box is for people to “opt in” to receive email from you. You have to have an autoresponder to do that.
hosting companies do not usually include an autoresponder. So I don’t think that will work.
Thanks again Jackie for this very helpful tutorial. Still keeping in tune for more in my inbox.
Rose´s last [type] ..WBC Named Manny Pacquiao Fighter of the Decade
I gather your opt in is the 2hr profitable blog? How do you get people on your list who visit your site and don’t sign up for this report?
I don’t, that’s my opt in.
Hey Russell,
congrats on getting your opt in box up. You can change the address by going into your get response account and going through the settings. Find the place where it asks for your address and change it.
Just leave the box below your ads ~ you have to go into the code and move the ad code around so it will show up below the box. With an adsense ready theme this isn’t very easy to do.
Yes it will be simple enough to change the opt in box if you decide to use the plugin later.
Sorry. I forgot one question.
As the Google ads are not actually a widget, how do I get my opt in box above the ads?
Russell
I’ve taken the quick way & put in the Super Simple Opt In Box. I’ve tested it and it all works!
But for some reason there are ‘dags’ over the words, Name & Email. Can I remove these some how?
When I get to sorting the “Max” out can I change my box easily to the ‘Max’ Box?
I’ve used Get Response. However in my test, when I received an email from them about the link to get my Report, in the email Geo Data they included they had me down in a town in the State of New South Wales whereas I signed up correctly with my correct town in the State of Tasmania! Can I correct this somehow?
Regards … Russell
You’ll need to download the plugin to your desktop ~ unzip it (if it’s zipped) and then follow the directions in this post: http://internetmarketingformommies.com/ftp-how-to-ftp-files/
I looked at the instructions for installing the Maxblogpress plugin.
It seems that I have to FTP it into the plugin folderm So it is not a straightforward matter of uploading the zipped file directly into the Plugins category on my site before activating it.
Will you clarify whuich one is the correct installation procedure please?
I think there are also some other freebie plugins if Max’s doesn’t work with your particular autoresponder…I don’t know how many he has coded in there.
As well as some paid ones for real schmancy opt-in boxes, lol. Of course not necessary for your first one.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..YES it is Time for ME to TWEET! What’s my username? Part 1 =-.
By “counter” do you mean “100 people subscribed to this newsletter”? Do you not like this?
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..WANTED: HootSuite vs. TweetDeck Comparison Guest Post! =-.
yeah Getresponse has a little counter that goes right in the opt in box. I don’t like it ~ especially for a new list. I think having 0 or 4 is going to hurt you more than anything. Social proof and all that. If you have a bunch of people subscribed you can always go back and recode the box to add the counter.
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I see, like the RSS counter debates.
Personally I like to look upon it a little more optimistically; let the world see how your readership grows! LOL
Come to think of it, I don’t even know if Aweber offers one; how odd. I know it’s not there automatically.
Thanks for mentioning it, I’ll have to look into this. I like counters.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..UPDATED: YES it is Time for ME to TWEET! What’s my username? Part 1 =-.
I’m going to give the plugin a try with Mailchimp; I wasn’t real pleased with their formatting.
B
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Do you must have Aweber account to make the MaxBlogPress Opt In Box Adder Plugin work?
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It doesn’t have to be aweber ~ but you have to have an autoresponder ~ that’s what makes the opt in box work.