Does Your Blog Have “Off-Ramps?”

It is sometimes confusing to understand how you convert a growing and loyal blog reader base into email list opt-ins where you can begin to push out information to them.

One of the best things about blogs are that, by nature, they put control of what content people want back in the hands of the reader because they “Pull” the content they want through RSS, links, etc…instead of content being “Pushed” at them through email marketing.

However,  at any given time there are a subset of your blog readers (anywhere from 10% all the way up above 50%) who do WANT great content and are more than willing to become an opt-in subscriber on one of your email lists to get that content. 

So, what is the best way to channel loyal blog readers into opt-in subscribers on the path to becoming paid customers?

OFF-RAMPS ON YOUR SUPERHIGHWAY

Try thinking of your blog as the super-highway where you draw thousands and thousands of interested readers each month and you have “off-ramps” where you branch out to collect opt-in subscribers.

Each one of these “off-ramps” is tied to an “automatic money machine” where you have tapped into a passionate desire to achieve outcomes to challenges or desires – the off-ramps take you on a busy street filled with content and multiple promotions that collect your subscribers money before they get back on the super-highway.

First – They Find You

Readers find your blogs by seeing a posting appear on the search engines when they search for information about your topic, or they see a link from another blog they read, or they find you through links from articles and other content around the net. 

If you blog regularly, you will notice your readers/visitors will grow large quickly – the challenge then becomes monetizing that content in a way that meets the desires and wants of your readers. 

Then – They Subscribe…

We do that through a concept of OFF-RAMPS – just as you would see on a super-highway.

For example, one general off-ramp would be a free-course, report or video you give away from the front of your blog – you have an opt-in form from a major autoresponder such as our favorite pick – Aweber, which takes your readers to the specialized content they are looking for. 

Another off-ramp – you could post to your blog part 1 of a video series where they click on your post to be taken to a page where they see part 1 but must opt-in to get part 2. 

You can offer a 1-time 10-page report on a tip, technique, strategy or case study you are offering and collect an opt-in on that.

Next…They Buy From You, Again and Again

Another idea for an off-ramp is to review a product (either your own or an affiliate product where you could earn a profit on sales).  For this type of off-ramp, you can either link directly to the affiliate product or – even better – start the review, then have them click to the “Full Review” which requires an opt-in.  Now you have a mailing list of high-demand subscribers who want to purchase products in different markets – these all become automatic money machines for you. 

HOW DO I COLLECT THE EMAILS AND MANAGE MY LIST?

I’ve been asked many times whether you should use a WordPress plugin, script or form to collect and manage your subscribers who sign up on your blog to these “off-ramps” you create – my answer is…

 NO – you MUST use a strong auto-responder service.  The one we have used for years with a high degree of success and satisfaction is Aweber.  Do yourself a favor – get an account and begin building your off-ramps.