Some great tips here!

Some time back I saw another interesting twist to the confirmation process. There was a AR service, can't remember the name or if they are still around, that used a different approach.

After the sub entered their info they were brought to a "You must confirm" type page, but it was unique. On the page there was a clickable link, an email link that when clicked would bring up the subs e-mail client, new message. It filled in the email with a confirmation id/number, so the sub just needed to click send the e-mail and they confirmed themselves right there on the spot.

I believe it also had to be the same e-mail address the sub used to sign up with on the squeeze page. Which should have stopped the problem of others or competitors signing up just any one and the list owner getting spam complaints.

Of course it was a custom system and I have yet to see a AR service do it. In reality it shouldn't be that difficult to implement as you'd just need the confirmation id/number for the sub and plug-in a e-mail link.

Though I wonder how it would work for subs who use web based e-mail?

I hope I explained it well, I thought it was a very interesting concept.

There's no way they could do this with web-based mail. It would have to be through a local system mail client. At least from what I know.

But this is way cool. I think I might tinker with this idea. I might now how I can get it to bring it up to return it to the mail lisp with the code in mailto:. Not that I'm a hotshot coding genius but I have been able to figure out some things when I have a marketing goal in mind. Funny, what a big incentive that is.

AT the bottom of the optin page under the submit bix you should expolain that confirmation is required. Also some people will submit their info and change their minds before seeing the confirmation e-mail arrive. On my landing pages when a customer submits his name and e-mail he is immediately taken to a thank you page which outlines what is going to be needed next including instructions on whitelisting the address the e-mail is coming from. Although I am just starting the sites I am involved with the optins are confirming at a rate of 100%. It may change as the volume of visitors goes up.

Another point on the thank you page is to inform the subscriber to check their junk or bulk mail folders.

Here's something I tested that's kind of obvious but works.

On the redirect page after your prospects sign up you put a message
like this...

"Did you enter an email address where your emails might not get delivered like a yahoo account? If you did you can enter your primary email address here..."

With a second opt in form.

You can see the whole process by signing up at
Copywriting course online

(It's double opt in so if you don't want to be on my list just don't confirm).

This may not seem earth shattering but after testing I found that
nearly 25% of my double optins were coming from the form on
THE THANK YOU PAGE.

Why?

Many people enter false names and email addresses into squeeze pages
to try to get inside sites without signing up.

You'll notice on that thank you page I have a video explaining all the
goodies you'll get from being on my list for the next few months.

Again incentive to confirm (or to enter your REAL email address).

So you should think through:

What are my prospects really doing when they enter their name and
email address on my site?

Am I giving my prospects genuine incentives to sign up AND confirm and am I
educating them on the value of those incentives?

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

Thanks, Andrew - that's a solid example of how to do it right; I'll update my confirm/success pages as well. Having a second place to enter it, with a "are you Sure you can get emails here?" and communicating that it's the only way they'll get their bonuses, is a great idea for a 2nd chance capture for the inevitable fake emails/names they enter into squeezes. Nice work on it!

-k

Thanks for all of the tips here everyone. I am having a large problem with people not confirming. I even say something along the lines of "As soon as you confirm, you will be sent your free report IMMEDIATELY"

I will try some of the stuff you all are suggesting and see what works best for me.