Do you know the answer to that question?

If you do much marketing online, I’m sure you do.

But, if you’re an author who simply has a website in order to let readers know about your books, you may not know the answer to that question.

The answer is – your opt-in box.

If you don’t have an opt-in box on your site, I know what you’re wondering.

What IS an opt-in box?

An opt-in box is the part of your website that asks visitors to sign up for your mailing list. As an incentive for doing so, usually the opt-in box includes some sort of FREE bonus the visitor receives immediately when signing up. A bonus could be a free e-book, special report, or even an audio clip with helpful information.

WHY is the opt-in box so important?

That’s easy. It’s so important because, without it, you have no way to stay in touch with the people who visit your website. You have no way to let them know when you have another new product or service to offer them. Sure, you can announce new products and services on your website. But people won’t see this information unless they come BACK to your site. Why leave that up to chance?

With an opt-in box, you collect the names and email addresses of people who opt in (that is, they AGREE to receive regular emails from you periodically), so you can let them know directly when you have some news. For example, you can send an email to the people on your mailing list when you have a new book coming out, or you’ll be speaking at a writers’ conference in a few months, or you’ll be offering a new online writing workshop soon.

Here’s the rub, though.

Once you start to collect names on your mailing list, you need to have something to send these people on a regular basis. And, it needs to be something they will find of value. Usually, this should be something more than merely announcements about your new products and services.

So, what SHOULD you offer your mailing list on a regular basis?

Look for the answer to that question in tomorrow’s marketing tip.

Stay tuned!