In this episode, you’ll learn why “Subscribe” is a really ineffective call to action if you’re trying to grow an email list. We’ll also share a list of power words and 5 real-life call-to-action examples that convert like crazy.
Looking for more call-to-action examples? Check out the blog version of this episode.
Create beautiful email signup forms, coupon boxes, and pop-up surveys for your store with Getsitecontrol.
In this episode, you’ll learn why “Subscribe” is a really ineffective call to action if you’re trying to grow an email list. We’ll also share a list of power words and 5 real-life call-to-action examples that convert like crazy.
Looking for more call-to-action examples? Check out the blog version of this episode.
Create beautiful email signup forms, coupon boxes, and pop-up surveys for your store with Getsitecontrol.
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So, you’re probably looking
to grow your email list.So, you’re probably looking
to grow your email list.Well, the most
effective way to gain new email subscribers is by adding an eye-catching
subscription form to your website. But having a subscription form isn’t enough.
Well, the most
effective way to gain new email subscribers is by adding an eye-catching
subscription form to your website. But having a subscription form isn’t enough.
If you want to boost conversion rates significantly, you might want to work on optimizing every part of it, including
the call to action words on that shiny Sign Up button.If you want to boost conversion rates significantly, you might want to work on optimizing every part of it, including
the call to action words on that shiny Sign Up button.And if you’re wondering
whether some phrases may incentivize your visitors to sign up more than others,
the answer is – definitely. And if you’re wondering
whether some phrases may incentivize your visitors to sign up more than others,
the answer is – definitely. (Before Getting Started)(Before Getting Started)Before
you think of getting started, you should first figure out the end goal of your
sign up form.Before
you think of getting started, you should first figure out the end goal of your
sign up form.When
a new reader subscribes to your list, you’ll send them a variety of emails. And
each email has the goal of getting your subscriber one step closer to
conversion. When
a new reader subscribes to your list, you’ll send them a variety of emails. And
each email has the goal of getting your subscriber one step closer to
conversion. Now,
what is it exactly you want to achieve?Now,
what is it exactly you want to achieve?Are
you trying to get more people to sign up for your online service?
Do you need them to perform a set of actions?
Maybe you own an e-commerce store and are looking to increase sales from repeat
customers. Are
you trying to get more people to sign up for your online service?
Do you need them to perform a set of actions?
Maybe you own an e-commerce store and are looking to increase sales from repeat
customers. Whatever
it is, getting people to join your email list is the very first step of the
funnel. And your call-to-action button is so important because your customer’s
journey to the final conversion starts with these words. Whatever
it is, getting people to join your email list is the very first step of the
funnel. And your call-to-action button is so important because your customer’s
journey to the final conversion starts with these words. Or,
it may not start simply because they weren’t convincing enough.Or,
it may not start simply because they weren’t convincing enough.(Gather a List of Power
Words)(Gather a List of Power
Words)Once
you’ve figured that out, it’s time to gather a list of power words. Once
you’ve figured that out, it’s time to gather a list of power words. The
best call to action words are some of the shortest copy you’ll ever write. And
if you want to boost conversion rates, you should use the ones that convey
specific emotions to your reader. The
best call to action words are some of the shortest copy you’ll ever write. And
if you want to boost conversion rates, you should use the ones that convey
specific emotions to your reader. These
are also known as power words.These
are also known as power words.Some
examples of power words are:Some
examples of power words are:
Create
Explore
Join
Save
Start
Upgrade
Find
Free
Try
Stop
Create
Explore
Join
Save
Start
Upgrade
Find
Free
Try
Stop
Notice
that all of these words are verbs. They push the reader to commit a specific
action. This is how you get your reader to go from reading to acting.Notice
that all of these words are verbs. They push the reader to commit a specific
action. This is how you get your reader to go from reading to acting.Apart
from action-oriented words, there are other types of copy that are good at
persuading.Apart
from action-oriented words, there are other types of copy that are good at
persuading.Back
in 2012, Copyblogger named the following 5 words as some of the most powerful in the
English language.Back
in 2012, Copyblogger named the following 5 words as some of the most powerful in the
English language.You
might want to take a pen and a piece of paper.You
might want to take a pen and a piece of paper.These
words are:These
words are:
You
Free
Because
Instantly
New
You
Free
Because
Instantly
New
Do
you now recall converting to one of those? Because you surely have.Do
you now recall converting to one of those? Because you surely have.The
power words from both lists will pop up among the examples of calls to action we’re
about to review in just a minute.The
power words from both lists will pop up among the examples of calls to action we’re
about to review in just a minute.(What’s In It For Your
Reader?)(What’s In It For Your
Reader?)Power words are great,
but they don’t tell the whole story — they should show a benefit for the
reader.Power words are great,
but they don’t tell the whole story — they should show a benefit for the
reader.For example, let’s say you
create a form, and your call-to-action button says ‘Subscribe’. This call to
action is self-serving because it focuses on what you’re gaining — a
subscriber.For example, let’s say you
create a form, and your call-to-action button says ‘Subscribe’. This call to
action is self-serving because it focuses on what you’re gaining — a
subscriber.Instead,
try to make your call-to-action phrases benefit-driven. Write them from your
reader’s point of view. Even in the case where the reader does care
about you — and often, they don’t — you have better chances of convincing them
to sign up if they see a clear benefit from doing so.Instead,
try to make your call-to-action phrases benefit-driven. Write them from your
reader’s point of view. Even in the case where the reader does care
about you — and often, they don’t — you have better chances of convincing them
to sign up if they see a clear benefit from doing so.Your
reader’s benefit is the key point when it comes to calls to action. Your
reader’s benefit is the key point when it comes to calls to action. But that’s enough theory - let’s take a look at real
call-to-action buttons with phrases that convert like crazy.But that’s enough theory - let’s take a look at real
call-to-action buttons with phrases that convert like crazy.#1. Get Instant Access#1. Get Instant AccessThe
first example is by Chris Ducker, a business mentor and the founder of
Youpreneur.com. On his email subscription form, he offers an eBook in exchange
for an email address and positions his email list as a privilege by using the
words ‘get instant access’.The
first example is by Chris Ducker, a business mentor and the founder of
Youpreneur.com. On his email subscription form, he offers an eBook in exchange
for an email address and positions his email list as a privilege by using the
words ‘get instant access’.Let’s
break down the use of these 3 words to see why they are so effective:Let’s
break down the use of these 3 words to see why they are so effective:
Get
This is an action-oriented word that makes the reader feel good. You’re
not just signing up to a list — you’re getting something for yourself.
Instant
With the plethora of free information available out there on the web,
readers don’t want to go through a multi-step process to reach your
freebies. Instant gratification works wonders.
Access
This word suggests a form of gatekeeping. It feels like you have been
granted access to something special.
Get
This is an action-oriented word that makes the reader feel good. You’re
not just signing up to a list — you’re getting something for yourself.
Instant
With the plethora of free information available out there on the web,
readers don’t want to go through a multi-step process to reach your
freebies. Instant gratification works wonders.
Access
This word suggests a form of gatekeeping. It feels like you have been
granted access to something special.
So,
when you click on this button, you instantly get gratified by gaining access to
something valuable — or, at least, something that has perceived value.So,
when you click on this button, you instantly get gratified by gaining access to
something valuable — or, at least, something that has perceived value.#2. Become a Conversion Master#2. Become a Conversion MasterHere is another example
from the ConversionXL blog. They send you a conversion master manual for an
email subscription, and the call to action here says: Become a conversion
master. Here is another example
from the ConversionXL blog. They send you a conversion master manual for an
email subscription, and the call to action here says: Become a conversion
master. What is a better way to
convince your reader to click on a button than to give them a promise of
mastery?What is a better way to
convince your reader to click on a button than to give them a promise of
mastery?So, let’s break it down
here. The first word from ConversionXL’s
brilliant call to action is ‘become’, which is a powerful verb. It tells the
reader that they have a chance to ascend to something beyond what they already
are.So, let’s break it down
here. The first word from ConversionXL’s
brilliant call to action is ‘become’, which is a powerful verb. It tells the
reader that they have a chance to ascend to something beyond what they already
are.And what can they
become, exactly?And what can they
become, exactly?A conversion master.A conversion master.ConversionXL could have
made their CTA button simple by writing ‘Get the Guide’. But instead, they used
copy that creates expectations for the future subscribers.ConversionXL could have
made their CTA button simple by writing ‘Get the Guide’. But instead, they used
copy that creates expectations for the future subscribers.When you click on this
button, you feel like you’re already halfway to your goal of becoming a
conversion master — even if all you’re doing is getting a guide and joining an
email list.When you click on this
button, you feel like you’re already halfway to your goal of becoming a
conversion master — even if all you’re doing is getting a guide and joining an
email list.If there’s
one thing you can learn from this example, it’s that CTA words can convey an
entire transformation — not just an action.If there’s
one thing you can learn from this example, it’s that CTA words can convey an
entire transformation — not just an action.Example #3. Yes, Sign Me Up!Example #3. Yes, Sign Me Up!Elna
Cain is a freelance writer
who also teaches others how to kickstart their own writing career. Her email
subscription form ends with “Yes, sign me up!”.Elna
Cain is a freelance writer
who also teaches others how to kickstart their own writing career. Her email
subscription form ends with “Yes, sign me up!”.Why does this work?Why does this work?Here is the reason. The
‘YES’ reinforces the ‘sign me up’ section — it’s a double persuasion method
that has clearly worked wonders for Elna, seeing as she has lined up over 15k
readers on her list.Here is the reason. The
‘YES’ reinforces the ‘sign me up’ section — it’s a double persuasion method
that has clearly worked wonders for Elna, seeing as she has lined up over 15k
readers on her list.Plus, it helps ramp up
the enthusiasm from the reader’s perspective. Plus, it helps ramp up
the enthusiasm from the reader’s perspective. Example #4. Grab Your Freebies Now!Example #4. Grab Your Freebies Now!This is an example from
Ivory
Mix a blog offering free stock
photos and visual marketing strategies. Upon signup, you are offered your first
set of freebies, and their call to action sounds as “Grab Your Freebies Now!”.This is an example from
Ivory
Mix a blog offering free stock
photos and visual marketing strategies. Upon signup, you are offered your first
set of freebies, and their call to action sounds as “Grab Your Freebies Now!”.Here is why this is a
good choice of words: it entails ownership of the freebie.Here is why this is a
good choice of words: it entails ownership of the freebie.The freebie belongs
to you. You can grab ‘your’ freebies
just by clicking the button.The freebie belongs
to you. You can grab ‘your’ freebies
just by clicking the button.Not just that, but also
the use of the word ‘grab’ feels much more action-oriented than ‘get’, for
instance. And with the addition of the word ‘now’, it adds a bit of urgency!Not just that, but also
the use of the word ‘grab’ feels much more action-oriented than ‘get’, for
instance. And with the addition of the word ‘now’, it adds a bit of urgency!Example #5. Use an opt-out button to convince the reader to
convertExample #5. Use an opt-out button to convince the reader to
convertiDalko creates applications for the Atlassian suite of
software. In the example we’ve picked, they’re giving away a guide to Jira, a
popular project management tool. And the email subscription form actually has 2
call-to-action buttons. Here is how it sounds like:iDalko creates applications for the Atlassian suite of
software. In the example we’ve picked, they’re giving away a guide to Jira, a
popular project management tool. And the email subscription form actually has 2
call-to-action buttons. Here is how it sounds like:Would you like to get a Jira guide for users in 2019?Would you like to get a Jira guide for users in 2019?Yes, tell me more about the guideYes, tell me more about the guideNo, thanks. I’m already a complete Jira expert.No, thanks. I’m already a complete Jira expert.This is a persuasive
trick that convinces the reader that they really need this guide. If you don’t
want it, you must click ‘No thanks, I’m already a Jira expert’ before you can
say no. This is called an opt-out button.This is a persuasive
trick that convinces the reader that they really need this guide. If you don’t
want it, you must click ‘No thanks, I’m already a Jira expert’ before you can
say no. This is called an opt-out button.As a reader, you may
start questioning yourself — are you a complete expert, though? Maybe you could
use some help. As a reader, you may
start questioning yourself — are you a complete expert, though? Maybe you could
use some help. Maybe you could use
this guide.Maybe you could use
this guide.
You
get the idea. Negative opt-outs works as a charm.
You
get the idea. Negative opt-outs works as a charm.
And there you have it —
these are some of the best call-to-action words out there to use as inspiration
for your own email subscription form.And there you have it —
these are some of the best call-to-action words out there to use as inspiration
for your own email subscription form.Of course, you
shouldn’t directly copy these examples — instead, take them as lessons of what
works well in a given situation and for a given niche, and adapt this lesson to
your own audience.Of course, you
shouldn’t directly copy these examples — instead, take them as lessons of what
works well in a given situation and for a given niche, and adapt this lesson to
your own audience.Ideally, you might want to A/B test a few combinations of
call-to-action words to see which one brings you the most conversions.Ideally, you might want to A/B test a few combinations of
call-to-action words to see which one brings you the most conversions. For instance, if you’re using
Getsitecontrol to create email signup forms for your website, you can test up
to 5 different calls to action simultaneously. For instance, if you’re using
Getsitecontrol to create email signup forms for your website, you can test up
to 5 different calls to action simultaneously. Wanna
give it a try?Wanna
give it a try?Go
to getsitecontrol.com and get an account. Then use one of the templates to
create a stylish subscription form and adjust the copy using power words in
your call to action.Go
to getsitecontrol.com and get an account. Then use one of the templates to
create a stylish subscription form and adjust the copy using power words in
your call to action.If
you have any questions, feel free to send an email at
contact@getsitecontrol.comIf
you have any questions, feel free to send an email at
contact@getsitecontrol.comThis
is it for the episode. Thanks for listening Getsitecontrol Insider. Until next
time!This
is it for the episode. Thanks for listening Getsitecontrol Insider. Until next
time!
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