Recently the tables were turned on me. I was contacted by Derek Halpern, a super successful Internet marketer and publisher of the excellent SocialTriggers.com blog. He wanted to know if I'd be interested in having him evaluate my blog for "missed opportunities" especially in the area of lead generation and how to get more subscribers. I had seen a review he'd done for David Risley and decided to take Derek up on his offer.
Usually I'm the one doing the blog reviews for clients and confess I was a bit nervous about what he would say. Sometimes I feel like my blog suffers from the "cobbler's children have no shoes" syndrome.
No need to worry. Derek spent 45 minutes with me and pointed out several areas where I can optimize my site to get better results, the most important of which is attracting more email subscribers. This is not about driving traffic, but how to convert your traffic to your list once they land on your site. Remember: it's your email list that sells, not your your blog.
The video is 45 minutes and worth every minute. Derek shares great marketing tips and explains the reason why behind every lead generation optimization suggestion. So carve out some time, grab a pen and paper, take notes and then go implement! [If you can't see the video, click here.]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYnZRlfUCOc[/youtube]
As Derek points out at the beginning of the video, the tips he shares can be implemented on any blog in any niche. His advice is universal.
I'm in the process of working with my tech team to make the changes and additions Derek suggested. I'm also having the video transcribed and will post some of the nuggets in future posts.
If you have questions, comments or feedback about Derek's suggestions, please post them below. And do yourself a favor, click on over to Social Triggers and subscribe to get Derek's tips for turning traffic into subscribers.
Stephanie Cole
No traffic…. to leads and sales…I love it. Be sure to watch the entire video and take notes..
Man And Van Battersea
thanks for sharing this with us Derek. It is helpful and full of learning. Regards
Mel from Healing That Feeling
Some great tips on here, thank you! I’m really new to blogging so I need all the tips I can get. Thanks again, Mel
melaniekissell
Dynamite blog review!!
Tons of fun, Denise, to have Derek turn the tables on you. He not only did an awesome critique, he took the time to explain “why” he felt specific changes were in order.
It wasn’t just “preach” … it was “teach”. You’ve got to respect a person like that.
Really, really, helpful tips and advice. I can see where many of us are going to benefit from a shift in our thinking and no longer be shy about putting up opt in boxes here, there, and everywhere! 🙂
Papavan
Well done! Also looking forward to the live webinar with Kathleen’s program.
Thanks for the help and the education.
Papa Van
AlexisInCA
Thanks for being the “guinea pig,” Denise, and for letting Derek use the real-life example of your blog for showing us how even a wonderful site like yours can improve with small tweaks. The pointers Derek gave were sensible, practical and generous. Many other video-seminars I’ve participated in are too much about selling something. This one is deserves stars for enthusiasm (and likability) of the speaker and top-notch content.
DeniseWakeman
Thanks, Alexis…glad you enjoyed the review and got value…blog on!
Melowout
Absolutely the best, straightforward video interview I’ve seen! The tips Derek recommended are simple to implement and supporting the tips with his logic certainly clarifies the need for making a change. Great, great video! Thanks Denise for making this available. 🙂
Derek
I’m glad you liked it! I always try to keep everything as straight-forward as possible.
Chris & Susan Beesley
Thanks for the great tips. We use the “share & follow” plugin for our visitors to connect with us on Social Media and “sexy bookmarks” for visitors to share and bookmark our content. Facebook comments is also great at the end of your blog post for social proof.
Derek
I’m of two minds with Facebook comments. yes, they can drive some nice traffic, but you don’t own the comments. The comments are stored in the Facebook database as opposed to your own database.
Janneke Romijn
Thanks for this, great tips!
I’m not sure about the social media buttons though. When I get to a new site and find out it has great content etc, I’ll check for Twitter and Facebook to connect.
I see more and more sites, especially ‘big ones’, like yours for example Derek, without social media buttons. If I don’t subscribe to the emaillist, I’m not sure to get back there, ’cause for me following people on Twitter is the way to check out their great content.
After this video, I can see better the reason why you would leave ’em out, but I still wonder if this is really the way to go. For me personanlly, I find it really frustating if I can’t find the buttons quickly 🙂
DeniseWakeman
Thanks for your comments, Janneke. @DerekHalpern:twitter did say that having a couple of social buttons is OK, just not a lot. I originally had buttons for my podcast and for my YouTube channel which I can see gives people too many options to click away.
Derek
Echoing what Denise said, some social buttons are okay… but not too many of them.
I tend to avoid all of them because people who usually look for them, often decide to just subscribe via email.
SandraLeeSchubert, Get heard.
Good information as always. Looked over my blog and the side bars are too busy. My idea for the front page was in the right direction but I need to have better stuff on it. Now I am going to take myself to the park and map out some changes.
Derek
Sandra, I’d love to see what you do with your site. You can link me up on Twitter at @derekhalpern when you’re done!
Anonymous
Thanks for sharing. I’ve implemented some of the tips on my blog 🙂
Derek
Awesome!
Corri
Am I allowed to say I prefer your layout 🙂 I find Derek’s layout difficult to navigate. That said, it’s very easy to nitpick! What you’ve offered in this review is an enormous reference to improve … and unfortunately my list is a mile long!
Chase Sherman
What an interesting way to produce content. I really appreciate you giving this away, Denise. It’s a great piece. Learned a lot. Especially think the idea of hot traffic makes a lot of sense and the follow up through email seeking the needs of the prospect adds an important element to the mix. The famous copywriter, Dan Kennedy also talks about this in his work…
The idea of causing the prospect/buyer to “activate” their new shiny object (in this case being “Send me an email with your most pressing needs.”) This gets them involved in the process of engaging with you and your content which triggers a great opportunity for future interactions.
DeniseWakeman
Hi Chase. Thanks for stopping by. I have added a similar question about “what’s your pressing problem” to my welcome email but as of yet had no replies. I’m getting more subscribers but so far, I guess no one has marketing problems! ;-). Or maybe I need to simplify my email. Could be any number of things.
Anonymous
Thank you for sharing Derek’s review with the rest of us. There definitely are some useful tips that most of us can probably use no matter our niche. I know I’m sending this link straight to my tech person! Your willingness to share the behind the scenes about your business is truly appreciated.
DeniseWakeman
Glad you found the video useful, Cheryl…blog on!
DeniseWakeman
Glad you found the video useful, Cheryl…blog on!
DeniseWakeman
Glad you found the video useful, Cheryl…blog on!
Cindy King
Denise & Derek, thanks you for such an insightful video!
I’m in the process of getting my website redesigned and have been listening to Derek’s advice online. So I wasn’t expecting to get as much out of this as I did – I had to drop what I was doing and take notes 🙂
I loved how this was focused on conversion! And I’ll be implementing the short testimonial underneath my newsletter sign up box!
DeniseWakeman
Glad you got value, Cindy. I learned a lot from Derek and I’ll be curious to see how my optin conversion changes. Blog on!
Jason Wiser
Thanks Denise for subjecting your blog to this analysis. It is immeasurably helpful for us to see that even a pro blog icon like yourself will benefit from these conversion techniques.
Derek, again thanks. Much of what you have said here I have seen over at Social Triggers and already have tried to implement into my sites. But as always, I learned something new. You continue to impress me with unconventional suggestions (like your SEO comment, “Look: SEO is important and all, but…” over on G+) . What?! remove social icons? “yeah they detract from email sign up’s, eh?” I never would have considered this. Also, reading vertically vs horizontally affects which icons to use. I am changing immediately to big buttons in my sidebar.
DeniseWakeman
Thanks, Jason. I had seen some of Derek’s other reviews and knew that not only is he very smart and could teach me a thing or two, but he’s a really nice guy and he wasn’t out to “get” me. I learn from my colleagues all the time. No way I can know everything and I appreciate the opportunity to share what I learn with others. Thanks for stopping by…blog on!
Cindy King
Yes, this got me to question the number of social links I have on my blog too.
Black Seo Guy
The whole key is to gain more subscribers to grow your engagement and traffic.
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
Will Kriski
Some great tips that I think I will try myself. I used to focus on email collection, then I move to social networks or direct sales – as I never had much luck emailing my subscribers.
DeniseWakeman
My experience is that email outperforms every other type of online selling. The social networks are great for meeting and getting to know people, then I hope to offer enough value that they want to subscribe to get more from me. Blog on!
Craig White
Great post Denise
I am on the way to a business meeting but will be sure to come back and view the video later. I use Thesis and am a big fan of Derek’s.
Thanks for the post,
Craig White
DeniseWakeman
I’m currently in the process of implementing Derek’s suggestions. You may see some of them already in play. Experiencing a couple of tech challenges that my tech team is tackling so there might be a few things that look odd when you poke around on the site.