Revisit the World’s Greatest “Squeeze Page”
On September 4th of this year, I flew in my marketing Team for a one day planning meeting.
There we were, sitting in my dining room waiting to eat lunch when Eric Lingenfelter, my web development director, asked this interesting question:
“What’s the world’s greatest ’squeeze’ page?”
I thought about it. My other team members thought about it. We eventually went around the table with rapid-fire attempts to give the right answer.
But to every answer Eric kept shaking his head smiling and saying, “Nope, nope, nope, nope …” until I finally asked him what he thought was the world’s greatest squeeze page.
“The world’s greatest ’squeeze’ page is …
Drum roll …
Take a guess …
Oh, c’mon … take a guess …
After you make your guess, grab your mouse and click ->->->
That’s right … Facebook has the world’s greatest “squeeze” page.
You can call it a home page. You can call it a squeeze page. Whatever you want to call it … it works!!
Just for kicks, let’s call it a Free Membership Squeeze page. That’s what it is, isn’t it?
Look, what is Facebook asking you to do? They’re asking for your First Name, Last Name, Email, Password, Gender (M/F) and Birthday.
Facebook is the world’s biggest and fastest growing social networking platform because it has the world’s greatest squeeze page.
What if Facebook had a home page with a traditional sales letter or splash page that tried to convince you to opt-in, or get free membership, or give your birth date?
Wouldn’t a traditional landing page create a bottle-neck or obstacle that may have halted Facebook’s meteoric growth and opt-in rate?
I have no idea if you agree or disagree with me. But what I do know is that I’m starting to model Facebook’s Free Membership Squeeze Page concept.
You may have already seen it when I promote my Productivity Thursday training calls that consistent take place on the 1st Thursday of each month.
Before I started utilizing the Free Membership Squeeze page strategy, I had no consistent way to get students on the calls and the multiple call times caused confusion (9am Pacific, 5pm Pacific, 6pm Pacific).
After I started utilizing the Free Membership Squeeze page strategy, life is easier because not only do I get opt-ins, but I also get new Members!
These new Members get access to my Productivity Thursday Teleseminars (1st Thursday of month) with convenient notifications through our Members Area.
The Point: The point of this post is not just to encourage you to model the Facebook squeeze page. My point is to open your marketing consciousness to new possibilities of techniques, templates and tactics that have right under your nose all along.
What To Do Now: Please comment on this post and let me know if you agree or disagree that Facebook has the #1 world’s greatest and most effective squeeze page.
Tags: alex mandossian, facebook, Info Marketing, information marketing, productive, productivity, wordpress
Alex,
I agree.
It seems that the caution people have with their information is reduced when they know a great “free” service is on the other side.
Robert
I hope you comment on this strategy. Most people who visit Facebook just login and fail to realize that the home page is the “squeeze” page.
Your comments will be most appreciated.
~ Alex
Interesting. So glad you mentioned this.
If you want to see the evolution of the Facebook.com squeeze page over the years, go to http://www.Archive.org and type Facebook.com in the search bar.
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig
http://www.TheGoalGuru.com
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I love this concept. In short if you provide enough value you don’t need to beg for their information.
Great eye-opener.
Also notice the entire “sales copy” on the squeeze page consists of, “Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.”
Of course, they do have an advantage in that only hermit cave-dwellers don’t know what they are, so they don’t have to do a lot of education. =:)
Jay Jennings
Disagree. It may work for Facebook because we have heard the name elsewhere. For a new service, if you just ask for these details because there is a FREE service on the other side, I do not think we can look forward to many opt-ins.
Nowadays, we have to sell the FREE also.
Arun
Hi Alex,
I like the simplicity of the Facebook squeeze page; however, I noticed that they are asking for a lot of information in the multiple fields: First Name, Last Name, Email, Password, Gender (M/F) and Birthday. This seems to go against the best practice right now of just asking for an email address. Many of the top Internet marketers are now following this trend, no longer asking for a first name, claiming to achieve opt in rates as high as 40%.
Of course, in the case of Facebook, we all know that this is really an account sign up page. And since Facebook is so well known, there is no need to promote the benefit beyond the headline “Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.” Still a thought provoking post. Thanks Alex.
A Free membership is attractive, but Facebook has already been pre-sold to the reader. The reader understands what the service is, and what its benefits are, so there is no need for the page to sell or squeeze. Therefore it is just a registration page, not a squeeze page.
Alex, you are already a ‘name’ in the industry, so you can adopt the free membership approach successfully because you have already built your brand. How do you think this approach can work for a business that does not have an established brand?
Good concept. By the way there’s a spelling error on your squeeze page.
Hi Alex:
Thank you for an eye-opening and thought-provoking post. It’s given me a great new idea for a membership site I am creating.
I’m constantly experimenting with different opt-in pages on my Web sites. For examples, see http://alivewithclive.tv and http://theultimatevirusandspywarekillerpc.com, but the Facebook concept adds a whole new dimension to my thinking.
Thank you for all the inspiration, guidance and support you provide!
Best regards.
Clive
Alex, in my judgment, the page doesn’t grab you and pull you in–it’s not particularly attractive. It doesn’t have to be. It says what it needs to say because by the time you land there, the buzz about Facebook has you sold. You want to be involved and are ready to provide whatever they want to get to participate. Oh, for such buzz!
“My point is to open your marketing consciousness to new possibilities of techniques, templates and tactics that have been right under your nose all along”.
This is a very valid point and prompt for ingenuityness. It just goes to show that most marketing strategies have always been under our knows.
To be honest I had never given it thought, I think it’s also interesting to note how human minds can be progrmmed to certain ways of doing things.
I not sure whether we can call it the world’s greatest squeeze page though, maybe one of the greatest yes. There sure must be many other very good one.
I don’t really see why you say that because I have seen some squeeze pages which capture those very details, so what has made it the greatest there?
If you say they have what people want, yes that I would agree, which is what makes them huge. Social networking websites always attract people as you know, because they are free and people tend to blow trumpets for them even without being paid for it.
Whic is different from when you ask people to sign-up for some product irregardless of how fantastic they are. They wouldn’t want to know about network marketing even though they get paid to do it, or affiliate marketing for that matter yet they do it all the time with other things.
Man I got to go. Interesting question though.
Exactly what it is a squeeze page. Thanks for the tip!
I’m now thinking of doing it on my own websites.
Another thing. Not everyone knows that it is a landing page or a squeeze page. Brilliant!
I love what happens when people get together and brainstorm….Because it is so simple without any bells and whistles I would have never thought of it as a squeeze page. We just started playing with squeeze pages recently and I am sure that we can add this technique to our toolbox.
Thanks for pointing out something so obvious!
Elaine Shannon
http://organizingconnection.com/number-one-secret
Alex,
I truly respect your business acumen and marketing savvy, but honestly I disagree. Facebook has become viral to the extreme, maybe in their infancy you could call it “the greatest squeeze page”; however, at this point don’t you think they could put “give us some basic info, and we will let you join our awesome community”. Or even better, “Hey everyone’s doing it”.
Respectfully,
Chase
Oh that all squeeze pages could be that short. And I love it when the odd client is brave enough to want a short sales letter – to my mind, that’s way more powerful than the traditional 8 or 20 pages.
That being said, great squeeze page or not, I actually don’t use Facebook. Crashes my (no-other-option) dial up.
For me, Twitter is king.
I don’t know if I agree that it’s the best squeeze page, it obviously pulls more numbers than any other website, but they are presold so its just the website doing the job. It’s like saying the design of the coke bottle is the best converting bottle design beacuse it sells more…
HOWEVER, facebook have set the standard, people will recognise and associate this layout with a great service. Kinda like the amazon add to cart button, by sheer numbers people will recognise it.
Great post Alex
as an artist, I love that it is a VISUAL demonstration of the benefit you get, as well as a short statement of the benefit.
I was so relieved that the “world’s greatest squeeze page” wasn’t long and wordy.
You and your team seem to have the ability to take something difficult, analyze it, then reduce it to simple and easy.
Thank you for the insight.
I thought it was going to be “Facebook”, but wasn’t sure.
I am getting knowledge anyway I know how, I appreciate your help Alex!
Simplicity…goes well with with word of mouth. Whether you love it or hate it there are few who use a computer that do not know about FB. Great value for your money.
I think I’m going to have to agree.
Alex,
Yes, this is true for any of the social networking sites actually – the point (and key advantage) of the social networks and social media is not in the attraction but the interaction. Their goal is the same – just get people talking. If they accomplish this, they can capture any information they need or want in the future because they have created engagement.
This area of social media and specifically social networking is the “stickiest” as well so not only is it easy to get in it is easy to stay – that is the real turnaround when you look at a “squeeze” page or opt-in. Opt-in is only one dimension in my book. It’s those that cause them to “stay and look around” that win at the end of the day.
Nice way to view this – thanks.
Blaine Millet
http://www.someexec.com
The one I got that seams to be great is: “HTTP://www.DoItNowOrLose.COM”
I was not sure how this works, now I know this is the one I like. Because it is the one I use! Face Book Looks like it is the best! I think mine is #2
Fascinating concept. Thanks for discussing this.
The truth is: some principles are universal, such as exchanging perceived value for information. Some aren’t. For example a heavy red dashed squeeze box could be a principle in some niches, and just a graphic or utility in others.
I discussed squeeze pages with Internet Marketing copywriter and guru Carl Galletti over lunch this week. He said of the top-suggested landing page approaches, all the techniques work if you work them well enough. That made sense to me, because as soon as a style becomes common, results drop. Therefore, there has to be more than one squeeze page style. FaceBook’s style will not work for everyone and isn’t sensible for every niche.
And I took Jill Koenig’s suggestion to review FB’s evolution. They did an “about face” all right! Thank’s Jill (then I tweeted it).
Holy Megalist Batman!
You are correct. How is it that I havent seen this right in front of my face, like everyday! Hellloooo!
And thanks Jill for the rear-view!
Have a great weekend and squeeze something!
-RB
Interesting distinction. I can always count you to stretch my mind, Alex. Thank you!
Honestly, what made me sign up there was not the squeeze page. At first, when I saw Facebook’s homepage for the first time, I was not interested at all. I finally signed up because more and more people were using Facebook, and I realized that it could be a way to connect with my prospects.
However, I’ll give it a try…
All the buzz, word-of-mouth and because you’ll simply be left out if you don’t have a Facebook account overcomes some of the characteristics that would be considred weaknesses on many other websites… or how many sign-ups would an average squeeze page asking all that personal information get? … Anyone?
Facebook’s database must be enourmos by now, so their name (+all additional info) squeeze page creates remarkable results… It was fashinating to check the http://www.Archive.org for Facebook’s earlier landing pages! (Thanks Goal Guru!) I managed to see the registration page (name squeeze page) as it was in the begining of 2006 and then they asked only for name, email and occupation. Become a leading authority and you can ask several times more!
Thanks for this post, Alex and thank you, Jill, for providing that archive link! I can’t tell you the comfort it brings me to see the evolution of success for a site like Facebook! They started out as AboutFace in Dec 98 and their purpose was to connect people at schools. They became Facebook in 2005, still about schools, and didn’t expand to general “social networking” until Apr 27, 06.
Through all the changes, they maintained their homepage as a squeeze page from the beginning!
AND they never stopped growing, improving, innovating and expanding.
What a great lesson! Brilliant!
Randy Sandknop
Does this mean “Direct Response Emotional Long Print Marketing” is dead?
http://www.aymenarbitrageconspiracy.com/
Excellent! Yup, I agree that has to be the world’s greatest squeeze page.
Keri Eagan
Anything Alternative
Alex,
Great point, never thought of Facebook as a squeeze page that way.
Currently the biggest problem with Facebook fan page is seen below.
http://2yourpage.net/go/20091003
So Facebook needs to address this or fans (your students) are not going to keep going to something that’s not working.
–Pat & Lorna
http://TheCoolestCouple.com
When I was a freshman at Harvard, we all intensely scanned the Freshman Register, which we called “the Facebook”. It’s fascinating to see how this college ritual has morphed into a 300 million international network. What a great model for any person seriously interest in establishing and expanding a community.
When I was a freshman at Harvard, we all intensely scanned the Freshman Register, which we called “the Facebook”. It’s fascinating to see how this college ritual has morphed into a 300+ million person international network. What a great model for any person seriously interested in establishing and expanding a community – either online or offline.
Very great point, Alex! I think you are right about the simplicity of the Facebook Opt-In page, and the fact that you have a great one-page opt-in, I like the clean look definitely.
I guess one point though is that since you are already well-known on the internet (and I met you in Vancouer when you were part of the Speed Money course) – I have no hesitation in putting my information in right away. However, for someone not well-known this type of squeeze page may not work well, right?
Also – I noted 2 typing errors in the first paragraph:
Don’t worry we’ve got you covered! You know have the oppurtunity to listen to the replays of the calls you missed. Fill out the form below to create your AskAlexToday.com member account.
Notice that “You know” should be “You now”
Notice that “oppurtunity” should be “opportunity”
Diana Walker, Sunrider Group Leader, CEO, Diana’s Healthy Lifestyles
Excellent post Alex (as always). It’s important to take notice of what others do (especially in different industries and markets) … and see if it could work for you too.
Because what works for someoe else may not work for you. That’ll depend upon many things, not the least of all in this instance will be ‘trust’.
Then test test test!
John Gordon
The Infotainer
Referring to Terry Crosby’s comment, I don’t see how facebook has provided value through its squeeze page.
If I just take it at surface value, I thought the page’s strength lies in its graphics and design schemes, plus it’s above the fold. What really drives the opt-in rate is its ability to send invitation to e-mail addresses in AOL, yahoo, hotmail etc in the midst of the sign-up process.
Not forgetting the company comes at the right time in the social media revolution and work hard in its branding.
The point is its niche is in friend-making! I’m sure there are ‘better’ squeeze pages but of different topics. My opinion is a video squeeze page is the best because it qualifies most interested subscribers, considering they care to sit through a video to the end.
Another type of squeeze page contains a quiz. Hopefully you can click my name to see how a quiz page looks like.
Looking forward to other opinions. Thanks!
best regards,
Nelson
I disagree with you Alex but only to a certain point.
Remember that they only became a great squeeze page after the mass of people saw the great value of this free service, and they (facebook) did not have to sell themselves anymore.
At one point they used to sell themselves just like everyone else does. It was only after they became well known for providing this service, and popular that all they needed to do was to put a squeeze page and everyone just signed in.
Which goes to show that all you need to provide a TON of great (free) value and the rest (clients) will come flocking in.
JR Durruthy
PrintRite Printing
Facebook takes the guessing out of signing up. They set clear boundaries that create unlimited possibilities. Let’s improve on their innovation!
Alex,
Once again, always you are KING when it comes to seeing and replicating what already works… Thanks for being the leader of my mentor team.
Veronica
In Poland some email marketer did squeeze page in this cencept. Look on this http://www.ekademia.pl.
Good blog Alex. Of course not everyone has the luxury of having such a simple sign up page. When people come to facebook they already know they want to sign up, giving them the ability to give less details and to request more information. Most opt-in pages would be crazy to request date of birth as it is a barrier that would stop people. If you don’t have a facebook account you are coming there knowing that you need to sign up since others you know have told you to do so. Huge networks like that have more social proof than 1000 testimonials would provide.
I agree. The simplicity is the best part. It also helps that Facebook is so widely known before a person even goes to the site.
I think it is fantastic. I remember when I first went there I was thinking “where’s the content”? But I promptly entered my info and created an account, never thinking of it as a squeeze page.
A great example of perfection, thanks Alex for pointing this out.
Greg Writer
PS I just created the a 3 video squeeze page (sometohing I never seen) and I would love some comments. See http://www.YourKidsClub.com
And here I thought I was going to come up with the worlds greatest squeeze page. SIGH…thanks Eric. :(
I concur Terry, if you provide enough value…
As for your free membership page Alex, you got my attention on that one.
I learn so much from your posts. Thank you.
Yes, but… everyone knows what Facebook is – an approach as blank as this simply wouldn’t work with a brand new site or service. In the same way, Google has the simplest and most effective home page in the world but everyone knows what it does already so it can get away with being that devoid of content.
Rather than being home or squeeze pages these are action/service pages and that’s a very different thing.
You hit it right on the head. Most of the successful sites have a simple landing or squeeze page: Google, FB, Twitter, etc.
Bob Burns
I don’t disagree that it’s the greatest squeeze page. However – it is ‘great’ now because they don’t have to do any selling. People are told to sign-up to facebook by other people. I thinkw hat Terry says about providing enough value is very true – except that it’s beyodn the value. It’s the social proof. There is more than enough social proof out there that it’s worth signing up for facebook. Everyone else is doing it.
I don’t think the squeeze page has a thing to do with that at this point. If someone modeled the Facebook homepage as their own homepage, and no one knew who they were – there would be no incentive for a visitor to figure out who they are or why they should sign up.
The point of the squeeze page is incentive to get onto ones list. Because for the most part, the people would have no reason to without the insentive.
Facebook’s incentive is from other facebook users – so they don’t need to have a free eboook or teleconference or video or dvd… they just need to say ‘here’s what we need from you’.
I don’t agree.
Facebook don’t answer a lot of important questions, that a new user will ask him/herself like:
Are my friends here?
Why are they making this service free.
What’s the catch?
Can I easily delete my profile if I want out? (It’s a nightmare, I hear from others)
And a lot of other concerns from the people still not yet using Facebook.
You see, Facebook is….. facebook – and this page ONLY works because people know about facebook in the first place.
This Squeese page will NOT work for most compagnies, that is not known to public allready.
So Facebook could make it much, much better by. ex. adding a video to the page, telling what to expect and start instructing people to use the service the best way.
Best regards,
Christian Garrelts
http://www.iMARKETING.dk
Brilliant insight! Of course, the FB page has been right in front of our noses all along — it took a shift of perspective to recognize it.
Thanks!
Ann
P.S. Have spent a lot of time on FB lately (just signed up in July) — with wonderful (and unforeseen) benefits to me!
Hi Alex. Great point! I never thought of it that way. I’ve seen that concept being utilised more and more now but I think it falls down when the product or service is not well known and no information is given on the squeeze page. Personally, I’ve just left! Some have realised this and put an “about us” link somewhere or added more info to make this work.
I have not sign up to use face book, and I’m just learning how to create a squeeze page. I will study face book technique and try to learn this concept. thanks
Willa
Brilliant!
I disagree. For the most part, people already have the end result in mind. They know that they are going to go into facebook and join, even before they get to the squeeze page. You could have a picture of donkeys sniffing daisies and face book would still get more opt-ins than any other.
To say that this is the best squeeze page ever I a stretch to say the least.
Hi Alex,
Sometimes to most frequently used social media has fallen into common usage and the most obvious sometimes is not really so obvious afterall.
Thanks for this great tip on using FaceBook as a strategy for a squeezepage.
Best
I decided to find a USP (Unique Selling Perspective) to separate myself from well over 100 other Realtors selling Real Estate here at beautiful and affordable Lake Chapala Ajjic Mexico.
I’ve done this by utilizing the social media membership concept for my website: http://www.ChapalaClub.com where membership like at Facebook is free and where every page is a squeeze page to sign up as a member via e mail or RSS feed.
In one year and 5 months my Feed Burner Stats graphical display shows a steady upward growth line of 45 degrees. The social media concept and my minimum of twice weekly articles with feedback solicited and personally given just like Alex does is taking my site ever higher.
It’s helped along by the articles (I prefer this term over blog posts) which are fed automatically into Facebook. So, I certainly believe in the Facebook model since I’m using it successfully.
Now to get a regular podcast series added to the site and Itunes. Doing my best to keep up. I’m not a big dog yet… but I’m not staying on the porch either. I guess I’m running along behind the Big Dogs hoping to catch them and join the pack.
Sid, “The Lake Chapala Information Guy!”
You are metres ahead of your competition Mr Mandossian
Kep up your brilliant insights.
Very VERY worthwhile reading, Ash
Thanks, Alex. I had thought of the page only as the signup page … which of course is a squeeze page.
Frankly, I felt the squeeze when I signed up, but I went through with it because of the promise of what was on the other side based on the comments of people I trusted.
So for a big brand like FB or Alex Mandossian, this approach clearly works.
But what about a little-known brand? How much info do people need to see before they sign up?
Diana
Viaburst,
You may disagree and it’s still true.
You nailed it on the head when you indicated that “people have the end results in mind.” Exactly. I agree. That’s a world class squeeze page when the marketing organization is so thorough in letting the first time visitor know what’s on the “other side of the squeeze” page that the visitor is convinced before visiting.
So the point is to let others know – by word-of-mouth – or by other means what’s on the other side of the “squeeze” page so the “squeeze” page won’t have to sell, it’ll just be a natural extension or entry to what the visitor wants.
This will sound corny, but the best squeeze pages in the future (like Facebook’s) will not “squeeze” out the email addresses and names, they’ll “hug” out the email addresses and names of first time visitors.
Thanks for your candid response and disagreement because it opened the door to my comment above.
All good wishes,
~ Alex
Penny,
Yes, that’s exactly the point. Thanks for noticing.
~ Alex
Sid,
Nice post. Thank you. Offering a real life case study helps dissolve doubt in readers’ minds that what Facebook is doing, anyone can do. Heck, Twitter is doing it also, but not as aggressively.
Thanks for commenting,
~ Alex
Ash,
Thank you for dropping by. Always good to see and read your comments.
~ Alex
Thank you!
~ Alex
Shawn,
I knew I’d raise a few eyebrows with this post because many readers won’t agree with me that Facebook’s landing page is a “squeeze” page. It is. Period. Case closed. Yet, many will argue that people already know Facebook, or they’ve been invited to Facebook by a friend.
My response is … “So?”
Facebook is a social networking platform. It may be dwarfed by another platform one day. My point is this: What if Facebook decided on another type of landing page or a traditional sales page? I firmly believe they wouldn’t have an many new members.
In contrast, Facebook opted to simply sign up for membership. That’s it. No sales process. Just sign up. Who did the selling? That’s easy. The the friend or the referral did the selling.
Word of mouth is the best selling process for a squeeze page. No selling is necessary on the web, all the selling and promotion is done via email or face to face.
Anyway, we’re just scratching the surface with this conversion and thank you, Shawn for giving me an excuse to discuss it :-)
Post often,
~ Alex
Ann,
You’re welcome and thanks for stopping by.
~ Alex
Joe,
Glad thanks for dropping by. People feel (others who have commented on this post) a squeeze page has to sell the visitor. Facebook doesn’t do that. Anyone who comes into Facebook was referred to it or knew about it in advance.
That’s the ultimate selling strategy where the “squeeze” page doesn’t sell, it just accepts login information. Brilliant! And we can learn a lot from the process.
~ Alex
Willa,
If you’re just starting, DO NOT model the Facebook squeeze page because I’d prefer you take the more traditional and evolutionary approach to squeeze page marketing. Facebook’s model requires lots and lots of word of mouth and word of mouse. If you are starting out, you may not have that.
So use traditional squeeze pages and then study how Facebook does the social networking and you’ll be much better off. In the meantime, become a fan at http://www.ProductiveToday.com and I’ll give you tips every Monday and my colleague Dan Safkow will give you tips every Wednesday.
Good sales,
~ Alex
l love the varied responses to this post. Yes, Facebook’s squeeze page is basic, but it only works because of the previous knowledge that the surfer already has about Facebook. They already want in.
To achieve the same kind of brand recognition for your own websites and services requires you to build a buzz around your site or service using other methods. Whether by preselling in a blogpost or article or by using other methods you must educate the surfer so that they want to get in and they are willing to leave their name.
In lieu of a bonus offer, you are depending upon the surfers knowledge of your site to entice them into filling out the form. If the surfer doesn’t know you or your product you might have a hard time convincing them that signing up is worthwhile.
So no, I don’t agree that Facebook has the greatest squeeze page. It works for them because of the ‘name’ value they possess. Without it, they remain a faceless website. Think about it, how many hot, new social sites have you received invitations to, yet when you got there you found just a squeeze page and not much else? Did you sign up?
In the end the success of your squeeze pages rely on several factors – the pre-knowledge that the surfer has of you or your site, and the perceived value the surfer will get from signing up.
Peace,
Bob
Hi Alex,
great post!
Well, who would not agree, that Facebook has (is???) a great optin page (I don’t like “squeeze” so much – “hug” is quite something else – all of a sudden there is a human being on the other side, not a victim, mark or some*thing*).
Still – saying “Facebook is the world’s biggest and fastest growing social networking platform because it has the world’s greatest squeeze page.” seems like saying “Tiger Woods is such a great golfer because he has such great golf clubs”.
To me that seems overly simplistic.
As has already been pointed out there is so much more to Facebook that accounts for their success.
And it is not just “membership” either.
The internet is cluttered with squeeze pages and membership sites that are not successful at all – we don’t even know about most of them.
I do, however, agree that both are highly important ingredients in one of the recipes for internet success.
And you have made a brilliant point and story out of showing us your realization – and creating a bit of controversy.
Thanks
Detlev Tesch (Germany)
Bob,
One word: “Amen.”
Thanks for posting and dropping by,
~ Alex
That is very interesting man. I was expecting a page that only collects names and emails. I wonder what the conversion rate is for Facebook.com’s home page.
What a concept. Now just go on over to my Instant Capture Page and see how you can obtain immediate contact information and really determine whether or not you and your visitor have something substantial to talk about.
http://bit.ly/TGNicp
Terrence
Thanks for stopping by, Terrence.
~ Alex
Alex,
Great post and oh so true! Many people have posted very valid arguments both agreeing and disagreeing. At the end of the day facebook demonstrates what I believe is the future of marketing push and pull, yes its a “HUG PAGE” feed by great viral marketing both word of mouth and numerous benefits to all who participate as well as even peer pressure. Yes, peer pressure because if your buds are on it and communicate that way you don’t want to be left out.
Congratulations on all your success and keep leading the field!
Carlos
Thanks Alex!
Facebook has indeed increased our visibility virally. It has introduced the True Colors Concepts to many new trainers and MBTI administrators.
As proof, the visibility we achieved allowed us to get on PBS radar, and now we are working with them on a pledge week TV special. How cool is that!
http://www.TrueColorsTest.com
Matt
What an interesting insight. Of course, Eric is probably right. The Facebook selling proposition is compelling. It becomes iirrational not to check it out.
Hi Alex,
Provocative post. Best squeeze page yes- but who gains by iy- only Google of course. Everyone likes to join something that’s Free and provides hours ofmindless social interaction. Now let’s try and have a product at the endof the “free” tunnel.
Conclusion. Big free membership doesn’t equal monetized network.
Thanks,
Steve
I LOVE IT! Their page is essentially saying “Everybody else is here so you need to be too.” VERY clever :)
Yes, FB is brilliant, never really considered it but entirely true. And I appreciate you pointing that out. Will work on a model to mimic and report the results!
Hi Alex,
I never quite looked at Facebook this way. When you talked about it at the Guerrilla Business Intensive in London, it was like a huge AHA moment for me.
It really truly is one of, if not the best Squeeze Page out there. I’m definitely looking at sites very differently now.
Great meeting you in London and hope you had a great time here.
David
David,
It was great meeting you too and I’m glad you now get to see the tip from both sides – live and virtual.
Cheers,
Alex
As a motivational speaker/trainer and TeleSeminar person,
I have to disagree on this one.
I am still working on a great ’squeeze’ page. I think this is more like a ‘direction’ page…to me a squeeze, sales, or overall view of you and your products is what a squeeze page is about.
I constantly have to tell people about the benefits of Facebook and how to use it…and it is this word of mouth..not the destination page that I think has led FB to its being as wonderful as it is!
JODY in Beautiful BC
PS I am looking for a good ’squeeze page writer’ email me if anyone knows of one!
Alex
Love your stuff, but strongly disagree with the conclusion you and Eric reached.
Of course, defining ‘greatest’ is highly subjective, but for the masses it should be a squeeze page that is equally successful in any niche or market. Facebook succeeds in spite of practicing bad habits that would fail miserably, if not for their name recognition, for any other marketer w/o name recognition.
In other words, try sending traffic to a no-names squeeze page that’s modeled exactly after FaceBooks, and you’ll likely see a bounce rate above 98%.
Most credible research I’ve read – especially from the testing freaks at MarketingExperiments.com – shows that the more information requested initially is directly proportionate to a lower opt-in rate.
Asking for the last name, sex, and birthday – especially the year – would serve as a barrier to the overly suspicious. Their privacy policy isn’t easily visible, either.
Having said that, you made a point well taken by encouraging folks to expand their horizons by seeking newer and better ways of doing business. You just used a poor example to in making that point.
BTW, Alex, I’m surprised that a marketer of your magnitude would release such a sloppy squeeze page of your own.
There is a typo and wrong word used in the first sentence alone on your Productivity Thursday page, and no privacy policy at all.
Here’s the sentence that needs polishing:
“You know have the oppurtunity”
Should be “you now have the opportunity…” obviously.
Be well
Obviously the “success” of its “squeeze page” (if that’s even what it is) is completely due to the popularity of Facebook…
People go to facebook already pre-sold by their friends or family…
Try sending a herd of people who have no clue what facebook is about to its “squeeze page” and I’m putting my money on the little X on the top right hand corner being the most popular thing people click.
Obviously the success of Facebook’s “squeeze” page is what is “anticipated” on the other side of it. And that remains my key point. If we, as marketers, endeavor to make the anticipation of value so powerful that our first visitors are presold to say YES, then our opt-in strategy will go from good to great.
~ Alex
Hey Alex,
I think you have some great points in your post. I’m not sure if it’s the world’s “greatest” squeeze page, but I bet it gets a ton of conversions. I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time and have seen the changes you’ve made to your squeezes.
From adding audio, to video, and now this duplication of what people are used to seeing elsewhere.
To me it looks like you’re modeling what the 800 lb. gorilla is doing and I bet that you might start getting the same results.
To me… people want to be in a community, they want to feel like they belong. Well…one place they feel this is on facebook. So if you can create that image before hand they might sign up to your site feeling like they are going to be part of a community.
Personally I feel that video is a great way to introduce a squeeze page and I still love the idea of pointing out the opt-in box, etc. I try to use video when I can, and I think so far that’s been the “best” advent to the squeeze page.
Thanks again Alex,
Corey
It doesn’t matter to me if it’s 8 pound gorilla or an 800 pound gorilla … the “world’s greatest” means the “world’s greatest.” Pop Quiz: What’s the world’s greatest search engine? I’ve asked over 50,000 students worldwide and 85% of them say, Google.
I’m not encouraging people to model Facebook. I’m only pointing out that if there’s enough rapport, “word-of-mouse” and anticipation about the value of what’s on the other side of a “squeeze” page (which Facebook’s home is … it IS a “squeeze page”), then visitors will opt-in every time. Period.
But those to paragraphs are not directed to you Corey. They’re directed to anyone who still thinks Facebook’s home page is NOT a “squeeze page.” Thanks for stopping by and I very appreciate your comment.
To Your Success,
~ Alex
[...] Revisit the World's Greatest “Squeeze Page” | Alex Mandossian's Blog [...]
Alex,
you never cease to amaze, how you are always at the cutting edge.
Lar
Thanks Larry. I’m wired for “acknowledgment” like most people, so appreciate your comment. I re-read it 3 times :-)
~ Alex
I am not sure I agree that Facebook is a true squeeze. Facebook is already famous, not unlike yourself, and it is more understood that Facebook landing page is a signup page.
P.S. Great trick to get people to visit this page
Sean Mecham
Sean’s Carpet Care
Portland Best Carpet Cleaning company
I figured many wouldn’t agree and you’re part of that many.
Facebook is a “squeeze page.” A new visitor comes. They give their info. And they get in. There’s no other way in. Period.
It may be a “membership squeeze” page, but it is one. Getting hung up on what a squeeze page is (for me) is not nearly as important as what a squeeze page does. Facebook.com is the world’s greatest squeeze page. End of story.
But then, again, that’s my opinion and your points are well taken and much appreciated :-)
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I hope my candor inspires you to come back again because I value your opinion.
All good wishes,
~ Alex
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