Big Gulps 🥤

Good morning! The Super Bowl is just 4 days away, and it looks like we can expect quite a few alcohol ads this time.

Last year we saw a TON of crypto ads, especially from FTX (gulp). This year, reports indicate that alcohol brands will be leading the way. The Super Bowl is always filled with alcohol sponsorships - this year we’ll see even more (double gulp).

Here’s your full rundown this Wednesday, February 8th…

• RIP Crypto Bowl - No Crypto Ads Featured During Super Bowl LVII

• ChatGPT - New Competitor Coming From Google

• Quiet Hiring - Job Growth Remains Strong

• Opt In - Your 7-Point Checklist For Opt-In Pages

• Twitter Gold - $1,000 Membership Stirs Controversy

Lurn Bytes: Entrepreneurship Around The Web

Don’t Expect Any Crypto Ads During Super Bowl - Last year, it felt like every other ad during the Super Bowl was for Crypto. Brands like FTX and Coinbase dominated the commercial breaks. This year, Fox says it didn’t sell any national crypto spots. Here’s the full scoop… 

Google Reportedly Working on ChatGPT Competitor - It’s like an AI arms race out there, with every company creating its own tool. This week, the big news comes from Google. They’re planning to use their LaMDA tech to build their own version of ChatGPT. Here’s everything we know so far… 

Quiet Hiring Replaces Quiet Quitting - All anyone could talk about in 2022 was “Quiet Quitting.” That’s out the window in 2023, and some economists have coined a new term for this rock-solid job market - Quiet Hiring. Some tech firms may be cutting jobs, but most companies are actually still hiring… 

Opt-In Page Perfection - Your 7-Point Checklist

Opt-in pages can make or break your marketing strategy.

You have one shot to impress potential subscribers and convince them to hand over their email addresses. So take the extra time to make sure your page is PERFECT.

Here's a 7-point checklist to ensure your opt-in page is on point and avoiding common mistakes…

#1 - Write a Clear Headline

Your headline is the first thing people see on your opt-in page. It needs to be attention-grabbing, relevant and tell visitors exactly what they're going to get by subscribing. You should also touch on the audience’s biggest pain points and explain how you’ll solve them.

Make sure the benefits they get are front and center.

Avoid vague headlines like "Sign up for our newsletter" and get creative!

#2 - Offer a Compelling Lead Magnet

What's in it for your visitors?

Your lead magnet should be something they actually want and will find valuable. Don't just offer a generic eBook or discount code. Make it specific to your audience and their interests.

#3 - Make It Visually Appealing

Sounds obvious - until you see some of the opt-in pages out there!

People are visual creatures, and a visually appealing opt-in page will grab their attention and keep them interested. Use eye-catching images and graphics, keep the page uncluttered, and choose a color scheme that's on brand.

#4 - Use Social Proof

Social proof, like testimonials or the number of subscribers you already have, can be a powerful motivator. It shows visitors that others trust and value your content, and that they should too.

People don’t often buy or opt-in anymore without social proof. This is absolutely critical!

#5 - Keep the Form Short

Long forms are a big turn off for visitors.

Keep your form short and to the point, asking only for the information you need (e.g. name and email). Again, make sure it looks professional too. People don’t want to put their email addresses into sites that are visually unappealing or look unprofessional.

#6 - Make the CTA Clear

Your call-to-action (CTA) is the button or link that visitors click to subscribe.

Make sure it stands out, is placed in a prominent location and clearly states what will happen when they click it (e.g. "Get My Lead Magnet").

Take this part seriously. Spending a few extra minutes on the copy of your CTA makes a huge difference.

Use action verbs and reiterate the benefits of opting in!

#7 - Keep Testing

Don't assume your opt-in page is perfect just because you think it looks good. Test it with real people, gather feedback and make improvements as needed.

Try different variations of your headline, lead magnet, form, CTA and so on, to see what works best.

By following this 7-point checklist, you'll be well on your way to creating a top-notch opt-in page that converts at a high rate!

Entrepreneur Stat Of The Day

26%

That’s the average conversion rate of landing pages across the Internet, according to Databox.

$1,000 Twitter Verification?

We mentioned this in the “Lurn Bytes” yesterday, but we knew we had to dig deeper into this story.

Twitter is making waves in the social media world with its latest announcement - a new Gold Checkmark for verified users. The Gold Checkmark will offer exclusive benefits and perks, but there's a catch - it's going to cost you.

Rumor has it that Twitter is looking to charge a whopping $1,000 per month for the privilege.

But what exactly does the Gold Checkmark offer?

Twitter is staying tight-lipped for now, but we can only imagine the added visibility and prestige that come with a gold verification symbol.

For businesses and influencers looking to boost their brand and increase their reach, the Gold Checkmark might be an enticing offer.

Here’s everything we know so far, and when we can expect more updates…

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