Are you tired of watching your email list grow at a snail‘s pace? You‘ve probably heard that "the money is in the list," but what do you do when your list isn‘t growing fast enough to make any real money?
It‘s time to level up your email game with content upgrades.
As a blogging expert and digital marketer with over a decade of experience, I‘ve seen firsthand how content upgrades can transform a stagnant email list into a thriving community of engaged subscribers.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my secrets for creating irresistible content upgrades your audience will love. More importantly, I‘ll break down the best WordPress plugins for delivering those lead magnets on autopilot so you can scale your list building efforts with ease.
Why You Can‘t Afford to Ignore Content Upgrades Any Longer
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let me paint a picture of just how powerful content upgrades can be.
According to a case study by Backlinko, implementing content upgrades increased their email opt-in rate from 0.54% to 4.82%. That‘s a whopping 785% lift!
And they‘re not alone. Check out these other eye-popping stats:
- Content upgrades can increase opt-in rates by 200-1000% compared to generic offers. (Source: Bebee Social)
- The average content upgrade converts at around 20%, with some marketers reporting rates as high as 50-60%. (Source: OptinMonster)
- Businesses that use content upgrades grow their email lists an average of 400% faster than those that don‘t. (Source: Hubspot)
The proof is in the pudding. If you want to rapidly grow your email list, content upgrades are the way to go.
But what exactly is a content upgrade, and how does it differ from a regular old lead magnet? Let‘s break it down.
Content Upgrade vs. Lead Magnet: What‘s the Difference?
A lead magnet is essentially a freebie you offer visitors in exchange for their email address. It could be an ebook, whitepaper, coupon code, or any other valuable resource.
The problem with most lead magnets is that they are too generic. They aren‘t tailored to the specific needs and interests of the person reading your blog post or landing page. As a result, conversion rates tend to be pretty low.
A content upgrade, on the other hand, is a lead magnet that is hyper-relevant to the content the visitor is already consuming. It acts as a natural extension or enhancement of your blog post, making it much more enticing for the reader to opt-in.
For example, let‘s say you have a blog post called "10 Proven Strategies for Driving Free Traffic to Your Website." At the end of the post, you could offer a content upgrade called "Free Checklist: 50 Untapped Traffic Sources to Skyrocket Your Website Visitors."
See how that‘s infinitely more clickable than a generic ebook on SEO?
By offering a resource that is specifically tailored to your blog post topic, you can expect opt-in rates 5-10x higher than a standard lead magnet.
Not only that, but subscribers gained through a content upgrade tend to be much more qualified and engaged than those who opt in for a generic freebie. They‘ve essentially raised their hand and said "Yes, I‘m highly interested in this specific topic!"
This gives you valuable data you can use to segment your list and send them more targeted emails down the line, which can dramatically increase your open rates, click-through rates, and sales.
How to Create a High-Converting Content Upgrade in 6 Simple Steps
Sold on the power of content upgrades and ready to create your own? Here‘s a quick step-by-step guide:
-
Choose a blog post to add an upgrade to. Pick a high-traffic post that is already generating steady organic traffic. Ideally, the post should be on an evergreen topic relevant to your niche.
-
Brainstorm upgrade ideas. What quick win or useful resource could you create that would enhance the reader‘s understanding of the post topic? A checklist, cheat sheet, toolkit, resource list, template, or video tutorial are all good options. Aim for something that can be consumed in under 15 minutes.
-
Create your content upgrade. Use a tool like Canva, Google Docs, or PowerPoint to whip up a professionally-designed PDF. Outsource it to a designer on Fiverr if design isn‘t your strong suit. For videos or audio, use a tool like Loom or Audacity.
-
Set up your opt-in form. This is where a WordPress plugin comes in handy (more on that in a minute). Create an opt-in form, upload your content upgrade file, and set up the email delivery settings.
-
Add opt-in forms to your post. Place them at strategic locations like above the fold, within the content, after the first few paragraphs, and/or at the end of the post. Experiment with different placements to see what converts best. Make sure to sell the benefits of your content upgrade!
-
Drive traffic and split test. Share your newly upgraded post on social media and to your email list to drive fresh eyeballs to it. Consider using paid ads as well. Use your email plugin‘s A/B testing features to try out different opt-in copy, designs, and display settings to maximize conversions.
That‘s it! Rinse and repeat this process for all your highest-traffic blog posts and watch your email list explode with growth.
The Best WordPress Plugins for Content Upgrade Delivery in 2024
Having a content upgrade is one thing, delivering it is another. You need a reliable system for displaying attractive opt-in forms and automatically sending subscribers their free resource.
That‘s where these top 5 WordPress plugins save the day:
1. Thrive Leads
Thrive Leads is hands down the most sophisticated and user-friendly list building plugin on the market. For content upgrades, it offers an unparalleled feature set:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop form builder with 100+ templates
- Multiple form types including pop-ups, in-line, slide-in, screencast video, and more
- Built-in asset delivery that emails your lead magnet and/or provides an instant download
- Advanced display settings and behavior controls
- A/B testing and detailed conversion tracking and reporting
- SmartLinks feature to show unique offers to existing subscribers
Pricing: $99/year (or $399 one-time) for a single site license, with a 30-day moneyback guarantee. Also comes bundled with the full Thrive Suite for $299/year.
2. ConvertBox
ConvertBox exploded onto the scene as one of the most innovative lead generation plugins in recent years. Its slick interface makes building high-converting content upgrade opt-in forms and multi-step funnels a breeze.
Top features include:
- Visual drag-and-drop builder with 100+ templates
- Unique 2-step opt-in technology for sky-high conversion rates
- Unlimited content upgrade file hosting and rule-based delivery
- Onsite retargeting and sequential offers
- "Subscriber Insights" feature for list hygiene and re-engagement
- Built-in analytics and unlimited A/B testing
Pricing: Starts at $29/month for a single site license with unlimited file hosting. A 14-day free trial is available.
3. OptinMonster
OptinMonster is a powerful standalone lead generation platform that can be seamlessly integrated with WordPress. In addition to being able to create virtually any type of opt-in form, it has some standout features for content upgrades:
- Drag-and-drop builder with 100+ templates
- Built-in success themes and redirect options for delivering upgrades
- Advanced page-level targeting for granular display control
- Gamified "Spin-a-Wheel" opt-in forms to boost engagement
- Exit-intent popups to capture abandoning visitors
- MonsterLinks 2-step opt-in technology
Pricing: Plans start at $9/month (billed annually) for a single site, with a 14-day moneyback guarantee.
4. Bloom
Bloom is a well-designed plugin from Elegant Themes that makes list building a snap. Standout content upgrade features include:
- 100+ professionally-designed templates
- Support for after-content and in-content form placement
- Automatic email delivery of lead magnets
- 16+ native email marketing integrations
- Detailed conversion analytics and A/B testing
Pricing: Bloom is included for free with an Elegant Themes membership ($89/year for unlimited site usage of all themes and plugins). Alternatively, you can purchase it on its own for a one-time fee of $89.
5. Sumo
Sumo is a full-suite marketing plugin for WordPress that includes several powerful list-building tools. The features most relevant to content upgrades are:
- List Builder and Welcome Mat modules for opt-in form creation
- One-click content upgrade file upload and delivery
- Smart targeting options for displaying different offers to different visitors
- A/B testing for quick optimization
- Bonus heat-mapping feature to see how visitors interact with your forms
Pricing: Sumo has a generous free plan for up to 200 subscribers. Paid plans with more features start at $29/month.
5 Insider Tips for Promoting Content Upgrades and Boosting Conversions
Simply creating a content upgrade and adding some opt-in forms to your post isn‘t enough to get a flood of new subscribers. You need to aggressively promote your offer and optimize for conversions. Here are 5 expert tips to do just that:
-
Use an attention-grabbing CTA. Your opt-in button copy should clearly state the benefit of your content upgrade and create a sense of urgency. Use phrases like "Get the Checklist Now," "Send Me the Cheatsheet," or "Unlock the [Desired Result]."
-
Offer multiple opt-in opportunities. Don‘t just stick an opt-in form at the end of your post and call it a day. Add forms in multiple locations, including above the fold, in the middle of your content, in the sidebar, and as an exit popup. Use a tool like CrazyEgg to see which placements get the most clicks and conversions.
-
Leverage social proof. Display a testimonial or success story next to your opt-in form to show the value of your content upgrade. You could also show how many people have already downloaded it to boost credibility.
-
Split test your offers. Use your WordPress plugin‘s A/B testing features to experiment with different headlines, benefit statements, form designs, and calls-to-action. Sometimes a small tweak can lead to a huge boost in conversions.
-
Promote to your existing subscribers. Don‘t forget to promote your content upgrades to your current email list! Send out a broadcast letting them know about your new freebie. Since they‘re already fans, they‘ll be more likely to grab your latest resource and share it with their network.
Content Upgrade Compliance in the Age of GDPR
No discussion of email list building would be complete without mentioning GDPR – the EU‘s General Data Protection Regulation. If you have any European subscribers (and chances are you do), you need to make sure your content upgrade opt-ins are GDPR compliant.
Here are the key things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have a clear privacy policy that explains how you collect and use subscriber data.
- Only collect the minimum data needed to deliver your content upgrade (usually just an email address).
- Use double opt-in to confirm the subscriber‘s email and get explicit consent.
- Provide a way for subscribers to access, update, or delete their data.
- Make it easy for subscribers to unsubscribe at any time.
Fortunately, most reputable email marketing platforms and WordPress plugins have built-in features to help with GDPR compliance. Just make sure you have all your bases covered before starting your content upgrade campaigns.
Supercharge Your List Building with Content Upgrades Today
Content upgrades aren‘t some flashy tactic that will be here today and gone tomorrow. As our inboxes get more and more crowded, the need for hyper-relevant, personalized lead magnets will only continue to grow.
By tapping into the power of content upgrades, you can cut through the noise, grow your list faster than ever, and build real relationships with your audience. The key is to choose a WordPress plugin that makes the process of creating and delivering content upgrades as seamless as possible.
Whether you go with Thrive Leads, ConvertBox, OptinMonster, Bloom, Sumo, or another tool, you‘ll be blown away by how quickly you can take your email list to the next level.
So what are you waiting for? Upgrade your list building game today and watch your business grow!
