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How to Build Your Email List Using Facebook Landing Tab

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build email list with facebook tab Not the kind of facebook we are talking about…

When you create your Facebook Page, you should probably have some sort of goal in mind aside from attracting fans.

While large brands are not as focused on turning Facebook fans into direct leads or sales, smaller businesses should be definitely be focused more on lead conversion and occasionally selling products or services directly.

So we need to drive users to take some sort of action, in other words.

One of the ways of getting your page visitors and fans to take action is by making them opt-in to get something you provide.

So in this post we’ll talk about how to build your email list using Facebook landing tab.

Facebook Landing Tab and The Lead Form

As you know, building your email list is how most internet marketers make money online these days and Facebook is no exception.

So what you need to do is to create a form that lets users put in their name and email address.

*Note: later I will mention 3 apps to help you build your Facebook tab.

There are a number of ways to develop a lead form.

For example, you can higher a web designer or you can also use email marketing services, such as Icontact, GetResponse or AWeber and then use their pre-made forms.

But as long as you are here, I have a cool bonus to all Traffic Generation Cafe visitors: I’m giving away my pre-designed Facebook opt-in form – all you need to do is to change my text and images to yours!

Download links: Aweber form / Getresponse form

After that, what you need to do is to add that form to your Facebook Tab, so anyone who lands on your welcome page will opt in to get your gift.

Quick tip: To set your Facebook landing tab as a default viewing tab for all newcomers, go to your public profile settings page, then go to “Manage Permissions” > “Default Landing Tab”, then choose the tab you want.

The Double Lead Strategy / Fan Gate Feature

This is one of the great things about Facebook fan pages: you can get 2 leads at once and we call it “the double lead strategy“: you can get people to “like” your page, plus opt in to get on your email list at the same time.

To make that happen, you will need to use the Fate Gate Feature: first you hide something from your visitors asking them to click on the “like” button to get it and, when they become fans, they get whatever you provide.

Here is an example for my landing tab and Fan Gate:

Picture #1 is what visitors see when they land on my fan page; picture #2 is what my fans will see once the click on the “like” button.

3 Applications That Will Help You To Create Your Facebook Tab

To build your Facebook Tab, you’ll need an app to help you.

Right below, I’ve chosen 3 free iFrame apps with fan gate feature: all you need to do is to add your images and codes. Or simply use my pre-designed forms mentioned above.

Hosted iFrame – free for up to 25,000 fans and you can have up to five tabs. They’ll host your images up to 25 MB. To install the app, go to their page, then click on the green “Get Started” button on their “Start Here” tab.

TabPress is a free iFrame application developed by HyperArts. To install TabPress, go to their app page and click “Add to My Page” in the right column. You’ll have to upload your images to a site and reference them using HTML code such as <img src=”http://www.yourwebsite.com/yourimage.jpg”> because TabPress does not host images.

Static HTML: iframe tabs is another free application and it doesn’t host your images similar to TabPress. To install it, go to their Facebook app page as linked and click “Add to My Page” in the right column.

Note from Ana

I absolutely agree with every point Faissal is making in this post – if you don’t have a landing tab, which opens for all new visitors of your Facebook fan page by default, you need to create one!

My Facebook landing tab also happens to have one of the highest subscription rates of all my opt-in forms, including the ones on my blog: almost 12%.

I did mine a bit differently from Faissal’s: I have one-step landing page, meaning that my potential fans have a choice to subscribe to my list as well as “like” my page all through the same landing tab.

To see what my landing tab looks like, click here (and please “LIKE” my page while you are at it!)

Another point I wanted to add to the post is the fact that I am not a techie and get easily intimidated by the near mention of “creating my own code” for anything.

I created my fan page landing tab through FanPageEngine.com – an inexpensive and hands-free way to come up with what you see on mine. It let me include images, a video, an opt-in form, and has a few other options I haven’t used.

traffic generation cafe facebook landing tab

Now back to Faissal’s post…

You Should and You Shouldn’t

You Should Have a Call To Action

While explaining to your visitors why they should join your Facebook Page or why they need to opt in to get your gift, you also need to encourage them to actually do that.

If you view my landing tab (click here to view it), you’ll notice that I’ve designed an image which says “Click on the ‘Like’ button above” with arrows pointing up toward the “Like” button.

You Shouldn’t Link To Other Pages

If you want to get visitors to take action (like your page or opt in), you don’t really want to link to other facebook landing tabs or other web pages, because once they have navigated away from your page, there’s a greater chance that you’ve lost them.

Marketing Takeaway

So if you still haven’t built your opt-in form into your Facebook landing tab yet, I hope you are now ready for this task.

Let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below.

Faissal Alhaithami

I’m a blogger & Internet entrepreneur. I blog about Facebook Marketing: Fans bridge | How to market on facebook. Get my free 52 page Facebook Marketing Secrets guide that I have made to help you know everything you need to know about Facebook Marketing.

traffic generation cafe comment below

{ 51 comments }

Michal Rupinski January 12, 2012 at 11:04 am

Hello Faissal,

Thank You for the very useful post. i am designing a landing tab for my client now and I want to generate the opt-in code from the Free autoreposnder called Listwire.com Would you know if it possible? I know that I coulsd use Aweber and Getresponse but its the first time i am doing that kind of work and thought i would try out the free autoreposnder to see how it all works out!
Also if the person leaves their name and adress in the opt-in box that I have on my landing tab, is there a way of thanking them still on Facebook without steering them away to another website? it would be handy to know!
i thank you very much for your help in this matter and wish amazing year 2012!!
Greetings from Ireland
Michal
ps
Thank you Ana for sharing this article!!!

Ana Hoffman January 12, 2012 at 4:18 pm

I’ll leave it to Faissal to get back with you, Michal, but personally, I am not familiar with the service you mentioned.

I’d assume that you can use any service that produces opt-in codes…

Faissal Alhaithami January 14, 2012 at 3:44 am

Hi Michal,

If you want to use my pre-designed custom tab, you can replace my form with the opt-in form code from the service you use.

and about your second question at the moment I don’t know a way to do that, but you can use a java script through your opt-in form to thank them through a popup.

hope my answer help.

Jo November 24, 2011 at 1:13 pm

Hello Faissal,

Faissal, thanks for sharing your autoresponder’s form and the 3 applications to create landing pages on Facebook. I have used the 3rd one from FB apps and I found it handy.

Ana, happy thanks giving even outside US, it’s a pleasant foreign holiday :)

GN,
Jo

Ana Hoffman November 24, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Thanks, Jo!

Faissal Alhaithami December 4, 2011 at 12:42 pm

Glad that you found it handy, please let me know if you need any further help :D

thanks for your comment and for stopping by.

Cheolsu November 3, 2011 at 12:55 am

Hi Faissal, I have created a FB page for my blog. I am yet to create a facebook landing tab to take advantage of the traffic. I will give it a try. Thanks for the tips.

Faissal Alhaithami November 15, 2011 at 2:34 am

You are so welcome, thanks for the comment :)

Noel Addison October 24, 2011 at 9:59 pm

I haven’t tried creating facebook landing tab. Anyway, Faissal thank you for this tip. I think this is a great method in attracting more potential clients for your business.

Faissal Alhaithami October 25, 2011 at 3:07 am

Yeah it’s really an effective way to attract clints..
thanks for stopping by :)

Sylviane Nuccio October 18, 2011 at 4:37 am

Gosh!!!! I haaaaaaaaaate that Facebook. Where is the “manage permission tab”? And why does it want to add the form on another facebook account that I share with another account when I am logged in into MY OWN account? Can you help? Please?

Faissal Alhaithami October 21, 2011 at 4:22 am

Go to your page HomePage then you will see “edit Page ” button at up-right corner. you will find the edit permission there.

Sorry i didn’t get you second question.

Sylviane Nuccio October 18, 2011 at 4:15 am

Great tips Faissal. I just noticed a little typo above “you higher a designer”?? I know you meant “hire”? right? Yes, that’s right, I read every word :) great article. I can use such tips for myself and thanks for the free goodies too :)

Faissal Alhaithami October 21, 2011 at 4:17 am

LOL, Yes You are right, You know it :D Thanks for noticing me about this typo, and really appreciate your awesome reading.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Annemarie Cross October 15, 2011 at 8:23 am

Great article Faissal.

Like Ana – I use FanPageEngine as well. Very easy to set up and I have found it to work effectively as well. I have been considering a Fate Gate feature, so will certainly go and check out the resource you provided.

Thanks!

Faissal Alhaithami October 21, 2011 at 4:13 am

You so welcome, Thanks a lot for the comment :)

Jean October 11, 2011 at 11:44 pm

Thanks Faissal. Very valuable advice and I greatly appreciate your sharing your forms with us. I’m looking forward to creating a landing page soon.

-Jean

Faissal Alhaithami October 12, 2011 at 2:43 am

Thanks Jean ;)

Chukwuka Okwukwe Chukwuka October 11, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Aha! Faissal I got you here.

Subscribed to your mailing list few days back and almost immediately forgot your website’s URL.

Using the Hosted iFrame app, can I add an opt-in immediately after people like my page? I want to go viral on social media and I want it really well.

@Ana, urm, guess I liked your Facebook Fan Page only to come back and find I didn’t.

Ouch! Well I’m on it now and I must say that’s a pretty cool stuff plus design. :-)

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Thanks Chukwuka, No worries about forgetting my website URL I usually send newsletter about the newest facebook tips and news maybe tomorrow you’ll get one hehehe :D

about your question, ofcourse you can!! you have the option to put your opt-in form for all visitors or only for fans by using the fan gate feature :)

Thanks again for stopping by and writing your question ;)

Chukwuka Okwukwe Chukwuka October 11, 2011 at 4:26 pm

Hehe. Okay, Faissal.

One more thing. I just installed the Hosted iFrame app on my page and tried using javascript on it – Aweber form – but it didn’t work. Why is this?

Faissal Alhaithami October 12, 2011 at 2:42 am

I have no idea what’s going on with you, but it seems that hosted iframe app doesn’t support JavaScript, better you contact the hosted iframe support team.

Thanks,
Faissal

Eugene October 11, 2011 at 10:28 am

Very timely post! I know that Facebook now requires a secure server in order to create a page like this…and I really don’t want to pay extra for secure hosting at this point. I was about to start looking for a free alternative…so these were great. Going to check them for sure, thank you!

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 1:34 pm

you are so welcome :D Glad to know that the post came on good time :)

thanks a lot for the comment.

Ileane October 11, 2011 at 10:01 am

Faissal, that is so nice of you to share your forms for Aweber and GetResponse. Thanks for all the advice and the tutorials. I need to sign up for Aweber and get started with this.

Btw – the image for your Fan Gate page isn’t working. You might want to send Ana the file again.

Cheers!

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 1:31 pm

Hi Ms. Ileane Thanks for stopping by :)

Sorry for asking but I didn’t actually get what image doesn’t work? is it an image inside the Awaber form?? or the image inside my own page?

Ileane October 11, 2011 at 2:08 pm

Faissal, it looks fine now. Maybe it was my browser at work. My bad. :)

Riya October 11, 2011 at 9:45 am

Hi Faissal,

Really great article, When people find that you provide great info on your blog only then start following you on FB and twitter so I think that’s really awesome way to build your loyal email list.

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 1:23 pm

This is great way to engage your readers even outside of your blog.

Aarti October 11, 2011 at 9:40 am

It’s really great idea to provide useful ebook on FB fanpage and build your email list together. I think not many people do this but it’s really awesome, I’ll do it with my fanpage for sure.

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 1:19 pm

Aarti, thanks a lot :) appreciated your comment.

Herbert October 11, 2011 at 7:27 am

Everytime I made fanpages for other people, I always place subscriptions buttons and it always turns out well :D

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 9:12 am

Sorry for asking but what subscription buttons do you mean?

Herbert October 11, 2011 at 10:49 am

What i mean is an Aweber form for users to opt in :)

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 1:17 pm

Got it!! yeah it always turns great :D thanks for stopping by.

Jym | Blog Marketing October 11, 2011 at 6:56 am

Brilliant Faissal, I’ve been looking for a service which offers a Like gate and multiple services. Have checked out a few, but your post makes the options clearer.

These days a fanpage is something like an extension of your blog into Facebook, especially since you can build your list their and add your own graphics and content in a way previously impossible.

What we’re seeing is a blending and integration of Social Media and online platforms. Getting all the ‘spokes on your wheel’ is a must, and these resources help.

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 9:10 am

You are right, we can build a whole new websites into facebook tabs :D

Thanks for stopping by.

Brian D. Hawkins October 11, 2011 at 2:03 am

Very nice post and resources Faissal. I let the whole secure server/SSL Certificate news hold me back a bit but it can’t be that complicated. Thanks.

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 9:06 am

You welcome mate, and thanks for the comment.

Justin | Mazzastick October 10, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Creating a FaceBook fan page was one of the first things that I did when I started my blog. I have my newsletter signup form as the default setting as well.

Faissal Alhaithami October 10, 2011 at 7:52 pm

Great Justin, That’s great :D I hope everything is working fine with you :)

Thanks for the comment and all the best :D

Kristi Hines October 10, 2011 at 4:41 pm

My Facebook landing page / mailing list signup form does pretty well with opt-ins, even without giving anything away. It’s good to have it as an option everywhere (Facebook, sidebar on your blog, etc.) that way people can subscribe where ever they feel most inspired to do so.

Faissal Alhaithami October 10, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Hi Kristi, yeah it is great to see people subscribing without getting anything in return :)

Thanks for stopping by :)

Rob October 10, 2011 at 2:43 pm

Ack, Thanks for the reminder. I forgot about creating my latest Facebook page for my new blog. I haven’t had much luck in the past, but hopefully I can integrate some of these tips and make FB worthwhile this time. Always hard trying to spread time between Twitter, FB, commenting, and the other SEO time sinks as well as keeping the blog posts coming… :)

Faissal Alhaithami October 11, 2011 at 4:19 am

Yeah it may takes time, but it worth it :D
Thanks for the comment.

Jens P. Berget October 10, 2011 at 2:19 pm

Faissal,

I’m a little embarrased to say this, but I still don’t have a Facebook Page. I have one for the University where I work, but I don’t have one for the business I do online. I have sort of followed Ana’s steps for the University and it works great.

Thanks a lot for sharing your tips.

- Jens

Faissal Alhaithami October 10, 2011 at 2:51 pm

You are so welcome, Thanks for the comment ;)

Joseph October 10, 2011 at 10:55 am

Great post Faissal, thanks for Sharing these Tips. This method is Quite good for getting more people to your mailing list.
BTW, Anna thanks for the addition.

Faissal Alhaithami October 10, 2011 at 1:34 pm

Yeah it is really Good, as you can build to lists at the same time :)
Thanks for the comment.

Bethany October 10, 2011 at 6:49 am

Nice points, I think a lot of brands/companies underestimate the power of custom tabs for lead generation purposes, especially if they’re done right and are engaging to their audience.

I am not familiar with the 3 options in the article, but another option is SnapApp, and you can also create a branded app for a tab, that includes a lead form and like-gating, all from one platform.

Have you had success with a particular type of content behind a like-gated tab? Interactive/static? Always interested to see what is working for others.

Faissal Alhaithami October 10, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Yeah I have great success with the fan gate feature, I have been getting a lot of leads and fans using it.

thanks for stopping by :D

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