It’s good to ask your website visitors if they want to subscribe to your email list. It’s NOT good to try to shame, manipulate or insult them into doing it.

So if you’re using customizable pop-up forms that capture email addresses, be respectful in your messaging.

Beware of passive-agressive opt-in text

Here are some examples of what NOT to write:

“I don’t want to grow my business” sounds manipulative.

Now, look at this one:

What does this comment accomplish? “I don’t like saving money”?

Avoid negative opt-in form messaging

These types of comments include inaccurate assumptions. It makes visitors feel as if they’re being coerced into adding their email addresses.

Use positive opt-in form messaging

Instead of trying to manipulate visitors with a passive-aggressive message, just say, “No thanks!”

Don’t pretend you know what your readers are thinking.

Be direct and respectful. If people want to sign up, they will. If they don’t want to give you their email address, they won’t. Don’t try to force it. That’ll only annoy or alienate them.

More blog editing tips

If you’d like more suggestions for polishing your content writing, including basic search engine optimization and repurposing ideas, sign up for My Blog Editor blog post alerts.