When asking any web surfer to click a link, you will see a drop off.

Let’s say you post a link to buy your new shirt, and 100 people click that link.

Now they’re on your shirt page, and have to click a shirt size, then add to cart.

If 25 people even get that far, congrats, you’re a wizard.

Now that 25 people are looking at their shopping cart, you better make sure your check out system is easy as shit to use, because not all 25 people will complete their purchase.

Let’s be generous, and say 10 people actually place an order.

You went from 100 people that clicked a link to your store, 25 people who added your shirt to their cart, then 10 people actually placed an order.

That’s how the internet works. The numbers keep going down.

MAKE YOUR SIGNUP PROCESS SIMPLE.

Check this example from Mailchimp:

Or this one from Shinesty:

There’s a reason you see that style so often – it works.

• Don’t make people DM you their email address.
• Don’t make people send you their email.
• Don’t make people fill out a big form.
• Don’t make people give their first and last name, date of birth, zip code, hair color, and favorite pizza topping.

Yes, there’s a time and a place for collecting demographic information, just as there’s time for asking someone to marry you, but that’s later on down the road.

Give it a minute, please.

There are services like Mailchimp, ConverKit, Carrd, Tally and so many more that let you build simple and effective email sign up forms. Some cost money, but hey – remember, one email could lead to a $25 sale if you play your cards right. Or book your next gig. Or sell a recurring subscription.

Paying $10/mo for a service that lets you grow your email list is a good investment.

💥 Still on the fence about using Substack for your band’s newsletter? Check out ‘I Think We’re Alone Now,’ from Tegan and Sara.

Perfect is the enemy of done. Remember, no matter what email service you pick, if you don’t like it you can export your subscribers and move somewhere else