When you do your training (when, not if..smile), be sure that one of the main purposes you list is to get new subscribers. Every big-time blogger (Neal Patel, Jon Morrow, etc.) uses pop-up opt-in pages to build their list, as do all the big time marketers (Brunson, Diess, Kern, Jenkins, etc.).

they all use them because they work. But they spend a lot of time and effort into doing them right.

Pop-ups absolutely work. If done right, they are extremely effective carriers of calls-to-action, but they have to be done right. "Done right" includes things like:

-Compelling message/benefit
-Clear CTA
-Obvious way to close the pop-up
-Same care as used with rest of site in terms of headline, message,
graphics, etc.

Pop-ups done right will definitely increase sales, transaction size via a sales funnel, and subscribers. And you won't lose sales over them.

Definitely a good topic!

Gordon

Pop ups are a two edged sword Sonia. They are great if strategically placed for your marketing. On the other hand if they are blocking your search, they need to be eliminated as spam to your navigation speed.

Pop ups, I find them very annoying. So, you think that annoying people will get you subscribers?

There is a tool called SumoMe. http://sumome.com
And I am in no way affiliated with that, and I also don't get a kickback.
I just like their software, and wanted to share it.

Hi Sonia, pop-ups are great if placed correctly. I have conducted a survey a while ago and you may want to read the comments to determine what placement should be the best: Survey about Pop-up Placement to Maximize Conversion Cheers,
Ferdinand

Most people I know who are living out of affiliate marketing have and do 3 things. Weekly posts, building a list through free e-books (You can make one yourself that would fit your products perfectly) and the third one is through sales funnels. With an e-mail list you could end up analyzing how much every subscriber is worth in terms of money and if you are doing a really good job they will bring more revenue then they would cost from campaigns. I am not a specialist yet, but I def believe in pop-ups. It's true that some people hate pop-ups so you should not do it to much and you should offer the customers something special to make them like it.

When I go to a web page to read the content, there is nothing worse with this than a dratted pop-up about subscribing to their eZine or newsletter. When that happens, I'm gone. I can't stand pop-ups, and I know this would probably have variance here at WA, but I'm sorry, they are very annoying and invasive, even though it's "their" website. A lot of people go there for one purpose - to read what they have to offer, and when something is jammed in their face which they must interact to get back to the reading, it's commonly done. I don't just delete the pop-up. I get off and find another site offering similar content.

If it were me (and I've done this before) have a subscribe form somewhere above the fold, usually in the sidebar, where it can be seen. This way, it's there and if someone likes your content, they will subscribe.

I'm probably one in a few...welI I can see by the post just below this, I'm not the only one...that hates the blasted things.

If you find it's not worth losing some people to pop-ups because in the over-all, they are working good enough to out-weigh the losses, then go for it.

Just a bit of insight, that to some people, pop-ups are very annoying. I have Windows 8.1 and tried everything to get those "Charms" toolbars from opening if my mouse ventures too far to an edge, until I found a stand-along program that kills those things. It's getting more and more these days that mousing over things causes pop-ups to occur. WA has them as well, and sometimes I get too far over to the left with my mouse and activate the SiteRubix or Affiliate Bootcamp pop-ups. That is so annoying.

It's almost a feeling of loss of control, and any kind of pop-ups, unless they are down at the corner of the screen, is very annoying.

Just my take on pop-ups in general :)

Daniel

I am another who hates pop ups. I will leave as soon as I get one. I've downloaded pop up blocking software. I thought pop ups were a virus or malware until today. I have never spent a penny on these types of sites. I have visited your site and I feel it's strong enough to fly on the content alone.

I have not considered that, but like the idea. Good suggestion.

Sonia,
I have not tried it yet but it one of my many to dos!
Thanks
Sheila

Sonia I don't think they are as effective just like banners. One thing I find effective is if you make your own banners and capture pages. Then people are curious but if they know they most likely will not click. I am using a program that gives you all you need and you can try it for $1 if you get two people to sign up it is free. I got one the first day. If you don't get anyone it is $50 a month But what you get ist is a bargain.
Check it out http://bvlanza.recruitlikeamachine.com You will be glad you did Brian

I hate reading on a site and a popup blocks my view. However, if it has been a reasonable amount of time, say 2-3 minutes??? before it pops up, I am more understanding. I can't stand and will leave the site if it pops up after only about 5 seconds.

Bryan

Having a pop-up on exit is acceptable in my opinion. The pop-ups that block the screen while reading are a big reason to leave.
John

I'm in the no pop-ups group too! I'm not ready to rethink that yet as I know how strongly I feel when I go to a site that has them. I almost always leave pretty quickly. Even worse, many of them have another one when you do try to leave (on the rare occasion that I stay a little longer). I really do not like them.

I personally hate pop ups and have left sites that use them. This is why I don't have any on my site. However, the more I keep reading the more I am starting to feel that I am in the minority. I guess maybe people to fill out their info. I will have to give this some more thought.