Am I the only one who wants to put an AWeber subscribe form on my Squidoo lenses?
We have a problem that I think can be solved.
As both of you already know, permission marketing is one of the most effective ways of attracting prospects, educating clients/customers, and building our businesses.
Seth wrote the book about it, Permission Marketing, and he is the founder of one of the fastest-growing recommendation websites in the world: Squidoo.com.
Tom founded the best service for managing autoresponders, mailing lists, newsletters, and email subscriptions to RSS feeds: AWeber.com.
One would think that these two outstanding marketers and entrepreneurs would find a way to work together in what I think is a perfect match.
What am I talking about?
It is impossible to put an active AWeber subscription form on a Squidoo lens using either javascript or HTML.
The reasons date back to problems that Squidoo has had in the past related to spammers and devious people who misused the javascript and iforms tools to do unacceptable things.
I believe that most Squidoo lensmasters who are aware of these past problems are happy that Squidoo took actions to stop these people from misusing the great service that Squidoo provides to us.
However, in the fallout, legitimate uses of forms are also thwarted.
One such legitimate use is to add active sign-up forms for the mailing lists we manage using the outstanding service that AWeber provides. Quite simply, it is the best in the industry.
Presently, AWeber provides two methods of putting subscription forms on our sites: javascript and HTML.
Neither of these can be used on Squidoo lenses, because Squidoo allows no javascript and only limited HTML. The iform and form tags are not allowed to be used on the lenses we create.
Perhaps this is a tempest in a teacup, but I've been looking for a way to do what I think should be a simple task and I've been stymied at every turn.
I have plans to greatly increase my use of both AWeber and Squidoo services, but those plans are centered around the permission marketing tasks I want to incorporate into my activities.
I believe that I am not the only one who would like to see these two great companies work together to find a viable solution that would allow us to add our sign-up forms to our lenses without violating the security measures that Squidoo knows to be necessary to protecting the entire community of lensmasters.
Can AWeber and Squidoo work together?
I hope so.
Act on your dream!
JD
Can we have an AWeber module, pretty please?
All I want is a simple, active Aweber sign-up form.
Is this unreasonable?
Is it technically impossible?
Can outstanding companies like AWeber and Squidoo work together to solve this problem in a way that is acceptable to both companies and their customers?
Ideally, the module would let us just add an ID number for our subscribe form and AWeber and Squidoo would do the heavy lifting to put an active subscribe form on the lens. That way, Squidoo could control the code so that a form can be used, without opening the door to misuse by devious people.
For example, the ID for the form I'd like to use here is 710226172. I don't know if that is all that's necessary to identify the mailing list and the subscribe form, or not. If it isn't, it should be relatively easy to identify the necessary information and have us enter it into a module that is created specifically for this purpose.
Is this possible?
Of course, it is.
Is it likely?
I don't know.
I would like to have a simple signup form right here, but I can't.
The best I can do is to make a pic of a sign-up form and link it to a page on another site where the form is active and a real live person can subscribe to what I'm offering.
Here's an example of using this method:
As we all know, we lose people every time we have to add another click to a process.
Another possibility. Perhaps this could become an income producer for Squidoo that can be split with lensmasters. Squidoo could become an affiliate for AWeber and add a link to each form on a lens.
While I'd rather earn the affiliate commission entirely for myself and get the benefits of ongoing residual payments, I would be willing to split my commissions with Squidoo for making it possible to have active sign-up forms on my lenses.
If this is something that could be done, I hope AWeber and Squidoo will work together to make it happen.
If it is not possible, I'd like a definite answer, so AWeber customers can stop spinning our wheels hoping for this.
Can Aweber and Squidoo work together?
Thank you, Tom Kulzer!
I want to publicly thank Tom Kulzer, CEO and Founder of AWeber, for emailing the following message to me:
"Someone on our development team is looking into its feasibility."
Thank you.
I Love AWeber
AWeber Autoresponders
Discussions about email marketing
Without a doubt, AWeber provides the best service for managing mailing lists, autoresponders, newsletters, and email subscriptions to your blog postings. They have the best customer service and the best delivery rates in their industry.
Following are links to the latest posts on 21st Century Affiliate Marketing that are related to AWeber.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBooks on Permission Marketing
Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers
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Amazon Price: $18.00 (as of 11/23/2009) 
Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync?
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All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World
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Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
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Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 11/23/2009)
Are you an AWeber customer?
I am a very satisfied AWeber customer and I recommend their services highly for managing mailing lists, autoresponders, newsletters, and subscriptions to blog postings via email.
Are you one of their customers, too?
Do you want subscription forms on your lenses?
I'm also a very satisfied Squidoo customer, although that's probably not the correct term. I'm a very happy lensmaster and have plans for building many more lenses in the future.
Some of my plans call for promoting various blogs and mailing lists using AWeber autoresponders.
I, for one, would love to be able to put active sign-up forms on my lenses, especially if AWeber and Squidoo can work together to make it possible without introducing the problems that can be associated with javascript, iforms, forms, and other things that can be misused by devious people.
Can AWeber and Squidoo work together to make this happen?
Do you want AWeber and Squidoo to work together?
What's your opinion? Does this apply to you? Is it important or is it just a tempest in a teapot?
Do you want AWeber and Squidoo to work together?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes! This is very important.
cjbart says:
I agree but there is already a solution. Contact MrLewisSmile here on Squidoo. He has a simple solution. His instruction are the best $7.00 ever spent. He also has Audio Module Check mine out
http://squidoo.com/mindset2
Posted February 28, 2009
yagera says:
I'm Aweber customer and I think the possibility to have a Aweber form on my Squidoo lens is more than an excellent idea.
Actually, it is very simple to develop. Aweber has to create a form widget and Squidoo has to turn it into a module. Just like they do for Youtube video. The form widget can be developed in a week or less.
Posted January 13, 2009
Michey says:
Yes I want, I know that Squidoo use the have opt-in form in lenses, but people abuse the option and Squidoo delete the module. I think it will take an act of congress to put it back, I mean it is hard to convince them, you probably know why!
But as lensmaster and Affiliate Marketer, I want to have that option in both Squidoo and twitter.
Regards
Michey
Posted January 08, 2009
rixolor says:
I am sure that this functionality would only add to my client base. I hope it's implemented soon.
- Bill
Posted January 06, 2009
AngelaChenShui says:
ABSOLUTELY!
This would GREATLY increase the effectiveness of my list building efforts from every lens I have.
Please, pretty please, with nuts and cherries! ;-)
Angela
http://www.AngelSoulTalk.com
Posted December 16, 2008
EbizTaxTips says:
Definitely! Aweber and Squidoo are both very valuable tools to my business, so I would love to be able to bring those two tools together.
Posted November 30, 2008
otrader says:
it doe snot have to be Aweber but a way of adding forms is needed.
Posted November 23, 2008
CCGAL says:
I want them to make a module that links aWeber to Squidoo. (I would also like a Zazzle module, if anybody's listening, LOL)
Posted November 19, 2008
Dennis Edell says:
Yes! very beneficial for both parties. As for the Aweber expense...I don't see why anyone would use it JUST for Squidoo.
Posted November 19, 2008
johndilbeck says:
Sorry, jeffryv!
I proofed that last comment three times before publishing and still managed to misspell your name. I'm sorry about that.
All the best,
JD
Posted November 19, 2008
johndilbeck says:
Good morning, Jefferyv.
Yes, Aweber can be expensive, but there are some lensmasters who also have other websites, forums, blogs, communities, and other online presences. AWeber can manage our mailing lists, newsletters, broadcasts, and more for all of these sites from a single account.
Currently, I'm not using my AWeber account to its fullest potential, but I'm making plans to do so over the coming months. Squidoo, hopefully, will play a large part in those plans, too.
I'd be happy to pay $150 per month, or more, as long as I'm making a profit from what I'm doing.
Over the long-term, mailing lists and email-delivered newsletters are the best way to keep in touch with your readers and to bring them back to your sites, blogs, lenses, or wherever.
Most lensmasters would never have enough subscribers to pay the higher monthly amounts, but AWeber can handle the service as our businesses grow.
Just another point of view to consider.
Of course, I know this isn't important to most lensmasters, but, for some of us, it is very important.
Act on your dream!
JD
Posted November 19, 2008
mulberry says:
I probably wouldn't use it right now, but it's clear that it would be very, very useful for many lensmasters!
Posted November 17, 2008
johndilbeck says:
This is very important to me. I want to combine the power of AWeber autoresponders and mailing lists with the ease of use and popularity of Squidoo lenses in order to reach a larger group of people with my marketing efforts.
Is that too much to ask?
I have faith that these two companies and their founders can find a way to make this happen.
Act on your dream!
JD
Posted November 17, 2008
No. Who cares?
Nikane says:
It will help people who want to make more money. I don't believe there is someone out there who pays 20 bucks a month to aweber just to provide free information to people!!!
Anyway open source and flexibility are good things so I guess you should have the option for opt-ins!!!
Stop Excessive Sweating
Posted May 07, 2009
says:
It's a slippery slope. For every 1 honest lens maker that would love this service, and would only use it within the TOS, there are 1000 people who would abuse it in more ways than I can list here. I'm afraid that the overall quality and reputation of Squidoo could suffer which would hurt not only my, but thousands of other IM businesses that love Squidoo.
Posted December 09, 2008
jeffryv says:
No. as it costs $20-$150 PER MONTH. It cost more than most Lensmasters make in a month.
Posted November 17, 2008
Email Marketing Books
I get hundreds of emails every day and most of them are annoying, even if I originally signed up for the list. How much more effective would those emails be if they approached me in a different manner?
Once you understand the importance of email marketing (see Seth Godin's book, Permission Marketing, towards the top of this lens), you need to learn how to do it.
Perhaps one or more of these books will help you do a better job of communicating with the most important people on the earth - your loyal customers who trust you.
The Complete Guide to E-mail Marketing: How to Create Successful, Spam-free Campaigns to Reach Your Target Audience and Increase Sales
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/23/2009)
Email Marketing By the Numbers: How to Use the World's Greatest Marketing Tool to Take Any Organization to the Next Level
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/23/2009)
What's your opinion of AWeber and Squidoo?
Your feedback, opinion, and thoughts about AWeber and Squidoo working together are welcome and invited.
Do you think these two companies can solve this problem? Do you care?
Tell us what you think about the issue, this lens, and your thoughts related to permission marketing.
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Reply
- VictoriaNTC VictoriaNTC Jul 7, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
- A Weber by far is the bst!
Wealthy Affiliate Member
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Reply
- Dec 15, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
- You can still use the Clearspring widget on Squidoo...
I have a lens that shows people how to do this, to get the instructions, you of course have to opt in (how fitting huh?)
You can check it out here:
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/lenses
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Reply
- johndilbeck johndilbeck Nov 20, 2008 @ 6:50 am | in reply to CCGAL
- Good morning, CCGAL. Did you know that the method of adding an AWeber subscribe form using the ClearSpring widget will not work much longer, if it still does? Squidoo has been working with ClearSpring to stop their method from working. That's what prompted me to start this lens asking for a simple module we can use. Act on your dream! JD
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Reply
- CCGAL CCGAL Nov 19, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
- I would like to see a module for Squidoo that doesn't require the use of a 3rd party widget - it would help me tremendously. I've wondered if FeedBurner or OneShoppingCart might be better than aWeber, but since I'm already using aWeber, I'm probably not going to switch anytime soon.
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Reply
- johndilbeck johndilbeck Nov 19, 2008 @ 7:34 am
- Thanks for your comment, Jewelsofawe. It's good to see you here. Act on your dream! JD
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Reply
- Jewelsofawe Jewelsofawe Nov 17, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
- I don't see a need for one on my lens. But if is useful for some then sure why not.
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Reply
- johndilbeck johndilbeck Nov 17, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
- I love Squidoo. I've been a Giant Squid here for awhile and I have plans to build many more lenses over the coming months. The service that Squidoo provides is unmatched anywhere else.
I have tested all the major autoresponder services and I'm moving all my permission marketing efforts to AWeber because they are simply the best. I have plans for a lot more than I'm currently doing with AWeber, because I prefer the get ready - aim - fire approach. I'm working hard behind the scenes to be ready for more marketing next year. AWeber will play a vital role in those efforts.
I truly believe that this is something that can be solved if both companies choose to work together on a solution.
Act on your dream!
JD
by johndilbeck
John Dilbeck lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, near the small town of Murphy. He loves living in the southern Appalachian mountain... (more)
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