How to add an opt-in form to your lens   by MrLewisSmile

Rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 48 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

NEWSFLASH: As of July 12th 2007 this method will cease to work because iFrame functionality will be removed from all lenses. This tutorial will remain up incase the functionality ever gets added again. Bookmark this lens to stay updated. If it ever becomes possible, the new method will be added below. To read the only alternative to getting an opt in form on your lens visit SquidooCool.com and do a search.

Hello there.

I guess you are looking at this page to learn how to add an opt in form to your lens.

So let's crack on!

SquidooCool.com 



For more info on how to be an

amazing lensmaster, check

out SquidooCool.com

Words you need to know: 

HTML - Ok. This isn't really a word. And you don't need to know what it stands for either. Just know that it is the code that you will be pasting in to your module to get this whole thing to work.

Autoresponder - When your emails get sent to people automatically. Like this: Joe Bloggs puts his name and email address into a box on your website or lens and presses 'Submit'. He automatically gets an email from you straight away. A couple of days later, he might get another one from you. The day after that, and maybe 2 days later. Then maybe 4 days after that. You set the emails, and you set the intervals.

Opt-in form - This is the box (like the one you'll see below) that people can use to request some information from you. Or add themselves to your newsletter.

Lewis Smile - The cool kid who made this lens. The REALLY cool kid.

HELP! - This is what to shout if you are following my instructions below and JUST CAN'T GET THIS THING TO WORK!

Step 1: Add a Text Module to your lens 

This is the module that you will paste your HTML code into. You'll need a spare text/write module to use for your opt-in.

Step 2: Grab your opt-in form code 

Also, what to do if you don't have one!

For this step, you are, right now, in one of two positions. You either already have an autoresponder, or you don't. So here is what to do in both cases...

IF: You DO have a code for your opt-in form already. You already have a mailing list, and you're just looking for how to put the code into the lens. Good. So get the embed code on screen now.

IF: You DON'T have a code, nor do you have an opt-in list. This is fine. Don't panic. Head over to Aweber (these are the autoresponder people I use and recommend) and register for their free trial.

Aweber have videos to help you set up your mailing lists (as many as you want), and the cost is about $19 a month. Or you can pay annually and save big bucks. Anyway. Aweber is where it's at!

Step 3: Embed your code into a webpage stored on your site or hosting 

You need to embed your opt-in form HTML code into a webpage which will be stored somewhere other than Squidoo. The easiest way to demonstrate this is by showing you one of my own.

If you click here you will see how I have done mine.

To clarify: You will need to create a webpage on your server (or someone else's) that contains just your opt in form in the top left corner. Just like I have done. If you right-click on the link above and choose 'Save Target As' you will save the page onto your computer somewhere. Then go to where you have saved it, right-click again, and choose Edit With Notepad. You will see this:

<html>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2">
<table border="0" width="30%" height="215">
<tr> <td width="100%" height="209">

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://forms.aweber.com/form/67/737117967.js">

</td>
</tr>
</table>
</html>

The bit in green: Substitute the Aweber opt-in form .js code for your own code that you will get in your aweber account. If you're not using aweber you will have to paste in the code your autoresponder people gave you instead of just replacing the bit in green.

Now save the file and upload it to your web server. I am going to assume you have a website if you have the need for an opt in form. So I'm going to assume there is no problem with this bit :-)

Step 4: Set up a simple iframe 

An iframe is like a little window that you can use to insert one webpage into another.

An iframe is a piece of HTML code that you can use to drag one webpage from somewhere else and plop it onto the page with the iframe code on.

This is the iframe code you need to paste into your text/write module to embed your target URL (webpage with opt-in for on):

<iframe style="text-align: left" align="left" src="http://www.squidoorich.com/iframes/66ways.html" frameborder="no" width="250" scrolling="no" height="190"></iframe>

But obviously replace the target URL (in bold) with your own.

And it will become this: 

Aweber 

Aweber Free Trial
The people I recommend. This is what I use for my autoresponder...

Useful Information? 

Did you find this lens useful? Show your appreciation. Tell the world!

lprince

Great lense, Wonderful information. Thank you for sharing.

Posted February 25, 2008
solavar

Great lens. It inspired me to set up an inline opt-in form that would pop-up on mouseover. However, since the demise of the iframe, the form could not be incorporated into the lens.

I have found another way of doing it. It's called 'in-transit opt-in list-building'. When your reader clicks a link, it takes them to a form. After a set amount of time, maybe 30 seconds or so, it brings them back to the lens, whether they have opted in or not.

Posted January 30, 2008
Guru-Crusher

Another Good One!

Posted January 15, 2008
SP_Ko

awesome.. Since they taken out the iframe.. I do not know how I should put in opt in page for my squidoo.. Can somebody recommend me.

Visit my lenns :

http://www.squidoo.com/net-marketing-resources/

thanks

Posted November 04, 2007
Rox

Nice little tut on Iframes - but now they've taken it away.. and what do you suggest for an opt-in form now. Would the optin js not work with HTML written directly into a TextModule - ta from RoxClickAndDrag Graphics, Minisites and Ecovers

Posted September 02, 2007
sonia_simone

I've got an opt-in on my lenses--I use Emma, and they provide a plain old URL for the opt-in page. (They don't seem to have some of the cool tools AWeber does, tho.) Easy as pie. Maybe AWeber has something similar?

Posted August 15, 2007
Squidlet

Your lenses are really mind-boggling. They have made my blogging moments more pleasant and directed. Keep it coming MrLewisSmile. You really rock with info on how to make Squidoo dance with us!

I really hope Squidoo would find a way to allow us to use opt-ins again.

Noor

Posted July 27, 2007
CertifiedHandy

Rated it 5 of course and lensrolled it thanks

Posted July 23, 2007
AnnieAnderson

Any news or insights on why iframe is being disabled??

Posted July 08, 2007
DevnMack

Excellent tips! Thanks for sharing. I was trying to figure out how to embed forms in Squidoo...I wasn't sure if iFrames were allowed, but now I know they are. :-)

Posted June 30, 2007
WomanMarketer

Thanks for the great tutorial! I'll be doing this today!

Posted June 30, 2007
Susan52

Golly, MrLewisSmile, I can't get any work done! I just keep going from one lens of yours to the next! And my to-do-on-squidoo list just keeps getting longer and longer!
Aaaaccckkkkkk!
Susan (on to the next one)

Posted June 26, 2007
Product-Review-Guy

Nice tutorial on embedding the Opt-in form using an iFrame. SquidooCool site tips is nice too. I had also been wondering how to embed images with wrap-around.

Be sure to check out AdSpy Pro for Great Google Adwords Results.

Posted June 12, 2007
MrLewisSmile

Sherry_d, if you read through the instructions and follow along you'll get this working in no time. Pasting the aweber code into your lens won't work. You'll need to follow the instructions as set out above whihc will help you get around this. Thanks for checking out the lens! :)

Posted June 06, 2007
MrLewisSmile

Thank you everyone for your amazing comments! I'm glad it is working for you! Thank for you all the star ratings, and thank you for the emails I have received about this lens. There are some pretty cool people here on Squidoo :)

Posted June 06, 2007
sherry_d

I am struggling with this. I use aweber as autoresponder and after i add the code and click save. Nothing is being saved. The lens will ust be blank. Also do you know how i can add a poll

Posted June 06, 2007
Forgiven

Nice work, 5 again!

Posted June 04, 2007
nedstorm

Thankyou for this method. Hopefully after clicking the submit button the person can escape from the frame.

My example implementation is at Project e-Play I preceeded the email signup form with a YouTube video to gain people's interest.

Posted May 22, 2007
ElizabethPottsWeinstein

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed!

Posted May 18, 2007
surfsusan

Got a question: how do I get rid of the extra white at the bottom of the module? my lense can be found here Healthy Food

Posted May 14, 2007
surfsusan

Bookmarked this one. I might come in handy more than once.
Thanks for adding it.

Posted May 13, 2007
bcarter

Thanks for the info Lewis, I'm bookmarking this for future reference. I'm sure I'll be able to use it in the near future.

Posted May 12, 2007
PotPieGirl

Great lens! I was looking for this info today... Thank You!

Posted May 12, 2007
dataminer

I needed this-thanks a lot;-)

Posted May 12, 2007
mirrror

It worked, now my lens is beautiful again! Thank you so much!
Have an amazing day!

Micheal Savoie
http://productinaweekend.com

Posted May 11, 2007
Coral_Milburn_Curtis

Another challenge for the little grey cells!
Coral

Posted May 06, 2007
daba373

Thanks for this great tip on adding opt in forms....Jason from Day Job Killer

Posted May 05, 2007
kohuether

I spent a whole day feeling frustrated by this subject... the only way I found success is when I found your lens. Thanks so much for this resource! I felt so celebratory after following your advice that I decided to blow off the rest of my work and hang out with my DH and friends at my fave bar. :)

Posted May 04, 2007
Susan1

Great info! Thanks

Posted May 01, 2007
bobsura420

Great lens.
Very helpful, thanks

Posted April 30, 2007
Denisee

Good stuff ! I already bookmark it
http://www.squidoo.com/ebayauctionprofits/

Posted April 24, 2007
Jay_Gumbs

Bookmarked! I've wanted to know this info for a while now and just got it from a link on one of N376's lenses. I'm thinking about adding it to My Who loves Money Review lens to collect some leads.

Posted April 21, 2007
financegirls

Hi again Lewis, this is a really wonderful idea!need to do this on own lens as well!thanks so much for sharing=)

Posted April 13, 2007
financegirls

Hi again Lewis, this is a really wonderful idea!need to do this on own lens as well!thanks so much for sharing=)

Posted April 13, 2007
Acne_Medicine

thanks. I'll have to try this out. Steve from Acne Treatment

Posted April 12, 2007
affiliate_guy

Every time i start thinking i know everything, you surprise me. Thanks,......affiliate guy from Make Money Online with Affiliate Programs

Posted April 12, 2007
letevic

Lewis, your lenses are all really really really cool and informative. I'm learning a LOT from you! Thanks and keep up the nice work! (what do you think of my lens: http://www.squidoo.com/tastefulcooking/ )

Posted April 10, 2007
Sugar

Thanks. I'm going to try this tomorrow. I can't stay up all night doing this:)

Posted April 04, 2007
chas7

Thanks for the information. Great lens.

Posted March 25, 2007
N376

Excellent work! I've added this lens to www.squidoo.com/where and www.squidoo.com/iframe.

Posted March 24, 2007
Mobiiart

Good stuff man!

Posted March 24, 2007

Other things you can do... 

You can add a picture to your module, to jazz it up a bit.

As this is a text/write module you just use the correct box to upload a picture like you normally would. And the iframe still works. You could make this look really cool.

SquidooCool.com 

I have started a blog to post all the tips and tricks too small to have a lens of their own.

Find everything at SquidooCool.com

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Curious Resource... 

Look who made this lens!

MrLewisSmile

MrLewisSmile

Hello! My name is Lewis.

I wrote this page because I want to make it easier for the people who are running into the same problem as I did. The problem of trying to fi...

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