As annoying as they are, I have read over and over that people respond to those popup windows that ask them to subscribe to your blog. It’s not really a window, it’s more of a shadow-box, I’m sure you know what I mean. At any rate, is that a plugin that does that? I use Wordpress and my subscribers go into Mailchimp. Any suggestions on how to do it? Thanks!

Hi  @carollynnrivera 

I see that the blog you have listed in your profile is using wordpress so I’ll assume that it’s the site you interested in using the “popup window” on.

Though I’m not a familiar with a particular wordpress plugin, the search terms you are looking for are: 

wordpress overlay popup
wordpress lightbox 

Search Google or  http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/ and I’m sure you’ll find something.

On a personal note: I am not fond of these things either, but like you I have read countless posts and articles that say they are effective, and I believe they are.

So I think the question that you need to ask yourself is how do you want to be perceived by your audience.

An example would be a local acupuncturist using this on their hm page. As a potential client I’m not interested in a pushy acupuncturist who is trying to harvest my email when I land on his site to check them out. It’s just not the “energy” or personality that I’m looking for. Your business and site is a long way from this, but it seemed like an effective example to explain my point.

cheers!
Jules

@hesham I love the overhaul you did on your website! And I much prefer your new set up on the home page. Of course I already get your rss feed delivered to my email box. 

I also REALLY like how you have your blog posts laid out with the heading styles and webcopy it is very easy to assimilate. 

Cheers!
Jules

Does anyone know how to add the same kind of subscription pop-up box for Blogger.com blogs?  Also, is there a way for the box to “know” that the person is already signed up so that it doesn’t have to pop-up every time the person visits? That would make it a lot less obnoxious if it only popped up once.

@juleswebb  @hesham  I have debated this so many times. I really hate those things but every time I listen to an “expert” I hear about these massive increases in subscriber rates they get from doing it. One person recently said “I know everyone says they hate those boxes. Get over it. They work.”

@hesham  I love the big opt-in on your home page but do you find that people landing there can’t or don’t find your blog content quickly enough? For instance, what if someone doesn’t want to subscribe but just read to the blog? I’d be afraid my bounce rate would skyrocket.

Anyone have any experience with optin skin? I also considered that plugin. 

@hesham – I think articles overall have a higher bounce rate because people read them and go.  I now I personally do that. I read multiple blogs every day, I subscribe to email or rss feeds. I go to the article link and am on my way again. I’m sure I’m not the only one doing this. 

@hesham I agree with  @juleswebb - I also get higher bounce rates on my articles, but based on what I know of what people do, they come to read the article, read it, and leave. I imagine that’s what many people do. 
I just bought optinskin so I am going to try that instead of the popup. I really like the big, bold optin boxes.

Popups put people off. Don’t use them unless you wanna wind up lookin’ stupid like kitty skripted warez zones and pornstars popping up all over your screen. My opinion is as I just stated and would add that there can be exceptions such as a user initiated little pop-up forms to fill out.