Rebuilding from the ground up: One of the things that we have been working on for a while was the actual framework of the plugin.  The way that the plugin was originally coded didn’t provide the flexibility that we knew that we’d want in the future.  That being said, we did a major overhaul on the code so that MAB would eventually be able to have its own eco-system of user generated templates and features.  In other words, we have been paving the way to allow other MAB users to create add-ons to fit their needs and the needs of others.

Better User Interface (UI): We really want to make this plugin as easy as possible to use.  That being said, we changed the UI around to make it easier to do things.  Fun!

Conflicts with Other Themes and Plugins:  About 3% of the MAB population has this weird error that occurs in which extra paragraph tags are added to their action box – making it look like crap.  MAB now as a “Minify” option that should correct all of that craziness.

Better HTML parser for autoresponders: If you are using an autoresponder that uses funny HTML to create their forms (i.e. not HTML best practices), you shouldn’t have to use a workaround anymore.  With the new email parser code that we’ve developed, everything should work just fine now with your autoresponder.

Sidebar Widget:  You’ve asked for it, now you’ve got it.  Rather than having to use shortcode in your sidebar to have a an Action Box show up, you can now set up an opt-in form using a WordPress widget.  How easy!

More features to come: In the next few months we are going to be adding some more features, to include integration with Gravity Forms so that you can have a killer contact form box.  We also have some really cool surprises coming soon…  stay tuned .

Talk about an amazing way to use Magic Action Box – Laura Simms from Create As Folk has found a very creative way to make unique opt-ins that not only look great, they are branded and personalized. They also vary per blog post which gives visitors a little surprise, something that could mean the difference between someone that visits and leaves and someone that subscribes.

Anyway, check out the video above and see how creative Laura Simms has been with the FREE version of Magic Action Box.

Now there are a lot of newsletter service providers out there like Aweber, Constant Contact and InfusionSoft, to mention some popular options, but, they all charge money. Which may suck if you are just starting out or you don’t have a lot of subscribers [yet] to make paying for a service worthwhile.

Enter Wysija.

Wysija is a fairly new WordPress plugin – launched November 2011 – that aims to make creating and sending newsletters easy and fun. All from within your WordPress web site. Talk about awesome

Here are some of the features available with the plugin:

• Up to 2,000 subscribers for the free version
• Drag and drop visual editor
• Newsletter sequencing [autoresponder]
• Newsletter scheduling
• Dozens of themes [with Photoshop files!]
• Newsletter statistics
• Subscription form sidebar widget
• Shortcodes and Iframe
• Import/Export subscribers
• Single and Double Opt In
• No ads in footer!

There are a few more features I haven’t mentioned – and a few more coming up on the roadmap – but essentially, the free [but still awesome] version has pretty much everything most users would ever need to run their own newsletter.

P.S.

Magic Action Box integrates with Wysija. Just install both plugins, select Opt In action box type and you should find Wysija in the list of newsletter service providers.

So, what we’re going to do is to add an opt-in box at the bottom of your blog post. If you’re wondering why the bottom of your blog post is the best place to put your opt-in box, check out this article for the reasons why.

Quick start guide to add an action box under your blog posts:

1. Log in to your email list service provider and grab the HTML form code (not the javascript version).

Some examples of email list service providers: MailChimp, Aweber, Constant Contact.

What it looks like in MailChimp

What it looks like in Aweber

2. In your WordPress Dashboard, create a new action box by going to Action Boxes -> Add New.

You should see a screen like this:

 There are different types of action boxes and you cannot change the type of an action box once you have chosen it’s type. For the purpose of this guide, choose Optin Form.

3. In the next screen, find the Select Mailing List Provider dropdown select box and choose Other (Copy & Paste).

4. Now paste the raw HTML form code that you copied from your email list service provider in step 1 into the Opt In Form Code text box.

5. Then click on the “Process Code” button.

6. Now, you can select a style for your action box

And add in the headings and other text you want the action box to have. You can also show an image to go along with your action box.

7. Now save your action box by hitting the Publish button.

8. Then head on over to the blog post (or page) where you want the opt in box (action box) to appear.

Go to the post’s edit screen and find the Select Action Box dropdown and select the action box that you created in steps 2-7.

You can also choose to show the opt in box before the blog post or after it.

9. Save the blog post and you’re done.

There are so many things that you can do with these versions of the plugin that it is pretty insane.

Will the stuff in the video work with the lite version?  Well, some will and some won’t, but there are definitely some powerful things you can learn in this video that will work with lite.

All that being said, here’s what you’ll learn in the video:

1. How to set the damn thing up (heh).
2. How to Lock Onto a Customer Like a Heat Seeking Missile with targeted and relevant forms. We’re talking forms that show up globally, per post, per page, or however you like!
3. An overview of all of the other goodies in Magic Action Box

Enjoy, and let us know what you think!

So, is your blog producing results? It is one thing to get a heap amount of traffic but it is another thing to convert that traffic into buyers or subscribers. What can you do to easily make visitors do what you want them to do when they visit your blog?

The very first thing you need to start with is to clearly define what you want to attain from your visitors so that you would know exactly what you want them to do. Are you building an email list, selling products, or getting information? If so, then make it clear and start from there.

Once you know what you want to get, then all you need now is to clearly guide your visitors to that action.  This is where a lot of blog owners get it wrong. They write amazing pieces of content but fail to draw out a clear pathway on what they want because they are not aware that their readers are just waiting for them to provide that all important next step. Giving a clear and concise call to action is what separates a good post from a great post that converts.

What is the Purpose of Your Call to Action?

A call to action is more than a mere phrase that tells people what to do. It helps your content push people towards a decision to act or not. The purpose is not just to make someone click, or sign up but to show them the benefit of making that particular action.

It also makes it easier for your visitors to realize the benefits and advantages of building a connection with you via your blog. It helps in easing their concerns which is essential in their decision to invest in your services or products.

Examples of Calls-to-Action Telling A Reader What to Do

So, how do you effectively incorporate calls to action into your blog?

With the information and technology available right now, there are numerous ways to take your readers to the next level using your calls to action. Some incorporate them in blog posts which can serve as a navigation tool while also offering content while others place it before or after the post using an interesting phrase or sentence.

A majority of blogs these days operate under the WordPress platform mainly because of the flexibility and freedom that can be done with it. Numerous plugins make it easier for bloggers to do certain tasks without the need for manual coding. You can even find plugins that helps you incorporate effective calls to action in your blog posts.

Lastly, incorporating a great call to action will make all the difference for your blog. Supercharge your blog posts with effective calls to action that emphasizes value and see your conversions hit the roof. Remember, it’s all about telling people what to do.

Do you have your own way of making calls-to-action that convert? Or a unique way to boost your blog posts?  I’d like to hear from you!

In this video, you’ll see just how powerful Magic Action Box and Magic Action Popup can be. Want to create amazing conversion boxes and popups? Just watch and see what you can do!

This month we want to feature one offline business that is using the plugin to create some amazing, unique, and relevant sales funnels – Gravity Marketing.

Dan, the founder of Gravity Marketing, is an award-winning new media expert with 9 years experience in TV & Film production and conversion-based Internet marketing.  His business is hired to generate revenue through SEO and paid lead generation, conversion optimization and customer retention.

Dan is the real deal.

So how does Gravity Marketing use Magic Action Box to get new customers?  Well, the power of his strategy is in the uniqueness of each of his offerings.

Not only is the Gravity Marketing site gorgeous, it is a call-to-action heaven.  Since Dan offers his clients different marketing strategies according to their needs, his method of visitor-to-customer conversion is offering a taste of his expertise for each strategy.

For example, check out his Mobile Marketing page:

Now compare that with his Video Marketing Page:

How about his Search Engine Marketing Page?

Notice something? He gives a relevant FREE resource for each of the topics that are discussed.  Think about how powerful that is.  For example, when he hands someone his business card while networking, he simply needs to tell someone who is interested in SEO to visit his SEO page and BAM!!  He now not only has a warm lead, but that warm lead is on his mailing list and also knows that Gravity Marketing KNOWS THEIR STUFF.

Conclusion

Kudos to Gravity Marketing for being so creative with Magic Action Box and their sales funnel.  We can’t wait to hear about Dan’s success in the coming months!

Do you use Magic Action Box or Magic Action Popup in a creative way?  Let us know to have a chance at being our featured business of the month!

 You instead see this ugly pile of unstyled text.

Come to think of it, it doesn't really look like an ugly pile of text. Tell you what, just take our word for it.

Now, before you hit our support page and tell us how we screwed up this update, read the little blurb below about one teeny, tiny issue about the action box styles.

Who needs this fix

The blurb below applies to users who

• have been using Magic Action Box Pro prior to version 2.8 and
• like to design their own action box styles and now find that their action boxes looks ugly (unstyled) after upgrading to version 2.8.

If the two criteria above applies to you, then know this, you can fix this. Read on how.

Basically, the issue is the result of an improvement to the way you create action box styles. Where previously any styles you created apply only to that one action box you created it in, now, styles are created globally and can now be applied to multiple action boxes.

So, where previously, if you had 15 different action boxes and you wanted all 15 action boxes to have the same style – a style you proudly came up with – you had to go through each action box and set each action box style settings. One by one. All 15 of them.

But with version 2.8+ you just create one style that you assign to all 15 action boxes and avoid getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as an added benefit. Lovely.

“But I’m still seeing this ugly pile of text!”, you say.

Not for long. MAB Update Tool to the rescue.

The Fix

Simply 1) Install,  2) Activate, 3) Find under Magic Action Box Settings › Update Tool and you’ll get something like this

What this tool does is it takes the styles you’ve created prior to upgrading to version 2.8+ and saves it as a global style – hence the button Globalize Style. Red indicates action boxes where you are using your own created styles and you haven’t converted the style yet.

After clicking on the Globalize Style button, visit Magic Action Box Settings › Styles and Buttons to make sure that the style you created previously has been converted to a global style.

Next, edit each action box that need to use the style that you just converted and assign that style to the action box.

Save. And you’re done. Ugly pile of text gone.

If you’re still seeing the problem, try using the Clear Cache button found under Magic Action Box Settings › Main Settings › Other Settings Section. If that still doesn’t solve it, that’s the right time to tell us about it.