> If I want to sign
> up for a newsletter, I will do so via a link
> or fill out a simple form.

Many, if not all, of the pop ups are for things NOT linked to in the normal way.

If I don't know it's there, how can I sign up for it? (for pop ups that appear when I leave) Why not let me know the thing is available BEFORE letting me know as I'm going out the door?

And as for pop ups that appear as soon as you enter... I kill 'em before they have a chance to load.

Now here's an interesting thought... if pop ups work so well, WHY do they appear on web sites with endlessly scrolling pages of sales copy, in most cases?

I mean, the site basically has two pages - a long sales page and a very short pop up page. If pop ups works so well, shouldn't that be an indication the sales page may do better if it were shorter?

Online, my time is pressed and text on a screen is harder to read than text on paper. I prefer shorter sales copy. If I am interested I'll buy. If not, no amount of copy will change my mind because I won't/don't read it.

Quick Survey:

How many people read the entire sales letter when it is one of those really really long ones?

Or do you read the initial bits and then scroll to the bottom looking for an order link and/or price?

How many people read the entire sales letter when it is short?

I kill pop ups as soon as I am aware they are starting. So what? I'm probably NOT your target market, so what I do shouldn't be used as a guide in deciding whether you will have pop ups or not.

Michael Ross.