Do web surfers really bookmark websites anymore? A good friend and very successful marketer online recently said to me, "Ron, bookmarks are a complete waste of time." It was said so matter-of-factly, that we were off onto some other topic in next breathe.

A little later, as I was returning to Breakaway Marketing World Headquarter, this very brief conversation popped back into my head and I asked myself... "Is he right?" "Are bookmarks a complete waste of time?" I visualized favorites list that I've developed in my own browser's memory bank and I thought if I lost that list, I'd have to reconstruct it and I utilize my favorites folders constantly.

Bookmarks aren't a complete waste of time, especially considering that it only takes a couple minutes of your time to set up a bookmark link that will put your bookmark at top of favorites list every time.

There's a little trick that I'll share with you that you've probably never seen before and you can download a text file with exact scripts to modify for your own use.

We're going to shift gears from bookmarks to autoresponders for a second, and as you follow along you'll see connection. Trust me.

When I set up a new autoresponder series I always incorporate following copy into first message. Here's what it might look like...

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Hi New Autoresponder Subscriber,

Welcome. Thank you. Congratulations. This is just super!

If you’re receiving this message, it’s because you (or someone pretending to be you) successfully subscribed to my weekly eZine, GoThrive Online. If you did not intentionally subscribe, you'll find "how to unsubscr!be" info at end of this message.

These are several ways that you can use to persuade visitors to give their e-mail address.

1. Ask visitors to subscribe to your e-zine. It's a good idea to also give them a freebie when they subscribe.

2. Have them sign-up to get access to download a f.ree ebook. The subject of ebook should be related to your target audience.

3. Give your visitors a free membership inside your member's only web site. Have them sign-up to receive a user name and password.

4. Hold a free contest or sweepstakes at your web site. Ask them to give you their contact information to enter.

5. Offer your visitors free consulting via e-mail. Have them fill out a web form to e-mail you with their questions.

6. Hold an interactive poll on your web site. Ask your visitors to e-mail you their vote or opinion.