There's one place on many blogs with some decent stickiness potential but is overlooked by many bloggers. Where? The little box produced by the What Would Seth Godin Do plugin.
How the What Would Seth Godin Do plugin works
If you're unfamiliar with this plugin, it causes a customizable box to appear either above or below your posts (or where you choose) and is visible to new or returning readers as you specify.
It's a very popular plugin so it's very possible you may have seen it in action (in fact, you may see it in this post as we speak). Many bloggers choose to place it at the top of their posts and it looks something like this:
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This is fine and perhaps slightly effective, but give it more punch!
How to Change the Settings and Customize WWSGD
First, you have to install the plugin. It's easy to do so by going to your Dashboard–> Plugins–> Add New–> search "Seth Godin"–> Install–> Activate. (Here are more detailed instructions about how to install a plugin via your WordPress Dashboard.)
Once the plugin is installed and activated, you can customize the settings by going to Dashboard–> Settings–> WWSGD.
How to Optimize the What Would Seth Godin Do plugin: 7 Tips
Here's what mine currently looks like:
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Currently, mine is set to appear to new visitors the first 3 times they land on BloggingWithAmy.com. I thought a bit about how a new visitor would benefit from my site and included the links they might find helpful.
I'm treating it like a call to action and placed it the bottom of my posts because I got to thinking…is it sort of funny that we would ask someone new to subscribe to our blog before they even read anything? I could be wrong, but I'm experimenting.
WWSGD Optimization Tips:
- Give it some personality! Don't just use the default or the "standard" blurb but inject some of "you" in it! Grab attention. Be creative.
- Think about which posts or pages new or returning readers would most likely enjoy and like to those. This is a great opportunity to link internally!
- Experiment with placement — above your posts, below your posts or in other spots.
- Don't be afraid to change it every now and then! Think outside the box (ha! punny). Let's say you've guest posted somewhere & expect a lot of new traffic. You could say something like, "Welcome! If you've come from Such&Such Blog, welcome! I think you'll really like…". Maybe you want to offer your new visitors something no one else gets, just because.
- Consider monitoring how often people are clicking the links in your WWSGD plugin box by using trackable links. An easy way to do this is with bit.ly. (Simply sign up at bit.ly.com, insert the link to the page you want to include in your WWSGD box, shorten it and use the shortened version in your plugin. Go back to your bit.ly account to see the stats on that particular link.)
- Before editing your HTML in WWSGD Settings, make a copy of your existing code! That way, if you make a mistake while you edit and your new code doesn't work, you can paste your existing code back in there and then you can try again.
- If you're unfamiliar with HTML and the box of code scares you, have no fear. Links look like this: <a href="PageorPostURL">Text of Link</a> (note the opening tag "<a href…" and the closing tag "</a>." You need both.) As an example, here's what my HTML looks like in my plugin. The red is what a visitor will actually see and the blue is the hyperlink which is unseen. (I gave a bit more explanation about links in this post if you're interested.) (The <p></p> tags around the whole thing define the box itself with a border, center text, etc.).
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By the way, I don't mind if you want to use my code above as a template for your own, changing the links/text as you wish. However, due to the funky "smart quotes" issue (explained a bit more at the end of this post), I recommend you don't simply copy the code above and paste it into your plugin settings. You'll need to retype (at the very least) the quotes.
So now I'm wondering who can come up with the most creative use of the WWSGD plugin. If you do something fun and interesting, I'd love it if you came back and told us about it!
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Thank you, thank you! I have little patience when it comes to code…if I don't get it right the first time I tend to give up! I've had trouble customizing my WWSGD plugin twice now, but your instructions make it so much easier. I'll be trying this tonight!
Great! I hope it goes smoothly!
GREAT post! I tracked conversions on WWSGD for awhile and they were pitiful, even a custom message.
However, I love the idea of using it to add to your site's stickiness! *Add to to-do list*
I'm launching a product, um, today (ack!!!) and plan to use the WWSGD to market the product for awhile.
What's your new product Carrie? Do tell! Anything you do, I want to check out!!
(I've got a product of my own coming out soon, attached to an upcoming post or series — haven't decided which — about time-management and productivity. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about product launches!!)
Well, looks like you figured out the new product.
I would LOVE to chat with you about product launches in a few weeks. The biggest thing I've learned so far is to be ready to be nervous beyond belief. 
I'm using a WordPress shopping cart plugin (with the accompanying affiliate program) that is really, really awesome… You should interview me for a guest post.
I just might have to do that.
great ideas amy! i'd tried this plugin before but didn't find it particularly useful but i love your idea of putting it at the bottom with some post links so i'm going to give it another go
Hi Carrie! I'd love to know if you see a difference!
will do. i'm going to give it like a month to see how well in converts.
also thinking maybe you want to post about the out click tracking in google analytics rather than bit.ly (which i don't find accurate at all). if you don't know about it you can see the info here http://www.google.com/support/analytics/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=72712 – i use it to track all my rss and email subscriptions and which of my subscribe links they used to subscribe.
Thanks for the link Carrie! Yes, @Carrie Isaac and I have talked about Google Analytics tracking. I've only delved in far enough to get frustrated ("C'mon Google! Why all the code? Where's the 'Want to track this link? Click here' button?").
Hey, wanna do a guest post and show us how it's done?
Is there anything similar for blogger? I can't make the move to WordPress until I have more substantial income. I've been doing this manually at the bottom of my posts, but love the idea of doing it on my blog so that my poor readers in e-mail and readers don't have to be asked to subscribe every time;)
Check out @Crafty Mummy's resource below. That might help!
I *so* wish Blogger had plugins like WordPress. I want this!!!!
Hey Jess, check out Crafty Mummy's link below. I haven't tried it myself, but it might be worth a shot!
Or, you could just switch to WordPress!
Question for ya. Im new at adding plug-ins by myself. I want to add this one… Is it ok that it says: Warning: This plugin has not been tested with your current version of WordPress. ?? Should I be worried or is that standard wording?
Thanks Amy!
Hi Mary. That's a standard disclaimer you'll see often. I genearlly don't worry about it for plugins that are as popular as WWSGD. Given how may people use it, if there was a problem with compatibility between it and the newest version of WordPress, it would have more than likely already been figured out by the time I get to it.
I take it you can only do this on a self-hosted blog? I didn't see Plugins as an option on my Dashboard
Hi Daree, that's right. Plugins are another limitation on WordPress.com blogs.
Have never tried this plugin. Going to get it now and will set it up tomorrow. Thanks Amy.
No problem!
Thanks for explaining this – I'm learning heaps from your blog!
In answer to Lori, I searched for something similar for blogger and found this: http://www.skylark-software.com/2008/11/how-to-show-wwsgd-text-in-blogger.html
I haven't tried it yet, but thought you'd be interested
Thanks Crafty Mummy!
Awesome, Amy! I use WWSGD but never thought to put it at the bottom of my posts too! I'm wondering if you can just add code to your theme though (or will WWSGD do that??).
Thanks!
Hey Andrea, just choose "Bottom of Posts" in your WWSGD settings (Settings–>WWSGD). It'll be done automatically!
Thank you! I've been wondering how other bloggers were creating that little box and now I know. I'll have to figure this out sometime this week.
Thank you for this! I have another question which you actually did during this tutorial- the blue box you put the html code in…how do you do that? Is that a plug-in or coding? I have WP and use the Headway theme, and I absolutely hate the blockquote that comes with it- I would love to do a solid box instead!
Amy, I received a message that this plugin might not be compatible with my current version of WP. I can't even remember which version I have!
So…is there something I need to change? Do I need to upgrade?
You'll see this message when you try to install many plugins if the plugin hasn't been tested with the newest version of WordPress. The updated version of WordPress just came out, so even though it has the disclaimer because it hasn't been tested yet, it's unlikely you'll have problems. It's a solid plugin and very popular. The only time I get nervous about that message is if I'm going to try to install a plugin that obviously hasn't been updated in a long time or is a bit obscure.
Hi Amy!
Thanks for this great post! I've been wondering for awhile now how people get the customizable box I've seen ever so often, and then when I found out it was WWSGD, I was like – oh!
After installing the plug-in I began "Googling" how to customize it and found your post. Great and simple to the point instructions. I can't wait to begin experimenting with different messages. Thanks so much!
- Kelli
Glad you stopped by and found it helpful!
WOW! Again with more great information. I am so greatful to your blog. Thank you so much for teaching all of use such great information! I know your saving me money because before I found your blog I would have had hire out everything! Thank you so much!
I'm so glad it's helpful!
Thanks again, Amy! I read your blog regularly, but had missed this post. It came up when I searched for "how to customize Seth Godin plugin." You are right when you say Google is our friend!
I had noticed this little box on many blogs I read, and noticed that it went away after a while. So I searched in the WP plugins using the phrase "If you're new here" and it came right up.
Awesome.
Thanks I just got this installed and my codes all work but there is no box around the message? Was there supposed to be?
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Not sure what you mean by a box, but if you mean a border, nope, that's up to you.
I am absolutely going to try this. Really appreciate your thoroughness! Thank you so much for all of the tips. Please feel free to stop by: Don Tolman Self-Care Revolution
Okay, Amy. I give up. I really do hate to bother you with this, but I want to use this as you've suggested. If you wouldn't mind doing a quick trouble-shoot, pls. I really do appreciate your help. The last sentence keeps coming up on my site looking like another hyperlink. What am I missing here:
Welcome back! Have you checked out our store specials recently? Store Specials. Be sure to follow us on Twitter & Facebook for additional sales just for you Followers or Fans! Thanks for visiting again!
Make sure your tags are in the proper place and closed properly as well. So, for a link (check your HTML tab), you'll see anchor text here.
Any idea how to add a similar plug-in on Blogger?
Try LinkWithin.
This is fabulous! Thanks so much for linking this up again on Twitter!
thank you thank you thank you! I have been searching for what the heck this plugin was for a while now, a lot of people use it in my niche and I have been wondering why I couldn't find it. I am going to set it up right now!
LOL…I was just working on some code earlier this weekend to create a "welcome and subscribe" box for my posts and pages.
Then I stumbled on your post and decided that Mr. Godin saved me some time. Thanks for the post and tutorial on how to make it stand out with personality.
God Bless,
Melissa
Glad to help!
Hi, Amy,
I have the WWSGD plug-in…and it's working fine. My main concern is that when I post something to my Facebook wall, it pulls the text from the welcome box (instead of text from my post). I'm using Atahualpa for my theme — and I just can't figure it out!! Crystal showed me what she does in her theme, but I can't seem to find the same box for mine!
When you say "I can't seem to find the same box for mine" what box are you referring to?
I hope I'm saying this right…a "meta" box? I'm not sure — it showed up right under her post box.
I did find an excerpt box on my page and tried putting a sentence or two in it, but it still brings up my welcome message whenever I post anything to facebook.
I know…I'm crazy!! And technically-challenged!!
Do you have the All-in-One-SEO Pack installed? I would try that first.
Hi, you seem to not be using this plugin any longer. Is there are reason why you stopped showing it?
Ha! You caught me.
There's not reason in particular, just that I was doing some testing with site load time and deactivated it. Just haven't reactivated it. 
I just found your blog and it's so easy to read understand. I will be a follower !! I love the idea of the SEth Godin plugin but how do I do it for blogspot? Is there a somewhat easy way to convert it to use on blogger?
Thanks so much
Best,
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, unfortunately Blogger doesn't have plugins so I'm not aware of an alternative for Blogger.
Thanks for this post, Amy! I figured it out, and only with your help!
Whoo Hoo – This looks so much better than making a post "sticky". Thanks so much for the info!