How to collect emails for waiting list without being annoying?

Question

I'm working on a non-profit project for developers that haven't launched yet and I want to collect emails for the waiting list. I think the value proposition is really, really good - users get deals on cloud/courses/apps and all of the profits from promoting these deals go to research-backed charities.I have a simple, classic strategy for building the waiting list - publish good content and show a pop up when user is leaving the page asking to sign up to the list. This kind of pop-ups are everywhere because they work. And I think it's fair to make the ask.BUT. I don't want it to annoy my fellow devs with popups (while still collecting contact info effectively). So here's the question: how would you like to be presented an ask for signup on a blog post?On scroll, the way substack does it? Mid-content? Any other way?

brudgers · Accepted Answer

Don't ask. Tell people about the value proposition in ten words or less at the top of each article. Make one of the words a link to a page with more information. On that page have a simple field to sign up for email updates.
What I want is something that prioritizes my needs, not those of the person creating the content.
A popup when I go to leave is not a fair exchange.
Because I didn't agree to it ahead of time.
And now you are just blocking me from what is important to me with a toll booth.
Good luck.

andreareina · Answer

Pre-/mid-/end-content, 100%. I have navigated away because of pop-ups and/or sticky dickbars.