Are you making any of these blunders in your ad copy? If you are, then that is probably why you're getting, no traffic, no leads, no sales & no success!
There are plenty more mistakes that people are making, but I think that if you only tweak these 5, you'll have a higher converting site, that makes money.
1) Poor Headline - You only have about 8-10 seconds to grab, and keep your viewer. Let your headline solve potential customers biggest problem. Give them the biggest benefit they'll receive if they purchase your product or service. ie...'Knock 5 strokes off you golf score in 7 days'
2) No Video or Audio - Video and audio are all the rage on the Internet today, and growing. Most people would rather listen or watch as you tell them how your product or service is going to help them. You don't have know all the technical stuff to get it done. With all the shortcuts available, you could have a professional web video up and running in hours...even if you don't own a video camera and don't know the first thing about putting a video together.
This is one that I'm currently reviewing at the time of this post...and I think it's one of the best I've ever seen. Web Video University
3) No Guarantees - With all the crap that's out there today, people are unsure who to trust. Take all the pressure off by offering an 'unconditional no questions asked money back guarantee' You could also offer your product or service as a 15 or 30 day trial, then after that time period, they will get billed.
4) No Urgent Call to Action - Make sure they know that there is a time limit on the current pricing. Or that the bonuses included will only be available for the next 7 days. You can also offer limited quantities to a membership type site, or for your personal coaching. Make sure that you tell them exactly where to click and sign up, as well, keep it simple. Don't make them jump through hoops or they will click away.
5) The Bonuses - Any offer you find today is usually accompanied with a ton of bonuses, worth 100's or 1000's of dollars. If someone is in the market for your product, they will shop around for the most attractive offers. Make your bonuses stand out, make them very high quality and of great value for you customer. This can also be called your USP - Unique Selling Proposition - It's telling your customer 'why' they should buy from you, and why your different form your competition.
Like I said, these are only 5, but a very important 5 mistakes being made all the time. If your ad copy is lacking in any of these areas, fix them, then test them, and fix them again if need be.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to write a good compelling ad copy...but you do have to take the time to learn what makes a good ad copy.
I'll be posting a review on an eBook that I'm reviewing called 'CLIC Website Sales Leads System' which claims to have a proven 4 step system, that anyone can do, to convert lookers into buyers. More on that to come.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Think and Grow Rich - by Napoleon Hill
I just finished reading 'Think and Grow Rich' the Napoleon Hill, again.It's a classic that is responsible for creating some of the biggest fortunes and successes in history...Henry Ford, Theodore Roosevelt, Wilbur Right and more.
The book is now public domain, so there's no cost to anyone. Just get it at Get your free copy here
If you've read it before, read it again...if you've never read it, read it now. I guarantee, once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.
Some may say it's BS, that there's no secret to creating great wealth and success...but it's hard to argue with the results!
The book is now public domain, so there's no cost to anyone. Just get it at Get your free copy here
If you've read it before, read it again...if you've never read it, read it now. I guarantee, once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.
Some may say it's BS, that there's no secret to creating great wealth and success...but it's hard to argue with the results!
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Great Recorded Call from Perry Marshall
I just received an email from Perry Marshall. Perry recorded the call that you can listen to by clicking the link below.
Very enlightening I must say...it will really opened up your eyes...guaranteed!
=====================================================================================
Ron,
I had a great call on Thursday night with John Paul Mendocha.
We talked about all the delusions that entrepreneurs - and wanna-be entrepreneurs - fall into, the snake oil salesmen we fall for, the rose colored sunglasses that we willingly put on, the pink koolaid we drink.
On this call we kill a bunch of sacred cows. A fun jam session, and I got some raves about it via email the next day. Here's where you can download the MP3:
Click here to listen
Enjoy this one.
Perry Marshall
======================================================================================
Very enlightening I must say...it will really opened up your eyes...guaranteed!
=====================================================================================
Ron,
I had a great call on Thursday night with John Paul Mendocha.
We talked about all the delusions that entrepreneurs - and wanna-be entrepreneurs - fall into, the snake oil salesmen we fall for, the rose colored sunglasses that we willingly put on, the pink koolaid we drink.
On this call we kill a bunch of sacred cows. A fun jam session, and I got some raves about it via email the next day. Here's where you can download the MP3:
Click here to listen
Enjoy this one.
Perry Marshall
======================================================================================
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Limited Knowledge - Budget - Resources - Sound Familiar?
When I first started out, trying to make money online, like a lot of people I'm sure, I had a limited budget, limited resources and limited knowledge. This is where just about everyone starts out...but it's only the start.
I was once at a T Harv Ecker, Millionaire Mind Intensive Weekend, and he said it this way...'Every master was once a disaster.' He went on to describe that everyone starts out, making mistakes, failing, lacking the proper knowledge, limited budgets and so on.
Why is it then the some go on to become everything they dreamed they would be, and some never make an inch of progress? It really all comes down to the desire and drive to learn all the things necessary to reach their end goal...and NEVER stop learning. Because each new goal you set will be bigger and better then the previous.
When I started, I spent 8-10 hours a day using all the free methods I could find to promote my business...with zero success. zero traffic, zero leads, zero sales...no business.
After finally studying people like T Harv and others, after 5 years of struggle, what I realized was that I needed to be spending that time on growing me as a person, a leader, an expert in my field.
If every new person, and their are millions, that were trying to replace, or supplement their income with their own online/MLM home business, started out by gaining the knowledge first, their chances of success would increase dramatically!
When you realize that not only do you create a life of abundance, you also create a better 'you.' When you see that creating a better 'you' is just as important as creating a bigger bank account...I'd even say that it's MORE important...then you're on your way.
When I realized and acted upon this concept, that's when my entire life changed. As most know, I know make my full time income online, and have been for about 3 years now. Learn first, then take action with the knowledge and repeat.
I was once at a T Harv Ecker, Millionaire Mind Intensive Weekend, and he said it this way...'Every master was once a disaster.' He went on to describe that everyone starts out, making mistakes, failing, lacking the proper knowledge, limited budgets and so on.
Why is it then the some go on to become everything they dreamed they would be, and some never make an inch of progress? It really all comes down to the desire and drive to learn all the things necessary to reach their end goal...and NEVER stop learning. Because each new goal you set will be bigger and better then the previous.
When I started, I spent 8-10 hours a day using all the free methods I could find to promote my business...with zero success. zero traffic, zero leads, zero sales...no business.
After finally studying people like T Harv and others, after 5 years of struggle, what I realized was that I needed to be spending that time on growing me as a person, a leader, an expert in my field.
If every new person, and their are millions, that were trying to replace, or supplement their income with their own online/MLM home business, started out by gaining the knowledge first, their chances of success would increase dramatically!
When you realize that not only do you create a life of abundance, you also create a better 'you.' When you see that creating a better 'you' is just as important as creating a bigger bank account...I'd even say that it's MORE important...then you're on your way.
When I realized and acted upon this concept, that's when my entire life changed. As most know, I know make my full time income online, and have been for about 3 years now. Learn first, then take action with the knowledge and repeat.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Perry Marshall: How Much Hype is Too Much?
When you're writing sales copy to different audiences, understand this: some thrive on hype. Others won't tolerate an ounce of it.
In this video Perry Marshall describes the two different mindsets, and how you best serve each one, depending on the audience you're writing to.
Great video, great info!
"You Can Stop Cold Calling Business Prospects & Battling Voice Mail - And Make Them Chase You Instead" See How here!
In this video Perry Marshall describes the two different mindsets, and how you best serve each one, depending on the audience you're writing to.
Great video, great info!
"You Can Stop Cold Calling Business Prospects & Battling Voice Mail - And Make Them Chase You Instead" See How here!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Twitter Your Way to Instant Traffic
To answer this, you have to make the most of every word. You have to capture attention quickly in each 'tweet' (the Twitter name for a post). Sign up for Twitter and send out notices to your friends and subscribers.
The more people who follow your 'tweets,' the more your following grows as their friends see your profile thumbnail on other people's profile pages and click through to follow you as well. Every time you post a new tweet, each of your followers receives it instantly on their computers or cell phones if they've set it up like that.
Sending regular tweets can help build loyalty among your followers. Don't just send anything, make it count. If you write reviews on electronic games or develop accessories for Avatars, then you want to let your followers know when you have something new for them.
You can develop an almost fanatical group who are so intent on knowing what you have to offer that they hang on your every tweet. For info marketers, this intensity can develop into a loyal group of buyers who respond to your new offerings.
Friends who want to set up a meeting can use tweets to inform everyone of the time and place. You can also send a tweet to direct attention to your latest blog update or lens creation. Remember to save room to add the URL for your site.
This is important for creating interest in your site and developing your brand. Even with a short post, you can set up your identity in a way that draws more followers to your niche. Twitter is a delight to some and baffling to others.
You have to get into it to really get what's happening. Look at other Twitterers and see how many ways they're using tweets to set their brand, establish a persona, show expertise or drive traffic to their sites.
The instant gratification of Twitter is part of its addictive potential. When you choose to Twitter within your field, profession, hobby, sport or business, then you'll see how to dispense an enormous amount of new information rapidly, one Tweet at a time.
The more people who follow your 'tweets,' the more your following grows as their friends see your profile thumbnail on other people's profile pages and click through to follow you as well. Every time you post a new tweet, each of your followers receives it instantly on their computers or cell phones if they've set it up like that.
Sending regular tweets can help build loyalty among your followers. Don't just send anything, make it count. If you write reviews on electronic games or develop accessories for Avatars, then you want to let your followers know when you have something new for them.
You can develop an almost fanatical group who are so intent on knowing what you have to offer that they hang on your every tweet. For info marketers, this intensity can develop into a loyal group of buyers who respond to your new offerings.
Friends who want to set up a meeting can use tweets to inform everyone of the time and place. You can also send a tweet to direct attention to your latest blog update or lens creation. Remember to save room to add the URL for your site.
This is important for creating interest in your site and developing your brand. Even with a short post, you can set up your identity in a way that draws more followers to your niche. Twitter is a delight to some and baffling to others.
You have to get into it to really get what's happening. Look at other Twitterers and see how many ways they're using tweets to set their brand, establish a persona, show expertise or drive traffic to their sites.
The instant gratification of Twitter is part of its addictive potential. When you choose to Twitter within your field, profession, hobby, sport or business, then you'll see how to dispense an enormous amount of new information rapidly, one Tweet at a time.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Traffic Conversion by Doing the Unexpected
Techniques for traffic conversion are well known in the Internet marketing community, but most that are used are basic. They work well, but not spectacularly. What you need is to find a new twist on traffic conversion.
Perhaps what you need isn’t something different, but a different approach. You might find that taking an unexpected route is just what your site needs to increase buyer response.
Replace “want” with “fear.” Sure it’s great that a viewer wants your product, but desire isn’t as strong as fear. Make your sales copy emphasize the scarcity of the product and how terrible it would be to miss out.
“You can spend hours trying to make those purchased templates look like a custom website but you’re stuck with a few colors and choices. Meanwhile, marketers with XYZ Web Page Super Package are up and running in an hour with the look of expensive graphics.”
Now the reader pictures the competition making money while he’s still fighting with fonts. That’s fear – fear of being left out.
Long sales copy works only if it’s not boring. In an effort to create the typical long sales letter, inexperienced writers just repeat the same information with little variation. This isn’t the time to “do it yourself.”
Professional writers know how to get that same information across in fresh ways so that each section of the sales letter is familiar, yet not repetitious. If you don’t have the skill do to that, then hire a professional copywriter. What you pay for a good sales letter is a direct investment in traffic conversion. Consider it a one-time expense for endless traffic conversion opportunities.
Raise the price. But wait, if sales are falling, why would charging more be better? You may have under-priced your product, which gives it a lower value in the viewer’s perspective. Add another section or package with a second information product.
Change the cover design. Add new delivery options so that a buyer can choose eBook, CD or MP3 audio product formats. These small changes give you a reason to bump up the price. And don’t get chicken by going from $9.95 to $12.95. Take the price up to $17 or $27 and hype the promotion. You can do a limited time discount - “Order now to get the product for $12.95 because in 48 hours, the price goes to $17!”
Make a Limited Time Offer. Create urgency by offering a one time purchase to a limited number of buyers for a short time. This plays to fear (“what if I miss it”) and scarcity (“I want it before someone else gets it”).
Then take it off the market at the end of the offer. Nothing discredits you more than repeated “limited time” runs. Remove the product, make a few changes or updates and add something else to the package. Then - and only then - can you bring back the product without losing face and buyers.
Perhaps what you need isn’t something different, but a different approach. You might find that taking an unexpected route is just what your site needs to increase buyer response.
Replace “want” with “fear.” Sure it’s great that a viewer wants your product, but desire isn’t as strong as fear. Make your sales copy emphasize the scarcity of the product and how terrible it would be to miss out.
“You can spend hours trying to make those purchased templates look like a custom website but you’re stuck with a few colors and choices. Meanwhile, marketers with XYZ Web Page Super Package are up and running in an hour with the look of expensive graphics.”
Now the reader pictures the competition making money while he’s still fighting with fonts. That’s fear – fear of being left out.
Long sales copy works only if it’s not boring. In an effort to create the typical long sales letter, inexperienced writers just repeat the same information with little variation. This isn’t the time to “do it yourself.”
Professional writers know how to get that same information across in fresh ways so that each section of the sales letter is familiar, yet not repetitious. If you don’t have the skill do to that, then hire a professional copywriter. What you pay for a good sales letter is a direct investment in traffic conversion. Consider it a one-time expense for endless traffic conversion opportunities.
Raise the price. But wait, if sales are falling, why would charging more be better? You may have under-priced your product, which gives it a lower value in the viewer’s perspective. Add another section or package with a second information product.
Change the cover design. Add new delivery options so that a buyer can choose eBook, CD or MP3 audio product formats. These small changes give you a reason to bump up the price. And don’t get chicken by going from $9.95 to $12.95. Take the price up to $17 or $27 and hype the promotion. You can do a limited time discount - “Order now to get the product for $12.95 because in 48 hours, the price goes to $17!”
Make a Limited Time Offer. Create urgency by offering a one time purchase to a limited number of buyers for a short time. This plays to fear (“what if I miss it”) and scarcity (“I want it before someone else gets it”).
Then take it off the market at the end of the offer. Nothing discredits you more than repeated “limited time” runs. Remove the product, make a few changes or updates and add something else to the package. Then - and only then - can you bring back the product without losing face and buyers.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Great pics from Mike Dillard
Here's some great shots of Mike Dillards trip to Chicago. He's got some very cool and funny stuff.
Learn more now about Mike Dillard
Learn more now about Mike Dillard
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Would You Buy From Him?
I had a gentlemen named Jason call me the first time about 2 weeks ago. He was pitching me on what his company could do for me and my business. Well being the open minded person I am, I said I would take a look when I got home...I was driving at the time. He gave me the site, and we agreed we would talk in 2 days.
I got home and I did review his site. It was an all in one marketing tool box that you could use with affiliate marketing, Ebay, Amazon, Google adwords etc...sort of a step by step guide for learning, and it looked pretty good.
After reviewing it further, and learning what the costs would be every month, I decided against it at the present time. I already had all the tools I needed in place and I didn't see it providing me additional value or income.
He did phone back, and I told him my thoughts, and said I wouldn't be signing up. He proceeded to start and quote me statistics about his company. This went on for about 10-15 minutes. I finally said that I wasn't interested at this time...his last words...'take care' then he just hung up.
Now I ask you, would you go back to this company in the future and sign up for their services? Not me!
Instead of trying to build anything long term, and instead of offering me any value at all, all he was after was the sale...period!
I only thought that he must be calling hundreds or thousands of people a day in order to drive a few dollars into his pocket.
Now if he would have said something like, 'would be alright to call you in 3 months or 6 months, and send you some info via email'...which I would have agreed upon...then maybe I would think about signing up for their services to test them out in the future.
In order to receive, you must first give without any want in return. That is the only way to have people seeking you out, and to continue to have new people going through you sales funnel, eventually turning them into paying, loyal customers for life.
Learn the secrets of Magnetic Sponsoring - Click here and watch 5 free videos show you how
I got home and I did review his site. It was an all in one marketing tool box that you could use with affiliate marketing, Ebay, Amazon, Google adwords etc...sort of a step by step guide for learning, and it looked pretty good.
After reviewing it further, and learning what the costs would be every month, I decided against it at the present time. I already had all the tools I needed in place and I didn't see it providing me additional value or income.
He did phone back, and I told him my thoughts, and said I wouldn't be signing up. He proceeded to start and quote me statistics about his company. This went on for about 10-15 minutes. I finally said that I wasn't interested at this time...his last words...'take care' then he just hung up.
Now I ask you, would you go back to this company in the future and sign up for their services? Not me!
Instead of trying to build anything long term, and instead of offering me any value at all, all he was after was the sale...period!
I only thought that he must be calling hundreds or thousands of people a day in order to drive a few dollars into his pocket.
Now if he would have said something like, 'would be alright to call you in 3 months or 6 months, and send you some info via email'...which I would have agreed upon...then maybe I would think about signing up for their services to test them out in the future.
In order to receive, you must first give without any want in return. That is the only way to have people seeking you out, and to continue to have new people going through you sales funnel, eventually turning them into paying, loyal customers for life.
Learn the secrets of Magnetic Sponsoring - Click here and watch 5 free videos show you how
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Lemonade Stand
It's the 4th of October in western Canada...the beginning of fall. Although it's still pretty nice as far as the temperature goes, the leaves are turning, and starting to fall.
I notice that my neighbors kids have set up a lemonade stand next door, something we've all done I'm sure, in our own childhood. I'm sitting on my deck and hear their parents saying that they won't sell anything because it's not hot enough, not enough traffic, not this, not that and so on. The kids simply ignored them and continued setting things up.
Low and behold, they get a customer, then another, then another customer.
In a matter of 15 minutes there must have been 8-10 customers there. They made money that day, and served the needs of their customers.
How you ask? Two girls standing on the corner with signs that offered lemonade at 5 cents a glass, then they sold them cookies at a $1 per...needless to say, with a bag containing about 24 cookies, they did OK.
It's very similar to one of the most successful business models ever, McDonalds. Get them in with the cheap burgers, then upsell with the drinks and stuff that have a huge profit margin. Crazy that some 9 and 10 year olds are using the same model.
People like Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Ray Croc, etc...have the mindset of 'anything is possible' and only listen to those that they gain knowledge and strength from.
Why is it then, when we, as adults, try and start our own home based/internet business, we tend to listen more to those around us...family and friends...that say we can't do it, we can't make money doing that, won't work etc...
Develop the 'knowledge' of an adult mind, and the 'anything's possible and creativity' mindset that we had when we were kids, we would never listen to anyone tell us that 'we can't do that' ever again.
I notice that my neighbors kids have set up a lemonade stand next door, something we've all done I'm sure, in our own childhood. I'm sitting on my deck and hear their parents saying that they won't sell anything because it's not hot enough, not enough traffic, not this, not that and so on. The kids simply ignored them and continued setting things up.
Low and behold, they get a customer, then another, then another customer.
In a matter of 15 minutes there must have been 8-10 customers there. They made money that day, and served the needs of their customers.
How you ask? Two girls standing on the corner with signs that offered lemonade at 5 cents a glass, then they sold them cookies at a $1 per...needless to say, with a bag containing about 24 cookies, they did OK.
It's very similar to one of the most successful business models ever, McDonalds. Get them in with the cheap burgers, then upsell with the drinks and stuff that have a huge profit margin. Crazy that some 9 and 10 year olds are using the same model.
People like Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Ray Croc, etc...have the mindset of 'anything is possible' and only listen to those that they gain knowledge and strength from.
Why is it then, when we, as adults, try and start our own home based/internet business, we tend to listen more to those around us...family and friends...that say we can't do it, we can't make money doing that, won't work etc...
Develop the 'knowledge' of an adult mind, and the 'anything's possible and creativity' mindset that we had when we were kids, we would never listen to anyone tell us that 'we can't do that' ever again.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Online Marketing Is Customer Centered
An old adage in sales is that “the customer is always right.” Over the years as retailer grew large, profit margins faded and experienced salespeople grew scarce, there seemed to be less interest in the customer.
People grudgingly accepted the lack of customer service as the price they paid for cheap products. They complained, but they bought anyway because that’s just the way it was. Online shopping, while distant, is more customer centered than many local retailers.
To develop a rapport with customers in a virtual environment, online marketers had to establish trust and expertise, and they did it with relationship building, money back guarantees plus fast delivery. This customer-centered approach not only created trust as planned, but also caused a surprising number of customers to ignore the local stores and shop at major retailers’ online sites.
As a developing Internet marketer, you can learn from this brief history. You want to position your product as user friendly, beneficial and open for refund. Granted, this is easier with downloads and information products than with shipped products.
But even shipped products that offer guaranteed, no questions asked refunds actually have fewer refunds because the consumer feels free to try to return it if they’re not satisfied. Before the sale, you want to provide ample information about the product and the benefits that your customer will receive from it…ie. save time, money and effort etc - including several photo or video views if appropriate.
Think about the questions a buyer might ask and have the answers ready before the question arrives. An easy way to provide this information is with an expanded FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. Make sure there’s a link to the FAQ page from each product page.
If your product requires assembly after delivery, post an extra copy of how to assemble it. Even better is to post a video showing and telling how to do the assembly. Another great idea is to post videos showing alternative ways to use the product. This gives buyers options that they might not have considered.
To be consumer-centered means that you can be reached easily. Post your email (or that of your customer service center) and a phone number or SKPYE name. If you are the “Customer service center,” send those emails to a designated email box and answer them promptly.
If you can’t, at least set up an autoresponder saying that you received the customer’s email and are working on the solution. The more ways you can be contacted, the more the customer feels at ease that you aren’t hiding in some unreachable corner of cyberspace. You can’t shake hands with your online customer, but you can create an ongoing buying relationship by demonstrating that you’re a customer-centered and an expert in your field online marketer.
People grudgingly accepted the lack of customer service as the price they paid for cheap products. They complained, but they bought anyway because that’s just the way it was. Online shopping, while distant, is more customer centered than many local retailers.
To develop a rapport with customers in a virtual environment, online marketers had to establish trust and expertise, and they did it with relationship building, money back guarantees plus fast delivery. This customer-centered approach not only created trust as planned, but also caused a surprising number of customers to ignore the local stores and shop at major retailers’ online sites.
As a developing Internet marketer, you can learn from this brief history. You want to position your product as user friendly, beneficial and open for refund. Granted, this is easier with downloads and information products than with shipped products.
But even shipped products that offer guaranteed, no questions asked refunds actually have fewer refunds because the consumer feels free to try to return it if they’re not satisfied. Before the sale, you want to provide ample information about the product and the benefits that your customer will receive from it…ie. save time, money and effort etc - including several photo or video views if appropriate.
Think about the questions a buyer might ask and have the answers ready before the question arrives. An easy way to provide this information is with an expanded FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. Make sure there’s a link to the FAQ page from each product page.
If your product requires assembly after delivery, post an extra copy of how to assemble it. Even better is to post a video showing and telling how to do the assembly. Another great idea is to post videos showing alternative ways to use the product. This gives buyers options that they might not have considered.
To be consumer-centered means that you can be reached easily. Post your email (or that of your customer service center) and a phone number or SKPYE name. If you are the “Customer service center,” send those emails to a designated email box and answer them promptly.
If you can’t, at least set up an autoresponder saying that you received the customer’s email and are working on the solution. The more ways you can be contacted, the more the customer feels at ease that you aren’t hiding in some unreachable corner of cyberspace. You can’t shake hands with your online customer, but you can create an ongoing buying relationship by demonstrating that you’re a customer-centered and an expert in your field online marketer.
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