Thursday, April 24, 2008

$1M Sales Letters - oops squeeze page…

SECRETS OF MILLION DOLLAR SALES LETTERS
That’s all a squeeze page is after all!

I purchased this article that was in a article pack some years ago – I bought it for the purpose of getting idea’s for articles as well as being able to research subjects that I wanted to learn about. I was cleaning out my computer folder – and just as I was getting in the mode (I am sure you can all relate!) to throw away the junk. I decided to open up this folder one more time – I saw the title $1M sales letters.doc I just had to open it… The interesting thing is that as I read it, I realized a squeeze page is just a sales letter that you develop on the internet and send out through e-mail! So I plucked out the pieces that are relevant and always will be… I have refurbished the letter with all the valid points that still hold true – and added some of my own comments in about writing a successful squeeze page. If you would like the original article – perhaps you would like to send out an actual sells letter in the mail email me and I will send you the full article Pamela@artistadesign.com. The actual article does have a lot more about print and brochures etc… Here is the tried and true formula of a sales letter oops squeeze page Regardless of what you're trying to sell, you really can't sell it without "talking" with your prospective buyer. In attempting to sell anything on the Internet, the sales letter (squeeze page) you send out is when and how you talk to your prospect. All winning sales letters (squeeze pages) "talk" to the prospect by creating an image in the mind of the reader. They set "the scene" by appealing to a desire or need; and then they flow smoothly into the "visionary" part of the sales pitch by describing in detail how "wonderful" life will be and, how "good" the prospect is going to feel after the product or service is purchased. This is the "body or guts" of a sales letter (squeeze page). Overall, a winning sales letter (squeeze page) follows a time-tested and proven formula:

  • Get your visitors attention
  • Get your visitor interested in what you can do for them
  • Make them desire the benefits of your products.
  • Create Urgency – an action step - tell him to click the right button or send for whatever it is you're selling without delay - any procrastination on there part might cause him to lose out.

This is called the "AIDA" formula (Attention, Interest, Desire and Action) - it works. Another thing – have customers testimonials tucked in – with pictures I am sure you have seen that as well… The "inside secret" is to make your squeeze page/landing page so interesting, and "visionary" with the benefits you're offering to the reader, that they can't resist reading it all the way through. You break up the "work" of reading by using short, punchy sentences, underlining important points you're trying to make, with the use of sub-headlines, indentations and even the use of a second color, and leaving lots of white space around it. If you are more than just a squeeze page one hit wonder you may want to put your URL on the page. In fact unless you want to be like some of those squeeze pages I see that look like the carnival barkers – and I am sure most of you know what I mean – the kind you cannot get rid of – You may want to put your web site –email and other contact information on the page. This kind of open display of your honesty will give you credibility and dispel the thought of you being just another "fly-by-night" mail order company (squeeze page manufacturer) in the mind of your prospect. Once the product is paid for if it is a digital product - eBook or software it should be instantly downloadable. Sometime we make things so complicated that we fail to see the simplicity in it all I hope this article helps – simplify the process of developing your squeeze page/landing page! To Your Success! Pamela - Artista Design

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Are You Missing The Boat?

I have recently been in negotiations with a local business. We have been talking about having a partnership, and it looks like something that will be very lucrative for both of us. We have had to work out some of the kinks but all in all it looks like a go – and our meetings have been very productive. In the negotiation process, we discovered we are both brilliant on two different sides of the coin (if you don't mind me saying so!) – this groups talent lays in programming mine in design. That being said they were in desperate need of help with their website – and really couldn't progress until they could show the world they were great at what they did. They needed to get people past the front page – or even to read the front page (if you know what I mean)! So why am I telling you this? Because in the process of putting together a website for them, I realized that a lot of you may be a lot like them. You have a gift or talent that you need to get out to the world and some how the packaging just isn't right. You have a great idea and know it could benefit people, but you just can't get people to get past the first page of your website. If you are not seeing the success you should with you online business–if you see that people are coming to your website but leaving as fast as they land – get a professional to look at your site and see why. Is it that you took a course and built your own website, and it looks less than professional? Could it be that you had you bothers son that knows a little html build the website, and it is really substandard? Did you hire someone who was a programmer and had no taste when it comes to design, the website functions beautifully but looks really garish and ugly? Don't get me wrong I don't think you have to put the house up for sell or get a home equity loan just to get a website that you can be proud of. There are many really great web developers/designers who can do a great job for you – but make sure they do know how to build a website which is a marketing machine. Ask the right questions – it is not only the look of the site and the visual beauty that will attract you visitors to stay but the content as well. Your content, the text you put on the pages of your website must be keyword rich as well as pull your visitors in. You need to tell them what makes you unique in your industry, and what you can do for them or what your product will do for them. Keep the focus on your customer. I strongly believe I need to really start focusing on some of these key issues. As a matter of fact I am going to be writing a new report “The ___ (I don't know the number yet) most important questions to ask a web developer before you hire them!” I will let you know when I am done! Until them – Happy blogging For a FREE Website Analysis Contact Me... pamela@artistadesign.com

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Are you guilty of “Stinkin Thinkin”?

I found myself on the phone the other day with a friend that has been having problems – but the problems have been going on and on and on. As I was listening and trying to help her find a solution, I realized it was never going to happen.

The problems were originally business based that is where I originally came in but flowed into every aspect of their lives. The sad part of this story is that the product that was developed by these two extremely bright – amazing people should have made them millionaires several times over. They even had endorsements and licensing from several world leaders in their industry and had put everything on the line to produce a product they believed in.

Why then you may ask, had they not seen the success they should have? Because they could not seem to see beyond what they had been doing from the beginning.

The ebb and flow of idea's and thinking out of the box was not there and egos were in the way. It was more about who was right and who was wrong, and so it goes.

Have you wondered why when you do things the same way over and over you get the same results? It is amazing to me how people just keep doing what they are doing and don't change anything yet are stumped when they get the same thing over and over... Of course if it isn't working, and you keep doing the same thing bumping your head against the wall, over and over again - how do you think it will work tomorrow or the next day – you need to change what you are doing or it will never work!

If you are not seeing the benchmarks in your business that you need to see or if you have hit a brick wall, complaining will not help.

Think about it – if things are that bad are you willing to change and go a different direction? It is pretty simple when you think about it, something as simple as a bad attitude will ruin a relationship and a business.

Take an honest look at yourself is it your negative way of acting and thinking that is poisoning the water, be honest with yourself – stinkin thinkin will get you now where fast! A person once told me: “When you point a finger at someone else there are four more fingers pointing back at you”. How true a statement if there ever was one!

Need help structuring you business? Or streamlining your website - contact me for a free consultation.

pamela@artistadesign.com or 801-910-4825 Artista Design

Monday, April 7, 2008

Announcing...

I have never been one to toot my own horn, but my clients that is another story! As I was updating a client’s newsletter the other day I was thinking what an uplifting article he had written. It dawned on me why shouldn’t my readers get the benefit as well? Honestly we all need a shot in the arm sometimes when we are feeling less then on top of the world, be it because of personal problems, a promising business deal that fell through, or just the Monday morning blues. I have worked with Doug for a long time and through it all he has been an amazing client – he, Melanie and I pulled together and were able to come up with a uniquely Doug company image. Doug Nielson is a public speaker and he really does have an amazing talent – in his newsletters he shares his personal experiences and it is free to sign up and receive this newsletter monthly, I would encourage you to do so. You will thoroughly enjoy it – you can read it or – this is the cool part! You can listen – Click below and you will see what I mean! I am going to put a link to one of my favorite newsletters of all times below. When I was going through an especially hard time in my personal life this really helped me… Listen and then if you agree with me (and I am sure you will) go to his website and sign-up. You will love receiving his monthly newsletter and while you are at it get his quote of the day! http://www.dougspeaks.com/Newsletter/February-2008.html

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

The same old thing over and over ugh!

Are you as sick of these emails as I am? The ones that say get this for free! Then once you sign up, they open up another page and go on and on forever and ever until you get to your free item? Another thing, have you ever noticed that all the squeeze pages look alike? They all look like cheap bill boards… I have even gotten to the point, I may like the subject line but when I open them up – and see the same old, same old I close them – I may initially want what the person has to offer – but I am just annoyed. How do you feel? I would love your opinion – I believe in landing and squeeze pages - but what about having something that looks great and flows gently without all the yelling and screaming… A page that doesn't have exaggerated headlines and obnoxious neon colors… With clip art and pixilated pictures… I know that they say if it is not broken don't fix it but please – it is an assault to the senses to have to deal with all the garbage looking squeeze pages and advertising that comes. You can tell these pages have been put together by a squeeze page generator or a cookie cutter formula. I have picked up some great little tools and bargains, but I am sure I have passed up many more that I could have used due to the obnoxious nature of the pages… It may be because I am extremely right brained and the way something looks makes a big difference – and I know we all put different priorities in place but if you have a great product – with a great look… It is a winning combination, even on a squeeze page!! Comments please! Any questions or comments Email Me!