13 Steps to a Slippery Slope Online Sales Letter
Many of the solo professionals whom I coach are people who offer services. They're coaches, consultants, creatives. And many of them are also beginning to sell information products on their Web sites. They're smart to offer a lower-priced alternative to hiring them, and to sell a product that can gain them passive income.
But here's the problem: I see many of them trying to sell their e-book, tutorial, etc. on a regular Web page. They list a paragraph about the info-product and give the price, and they expect a slew of sales.
Wrong.
You need a special sales page that has a "slippery slope" sales letter.
Remember that game Chutes & Ladders? If you landed on a space that had a chute on it, you just went down, Baby. No turning back. That's how your sales letter should be - a "slippery slope" that pulls in the reader because it's so compelling and interesting.
Here's a basic outline of the 13 elements you want to include. To see an example of them all in action, visit MY own sales page at www.BoostBizEzine.com.
1. Limit your navigation.
The visitor should not be distracted by links that take her to your bio, other products, etc. The idea is to keep her on this page, reading your copy and leading her to order. So on this page, only have navigation that relates to the product (e.g. FAQs, 0rder n0w).
2. Give a powerful headline.
Your headline can make or break your sales. If it's not compelling, your visitor will click away. Here's an easy headline formula: "How to _________ So You Can ____________." Make sure the 2nd part gives a big benefit, for example, "double your business" or "gain peace of mind."
3. Discuss the problem the prospect has, or incorporate your own story.
Marketers call this "pushing the 'ouch' button." First discuss the problem or pain that the reader has, and then lead in to how your product will solve it. Or share your own failure-to-success story that the reader can empathize with.
4. Tell us who you are.
If I'm going to buy your stuff, I'd like to know why you're qualified to write about this topic. Give me the feeling that you've learned a lot about this topic and want to share it with me.
Even add a picture of yourself and an audio greeting, like I did. These help the reader instantly feel like she knows you better, increasing the "trust factor." And people buy from those they feel they know, like, and trust!
5. Use bullets like mini headlines.
Lay out everything I'll get from your product. Don't just list your table of contents verbatim! Turn each point into an exciting secret. For example, suppose your e-book features 5 tips on how to save money on groceries. That bullet could read, "Revealed: 5 ways you can save hundreds of dollars on your monthly grocery bill."
6. List plenty of testimonials.
Show your prospects they won't be the first to buy. It's more effective to weave-in testimonials throughout your sales letter than to have a separate section for them. Give each person's full name and Web address, and for extra power, post their photo and an audio testimonial as well.
7. Tell us why your product is such a great value.
How does the price of your product compare if I hired you one-on-one? For example, your manual is a great value at $49 if an hour consultation with you would run me $250.
8. Throw in a few great bonuses.
Offer special bonuses (preferably created by you) that are so good you could sell them alone if you wanted to. It could be a list of resources, a collection of articles, extra tips on a certain subject, or a free consu1tation.
9. Give an unconditional guarantee.
This puts your prospect at ease, giving her no reason to NOT buy. A few turkeys will take advantage of your generosity, but the amount of sales you GAIN from this strategy dramatically outweighs the risk.
10. Request immediate action by having a limited time offer.
Some sales pages use trick scripts to make it seem like the offer always ends on that day at midnight, but I find these insulting. If you really will be raising your price soon (and you always should be), list the exact date and stick to it. Otherwise just say it's an introductory, limited-time offer.
11. Make it ABSURDLY CLEAR what to do next.
Nothing bothers me more than when I'm at a Web site, I have my credit card ready, and I can't find the $%#@& order link! Make your order process idiot-proof. Example: "Cl1ck below to 0rder n0w on our secure server." Also sprinkle in order links throughout your page -- some people will be ready to buy before they get to the bottom.
12. Make one last plea.
In your P.S., right after your signature, emphasize that I should act now. For example, "Don't miss out on this great 0pportunity. Remember, you can buy n0w and change your mind at anytime."
13. Don't forget your contact information!
Readers WILL have questions, so provide an e-mail address on your site that you or someone else will check at least daily. Also, don't you feel better buying from a Web site that lists a real address and phone number?
© 2003-2004 Alexandria K. Brown
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is creator of the award-winning 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine' system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for her FR*EE how-to articles and FREE audio class, visit http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:51:42 GMT US House Approves Fannie-Freddie Bill by 272-152 (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Brian Faler July 23 (Bloomberg) -- The US House of Representatives approved legislation designed to shore up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and stem the record surge in mortgage foreclosures, sending the bill to the Senate. Video: House OKs Rescue for Homeowners, Freddie, Fannie US mortgages: Bush relents on veto threat to Fannie and Freddie ... Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:37:49 GMT Angels' bats loom large in victory over Indians - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Normally tepid offense produces season highs in runs and hits (19). Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman combine for 13 hits, Francisco Rodriguez gets 42nd save and team ups West lead to 10 By Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer The ... Mathis drives in six; Angels hold off Tribe in wild slugfest Angels pound Laffey, slam Mastny, in ripping Indians, 14-11 Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:05:36 GMT "Dark Knight" beats total of previous Batman film - Reuters
Reuters - By Dean Goodman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After just six days of release in North America, the new Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has grossed more domestically than its predecessor did in its entire run, distributor Warner Bros. Video: 'Dark Knight' Sets Weekend Box Office Record 'Dark Knight' may be summer's highest-grossing film Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:19:56 GMT "Bad Girls" mind-set, Pierson and Parker a volatile mix - WNBA - ESPN ESPN - By Mechelle Voepel What does it take to light up a tinderbox? Just a spark. Or in the case of the Detroit-Los Angeles scuffle with 4.6 seconds left of a WNBA game Tuesday, it was a Spark. WNBA reviewing fight between Detroit, LA players Don't make Mahorn the bad boy in WNBA scuffle Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:15:40 GMT Genetic Cause of Statin-Related Muscle Pain Found - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Ed Edelson WEDNESDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- British researchers have discovered a genetic variant that causes some people who take cholesterol-lowering statins to have the muscle weakness called myopathy. 7 Reasons Not to Dismiss Statin-Caused Pain Discovery may boost statin safety Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:59:27 GMT Google unfurls less laughable Wikipedia - Register
Register - By Cade Metz in San Francisco → More by this author Back in December, the search engine cum world power announced an anyone-can-edit online encyclopedia it insists on calling Knol, and this morning, with a post to The Official Google Blog, ... Google Launches Knol, The Monetizable Wikipedia Google opens Knol website, a wiki with bylines Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:46:16 GMT Microsoft refunding gamers, Games for Windows Live goes free - Ars Technica
Ars Technica - By Frank Caron | Published: July 23, 2008 - 07:06PM CT PC gaming wasn't a huge factor at this year's E3, but it seems that Microsoft was merely biding its time before making its big moves to try and perk up the waning PC gaming market. Microsoft Drops Player Fees On Games For Windows Live Unangst: GFW Live Has Full Game Download Plans 'On The Roadmap' Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:17:11 GMT Datafeeds For Blogs |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Knowing how to write, and write well, is a skill... Read More What is it exactly that copywriters DO when they produce... Read More One thing all successful Internet marketers have in common is... Read More Effective headlines make all the difference in whether your prospect... Read More Personalizing your headlines to your target audience can significantly improve... Read More It was going so well, so what happened? Many copywriters... Read More Sometimes learning what not to do is as important as... Read More Many of us have been asked to write an article... Read More Unless you know the secret motivational secrets that make people... Read More I know, I know. Times are tough. You have to... Read More A subscriber to my newsletter asks: "Got any good pointers... Read More The single most important element of your website's copy is... Read More Ever wish for your own copywriting business?Ever wish you could... Read More I confess--I'm a marketing heretic! I've built my career on... Read More For the e-book, Advice from Successful Freelancers: How They Built... Read More Nothing can turn strong copy into a 97-pound weakling faster... Read More So, you have something you want to sell. It may... Read More Say the word "emotion" to a man, and he'll immediately... Read More COPYWRITINGAfter determining what we are going to sell, the next... Read More Network marketing is an art as much as it is... Read More Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More Anyone who's ever tried marketing IT products or... Read More You could spend thousands of dollars on advertisement and have... Read More Did you know that your writing can have a huge... Read More You've probably seen web sites with testimonials - they can... Read More
Adsense
websites
How Writing Radio Can Help You Become a Better Writer
The Formulas Freelance Copywriters Employ When Creating Web Content
Top 3 Rules for Writing Effective Copy
8 Tips for Writing Headlines that Grab Attention (and Keep Prospects Reading!)
How To Personalize Your Headlines For Increased Profits!
Calls-To-Action: Making Them Fit Makes All the Difference
Common Mistakes That Can Kill Your Web Copy
7 Formulas for Articles That GET READ!
Website Promotion: 10 Secret Motivational Triggers That Make People Buy
Six Reasons You Don?t Need a Technical Writer (and Why They?re Dead Wrong!)
Direct Mail Sales Letters Flow Better With Subheads
3 Tips For Writing Better Headlines
Accelerate Your Freelance Copywriting Master Business Plan!
Can Honest Copywriting Succeed?
Advice From Successful Freelancers: Starting & Maintaining A Freelancer Career
7 Essential Tips for Reviewing and Approving Copy
How To Write Direct Mail That Really, Really Works!
Subtle Emotion - The Key To Copy That Works
A Free Lesson On How To Easily Write Ads That Are Guaranteed To Make You Money
How To Be Creative
3 Tips For Writing Content That Will Make You Sales
10 Things You Should Expect From Your IT Copywriter
16 Golden Rules of Master Copywriting
Web Writing - Dont Lose Your Visitors Attention!
Should You Use Testimonials When You Create A Web Site?
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Deciding What Voice to Use in Copy
You have to choose a character or an angle that... Read More
Are Long Copy Salesletters Scams?
A passionate debate is currently raging in the Copywriters Forum... Read More
Freelance Copywriters on the Internet: How to Tell the Difference Between Heaven-sent and Hack
If you're hunting for a good freelance copywriter and have... Read More
Copywriting for Astrology, Numerology, Tarot, and the Mystic Audience
These days, you don't have to traverse the dark forest... Read More
Top 7 Things To Do Before You Hire A Copywriter
Now that you've decided to hire a copywriter, how do... Read More
How to Start and Sustain a Career as a Freelance Writer
Have you wondered how you can make a career writing... Read More
Art Of Writing Profitable Classified Ads
The art of writing profitable classified adsEverybody wants to make... Read More
Getting Paid for Your Articles
If you've been writing web articles to help promote your... Read More
Hooks, Lines & Sinkers
Hands up if the title to this article made you... Read More
Five Sections of Your Copy Guaranteed To Get Read
Only about 20% of your copy is going to get... Read More
Dissolving Buyer Scepticisim ... A Lesson In Copywriting
When making a purchasing decision, people have their "rip off... Read More
3 Steps to Great Copy
Nothing irritates me more than being told that there are... Read More
How Writing Radio Can Help You Become a Better Writer
Knowing how to write, and write well, is a skill... Read More
A Writers Secrets
Every person has secrets that only he or she knows,... Read More
Ten Eye Popping, Jaw Dropping Ad Copy Secrets
In order to make more sales and get more profits... Read More
Creative Copywriting?
There is a difference between creative writing and copywriting. It... Read More
How To Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs
Your goal is to land a few nice, secure freelance... Read More
The Truth About Negative Commands (Dont Read This!)
Everyday when I read promotional emails and advertisements, or listen... Read More
Four Things Every Web Site Headline Must Do
As you know, I'm constantly making the point that the... Read More
Sticky Homepage Copy in 30 Seconds
Yes indeed, that's all you've got, 30 seconds to make... Read More
How to Negotiate Rates with a Freelance Copywriting Expert
Lots of people who seek out my copywriting services are... Read More
How To Become A Freelance Copywriter In New York
As a freelance copywriter in New York, your work is... Read More
How To Find Editing Services Online
Quality is what you need. What you don't have is... Read More
Dont Forget The Copywriting
Copywriting And Content CreationOne of the most important, but often... Read More
Discover Your Creativity
You have a choice. Do you want to be constructive... Read More
Copywriting |