Believability - Youve Either Got It or You Aint!
Believability is what's missing, and the majority of all businesses have the same problem. They advertise Institutionally, they fail to inform and educate their potential customers, they believe (and sometimes it's true), that they have the best product/service in their field. Trouble is, the customer usually doesn't appreciate that fact! Big Problem.
Having an online business is not unlike having a shop in the high street. Both have to be advertised. The shop distributes flyers, brochures; mailers, advertisments etc. and hopes for a percentage return on their investment (usually poor, but that's another story). However, the shop has one small advantage, it has a physical presence, customers can visit it, view the product, the decor; the furnishings; even the owner!
This allows them to at least judge for themselves whether the business is all it is said to be. There is at least an element of credibility and believability here that you as an online business owner don't have.
So what do you do? Well, there are several ways you can build belief, but to begin with, you have to realise that in the minds of your potential customers, Perception is reality! What they see when they visit your site, how easily (or otherwise) they were able to navigate it; how informative and content-rich the information was, all and more of these aspects of your site contribute significantly to your visitors perception of you as a business.
So the first way to build belief, is to ask yourself, does my site offer visitors the right Perception of my Product/Service.
Secondly, do you tell the truth? I don't imply you lie, but do you tell people what you are about, do they know your USP, your purpose for being in business; the source of your products? Realise this, people love to be informed. The more you tell them about you, your business, your product/service and why you believe these to be the best people can buy; the more likely they are to do business with you.
Thirdly, Build Rapport with them. View your business from the point of view of the potential customer. Understand their concerns, see the perceived problems they may encounter when trying to order; understand the doubts they may have. Ensure that your site is structured in such a way as to eliminate, or certainly minimise these problems BEFORE visitors arrive. Simplify at the beginning, not when the problems arise.
Where possible, Include documentary proof (in the form of photos and/or documentary evidence) to support your product/service claim. If you claim that a certain investment strategy will make me £10,000 pa, PROVE it to me. If a certain pill will eliminate my hair loss (or whatever), provide evidence to support the claim.
Where possible, provide a FREE sample of your product/service. This is really the ultimate belief builder (in some cases it this is not true eg if you tell me you sell the tastiest apples in the world, but I dislike the taste - you see my point). Generally speaking though, this is an essential aspect of marketing.
Where possible, provide a demonstration. The internet is great for this because you can utilise audio, video; interactive etc to allow your potential customer an insight into your product/service.
Strangely enough, if your product or service has a flaw, admitting this is more likely to endear a customer to you, because by admitting your flaw, you are being honest. This will increase their belief in you as someone to do business with. Believe it, honesty is very powerful, it can only do you good.
In terms of your product, be Specific. Tell people the nitty gritty of your product or service. The more you tell, the more you sell. They ARE interested in detail, they base their purchases on the amount of information they are given. The more doubts you address, the more likely they are to purchase. Inform them!
Try also to make comparisons. Don't knock your competitors, but do compare what you are offering with that of the competition and highlight the benefits they will get if they purchase from you. Ask yourself, given the competition WHY should someone purchase from me? Answer that question and you answer your customers question.
Give a Guarantee. The bigger the better. Give it in writing, the stronger the guarantee, the likely they will buy.
By utililising the above tools, you will build Believability with your potential customers. Many businesses loose customers simply because they fail to instil Believability.
Look at it like this, if you told me you had the best product in the world for (anything), then you would think that I would buy it, right? Wrong, truth is I am Jo average and I hesitate to buy, why? Because I don't believe you!
Michael's website can be found at http://www.CashPool4U.Com. His newsletter is a MUST for both online and offline marketers.
 Google News Updated : Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:13:38 GMT Microsoft's Photosynth wilts under pressure - Computerworld
Computerworld - By Gregg Keizer August 21, 2008 (Computerworld) Within hours of its launch, Microsoft Corp.'s new photo-stitching service went dark, overwhelmed by demand, the company said Thursday afternoon. New Microsoft photo site spends first day offline New Microsoft Tech Converts Photo Soup Into 3-D Image Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:28:59 GMT My Super Sweet 16: The Miley Cyrus Edition - E! Online
E! Online - Miley Cyrus is about to show up all those spoiled brats on My Super Sweet 16 who think they're cool being flown to their party by helicopter or when they're carried in like a princess by a group of hot dudes. Miley Cyrus to Celebrate Turning 16 at Disneyland Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:21:48 GMT GM to Invest $500 Million To Build Chevy Cruze - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By KATHY SHWIFF General Motors Corp. will spend more than $500 million in the US to build the Chevrolet Cruze, a next-generation compact car. GM announces $500M investment for small car GM to invest $500 million in small car plant Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:10:12 GMT Hillary Clinton's Staff Looking to Avoid Embarrassing Anti-Obama ... - FOXNews
FOXNews - Hillary Clinton's staff is trying to avoid an embarrassing anti-Obama demonstration by her supporters during the floor vote at next week's Democratic convention in Denver. Clinton Will Attend Fund-Raiser for Towns Clinton for VP? She Says Ask the Obama Campaign Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:15:16 GMT UPDATE 1-Microsoft enlists Seinfeld for ad campaign--source - Reuters Reuters - By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will star in a $300 million marketing campaign for Microsoft Corp aimed at burnishing the image of its computer operating system, a person familiar with the effort said on Thursday ... Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates to star in anti-Apple ads Seinfeld to be pitchman for Microsoft Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:27:28 GMT IAC Officially Breaks Up - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By DAVID BENOIT and KATHY SHWIFF IAC is left as a collection of more than 35 Internet companies -- including search engine Ask.com, dating site Match. IAC: And Then There Were Five Diller's IAC Split May Fail to Boost Investor Returns (Update2) Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:17:40 GMT Marlins let one slip away in San Francisco - Sports Network
Sports Network - San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg's wild pitch in bottom of the ninth inning scored Emmanuel Burriss to send San Francisco past Florida, 4-3, in the finale of a three-game series. Giants walk off on Gregg's wild pitch Giants beat Marlins on wild pitch in 9th inning Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:33:45 GMT Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... No doubt, online marketing is the fastest way to get... Read More Cold calling doesn't work, it's no fun and often you... Read More You've heard that cliché over and over I'm sure, but... Read More Why is it some people are incredibly successful at utilizing... Read More Real estate has made many people large amounts of money... Read More Many great website concepts are developed, launched... and then flop!... Read More In the early days of web development, business owners had... Read More Everyone seems to be jumping on the internet marketing bandwagon... Read More With the creation of the Internet, it has become easier... Read More NO matter what business you are trying to build online,... Read More Simply put article marketing is advertising your web site through... Read More Whether you are a small company or a larger corporation... Read More Strategic Internet marketing is a way to define your potential... Read More Does your online marketing campaign have a flat tire? Or... Read More One of my goals online is to give you the... Read More The current climate on the internet is very unfavourable to... Read More What's in your name?I'm not trying to be funny here,... Read More You can increase sales and profits by offering freebies to... Read More Weblogs and Podcasting in the Marketing MixIt is rare that... Read More A few things I've learned about doing business on the... Read More Often-overlooked commands can boost sales and project a more professional... Read More The Funnel Theory of Marketing Relies on the fact that... Read More I'm sure you've seen it before, your inbox overflowing with... Read More I, myself, being an internet marketing "newbie" (endearing term used... Read More How did Hotmail gain over 12 million subscribers in 18... Read More
Adsense
websites
Persistence Pays ? Sweet Rewards of Dogged Marketing
The 2 Step Lead Generation Machine
If It Sounds Too Good To Be True
Reap Incredible Profit with This Simple Strategy
Getting Some Good Ol Internet Real Estate
Successful Marketing Using Websites and Why So Many Businesses Get It Wrong
Targeted Traffic is More Important than Ever!
Internet Marketing - Advantages and Disadvantages
How To Create an Offer Your Buyers Will Love
Rocket Your Online Business into the Stratosphere with Captured Leads!
What is Article Marketing?
Planning Your Way to Success
Strategic Internet Marketing Is Planning
Flat Tires, Slow Leaks, and Online Marketing
Dumb Money And Smart Money
10 Ways To Increase Your Ads Efeectiveness
How To Pull Massive Profits From Resale Rights Instantly
How to Turn Freebies in to Sales
Weblogs, Podcasting, and RSS Newsfeeds in the Marketing Mix
A Few Things I?ve Learned About Doing Business On The Internet!
Seven Easy Steps to Boost Your Professional Image With Adobe
Keep those Back end Sales Flowing 24/7 Using The Funnel Theory of Marketing and Automated Tools
Internet Marketing, Fact Or Fiction?
Do?s and Don?ts for the Internet Marketing Newbie (Part 1)
The Power of Buzz
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
What the Heck Does Vincent van Gogh Have To Do With Internet Marketing?
Nothing and Everything!Tucked discreetly away on my modest marketing website... Read More
Internet Marketing Online: Secret To Gain An Advantage Over Your Competition By Using Bartering
If you've a business, you must always keep an eye... Read More
Dramatically Boost Your Exposure With A Press Release
Do you have a website but seem puzzled to how... Read More
Sex and the Gods of Internet Marketing
Whenever I mention my occupation to a non-wired person, it... Read More
How to Get $250,000 Worth of Free Advertising for Your Business
You and I know that whenever you have a business,... Read More
Do You Market To These Emotions Online?
What can Mother Theresa and Charles Schwab teach you about... Read More
10 Scorching Ways To Heat Up Your Sales
1. Email each visitor a satisfaction questionnaire after they purchase.... Read More
Dealing with Refund Requests ? Internet Marketing
I think we all cringe and dread when we open... Read More
8 Myths About Online Marketing
These myths about online marketing. Seasoned marketers and beginners alike... Read More
The Deadly Sin Of Inaction
"There is difference between knowing the path and walking the... Read More
Holiday / Vacation Time But What About Your Online Business?
For many of us, it is time to start thinking... Read More
Internet Marketing: 10 Hypnotic Psychological Desires To Empower And Make Your Ad Irresistible
Psychology is the engine that drives human behavior.You can't make... Read More
10 Ways To Make Your Sales Soaring
1. Maximize the effectiveness of your banner ads. Don't just... Read More
Internet Marketing - Advantages and Disadvantages
Everyone seems to be jumping on the internet marketing bandwagon... Read More
Internet Marketing
Is internet marketing something for you? Do you dream about... Read More
A Few Things I?ve Learned About Doing Business On The Internet!
A few things I've learned about doing business on the... Read More
3 Highly Effective Strategies To Power Up Your Business in 2005
Whatever your business resolutions may be for this year, you... Read More
Big Advertising Mistake - Dont Do This and It Will Save Your Advertising Budget!
Advertising plays an important role in your business (every business,... Read More
DOI, a Proven Marketing Tool for Driving Traffic and Increasing Search Engine Rankings
The Digital Object Identifier otherwise known as the DOI is... Read More
A Website Model That Makes Money Online
I would like to share with you one simple stratergy... Read More
How To Make Your Market Throw Their Money At You!
The use of free, relevant and meaningful content can single... Read More
The Internet F-Word
For the last several months I've been collecting and organizing... Read More
Online Business Mistakes
Everybody makes mistakes, but nobody likes to talk about them.... Read More
Setting Your Online Business Up for Success!
There is a common misconception that an "online business" requires... Read More
Idiotic Marketers Who Waste Time Should be Shot
Ok, that's a little harsh for a title but you... Read More
Internet Marketing |