Friday, September 7, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
3 Tips to Sell with Your Headlines
Tips For Creating Powerful Headlines That Sell
You have mere seconds to capture a prospect's attention. One of the single most powerful tools you have to accomplish this task is your headline. There are several keys to a compelling, and selling, headline and a few tips to help you get the job done.
#1 Tap into Your Prospects' Emotions
According to psychologists our buying decisions are based first and foremost on our emotions. Use headlines which offer your readers a strong emotional benefit or reaction. Some possible emotions are:
For example, The 20-Minute Step that Will Make You a Business Genius taps into readers' desires to feel smart and powerful.
Other emotions you can tap into are a desire to feel:
1. Attractive
2. Sexy
3. Assertive
4. Confident
5. Energetic
6. Pampered
7. A sense of belonging
8. In control of their own destiny
9. Wealthy
10. Proud
11. Respected
12. Safe
#2 Make it Active
To compel it's important to use active language - language that shows movement and commands attention.
For example, "Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This Simple Step," is a fine headline however it doesn't command action nor does it really tap into any emotions. However, "Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step." Conquer is an active and emotionally powerful word. Readers receive the benefit of feeling powerful and in control and it commands action.
#3 Let Your Reader Know They're Important
The word YOU is a very powerful word. It let's your reader's feel as if you're talking to them specifically and interested in solving their problems, issues and helping them achieve their desires. Instead of using I, Me or We in your headlines, use You. Using the headline example above compare the two options
"Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step.
"Conquer Sugar Cravings with Our System"
People want to know what's in it for them and when they can assess that information in the headline, they're going to be compelled to continue reading your copy and making a purchase.
Here are three more ideas for powerful headlines:
* Make a promise - Earn $1000 a day
* Make it newsworthy - New program guarantees you'll earn $1000 a day.
* Ask a question – Do you want to ensure your financial future?
Three Simple Steps to Write Headlines That Sell
So now you have some ideas about what types of headlines sell, how do you begin to write those powerful headlines?
Step One – Get to know your audience intimately. What are their hopes, dreams, desires, and problems? Understanding your audience will help you create an emotional and powerful headline directed specifically at your audience.
Step Two – Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects' lives better or solve their problems. For example if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with feeling attractive then you can create a headline that highlights a specific benefit your fitness equipment offers to solve that problem.
Step Three – Write ten to twenty, yes twenty, possible headlines. Not only will this give you practice writing compelling headlines, it'll help you hone in on that perfect headline. And if you think you have a few winners you can always test them for conversion rates to find out which headline is more effective.
Marketing and copywriting experts consider your headline to be the most import element of any effective marketing piece. Take the time to craft a compelling, and selling, headline and you'll reap the benefits for years to come.
You have mere seconds to capture a prospect's attention. One of the single most powerful tools you have to accomplish this task is your headline. There are several keys to a compelling, and selling, headline and a few tips to help you get the job done.
#1 Tap into Your Prospects' Emotions
According to psychologists our buying decisions are based first and foremost on our emotions. Use headlines which offer your readers a strong emotional benefit or reaction. Some possible emotions are:
For example, The 20-Minute Step that Will Make You a Business Genius taps into readers' desires to feel smart and powerful.
Other emotions you can tap into are a desire to feel:
1. Attractive
2. Sexy
3. Assertive
4. Confident
5. Energetic
6. Pampered
7. A sense of belonging
8. In control of their own destiny
9. Wealthy
10. Proud
11. Respected
12. Safe
#2 Make it Active
To compel it's important to use active language - language that shows movement and commands attention.
For example, "Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This Simple Step," is a fine headline however it doesn't command action nor does it really tap into any emotions. However, "Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step." Conquer is an active and emotionally powerful word. Readers receive the benefit of feeling powerful and in control and it commands action.
#3 Let Your Reader Know They're Important
The word YOU is a very powerful word. It let's your reader's feel as if you're talking to them specifically and interested in solving their problems, issues and helping them achieve their desires. Instead of using I, Me or We in your headlines, use You. Using the headline example above compare the two options
"Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step.
"Conquer Sugar Cravings with Our System"
People want to know what's in it for them and when they can assess that information in the headline, they're going to be compelled to continue reading your copy and making a purchase.
Here are three more ideas for powerful headlines:
* Make a promise - Earn $1000 a day
* Make it newsworthy - New program guarantees you'll earn $1000 a day.
* Ask a question – Do you want to ensure your financial future?
Three Simple Steps to Write Headlines That Sell
So now you have some ideas about what types of headlines sell, how do you begin to write those powerful headlines?
Step One – Get to know your audience intimately. What are their hopes, dreams, desires, and problems? Understanding your audience will help you create an emotional and powerful headline directed specifically at your audience.
Step Two – Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects' lives better or solve their problems. For example if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with feeling attractive then you can create a headline that highlights a specific benefit your fitness equipment offers to solve that problem.
Step Three – Write ten to twenty, yes twenty, possible headlines. Not only will this give you practice writing compelling headlines, it'll help you hone in on that perfect headline. And if you think you have a few winners you can always test them for conversion rates to find out which headline is more effective.
Marketing and copywriting experts consider your headline to be the most import element of any effective marketing piece. Take the time to craft a compelling, and selling, headline and you'll reap the benefits for years to come.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
A “KISS” for Profits and Cash Flow
Simple Marketing Tactics that Drive Sales
The “K.I.S.S.” method has been a tried and true rule forever in many areas in life and business. For this article, The KISS method stands for: Keep It Simple for Sales!
Marketing tactics can be extremely complex or quite simple. Ironically, the simple tactics are the ones that are most effective and successful. Value-added headlines, informative content, and visual appeal are simple tactics that can drive conversions and sales.
For example, one simple tactic is to make it quick and easy for web visitors and customers to view information on your website. Allowing adequate white space, creating short sentences, and keeping enough space between words, sentences, and paragraphs will make your site more appealing.
In addition, the strategic use of keywords and keyword phrases will attract search engines and keep site visitors scanning your content. Words that demonstrate how your product adds value will capture attention and focus the reader on “what’s in it for them”.
And these are also valuable search engine optimization techniques that will drive visitors to your website.
Simple marketing tactics
A very important tactic is to make everything simple. Some recommended options include:
1. Bulleted or numbered lists (like this one)
2. Use of bold to highlight keywords or important benefits (use sparingly to ensure emphasis without over-use)
3. Subheadings to create a logical flow and to break large blocks of content
4. Titles and subheadings in ‘sentence case’ since capitalizing most words tends to break attention span and create confusion
5. Graphics or pictures that are clearly relevant to the product and that showcase benefits and value
6. Highlighting unique information, benefits and value by using ‘call out boxes’, ‘pull quotes’ and other design elements
7. Since people tend to scan web pages rather than read them, snippets or short phrases with important information become vital for website content. People need to get the message quickly without having to think hard about what is being presented. Making sentences overly long or complex tends to be a distraction and you’ll lose the site visitor’s attention quickly.
These are just some of the recommended options when creating website content.
Not only is it important to integrate many of the basic and advanced marketing tactics into your marketing plan, it is also vital to include methods of testing their effectiveness. Watching and monitoring statistics that indicate how long visitors remain on your pages, among other measures of success, will help you refine marketing tactics and improve your marketing strategy.
Once you deploy some of the more advanced marketing tactics that are proven effective you will begin to see conversions increase quickly. And increased conversion rates lead to higher sales and repeat business.
Advanced marketing tactics include options such as the use of powerful copy that attracts readers, inclusion of questions that help you lead customers toward sales, and using authority positioning to increase site integrity and credibility.
If you’re searching for ways to grow your business, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to evaluate marketing tactics that will put you on the super-highway to success. Evaluate what others have already tested and proven successful. Create the winning formula for your website and enjoy the success that comes from hard work and vision.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Positioning as an Authority for Marketing Success
Positioning as an Authority for Marketing Success
Online users are searching the Internet for information, products, and services every minute of every day. With the intense competition and wealth of information available on the Internet, people do not want to spend their time visiting a site that they do not believe is high quality, credible, and worthy of their time. They’ll allow you 8 seconds to grab their attention and that starts the beginning of a relationship – or breaks it.
Proven marketing tactics become increasingly valuable today with the increased competition and skepticism of many web users. If visitors do not perceive a site is high integrity, they quickly click their heels and scamper to another website because they know there are many more.
But people who believe your site has something valuable to offer and that is highly credible will stay around long enough to learn more. They’ll search your content for more information and as they become more intrigued by the content they begin to trust you and what you have to say. If you’ve deployed a marketing tactic that establishes your credibility, you are ahead of the race.
Think about your own buying patterns. If you do not believe you can trust a business, you are most likely to avoid stopping by to browse the products. It doesn’t matter if the business is offline or online. You want to know that you are talking to an expert in the niche.
And that’s how online web users feel too.
There are too many credible resources for them to waste their time on a site that does not meet their expectations of quality and credibility.
So, exactly how do you increase your credibility and attract a wider audience?
First of all, you must position yourself as an authority and as someone who truly understands what the customer needs. You must quickly develop a sense of authority by including valuable information, data, statistics, and compelling content on your website. It’s not just about the product you have to offer, but it’s about your own ability to respond to their needs and questions.
And it’s about your personal experience with the particular niche.
Having credentials related to a particular field can go a long way towards increasing credibility.
But so can experience and connections through a network of similar experts. Many marketers fear the mention of other experts in their field because they assume they will lose business to them. But people appreciate a marketer who is confident enough to talk about others who offer solutions. It actually increases your credibility and helps build a sense of loyalty.
When people know they can come to you for answers and that you will also redirect them to other credible resources, they are most likely to see you as a partner. Having relevant links to reputable websites that also offers information and solutions on a particular niche actually increases your credibility as an expert in the field.
In today’s world of technology, people have a vast array of resources available to them through the Internet. They don’t have to settle for one product or service anymore. They have freedom and flexibility to shop around and if they do not believe your site or products are credible, they will do exactly that.
Before you lose another customer to the click of a mouse, check your own content and information to see if it exudes confidence and credibility. If not, it’s time for an over-haul of marketing tactics that position you as an expert in the field.
Marketing tactics that include positioning yourself as an authority are more likely to land you at the finish line as the winner.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
BrianTracy.com | Achieve All Your Goals and Be Successful
This is the BEST Info and step-by-step guide...
BrianTracy.com | Achieve All Your Goals and Be Successful
BrianTracy.com | Achieve All Your Goals and Be Successful
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Creative vs Directional: Create Demand or Respond to it?
Both Creative and Directional advertising are important to the
successful marketing and sales effort of any business or organization.
Generally, with creative (TV, Radio,Newspaper, Billboard) you are
"creating" the need by selling yourself. You need to have a strong,
compelling, time-sensitive offer, and persuade customers to buy now
rather than later or not at all. With directional (Search Engine
Marketing,Internet Yellow Pages, print and online directories,
Pay-per-click, Pay-per-action, direct response) you are "directing" an
existing need by helping customers buy. You need to be found, then
chosen.
I am firmly convinced that step one to any successful marketing platform is a strong directional advertising foundation. Before you need to worry about persuading or enticing a prospect to buy, you absolutely need to be able to allow prospects who are ready to buy right now...buy from you now. You need to be found, then chosen. You get found by where you are, you get chosen by what you say. The great part is that the very info you use to describe yourself (your uniqueness, what you do, how you do it and even why you do it) will automatically direct prospects who value and appreciate your approach, who "get you" to respond. It will probably also screen out those who don't think like you, but that's OK. You don't need everyone. The prospects who respond because they appreciate what you do and how you do it will spend more money, more often and be more enjoyable to work with over their lifetime value as a customer. They will also become more then just referral points, they will be advocates for you and your business.
Once you have that rock-solid foundation of directing ready-to-buy customers, THEN any creative advertising will be more efficient because the prospects whom you can't incentivize to act now, will hopefully at least, now have your name in their brain. When they have a need, your directional advertising can help convert them into customers
Here's a list I found regarding creative advertising and the number of times and advertisement is seen by a prospect:
1. The first time a man looks at an advertisement, he does not see it.
2. The second time, he does not notice it.
3. The third time, he is conscious of its existence.
4. The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it before.
5. The fifth time, he reads it.
6. The sixth time, he turns up his nose at it.
7. The seventh time, he reads it through and says, “Oh brother!”
8. The eighth time, he says, “Here’s that confounded thing again!”
9. The ninth time, he wonders if it amounts to anything.
10. The tenth time, he asks his neighbor if he has tried it.
11. The eleventh time, he wonders how the advertiser makes it pay.
12. The twelfth time, he thinks it must be a good thing.
13. The thirteenth time, he thinks perhaps it might be worth something.
14. The fourteenth time, he remembers wanting such a thing a long time.
15. The fifteenth time, he is tantalized because he cannot afford to buy it.
16. The sixteenth time, he thinks he will buy it some day.
17. The seventeenth time, he makes a memorandum to buy it.
18. The eighteenth time, he swears at his poverty.
19. The nineteenth time, he counts his money carefully.
20. The twentieth time he sees the ad, he buys what it is offering.
Thomas Smith, London, l885
Yes, from 1885! Creative works and can work BIG, especially with a good directional foundation
I am firmly convinced that step one to any successful marketing platform is a strong directional advertising foundation. Before you need to worry about persuading or enticing a prospect to buy, you absolutely need to be able to allow prospects who are ready to buy right now...buy from you now. You need to be found, then chosen. You get found by where you are, you get chosen by what you say. The great part is that the very info you use to describe yourself (your uniqueness, what you do, how you do it and even why you do it) will automatically direct prospects who value and appreciate your approach, who "get you" to respond. It will probably also screen out those who don't think like you, but that's OK. You don't need everyone. The prospects who respond because they appreciate what you do and how you do it will spend more money, more often and be more enjoyable to work with over their lifetime value as a customer. They will also become more then just referral points, they will be advocates for you and your business.
Once you have that rock-solid foundation of directing ready-to-buy customers, THEN any creative advertising will be more efficient because the prospects whom you can't incentivize to act now, will hopefully at least, now have your name in their brain. When they have a need, your directional advertising can help convert them into customers
Here's a list I found regarding creative advertising and the number of times and advertisement is seen by a prospect:
1. The first time a man looks at an advertisement, he does not see it.
2. The second time, he does not notice it.
3. The third time, he is conscious of its existence.
4. The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it before.
5. The fifth time, he reads it.
6. The sixth time, he turns up his nose at it.
7. The seventh time, he reads it through and says, “Oh brother!”
8. The eighth time, he says, “Here’s that confounded thing again!”
9. The ninth time, he wonders if it amounts to anything.
10. The tenth time, he asks his neighbor if he has tried it.
11. The eleventh time, he wonders how the advertiser makes it pay.
12. The twelfth time, he thinks it must be a good thing.
13. The thirteenth time, he thinks perhaps it might be worth something.
14. The fourteenth time, he remembers wanting such a thing a long time.
15. The fifteenth time, he is tantalized because he cannot afford to buy it.
16. The sixteenth time, he thinks he will buy it some day.
17. The seventeenth time, he makes a memorandum to buy it.
18. The eighteenth time, he swears at his poverty.
19. The nineteenth time, he counts his money carefully.
20. The twentieth time he sees the ad, he buys what it is offering.
Thomas Smith, London, l885
Yes, from 1885! Creative works and can work BIG, especially with a good directional foundation
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
How to Succeed with Proven Marketing Tactics
Successful Marketing with
Proven Marketing Tactics
Offline and
Online marketing both are the result of ambition, determination, commitment,
and a desire to succeed. It’s also dependent on successful marketing tactics
that attract visitors, drive sales, and retain long-term loyal customers.
Turbo-marketers are highly focused on advanced marketing tactics that enable
them to successfully grow an online business. They are the leaders and winners
in the world of online marketing and sales. The worlds of online and offline
marketing can be very different, yet both rely on basic, proven strategies and
tactics
The good
news is that there have been many people who have tried, failed, tried again,
failed again, and finally succeeded in identifying the most effective marketing
tactics for an online business. Learning
from the mistakes and successes of other thriving marketers gives today’s
marketers the ability to come out of the gate running -- and with some ambition
and hard work, move ahead of the pack
to become a leader. You never really want to be re-inventing the wheel, but you
can creatively apply proven success techniques to your business
Establish goals
This makes
it critical to envision the success of your business and know what you want to
accomplish through your marketing tactics. Goals lead to strategies and then to
tactics.
Before you
take the first step on your online journey to successful entrepreneurship,
establish your goals and objectives. Plant them firmly in your mind and
envision yourself succeeding. Starting with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude is
the best way to start any business or venture. Once you have your goals for
success implanted in your mind, it’s time to get started on the journey of a lifetime
Take action
One of the
first rules of online marketing is to take action.
The web is a
dynamic, rapidly-growing medium where businesses are created every day. If you
sit and think about what you are going to do every day and never take action,
you will never get where you want to go. Marketing tactics are useless unless
you take action and execute them.
This takes
us to the next critical point of online marketing. You must know and understand
where you want to go before you begin your journey. Without a clear
understanding of where you want to go, how do you know what you need to do? How
do you create tactics and take action?
Define your business
Starting
your online business means understanding what your business is all about. What
is it you want to accomplish? What do you need to do to reach your goals? What
marketing tactics will help you succeed?
Success is
heavily dependent on your ability to dissect and understand your business. You
must be the expert in your niche and you must carefully evaluate what your
customers want. Once you identify what they want, it is essential to determine
how you can deliver those results for customers.
Basic marketing tactics
Now that you
have your business firmly outlined and clarified, deploying basic tactics is
next on the list. And that starts with knowing how to market what you have to
offer. Basic marketing tactics include:
1.
Creating
a ‘brand’ or identity around your product
2.
Creating
a simple marketing message
3.
Establishing
a credible website
4.
Creating
a presence as an expert in a niche
5.
Defining
the benefits or value of what you have to offer
6.
Deploying
search engine optimization techniques (SEO) to attract and drive traffic
These are
some of the early, basic marketing tactics that must be mastered. As your
marketing plan unfolds, integration of more advanced marketing tactics will
enhance your online presence and position. They will also further the growth of
your business through the use of proven techniques that create a unique value
proposition for the targeted audience.
Build your
business step-by-step and do your homework to evaluate the most effective
marketing tactics available. Learn from other successful marketers and save
yourself weeks, months, and years of effort by taking advantage of proven
techniques whenever possible.
The sooner
you know where you want to go, the sooner you will arrive.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Marketing ROI through Customer Relationships
9 Tactics to Create
Strong Customer Relationships
There is ONE
absolute in the world of marketing. No matter if it is in traditional, web or
social media. There is NO SUBSTITUTE for taking care of your customers. Your
goal should not be to satisfy your customers, but to AMAZE them. If you do that
one thing exceptionally well, every other marketing, sales, or promotional
activity will yield efficient and effective results. Offline or Online users
are always searching for something of value to them. Whether it’s information,
products, or services, they are looking for an answer to a question or a
problem. Online marketing tactics are especially important with the increase in
competition across the world wide web.
One of the
most important aspects of building any business is to create a business that
values and appreciates customers and potential customers. This means marketing
tactics that build a strong, trusting relationship with customers are
important. Building trust starts with the first encounter with your
receptionist, greeter and website and continues with every single subsequent
interaction.
According to
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Daniel Kahneman, we experience approximately
20,000 moments each and every day. A moment is the few seconds it takes for the
brain to evaluate and record an experience. These experiences can be either
positive or negative and your website, headlines, content, or responses can
make a huge difference in how people record the experience – and their reaction
also determines what people do next.
When people
visit your web site, they quickly scan the headline to see if they want to read
more. They continue reading if they are engaged and intrigued and they want to
learn more about what you have to say. This is a great place to start building
a relationship with customers. Be sure that you say what you have to offer and
do not make false promises or you’ll lose customers quickly.
It’s
important to build this connection with customers and website visitors to gain
their commitment and loyalty. They will also become tremendous assets as their
trust grows and they promote and advertise your website to their friends,
colleagues, and social network.
Relationship
marketing is a valuable marketing tactic for online entrepreneurs. It has been
an important part of sales in the off-line world for decades and now it has
found its way to the Internet.
But building a relationship online is
different than having a face-to-face discussion and opportunity to persuade
potential customers to make a purchase.
Some of the
most effective tips and methods deployed to begin building a positive
relationship include:
1.
Make
every customer interaction count.
2.
Follow-through
on commitments and claims about products or services.
3.
Offer
benefits and product value that responds to the customer’s desires.
4.
Treat
customers as individuals who are respected and valued.
5.
Listen
to customers – even complaints can be a gift if handled properly and quickly.
6.
Be
available and accessible when customers have questions, concerns, or comments.
7.
Surround
your customers with valuable information by using emails, website content,
social media, and other methods of outreach – but do not be invasive.
8.
Make
your website user-friendly and easy to navigate for new and existing customers.
9.
Create
a blog about your business where discussion is more casual and inviting.
Relationship-marketing
is not just a fad. It’s here to stay and people want to know that they are
valued and appreciated as an individual. Creating long-lasting relationships
helps to ensure long-lasting customers and repeat sales. It also encourages
existing customers to refer their colleagues, friends, and others to your
website.
Don’t take a
single customer for granted. Each and every interaction with a customer is a
gift and should be valued. If it weren’t already a great “life principal”,
treating people well and respecting them would be the best thing you could
invent to do, to ensure marketing and sales results
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Google SEO: 52 New Changes to Know - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
From the "You can't fool Google anymore" file...
Google SEO: 52 New Changes to Know - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
Google SEO: 52 New Changes to Know - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
Monday, May 14, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)