After I wrote you the title for this post I stopped and asked myself, “I wonder what kinda weird traffic I’m going to be getting for the term suck ass?” Anyways, it’s the first thing that popped out of my head so I wrote it. Over the last few days I’ve been working on an ebook package to flip – while simultaneously building a mini site template to cut down the amount of time it takes me to crank these babies out. Not only do I hate the tedious aspect of working in HTML, but I also hate how crappy most sales pages are.
I have never in my Internet surfing career (10 years) read a sales page that convinced me I should buy something – and that’s the honest truth. If I’ve ever bought something online, whether it be an info product or a service, it was because I did my research or because I have purchased from that person before.
Here’s the dilemma…
As I’m new to the process of creating my very first info product and campaign, I’ve been searching for related products and sites that I feel are examples of what an up-to-date ebook sales package would look like – and to satisfy my expectations I’ve been continually disappointed. I can’t stand the fact that somewhere in the history of info marketing it was decided that this is what works, and this is what encourages people to purchase your product, or opt in to your list.
I realize that there is a science to copy writing – which is a very complex skill to say the least. Developing your ability to write enticing copy that will convert traffic requires training, and the more I reference recent product launches the more I find myself wanting to vomit at the thought of releasing my own.
Change is needed…
Considering my first info product is going to be an off the wall (naked) guide to better blogging, it would be safe to assume that my buyers will fall under a handful of possible categories:
- Existing bloggers who are looking to blog more efficiently
- Existing bloggers who enjoy my style of writing from TheAtHomeCouple.com (you people)
- New bloggers who can’t seem to get things going
- Word of mouth bloggers that have read my dumb ass comments around the way
- Random newbies who want to start a blog
- All people in general who can’t find a bullshit-free product on effective blogging
More importantly, the success of my first launch will rely heavily on who I know – and what they’re willing to do for me. Yes, I know that a bunch of you will blast it on your blogs, or contact me to arrange some sort of contest – but how vital will the role of sales copy and a mini site play in the greater scheme of things?
SuiteJ was telling me earlier that he genuinely believes that 90% of people who buy a product scroll right down to the price. I agree with him entirely.
I think it would be safe to assume that people buying products within the MMO niche, whether it be on the Warrior Forum or via some autoresponder opt in have already made up their mind whether or not they are going to “show love” and make that purchase. Don’t get me wrong, there are still a whole load of people on this planet who have no idea what copy is, and are just starting to read some things about this “affiliate marketing phenomenon” and how to make money blogging – but what’s percentage of people really read the entire sales page and base their purchase decision on that?
I think there needs to be a change in the way we market within this make money niche. All these “Find Out How A 7 Year Old Retarded Kid Made $3789.77 In One Month By Selling Drool Samples Online” make me sick – and I’m sure there are a ton of newbies who are getting sick of it as well. Guys like Joel Comm and Frank Kern don’t make a killing because of their sales copy – they make a killing because of who they know, and how many people know them.
Perception is everything and the more visible you are to your potential buyers the more likely it is that your launch will be a success. Selling “make money online” products to the make money online niche has little to do with copy, and everything to do with visibility.
The sales page needs to die and we need a revolution.
That’s my opinion.
Cheers,
Elijah
I’ve been doing tons of copy writing lately – for my own launches and promotional landing pages for clients – and one thing I’ve noticed is that I’ve always had a natural gift for putting words together. Sure this isn’t exactly a skill that I’ve been trained in, but it’s becoming more a more apparent that my background in songwriting and music has come 360 and into my writing abilities.