Re: Here's my 2 cents....
 

> Hi Anya,

> I think the most likely reason is because
> probably "Sowpub" types may not be
> the best fit for the kind of market you
> seek, since most of us here are interested
> in business, writing, investing, and all
> that stuff.... :)

Yes, you're absolutely right! :)

> What I would suggest is try to promote it in
> some places where people who are looking for
> this product would buy it.... For example,
> maybe places where parents might talk about
> problems of having teenage daughters. (This
> is just a guess, you probably have a better
> idea than I do where the target market you
> seek might hang out....) I don't know
> precisely where, but I'm sure there must be
> forums like that somewhere.... You could
> participate in any makeup related
> discussions (which would establish your
> credibility), and always leave a link to
> your site at the end of your posts after
> your name....

Thank you for that, it is a challenge, I've discovered, to find such forums that will let you provide a link with your signature. I've gotten in trouble in the past for doing that at ivillage.com, which is where all the ladies hang out. Darn!

> That's my 2 cents. :)

And it's worth a thousand times that. Thank you!

Anya

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

> Great website/like the colors, graphics
> etc...

Thanks :)

> Now what confuses me: are you selling an
> ebook "directly to teens" or
> "to their
> parents?". It's been my experience
> teens generally
> don't do what their parents want them to do
> when it comes to personal grooming(there are
> exceptions to every rule)

> As teens are sensitive to the
> criticism
> of others I don't think I would mention the
> frustration their parents have with their
> makeup UNLESS you are going to aim your
> ebook
> to the adult population(parents of teens)
> But
> that poses a problem because most teens and
> pre-
> teens seek advice from magazines and their
> peers.

Yes, that's an interesting and very valid point. I have to drag Gordon into this issue, and I hope he doesn't mind..... you need to know that I wrote the copy for the first page on the website, while Gordon wrote the copy for the 2nd and 3rd pages. When I wrote the ebook, I wrote it to and for teens. The only mention of parents in the book is a gentle nudge to not go against their better judgement. It was Gordon, however, that wrote the articles (2nd & 3rd pages on the site) from a parents perspective, and I think (I may be wrong) that he feels that the book will be marketed to parents rather than teens. I'm not sure about this, as we haven't actually started the marketing part of the program yet, and we have to bounce this idea back and forth. But I believe that's where this confusion lies - of who we are marketing to - teens or their parents.

> I think you should hang out in the area of
> the
> internet where teens communicate with one
> another and find out if you have the tips
> they want and if they buy online and market
> your tips to them...but change the title
> and the orientation of your copy on both
> pages
> and aim it at teens directly instead of any
> reference to their parents or what their
> parents think of the way they look.

Yes again, that will have to be looked into. Thanks so much for pointing that out!

> Just my .02

It was worth more!

> p.s: my analysis is not a negative critique
> of your copy but just a suggestion to focus
> more on your market

> I commend your hard work, focus and courage
> to open yourself to the public.

Thanks :)

Anya.

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

James,

Don't ever apologize for giving "negative" advice - I asked for advice, and you've given me a wealth of wonderful wisdom in one post. Thank you - I am printing out your post so I can go through it with a fine-tooth comb and really think about how to implement the ideas you presented.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write all that. It's appreciated more than you know!

Anya.

> Hi Anya,

> I applaud you for creating this ebook, and I
> hesitate to answer your request because I
> don't want to discourage you. But what can
> be more discouraging than no sales and not a
> clue why? I don't think the problem is in
> the product. I believe this is probably an
> excellent product and value, and there is
> obviously a clear need, even desire, for it.

> Although I am not a teenage girl and I don't
> have a teenage daughter (she's 6), I do have
> nieces and young friends who could surely
> benefit from your book. But you're offer
> simply wasn't compelling enough for me to
> purchase it as a gift.

> I happen to be reading Doug Hall's
> "Jump Start Your Business Brain"
> right now, and I think I'll put my answer in
> his terms since they are fresh in my mind.
> He says you must have three things to
> introduce a new product to market:

> 1. Overt Benefit: What's in it for the
> customer. In this case, you leave the overt
> benefit for the target to figure out. And,
> by the way, the real benefit is not looking
> like a million bucks, it is being loved. Or,
> put another way, "Buy This Book and You
> Get the Guy - Any Guy You Want!" Yea, I
> know. When I put it like that it sounds over
> the top, doesn't it? Well, it's reality. Of
> course, you don't want to be so blunt and
> put it in those exact words, but you better
> be able to make that connection between your
> product and her real goal somehow. You want
> to subtly paint a picture or story that
> gently but powerfully lets her make the
> emotional connection.

> 2. Real Reason to Believe: There is some
> credibility that you can deliver what you
> promise, but you need to beef it up. Even
> teens know that regular teens and models do
> not utilize makeup the same way. How does
> your target know you know anything about her
> needs in the real world? Perhaps you could
> make that connection better.

> 3. Dramatic Difference: Here's a real
> problem. There are scores of books,
> booklets, pamphlets, videos, etc. on using
> makeup. Every makeup company offers
> something. The bookstores are full of them.
> The big question is, why is your book
> different and better? Ever one of those
> other books was written by someone who
> claimed to know what they were talking
> about, and they all claim to do the same
> thing yours does. So why should she buy your
> book instead of (or in addition to) the
> others? Is it because they can get what they
> want less expensively? How much less
> expensively? Exactly how much. Can they save
> $21 an ounce on one must have product alone?
> Will they save $647 this year alone? Do your
> methods work better? How much better? Do you
> have any stories of how one of your clients
> got a date, role, job, etc., after receiving
> your help or advice?

> In addition:

> Tell a little more about what's in the book.
> I hope there are a lot of pictures, because
> teens aren't too good at reading and
> interpreting text. And if there are pictures
> and illustrations, for goodness sakes, tell
> them about it. How it will be soooo easy for
> them to follow your advice (while saving
> soooo much money and getting soooo many
> dates).

> You mentioned in the subhead that a teen's
> budget was being taken into account, but
> it's left hanging. The bullets don't support
> it. Throw out a teaser or two like,
> "The item you throw away every day that
> will turn your eyes into love magnets if
> used correctly." OK, maybe a little
> over the top, but you get the idea I'm sure.

> Another approach entirely would be to market
> to grandparents. The boomers have gobs of
> money and love to spend on their grandkids,
> especially if they can help that special
> child who isn't popular get some new friends
> or dates.

> I know this has not been structured as well
> as I would like, and I've left a lot out. I
> also hope I don't come across as being too
> negative. If so, please forgive me. It's
> late and I'm tired.

> James

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

Thank you Jeagan,

No need to apologize for not "voting with your wallet" - I certainly don't consider you to be part of my "target" audience! LOL! :)

Yes, I guess it's a bit backwards to make a product and then try to find a market for it. Well, this was the nature of the program, but I'm not letting myself get too crazy if I dont make any sales - the point is, I LEARNED SOMETHING through Gordon's program, and I'm still learning. This is wonderful! I'm learning to walk, and soon I'll learn to run. Next time around, I'll be thinking more about my "niche" first before I dream up a product. And next time around, I'll be smarter. As long as I keep learning, I'll feel that the experience was valuable.

Thanks for responding,

Anya

> I am responsible for making a couple of hits
> in your website. I have been lead to your
> site by the link at the bottom of one of
> your posts. I was just curious what the 10
> days projects really are but the project
> itself was scracely related to me - have no
> teen girl and I am a male.

> I visited your site when I saw an image of
> your product which is an improvement. It is
> a great improvement from the first one and I
> like it. I have visited your seatosky
> webpage. I have been charmed by the graphics
> and the BC. I suspect I have made additional
> hits as I was browsing your site.

> Sorry Anya for not voting by my wallet.
> Other members have already given you advices
> which I support although my profession is
> not business at the moment.

> I remember Gordon or Bill Myers saying to
> the effect that find your market first and
> make product to suit it. In this case, you
> have made product firtst. However, following
> advices by other members, I am sure you will
> find the decent market and buyers.

> Jeagan Lee

Re: Here's an idea...
 

Actually,

Someone did suggest a variation of this, that I offer a free "sneak preview" of the ebook, in the same manner. Either way could work.

As for your earlier post, maybe you didn't know that my ebook is part of Gordon's "10 Day Mind To Market" trial, and there's a handful of us that got to participate. The idea was to brainstorm a product that we could write about and sell. Perhaps it was done a bit backwards, I don't know. (Hey, I'm learning as I go). But we were supposed to think of a niche where we would market our books. I agree, this forum isn't the place! However, as part of my "homework", I was encouraged to pose the question as to "why you weren't compelled to buy my wonderful product" as a course of learning what works and what doesn't. And so I thank you for your comments, as I am always grateful for the opportunity to learn, and I am so grateful for the patience of veterans such as yourself to help newbies like me along the way.

Anya.

> Offer your report as a FREEBIE to collect
> NAMES of INTERESTED PEOPLE!

> This is called an "Opt-In" list
> and you can use this list of YOUR prospects
> to offer stuff to them
> ad-infinitum....BUT....you FIRST need their
> names and email addys.

> Use the report as a "Sales Letter"
> for something else...a product...a
> "Personal Beauty Consultation" by
> a renowned Teen Beauty Expert...whatever.
> The report is the REASON for prospects to
> give you their Names & Addys then you
> can bombard the heck out of them until they
> either cry "REMOVE!" or BUY!

> DOn Alm

Anya its your lucky day!
 

I have only just read this thread

My daughter Olivia who is 14, is founder of 5 high traffic, world wide boy band fan clubs. Bands such as NSynch, Blue, A1 etc

How is that for a target market?

Now SHE instantly WANTED your book!

So I will do a deal of this millenium

You give her a copy of your book and she will put a prominent link on all five sites

All you will have to do is watch your stats
roll:-)

I expect you will be in touch

Regards
Andy

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

Anya -

To piggyback on Don Alm and Andy Frain's posts - my friends' teenagers are also always on ".wav " sites downloading sound clips from movies, tv, ads, and others for use in their instant messages, cell phones, etc. Might be another source of targeting teens.

While not in your target market (no teen girls around) I applaud your initial effort, and even more your followup efforts in asking for feedback. Keep it up and you'll definitely hit the "right" market.

Bob

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

> My "coach", Gordon Alexander,
> whose 10-day program got me this far with my
> ebook, has suggested I ask this question to
> all who have visited my site (URL below) and
> looked at the sales pitch for my book.

> A little background: According to my site
> counter, I've received over 100 hits at Make
> Up Tips for Teens
> (http://www.seatoskyzine.com/makeup)in the
> past 5 days, and many have come from you
> dear people at sowpub. Yet, with all these
> hits I've had no sales of my ebook. As
> Gordon puts it, "people have not voted
> with their wallets". As part of my
> learning process, he wants me to ask you,
> dear friends, why not?

> Be honest. Why didn't you buy the book? Why
> didn't you vote "yes" with your
> wallets?

> I'm learning how to create a product and
> market it successfuly. You can help me, and
> possibly others who want to do the same
> thing, figure out what makes something sell
> or not.

> I need to know why I didn't succeed in
> selling my product to any of you. Was it the
> site? Was it the "sales pitch"?
> Was it the price of the ebook? Was it the
> cover?

> And no, I'm not trying to guilt anybody into
> buying it! I just want to learn, so I need
> your feedback. Help me complete this part of
> my "homework", by giving me an
> honest evaluation.

> You have my gratitude!

> Thanks,
> Anya.

Hi Anya

I`ve just had a look at your site and I am sure I have seen the reason for you not having any sales.

Move the bulleted list on your order page to your main page,hit your customers with these benefits why they should buy your book straight away.

Good Luck

Roger

Re: Anya its your lucky day!
 

Hello Andy,

Thank you so much for your incredibly generous offer. I have emailed you, so please watch for it!

Thanks again,

Anya.

> I have only just read this thread

> My daughter Olivia who is 14, is founder of
> 5 high traffic, world wide boy band fan
> clubs. Bands such as NSynch, Blue, A1 etc

> How is that for a target market?

> Now SHE instantly WANTED your book!

> So I will do a deal of this millenium

> You give her a copy of your book and she
> will put a prominent link on all five sites

> All you will have to do is watch your stats
> roll:-)

> I expect you will be in touch Regards
> Andy

Bob, thank you....
 

I will check those out.

You know, it was a real risk to my self-respect to come back and ask why nobody bought the product. Even though I took great pains to explain that I wasn't looking for sales by asking the question - just advice, at least one person over at FIB took me the wrong way and chewed me out a little bit. Made me feel really tacky for asking the question. So I am so grateful that you understand this is all about market research, not about trying to "guilt" anyone into buying my product.

So many people here have offered such great words of wisdom, and I am literally soaking it all up like a thirsty sponge.

Thank you so much!

> Anya -

> To piggyback on Don Alm and Andy Frain's
> posts - my friends' teenagers are also
> always on ".wav " sites
> downloading sound clips from movies, tv,
> ads, and others for use in their instant
> messages, cell phones, etc. Might be another
> source of targeting teens.

> While not in your target market (no teen
> girls around) I applaud your initial effort,
> and even more your followup efforts in
> asking for feedback. Keep it up and you'll
> definitely hit the "right" market.

> Bob