BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi,

Happy New Year Everybody.

I got a Copywriting Puzzle. I could use some help with.

You can Help us help a friend.

And Get a FREE copy of our 20.00 Report, "100 Million Dollar Movies and How to Boost Your Copywriting Results with them." A Reward or Bribe for giving us Your Opinion.

A School teacher asked us to help her adapt and sell information from several books she wrote but has not sold yet - on Ebay.

Here's the PUZZLE:

We wrote the offer about an idea in one of Seraphina's books. How she and teachers she coaches use a trick she Thought up to Get ABSOLUTE QUIET in 5 to 10 seconds - from any size group. Any age. 5 people or 500+

We named her strategy the "NOISE THERMOMETER."

E-mailed the sales letter to her.

She posted it on Ebay as a 7 day auction. For some reason, hours passed and we couldn't find her auction. So Under my own SELLER ID - I put up a
"Buy it now" version of the exact same sales letter.

"Noise Thermometer Guide on How to Get People to SHUT UP"

But I made a Mistake.

Used A Totally Different and WRONG Picture at the top.

A Blonde Doll.

Here's the Puzzle and
Why We're Offering a
BRIBE for your OPINION. (Maybe you'll spot something we're too close to see)

Even though both auction offers are the SAME. The auction with the WRONG Photo. The Blonde Doll Color Photo. Has sold 3 books in a couple days.

The correct photo auction has not one single bid.

Opinions?
Ideas?
Suggestions?

Auction Version #1 - No mistakes:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Noise-Thermomete...3A1%7C294%3A50


Auction Version#2 - My GOOF - Photo doesn't match the Description:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Noise-Thermomete... yphotohosting

Thanks,
Glenn Osborn

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi Glenn

Happy New Year!

Thanks for reminding me of the ebay auction world :-> I used to be very active on there for about 2-3 years. So I checked out the 2 ads and here are some thoughts as to why you made sales.

While Your Offer May be the same...The auction listing are VASTLY different thus you are NOT comparing apples to apples.

Here's why:

#1 User Id's are different

version #1 auction id "4suceessnow" is TOO new with 0 feedback vs
gomarket1 with 760 feedback AND an about me

My thoughts:

YOUR user id "gomarket1" would create more TRUST in a potential buyer. Why? because you have the following Trust elements:

1) Feedback, 2) "About me" page 3)You are selling similar products and 4) under "view sellers other items eg. "Forbidden NLP titles" 5) I'm sure
you have completed items with sales(but i did not check)


#2 Attention Grabbing Factor of the PICs is Different (in my opinion)

That DOLL looks like something out of the movie Poltergeist. In fact the DOLL
Looks POSSESSED or Hypnotized.

My thoughts: If you look at this from a searcher point of view:
# Buy ># Everything Else ># Weird Stuff ># Totally Bizarre >

I think the Doll would outpull that OTHER PICs as well as some of the other "Casino and make money type pics", because it looks WEIRD and is Different to the rest.The doll also fits the "Magic" theme in subhead.

Speaking of "Subheads"

#3 The Subheads are Different

version #1 Control People-TORTURED tested by a teacher

VS

version #2 Magic Visual-Auditory-FEELINGS Crowd Control in Seconds

My Thoughts: Does the Second one pull better?

#4 The "Buy-it-Now" button vs No button makes a BIG difference

Why?

* Psychologically speaking it SATISFIES my need for INSTANT GRATIFICATION. It is an IMPULSE BUY. Especially since you created Intense
CURIOUSITY through the copy. I'm sure you can explain this in NLP terms
*Unlike the other auction, people may NOT want to WAIT an entire week before they get the info
* The "Buy-It-Now" button establishes a price in the mind of $21.38 thus putting a VALUE on the material

How many units were made available under the buy it now option? Could be creating scarcity if the # available for sale was low ie. if 5 or less were available that could explain the influx of the first 3 sales (I didn't check the number of units available.

* Depending on how people SORT their auction listings, it may show up "higher"in the search results which means MORE visitors to your auction

**BIG TIP: I used to put up Multiple One Day Auctions 7 times or MORE a week vs doing ONLY One 7 days auction and hoping sales were made.

Why? At the time the default setting was "Sort by Ending time" :D My ad was ALWAYS at the top of the searches:D (some other reasons too but you get the point) **END of BIG TIP**

#5 Were the Auction START and END Dates the same? Same time?

Answer:

NOPE! One was started on a Sunday, the other Monday. This could play a factor because IF your ad is Both "NEW" and Placed in a "PEAK" time it will be SEEN MORE. ( see TIP above)

O.K There are some other differences, but those were some Major ones to consider.

Suggestions and Action Steps

1. Repost BOTH Ads at the same day and time under YOUR user id. ONLY change the picture
2. Monitor the # of visitors to each page using a counter (I used to use a good one that tracks the keywords people used to come to my auctions as well as # of visitors and more. I believe ebay has a similar counter tool which does this now.)
3. Try the "Big Tip" above in this "Weird" Market niche (monitor your profit of course)

Happy New Year

Duane Mr. "Auctions were my friend" Adolph

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Interesting.

Thanks Glenn.

Can't be too sure. But maybe the reason could be that your ebay rating is high while the no-mistake ebay seller has no rating. In essence: its not the picture that made the difference. Its You.

Besides that, the only reason I can think of is - seeing a doll picture under the Bizarre category gets at least three times as many people to click and open an ebay product page. Nah...

(Crossed paths with Duane as I started writing the post before he had published his. In hindsight - I should have kept quite. Duane covers all the points - and in a much better way...)

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi, Glenn - for me, the problem starts (and stops) with the formatting - I simply cannot read it. I'm working up something for you and will send you it by pm later tonight.

Margaret

Thank You Duane - Did You Get Your BRIBE - Ok?
 

Dear Duane,

Thanks.

Did you get the "100 Million dollar movie list" I sent you for Your comments?

I created the Special Report after I discovered that #1 Copywriter Eugene Schwartz strongly suggested watching such movies - then using them in your sales letters.

Radically JUMPED response. (It worked for me.)

AND Thanks for all the ideas...

Since Ebay is the cheapest, fastest place to test sales copy I've ever found. I plan to test your excellent ideas.

LUV your Multiple listing one day strategy.

I'd forgotten the subheads were different. (Good point there too)

Thanks again,

Glenn

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Dear Ankesh,

Thanks.

Did you get the ""100 Million dollar Movie List Report" I sent you - OK?

I was walking Seraphina thru the Ebay sales format
pages.

Discovered she needed 5 feedbacks before they allow her to use "BUY-it-Now."

So this Test was sort of forced on us.

Makes things interesting, huh?

Glenn

Thanks Margaret - I'm Open to Testing another Format
 

Dear Margaret,

Thanks for the idea.

I was using Garageband or one of those Ebay auction programs with multiple colors and styles and formats.

Hated it.

AND my auction sales sank when the format got too CUTE.

So I'll test what you suggest, sure.

Glenn

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Glenn,

Just for your "For What It's Worth" file, I visited your website, then visited a dozen others.

Your site is the only one that bleeds off the right side of the screen so that I
have to scroll right in order to read everything.

You might want to cut down on the width. 650 is a good size to use.

Pete

Brussel Sprouts Are Easier
 

Glenn,

Thanks for asking.

#1: The doll creeps me out. I would avoid your auction just because of that.

#2: The text formating is different. In yours the testimonials - and the questions to which she answered yes - are clearly segmented with double lines. In hers, there is no segmentation.

You have Bold items where she has none.

The beginning of yours - short brunette people - is different to hers - invisible book. Same with the Invented By Teacher vs Invisible way to shut people up.

#3: Her page layout is worse on the eye than yours - even though they are similar. Ebay is Easy Going on html. Just a small 600 wide table (centered on the page) into which your text is placed will help the reader. Nothing fancy. A html table is pretty easy even for a html-phobe - so no excuses here.

#4: Duane already touched on the About Me and Buy Now. But to add to the feedback... not only does she have No Feedback, her account is New.

#5: It's not unwanted xmas dinner brussle sprouts
http://cgi.ebay.com/A-PAIR-OF-UNWANT...1%7C240%3A1318

Michael Ross

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Seasons Greetings Everyone:
The copy is very strange. Even unbelievable! That photo of the guy is weird. It could literally run the youngin's right out the classroom. Why would anyone need a Noise Thermometer? especially a Teacher??? Keep your eyes open and watch your wallet! I taught for over 15 years in an Urban Public school. First time seeing something like this. But... It really GRABS your ATTENTION!

Peace and Love for you in the New Year 2009.

DonSonic

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Dear Pete,

Thanks.

I didn't know any websites were "bleeding" and I DO wanna stop it.

Which site is too wide?

I'll send you the ""100 million dollar Movie Report"" for telling me.

Thanks,
glenn

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi,

Hi Glen,

There are a lot of reasons why one auction will out sell another.
Here in Utah a guy that was selling his motor cycle had more bids and more people visiting his ad than anything before.(See ksl.com) A free television sponsered sales site.
He said he had to sell it because his wife had not given him permission to buy it in the first place. He also used some sarcasim in it that was quite funny. He ended up getting more than he thought he would get.
I'll look it up and send you a copy.

Thanks
Lamarr

Re: Michael - What is an HTML Table?
 

Dear Michael,

Thanks.

Good stuff.

What is an html table? I memorized the basic html codes. But must have missed out on the html table to control the page width.

Glenn

I LAUGHED Out Loud- When you said, "the Doll Creeped me Out"
 

Dear Michael,

Thanks for that.

But I wasn't intentionally trying to creep you out with the Weird Doll pic.

You, however.

The Wet, slimy Brussel Sprouts auction photos of YOURS.

Those were creepy.

Thanks,
Glenn

P.S. - Did you get the list of 100 million dollar movie BRIBE Report - ok?

The UGLY Doll Sold another Book-The NEW Auction Link is Here
 

Dear Michael,

Thanks for your insight into the Ugly - Creep Doll.

She Just sold another book.

Here's a link to the Auction now. Since the other one went bye-bye and got bought...

This is great.

We're Making mistakes like crazy - but selling books anyway.

Glenn

http://cgi.ebay.com/Noise-Thermomete...1%7C240%3A1318

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

The doll looks hypnotized.
"Buy it now" gives a set price, which could add up to value in the customer's mind.
Your seller ID shows 100% customer satisfaction with longevity.

My two cents.

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi Glenn,

All the Best for 2009!

Glad to see that you're trying in Canada too... Although only partially En Français... :)
http://cgi.cafr.ebay.ca/Noise-Thermo...em120356346139

Might be worth Testing out a few more of the 30 other countries, maybe translated into Multilingual languages...
http://global.ebay.com/guides/selling

Not perfect But it does the job and works pretty good... Multilingual language translations for ebooks etc. will continue to be a Big growing trend...
http://www.google.com/language_tools

I know you regularly Love doing Weird and Successful marketing campaigns on Ebay...

But as a few have hinted and since it's Kids and Teacher related... Testing the idea with a variety of differently focused Images might be something worth considering... ;)

I'm sure you know all about using the public domain... But just in case you don't, make sure you have this Great image resource in your toolbox...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_...mage_resources

Regarding Pete's comments, try viewing all your web pages with...
http://browsershots.org/

Phil

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi Glenn,

Happy new Year for 2009.

The other points mentioned are excellent!

Just a minor observation I did notice that the Doll advert indicated the page numbers in the book so you had an idea of how much info you would receive/get and there was also a view counter so you could tell that others were viewing/had viewed the auction and this could maybe stir up competition.

David

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Dear Glenn,

Thanks.
***************************
***************************
I see one thing that comes to mind right away that some might not catch.

it is something you use in your writing.

Hope you caught it.

Paul

P.S.

The font and lay out also make a difference.

Paul - Do you Mean The Piles of Testimonials?
 

Dear Paul,

Thanks for your input.

Glenn

Re: Paul - Do you Mean The Piles of Testimonials?
 

Dear Glenn,

**************
**************
No your too far down.

Paul

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Dear Glenn,

In your sales letter you have the large picture of Mingo then the

*********
*********

then your Headline.

Paul

table code
 

Glenn:

Ignore the PM I sent you....table codes below.

Cornell

One solid table - no rows or columns

<table align="center" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

One solid table

</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

.................................................. ....

Table with 2 columns

<table align="center" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Left column

</font></td>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Right column

</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

.................................................. ..

Table with 2 rows and no columns

<table align="center" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td width="650" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Top row

</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="650" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Bottom row

</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

................................................

Table with top row spanning 2 lower columns

<table align="center" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="650" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Top row spanning full table width

</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Lower left hand column

</font></td>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Lower right hand column

</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

.................................................. ..

Table with left and right column at top and row below columns spanning across both columns and full width of table

<table align="center" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Top left column

</font></td>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Top right column

</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="650" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

Bottom row spanning 2 top columns

</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

It Ain't Just Dolls - CLOWNS too. OMG!!!
 

I emailed you some basic table code - I see Cornell has since added some so others can see as well.

Yep. Got the Scooby Do List thing.

I also hate clowns... with their white makeup and fake noses...



And... clowns just aren't right...



Or...



And it's just the tip of the iceberg. These are just a tame sample of how scary clowns can be. There's worse out there. Much worse. {shudder}

Michael Ross

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Glen,

Your #1 version of the auction. All of the content bleeds off to the right of my screen.

I'm using FireFox

Pete

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Dear Cornell,

Thanks.

What is a "Table Code?" in the context of an E-bay salesletter?

What is it used for?

I appreciate the information.

Just don't know what to use it for or How.

Happy New YEar.

Glenn

Re: BRIBE Offered For Feedback on Ebay Auction Sales Letter
 

Hi Glenn:

Hope this explains okay.

You would use the code to position the content on the page.

By using the center atribute the whole table would be centered on the page in the section of the page that is alotted for the text contnent, and by using a setting of 650 and thus restricting the width of the table to only 650 it would mean that your content would not (should not) cause a left to right scroll of the page to be read. The ony exception that might cause scrolling would be if the page area for content was less than 650.

The table code would be added to the template you are using to set up your sales page.

All web pages/templates use tables of some sort for the layout.

Undoubtedly the template you have used for the sales page will have a table ...or part of a table,,,,to alot the spave for your content.

You would insert one of these table codes within that section to control the layout of your content on the page....and because you would be putting this table code within another table or table section it then becomes known as a nested table because you have nested it within another table.

When you look at the html code on the page where you are going to insert your content you will see one of the folloeing just above that point.....

<table width="xxx">
<tr>
<td> you would be adding your content at this point

or

<td> you would be adding your content at this point

In either case you would copy and paste one of the table codes right in aftert the <td>

Then in the table code you just inserted you would add your conten between the <td> and the </td> as in the example below....using the code below you would basically have the shate of a T where the top of the T would be the section of content that goes right across the top of your content.....on the left side of | in the T would be the left column, and on the right side of | in the T would be the right column......

<table align="center" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="650" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

You would add your content here that would go across the full width of the table and it would be positioned over top of both the columns that would appear below it.

</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

The content you add here would be in the left hand column

</font></td>
<td width="325" valign="top"><font face="arial" size="2" color="#000000">

The content you add here would be in the right hand column

</font></td>
</tr>
</table>