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.




Make-Up Tips for Teens

Here's my 2 cents....
 

Hi Anya,

I had a look at your site (I must have been one of your "hits"!).... But I'm not really in the market you want, since I don't have any teenage children, for example (I'm still unmarried, for one thing)....

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.... :)

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....

I think it's probably mostly a matter of approaching the right target market, and trying to make sure that target market is aware of your product....

That's my 2 cents. :)

- Dien Rice

Re: Here's my 2 cents....
 

Anya, I agree with Dien. With the right market, it'd work well. It's a very interesting subject for teens.
Alexander
JV Specialist


The More Debts You Have, the Faster You Can Get Out

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

Hi Anya,

Like Dien, I was one of those who visited your site. I have a son who is 19 and a daughter who is 5. As Dien pointed out, this isn't where you will find your target market... not really.

100 hits?

There are 7 images and one web page on your homepage. Each of these produces a call on the server and counts for a hit. So 100 hits means about 12 visitors, providing they only looked at the home page.

If what you had received was targeted traffic, rather then general traffic, in all reality if your sales copy is successful you might have gotten 2 sales. When I use to sell off-line, the average was about 1 sale out of three leads. These leads were all targeted to a certain degree. Carl Galleti, who is IMHO a brilliant marketer says you can make two sales off-line for every one, online. So, with great ad copy, you might make 1 sale out of every 6 visitors.

Dien and I were two, untargeted visitors, Gordon, possibly a third. With a random audience it isn't a surprise you didn't make a sale.

You need to offer a commission to other site owners who offer content and products targeted towards teens, and submit articles to publishers who send regular newsletters to your target market. You need to add some stickiness to your website and offer your own newsletter. These things would be a good start.

Then once you're sure your audience is targeted, you can start trying to determine a conversion ratio of visitors to buyers.

Let's not stop there though. If you can make two sales off-line, to every one online, have you considered putting something together that you can sell off-line as well?

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan




homebusiness-websites.com

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

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

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)

I would do research to find out if teens are
interested in makeup tips and if they are ordering
online. 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.

As you know from your personal experience with
modeling schools: teens want tips to look like
a model or help them to become one...Perhaps
you could do an online e/book with these secrets
and leave out any negative references to how
teens look...

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.

Just my .02

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.

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

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?
 

Hi 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

Another example of "Bass-Ackwardness"
 

It never ceases to amaze me that participants on "Marketing" forums miss the FIRST RULE of Marketing (which should be printed in BOLD PRINT at the header of each and every Marketing Forum)
....
the FIRST RULE of Marketing is;

FIND A TARGET MARKET!
THEN...
CREATE A PRODUCT FOR THAT MARKET!

Instead...people are continuously creating products....THEN....trying to find a market to sell them to!

On this board as an example....I will bet there are maybe NO TEENS lurking! So how could someone possibly consider selling a report on "Teenage Makeup"?

I'll never forget a prime example when I was in college at Northwestern Univ in Evanston, Illinois. NU is on the lakefront with nice beaches full of co-eds that draw boys like flies.

As we were sitting there one year, watching the girlies go by....one of the guys said;
"Man O Man...if someone set up a hot dog stand here...they'd make a fortune!"

Well...one of the guys in the group that day logged that thought in and within 2 years HE set up a "Chicago Franks" stand and went on to make a large fortune in the restaurant biz...from ONE hot dog stand where people were HUNGRY FOR HOTDOGS!

So...go find out WHERE the Teens are hanging out and place your banner ads there. My thought is, since I hear teens talking about GAMES so much, is to find some GAME SITES. Also check out "Dating" sites. There's possibly some TEEN CHAT Rooms which have banner ads.

Ya gots ta go where the teens are.

NOW...you can do the research for your market....and with some luck and perseverence you could hit the right spot.

Best of luck to you.

Don ALm

> 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.




Some of my UNIQUE home-based businesses

Here's an idea...
 

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

> It never ceases to amaze me that
> participants on "Marketing" forums
> miss the FIRST RULE of Marketing (which
> should be printed in BOLD PRINT at the
> header of each and every Marketing Forum)
> ....
> the FIRST RULE of Marketing is;

> FIND A TARGET MARKET!
> THEN...
> CREATE A PRODUCT FOR THAT MARKET!

> Instead...people are continuously creating
> products....THEN....trying to find a market
> to sell them to!

> On this board as an example....I will bet
> there are maybe NO TEENS lurking! So how
> could someone possibly consider selling a
> report on "Teenage Makeup"?

> I'll never forget a prime example when I was
> in college at Northwestern Univ in Evanston,
> Illinois. NU is on the lakefront with nice
> beaches full of co-eds that draw boys like
> flies.

> As we were sitting there one year, watching
> the girlies go by....one of the guys said;
> "Man O Man...if someone set up a hot
> dog stand here...they'd make a
> fortune!"

> Well...one of the guys in the group that day
> logged that thought in and within 2 years HE
> set up a "Chicago Franks" stand
> and went on to make a large fortune in the
> restaurant biz...from ONE hot dog stand
> where people were HUNGRY FOR HOTDOGS!

> So...go find out WHERE the Teens are hanging
> out and place your banner ads there. My
> thought is, since I hear teens talking about
> GAMES so much, is to find some GAME SITES.
> Also check out "Dating" sites.
> There's possibly some TEEN CHAT Rooms which
> have banner ads.

> Ya gots ta go where the teens are.

> NOW...you can do the research for your
> market....and with some luck and
> perseverence you could hit the right spot.

> Best of luck to you.

> Don ALm




FAX BUX

Re: Can you help me evaluate?
 

> Hi Anya,

> Like Dien, I was one of those who visited
> your site. I have a son who is 19 and a
> daughter who is 5. As Dien pointed out, this
> isn't where you will find your target
> market... not really.

Yes, that's very true!

> 100 hits?

> There are 7 images and one web page on your
> homepage. Each of these produces a call on
> the server and counts for a hit. So 100 hits
> means about 12 visitors, providing they only
> looked at the home page.

Actually Steve, it's a "visit" counter, not a "hit" counter. I should have specified that in my post. The stats show that every single hit has a different IP address and host name. So they are all unique visitors.

> Let's not stop there though. If you can make
> two sales off-line, to every one online,
> have you considered putting something
> together that you can sell off-line as well?

Well, I haven't gotten that far yet, but it's certainly something I should think about. Thanks so much for all your helpful input!

Anya.