Don't create or modify your web site until you have read this list !

A great article, a MUST read if you have a web site or if you're planning one !

This is a list of things you can do to REDUCE your web site traffic (we all know what a headache too much traffic is!).

I would add to their list -- have light purple text on a dark green background!

- Dien


Ways to Reduce Web Site Traffic - from DMNews

I disagree with at least one thing in the list of Ways To Reduce Web Site Traffic (linked to below).... That is, I think one of the things they list is often quite GOOD to do.

What do you think? Do you agree with me, or do you agree with all they say?

- Dien


Ways To Reduce Web Site Traffic

Dien -

> I disagree with at least one thing in the
> list of Ways To Reduce Web Site Traffic
> (linked to below).... That is, I think one
> of the things they list is often quite GOOD
> to do.

> What do you think? Do you agree with me, or
> do you agree with all they say?

I read this article in hard copy just the other day. I always enjoy reading Dean Rieck's articles. I've known about Dean since my days in the marketing forum on Compuserve.

I'd be interested to know what you disagreed with in the article. I could see a couple of points where either side could be taken.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"


Great Posts About Gary Halbert's New Web Site

Hi Rick,

> I'd be interested to know what you disagreed
> with in the article. I could see a couple of
> points where either side could be taken.

I was thinking about the one on long copy, even long copy on a single page....

When I read that, what popped into my mind specifically was Marlon Sanders' web site, www.amazingformula.com -- an example of long copy on a single page which appears to be successful.

As long as what you're saying is interesting enough to your target audience so that people keep reading!

What do you think?

- Dien

Hi Dien & Rick,

I certainly share the opinion of Marlon and many other top copywriters & marketers that long copy is the way to go. In fact, this is far more than an "opinion," as it has been extensively tested.

But when asked WHY long copy is the way to go, I find that many people are at a loss and simply say that "it works better."

So allow me to present one possible way to arrive at this conclusion:

First, I would suggest doing something radically different than most -- run your numbers BEFORE you write your sales letter or build your web site.

In other words, take your price point of your product or service, your profit margin, and your projected cost per visitor. And ask yourself what visitor to sale closing percentage you'd be happy with.

Let's say for argument's sake that you conclude that you'd be happy if 2 out of every 100 unique visitors to your site buy your product or service.

Given this ratio, let me ask you a very important question:

Who do you want to "speak to" with your sales copy -- the 98% of people who WON'T buy, or the 2% of people who WILL buy?

Clearly, the buyers are who you want to reach with your message.

Let's take this a step further.

Naturally, we know that your 2% are VERY interested in your product or service. Otherwise, they wouldn't have bought!

And I don't know about you, but if I'm very interested in a topic, there's no limit to how much I'll read about it -- as long as it's interesting! But this is a BIG "if." If the message is NOT riveting, then even your 2% might lose interest. Don't ever lose sight of the inherent obstacle you face in getting a complete stranger to pull out their wallet while at your web site and give you money.

So let's take a leap of faith and assume that you have riveting, hard-hitting copy. If this is the case, wouldn't you want to anticipate every possible objection your visitors may have, and overcome them in an interesting and compelling manner? And I don't need to tell you the power of telling a story...using industry statistics to support your case...sharing testimonials and reviews to boost your credibility...having a better than risk free guarantee...and countless other elements that go into a successful sales letter.

I think where some marketers go astray is in thinking that if they write shorter, or "teaser" copy, without presenting their whole case, they'll appeal to a wider range of people. And they mistakenly project that they'll close greater than 2% this way, when in fact, the 98% were arguably lost causes to begin with, and the 2% would respond much more favorably to a compelling sales letter!

I do hope that my musings have helped guide those of you who are pondering what form to use with your sales copy :)

All the best,

-Jesse

> Hi Rick,

> I was thinking about the one on long copy,
> even long copy on a single page....

> When I read that, what popped into my mind
> specifically was Marlon Sanders' web site,
> www.amazingformula.com -- an example of
> long copy on a single page which appears to
> be successful.

> As long as what you're saying is interesting
> enough to your target audience so that
> people keep reading!

> What do you think?

> - Dien




Read The Sales Letter That Has Closed $2-3,000 Sales With No Human Contact!

This is a very interesting thread, I am learning a lot and I thank everyone for that... I understand the point about longer copy, but I am curious how well longer copy translates to sale marketing via e-mail (that is on a computer screen)... It seems that most people tend to skim things on a computer screen, if that's the case, wouldn't it make sense to entertain the idea of shorter copy? Again, I have no idea (and certainly don't claim to be a master)... Just curious is all... Josh :-)

> Hi Dien & Rick,

> I certainly share the opinion of Marlon and
> many other top copywriters & marketers
> that long copy is the way to go. In fact,
> this is far more than an
> "opinion," as it has been
> extensively tested.

> But when asked WHY long copy is the way to
> go, I find that many people are at a loss
> and simply say that "it works
> better."

> So allow me to present one possible way to
> arrive at this conclusion:

> First, I would suggest doing something
> radically different than most -- run your
> numbers BEFORE you write your sales letter
> or build your web site.

> In other words, take your price point of
> your product or service, your profit margin,
> and your projected cost per visitor. And ask
> yourself what visitor to sale closing
> percentage you'd be happy with.

> Let's say for argument's sake that you
> conclude that you'd be happy if 2 out of
> every 100 unique visitors to your site buy
> your product or service.

> Given this ratio, let me ask you a very
> important question:

> Who do you want to "speak to" with
> your sales copy -- the 98% of people who
> WON'T buy, or the 2% of people who WILL buy?

> Clearly, the buyers are who you want to
> reach with your message.

> Let's take this a step further.

> Naturally, we know that your 2% are VERY
> interested in your product or service.
> Otherwise, they wouldn't have bought!

> And I don't know about you, but if I'm very
> interested in a topic, there's no limit to
> how much I'll read about it -- as long as
> it's interesting! But this is a BIG
> "if." If the message is NOT
> riveting, then even your 2% might lose
> interest. Don't ever lose sight of the
> inherent obstacle you face in getting a
> complete stranger to pull out their wallet
> while at your web site and give you money.

> So let's take a leap of faith and assume
> that you have riveting, hard-hitting copy.
> If this is the case, wouldn't you want to
> anticipate every possible objection your
> visitors may have, and overcome them in an
> interesting and compelling manner? And I
> don't need to tell you the power of telling
> a story...using industry statistics to
> support your case...sharing testimonials and
> reviews to boost your credibility...having a
> better than risk free guarantee...and
> countless other elements that go into a
> successful sales letter.

> I think where some marketers go astray is in
> thinking that if they write shorter, or
> "teaser" copy, without presenting
> their whole case, they'll appeal to a wider
> range of people. And they mistakenly project
> that they'll close greater than 2% this way,
> when in fact, the 98% were arguably lost
> causes to begin with, and the 2% would
> respond much more favorably to a compelling
> sales letter!

> I do hope that my musings have helped guide
> those of you who are pondering what form to
> use with your sales copy :)

> All the best,

> -Jesse




"The Ultimate Marketers Resource Gives You All The Tools And Strategies You Need To Succeed"

Josh -

> This is a very interesting thread, I am
> learning a lot and I thank everyone for
> that... I understand the point about longer
> copy, but I am curious how well longer copy
> translates to sale marketing via e-mail
> (that is on a computer screen)... It seems
> that most people tend to skim things on a
> computer screen, if that's the case,
> wouldn't it make sense to entertain the idea
> of shorter copy? Again, I have no idea (and
> certainly don't claim to be a master)...

What you say is true for many people. However, Robert Allen seems to have mastered long sales copy in e-mail with his "Streams of Cash E-Letter." I'm currently reading his latest book, "Multiple Streams of Internet Income." Interesting read. A lot of it will be review for many folks but there are some good points in there.

I think the main answer to your question is to test.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"


The Guerrilla Product Developer's Forum

> Hi Rick,

> I was thinking about the one on long copy,
> even long copy on a single page....

> When I read that, what popped into my mind
> specifically was Marlon Sanders' web site,
> www.amazingformula.com -- an example of
> long copy on a single page which appears to
> be successful.

> As long as what you're saying is interesting
> enough to your target audience so that
> people keep reading!

> What do you think?

> - Dien

Dien,

Many "gurus" say the long letter works better, especially off-line. Net marketing gurus seem to be leaning toward one or two page websites if you are trying to sell something...of course, that "one" page can be a mile long, too.

If you can keep pulling your reader deeper into your sales message as you go along, more can be better. But if you start to bore your reader, he may click away before he gets to the buy button. To avoid that, you can insert several "buy" opportunities throughout the text giving your reader a chance to "buy now" before he thinks of bailing out early.

The one-page proponents say concentrate on just one product or service and go for the jugular...sell, sell, sell. All of the free content is for your portal page with links to individual mini-sites where you sell your products. Quick introduction, quick sell, quick close, and instant delivery.

Instant gratification...microwave lifestyle. Life in the fast lane...don't you love it!

JDB


Killer Mini-Sites

JDB -

> The one-page proponents say concentrate on
> just one product or service and go for the
> jugular...sell, sell, sell. All of the free
> content is for your portal page with links
> to individual mini-sites where you sell your
> products. Quick introduction, quick sell,
> quick close, and instant delivery.

I went to your KMS site. Interesting. I've never heard of Alpha Del Bosque but she looks like she might be an up and comer. What can you tell us about her? Does she have any other material available? It looks like she's gotten testimonials for this current work from some of the "heavy hitters." Good job. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Alpha.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"


The Only Home For Guerrilla Product Developers

> JDB -

> I went to your KMS site. Interesting. I've
> never heard of Alpha Del Bosque but she
> looks like she might be an up and comer.
> What can you tell us about her? Does she
> have any other material available? It looks
> like she's gotten testimonials for this
> current work from some of the "heavy
> hitters." Good job. I'm looking forward
> to seeing more from Alpha.

> Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"

Rick,

I believe she is a graphic artist based in Mexico. And I believe she is the owner of: www.virtuapack.com

The "Killer Minisites" ebook does a very good job explaining the minisite concept...lots of great visual aids in the explanation.

JDB


Alpha reveals killer mini-site techniques in her new ebook...click here for more info