What do you think of my experiment?

DavidO · 11-10-2009, 02:55 AM

Here's the situation: I'm frustrated as hell. This is normally my best time of year but my conversion rate has slipped to rock bottom. I can't figure out the problem.

I'm not a good copywriter but my sales page has produced a steady income for more than 3 years, up until the last couple months.

I have a top-notch copywriter doing me a new salespage but in the meantime I'm getting desperate. I've tested just about every copy angle and hook I can imagine and nothing has worked.

But I've finally had a flash of inspiration! How about this concept? --- no copy at all!

That's right. How about letting my customers speak for me? My product has been on the market more than 3 years and I've got literally dozens of testimonials on almost every aspect of the product.

I've even got testimonial headlines. The only things I would need to write are the offer and guarantee (I even have testiomials to apply to these).

Of course it would be good if I had it together to show you, better even if I had results. I'll do this and post a follow-up as soon as possible.

But I wonder if anyone has ever tried this before? What are your first reactions to the idea? I'm truly at wits end and it's time to try something radical.

marciayudkin · 11-10-2009, 04:48 AM

David,

Chances are it's not the copy that's the problem, it's the offer.

Do you have an offer?

Is it irresistible?

Marcia Yudkin

colmodwyer · 11-10-2009, 05:16 AM

Copy fatigues. 3 years is a good run. It could be that.

People are saving like heck now too. So you need to make your offer a lot more valuable than perhaps it was.

Colm

atterno · 11-10-2009, 05:26 AM

David,

Though I am much less experienced than you are, I have realized your scenario. I am taking for granted that you have a great copy since it has been selling for the past few years. Too much of testimonials would be a not so ideal situation. What I feel is that you need to re-vamp your product, nothing extremely complicated..Just old wine, new bottle. Combine a few of your products/services and offer them for an irresistible price..But more importantly, make a believable justification that you can state in your sales copy/promotional mails regarding why you are doing that.

Also you haven't mentioned much about your competition. How well are they doing in this particular scenario??

DavidO · 11-10-2009, 05:50 AM

Thanks for your comments. Perhaps I'm rushing off with this half-cocked. Reviewing my offer is an excellent tip.

I'm aware that copy needs to be refreshed. I'm constantly testing new variations although the "meat" stays pretty much the same.

No, my offer is probably not irresistible, not enough for today's tough climate. I'll take a good look at it.

Thanks again!

bigchezmktg · 11-10-2009, 08:32 AM

David,

Been there! My site (although R-rated to be sure) went viral when we first put it up. It was "ballsy", different. I didn't have to market it once AND had a 6 month waiting list.

Then people started tightening their purse strings, the revenue started to go down. In an effort to generate interest, I did a few silly videos with great offers, but the silliness of the videos (in one, I'm dressed as Billy Mays) counteracted the offer and seemed more "used car salesman" than credible offer.

So I'm in the process of redoing my site as well. Just wanted you to know it wasn't just you.

Best of luck to you!

erinwrites · 11-10-2009, 09:45 PM

Do you have something that you can offer as a "get this free!" when people take advantage of your offer? Sometimes all it takes is the promise of getting two things instead of one to get people to click.

I don't know what your offer is, but I bet if you posted it here, you'd get plenty of advice on how to make your specific offer better and raise your revenue. I got plenty of help when I asked for it!

Daniel Scott · 11-11-2009, 08:03 PM

Rachel,

Is that your picture on your website? Grrrr! :P

David,

Why not post a link and get some ideas?

-Dan

erwindegrave · 11-11-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marciayudkin

David,

Chances are it's not the copy that's the problem, it's the offer.

Do you have an offer?

Is it irresistible?

Marcia Yudkin

Yes true.. it's not a copy anymore but merely an offer page.
It's good to have testimonials however people know that customers
tend to be biased when they give testimonials.. Your readers won't
even know if the are telling the truth or not because obviously they
will always give good feedbacks only, right?

bigchezmktg · 11-13-2009, 09:28 AM

Dave - if that WERE me...would it make you more interested in using me for copy? HA!

While I HAVE lost 80 pounds and could have posed, the pic is pre-fab. Did you follow all the links at the end of the page (ie "Click here if you still need to grow a pair")? The trip through the site is absolutely hysterical if you follow it to the end.

mrdomains · 11-13-2009, 05:30 PM

I am asuming you have the same traffic numbers, is the traffic from the same origins?

if demographics are the same, 3 years is a long time - suppose you are into pimples, teenagers grow out of it in 3 years. perhaps your offer lacks luster in the eyes of the new, faster paced teenagers

if you have seen a sudden drop it could be your offer is weakend by external forces - lets say it´s about laser hairloss treatments, but news have surfaced about lasers and cancer.. just inventing there, but a sudden drop if you still have the same traffic and demographics implies an exterior influence

without a link it´s impossible to say of course

Mili_D · 12-22-2009, 08:49 PM

I don’t think it’s the copywriter but it just could be the topic or the time of year. How about adding a free bonus to get those sale’s in?

Sam Mlambo · 12-22-2009, 09:34 PM

DavidO,

I believe you have a good idea. Have you tried testing it yet?

The reason why I ask is because I study plenty of Dan Kennedy and he advises to get and heavily use as many good testimonials as you can.

And what is a good testimonial you might wonder?

Well here is an excerpt from his book The Ultimate Marketing Plan:

"Make two lists; one of every claim, feature, benefit, and fact about what you’re marketing that you want to substantiate; second, every doubt, fear, or question that might exist in your prospective customer’s mind. Then collect and use testimonials that specifically substantiate the claims that eliminate the doubts."

Hope this helps you out.

- Sam

11-10-2009, 02:55 AM	#1
DavidO Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: United Kingdom, Spain Posts: 2,031 Thanks: 10 Thanked 101 Times in 58 Posts	What do you think of my experiment? Here's the situation: I'm frustrated as hell. This is normally my best time of year but my conversion rate has slipped to rock bottom. I can't figure out the problem. I'm not a good copywriter but my sales page has produced a steady income for more than 3 years, up until the last couple months. I have a top-notch copywriter doing me a new salespage but in the meantime I'm getting desperate. I've tested just about every copy angle and hook I can imagine and nothing has worked. But I've finally had a flash of inspiration! How about this concept? --- no copy at all! That's right. How about letting my customers speak for me? My product has been on the market more than 3 years and I've got literally dozens of testimonials on almost every aspect of the product. I've even got testimonial headlines. The only things I would need to write are the offer and guarantee (I even have testiomials to apply to these). Of course it would be good if I had it together to show you, better even if I had results. I'll do this and post a follow-up as soon as possible. But I wonder if anyone has ever tried this before? What are your first reactions to the idea? I'm truly at wits end and it's time to try something radical.

11-10-2009, 04:48 AM	#2
marciayudkin Marketing Mentor War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maui and Massachusetts Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 110 Thanked 548 Times in 265 Posts Social Networking	Re: What do you think of my experiment? David, Chances are it's not the copy that's the problem, it's the offer. Do you have an offer? Is it irresistible? Marcia Yudkin
	Author, Meatier Marketing Copy, available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, Audible audiobook “There are few genuine thought leaders in the field of copywriting. Marcia Yudkin is one of them. The strategies she presents in Meatier Marketing Copy are all easy to understand and implement, yet profoundly insightful. If you want to write marketing copy that sizzles and sells, this book is a must-read.” - Steve Slaunwhite, Author, Start & Run a Copywriting Business, Co-Author, The Wealthy Freelancer

11-10-2009, 05:16 AM	#3
colmodwyer Raider Of The Lost Fart War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,534 Thanks: 43 Thanked 140 Times in 79 Posts	Re: What do you think of my experiment? Copy fatigues. 3 years is a good run. It could be that. People are saving like heck now too. So you need to make your offer a lot more valuable than perhaps it was. Colm

11-10-2009, 05:26 AM	#4
atterno Warrior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What do you think of my experiment? David, Though I am much less experienced than you are, I have realized your scenario. I am taking for granted that you have a great copy since it has been selling for the past few years. Too much of testimonials would be a not so ideal situation. What I feel is that you need to re-vamp your product, nothing extremely complicated..Just old wine, new bottle. Combine a few of your products/services and offer them for an irresistible price..But more importantly, make a believable justification that you can state in your sales copy/promotional mails regarding why you are doing that. Also you haven't mentioned much about your competition. How well are they doing in this particular scenario??

11-10-2009, 05:50 AM	#5
DavidO Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: United Kingdom, Spain Posts: 2,031 Thanks: 10 Thanked 101 Times in 58 Posts	Re: What do you think of my experiment? Thanks for your comments. Perhaps I'm rushing off with this half-cocked. Reviewing my offer is an excellent tip. I'm aware that copy needs to be refreshed. I'm constantly testing new variations although the "meat" stays pretty much the same. No, my offer is probably not irresistible, not enough for today's tough climate. I'll take a good look at it. Thanks again!

11-10-2009, 08:32 AM	#6
bigchezmktg Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 34 Thanks: 10 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking	Re: What do you think of my experiment? David, Been there! My site (although R-rated to be sure) went viral when we first put it up. It was "ballsy", different. I didn't have to market it once AND had a 6 month waiting list. Then people started tightening their purse strings, the revenue started to go down. In an effort to generate interest, I did a few silly videos with great offers, but the silliness of the videos (in one, I'm dressed as Billy Mays) counteracted the offer and seemed more "used car salesman" than credible offer. So I'm in the process of redoing my site as well. Just wanted you to know it wasn't just you. Best of luck to you!
	Send more traffic to your website: http://www.BigCheeseMarketing.com Discover the secret to losing weight and keeping it off: http://www.WhatIfYouWereThin.com

11-10-2009, 09:45 PM	#7
erinwrites Writer Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PDX, USA Posts: 293 Thanks: 42 Thanked 28 Times in 25 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: What do you think of my experiment? Do you have something that you can offer as a "get this free!" when people take advantage of your offer? Sometimes all it takes is the promise of getting two things instead of one to get people to click. I don't know what your offer is, but I bet if you posted it here, you'd get plenty of advice on how to make your specific offer better and raise your revenue. I got plenty of help when I asked for it!
	Kick Ass Writer Available! Custom Content! Discounts Available for Warrior Forum Members!

11-11-2009, 08:03 PM	#8
Daniel Scott The Cake Is A Lie War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mackay, QLD, Australia Posts: 2,165 Thanks: 291 Thanked 641 Times in 370 Posts Contact Info	Re: What do you think of my experiment? Rachel, Is that your picture on your website? Grrrr! :P David, Why not post a link and get some ideas? -Dan
	Do You Want YOUR Next Launch to Pull in $164 249.59 of PURE PROFIT in just one week? Click here to discover how I can make it happen...

11-13-2009, 09:28 AM	#10
bigchezmktg Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 34 Thanks: 10 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking	Re: What do you think of my experiment? Dave - if that WERE me...would it make you more interested in using me for copy? HA! While I HAVE lost 80 pounds and could have posed, the pic is pre-fab. Did you follow all the links at the end of the page (ie "Click here if you still need to grow a pair")? The trip through the site is absolutely hysterical if you follow it to the end.
	Send more traffic to your website: http://www.BigCheeseMarketing.com Discover the secret to losing weight and keeping it off: http://www.WhatIfYouWereThin.com

11-13-2009, 05:30 PM	#11
mrdomains HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 439 Thanks: 107 Thanked 83 Times in 68 Posts	Re: What do you think of my experiment? I am asuming you have the same traffic numbers, is the traffic from the same origins? if demographics are the same, 3 years is a long time - suppose you are into pimples, teenagers grow out of it in 3 years. perhaps your offer lacks luster in the eyes of the new, faster paced teenagers if you have seen a sudden drop it could be your offer is weakend by external forces - lets say it´s about laser hairloss treatments, but news have surfaced about lasers and cancer.. just inventing there, but a sudden drop if you still have the same traffic and demographics implies an exterior influence without a link it´s impossible to say of course

12-22-2009, 08:49 PM	#12
Mili_D Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: What do you think of my experiment? I don’t think it’s the copywriter but it just could be the topic or the time of year. How about adding a free bonus to get those sale’s in?

12-22-2009, 09:34 PM	#13
Sam Mlambo Marketer and Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 261 Thanks: 21 Thanked 34 Times in 33 Posts	Re: What do you think of my experiment? DavidO, I believe you have a good idea. Have you tried testing it yet? The reason why I ask is because I study plenty of Dan Kennedy and he advises to get and heavily use as many good testimonials as you can. And what is a good testimonial you might wonder? Well here is an excerpt from his book The Ultimate Marketing Plan: "Make two lists; one of every claim, feature, benefit, and fact about what you’re marketing that you want to substantiate; second, every doubt, fear, or question that might exist in your prospective customer’s mind. Then collect and use testimonials that specifically substantiate the claims that eliminate the doubts." Hope this helps you out. - Sam
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