Is My Review Site Too Soft?

[MissLauraCatella]

Hi everyone. Thanks for peeping this post. I'm working on a bit of a labor of love project where I review ridiculously inexpensive makeup (ELF Cosmetics). It's been about a month and I've gotten two sales! Cheap products, though, so low commissions.. it's ok.

I'm wondering if I should amplify my "selling" on the site. Sometimes I tone down my genuine excitement over a product out of fear of being too "sales-y." That said, it can't be too toned down! iwannabeperfect.

Any and all input and c/c will be greatly appreciated.

[travlinguy]

I ain't exactly your market but I liked it and I rarely watch viedo online. Maybe I liked it because you remind me of an old girlfriend. Maybe it was because I felt almost like a spy watching you in your little space doing your thing. I don't know. Maybe it's because you said you had eye boogers.

Seriously, to me it really looks like you know your stuff. I think women will probably dig that. You're confident, yet casual. I think it comes across pretty well overall. I'd suggest that for the next one you do your nails first.

And I wonder why you'd be promoting some bargain basement stuff. The marketing is going to cost the same and take the same amount of effort so why not pump some product that has a real payday attached to it? I think you've got the stuff to promote the best products on the market. One other thing. You'd make a killing sellling almost anything to guys if you shot your videos in the same setting. Good luck.

[Oxbloom]

I think the "soft sell" might be part of the problem. Test it against something with a little more aggressive call to action, instead of just, link/get it here/link. Even just a sentence or two with an..."If you'd like to...then you can...click here to get it now!"...kind of structure.

But for me, the video is probably doing the big damage. I assume we're talking about the link in your sig that says ELF makeup reviews, btw.

And you know what the problem with the video is? As a viewer, I INSTANTLY fail to connect with you! (No offense...I swear. Read on.)

Do you know why?

Because I feel like you're going WAY out of your way to avoid looking me in the eye! The whole feel of the video is very up-close and personal and charismatic. All of which is good. But when you create that kind of atmosphere, you can't avoid the little social realities we ALL deal with when we're in up-close, informal, face to face dealings.

In short, you have to deal with body language signals.

And a really huge one is: if the person you're talking to won't look you in the eye, they don't like you.

And it doesn't much matter if you improve as the video goes along. Initial impressions mean everything. And for the first fifteen seconds or more that you're on camera (I'm assuming it's you...but you know, whoever), you look like you'd rather be almost anywhere else, talking to anyone BUT me.

Connect more. Get to know the poor slob on the other end of the screen. People won't want to LOOK like you, if they don't want to BE like you. And they won't want to BE like you if you don't seem to like THEM.

Liking begets liking. And liking is everything in sales.

[MissLauraCatella]

Originally Posted by travlinguy

I ain't exactly your market but I liked it and I rarely watch viedo online. Maybe I liked it because you remind me of an old girlfriend. Maybe it was because I felt almost like a spy watching you in your little space doing your thing. I don't know. Maybe it's because you said you had eye boogers.

Seriously, to me it really looks like you know your stuff. I think women will probably dig that. You're confident, yet casual. I think it comes across pretty well overall. I'd suggest that for the next one you do your nails first.

And I wonder why you'd be promoting some bargain basement stuff. The marketing is going to cost the same and take the same amount of effort so why not pump some product that has a real payday attached to it? I think you've got the stuff to promote the best products on the market. One other thing. You'd make a killing sellling almost anything to guys if you shot your videos in the same setting. Good luck.

Thank you so much! I agree about my nails ;P

I definitely see your point regarding promoting higher ticket items; thinking I should start devoting more time and energy into that immediately. Truth is, I really like the brand that I promote, so it's easy for me to be revved up and passionate about it. I don't doubt my ability to get equally pumped about more expensive products!

AND PLEASE, tell me what guys need me to sell to them! I feel primed and ready to make some killings.

[MissLauraCatella]

Originally Posted by Oxbloom

I think the "soft sell" might be part of the problem. Test it against something with a little more aggressive call to action, instead of just, link/get it here/link. Even just a sentence or two with an..."If you'd like to...then you can...click here to get it now!"...kind of structure.

But for me, the video is probably doing the big damage. I assume we're talking about the link in your sig that says ELF makeup reviews, btw.

And you know what the problem with the video is? As a viewer, I INSTANTLY fail to connect with you! (No offense...I swear. Read on.)

Do you know why?

Because I feel like you're going WAY out of your way to avoid looking me in the eye! The whole feel of the video is very up-close and personal and charismatic. All of which is good. But when you create that kind of atmosphere, you can't avoid the little social realities we ALL deal with when we're in up-close, informal, face to face dealings.

In short, you have to deal with body language signals.

And a really huge one is: if the person you're talking to won't look you in the eye, they don't like you.

And it doesn't much matter if you improve as the video goes along. Initial impressions mean everything. And for the first fifteen seconds or more that you're on camera (I'm assuming it's you...but you know, whoever), you look like you'd rather be almost anywhere else, talking to anyone BUT me.

Connect more. Get to know the poor slob on the other end of the screen. People won't want to LOOK like you, if they don't want to BE like you. And they won't want to BE like you if you don't seem to like THEM.

Liking begets liking. And liking is everything in sales.

Thank you SO much, I agree with you 100%. Truth is, I'm looking at myself in the screen as I'm recording most of the time -- what a bad habit! I'm going to start covering the screen so I can focus on talking to my viewers instead of myself.

I also like your method of getting the readers to click my links and will start implementing it right away.

[travlinguy]

Originally Posted by bambii

AND PLEASE, tell me what guys need me to sell to them! I feel primed and ready to make some killings.

I don’t know. Personal protection products. Custom car stuff. Sporting goods maybe. Sell something you’re familiar with and you believe in.

This has been an interesting exercise for me because it finally illustrated something I learned a long time ago but have seen few real examples of online. That is, raise up someone’s energy and make them feel special and they’ll buy from you without actually knowing why. This is much easier to do in a brick/mortar setting because people actually get to interact.

Oxbloom made some excellent rational observations. That’s usually how I approach a critique. But none of that mattered to me because you’re sexy and energetic and I enjoyed watching you even though I have no interest in makeup.

And… this is what I think did it. You took me out of my own head for a few minutes and left me feeling better. Now do that with something I'm in the market for and you get the sale.

Without knowing exactly why while watching, I might have bought almost anything from you if I could even remotely justify it. Why? Because you elevated my mood for a bit. And at that moment I feel I might have made a purchase more out of gratitude for the little diversion than out of necessity.

Is everyone going to respond as I did? Obviously not. But some will. And as you get better mugging for the camera and getting on your marketing face, you'll become more skilled at this.

Again, I didn’t realize that while I was watching. But I left the computer for a minute and thought about it. People buy from people they like. And if you throw a little sex appeal into the mix with a decent video, well the possibilities expand even more. And marketing on Youtube will allow people to flirt with you which will make many feel even more special. Of course, you'll also have to beat the trolls back with a pitchfork. But so what.

Isn’t this what we all want to do as marketers? Don’t we want to somehow capture the prospect’s attention through emotion to get them to pull out their credit card. But this display went even further because it left me feeling genuinely better after watching than before.

Some reading this are probably thinking, man, this guy needs to get out more or something. Maybe so. But I think you've pulled something off that I guess I doubted could be done effectively online. Nice.

[MissLauraCatella]

Tried to send this in a PM but I'm a noob:

I wanted to thank you for your thoughtful words. They inspire and motivate me in ways I can't adequately describe (a feeling that simultaneously intrigues and infuriates)!

If you ever need some sort of service - writing, or maybe a video review of some sort (or anything) I'd be honored for you to consider me.

For now, I'm off to research...

Thank you again.

-l

[Bruce NewMedia]

Well, I'm going to say you're good at this, but would be even better promoting higher priced stuff and to MEN.

You have an intriguing look and sound. For instance, you should even consider marketing yourself for short video reviews to other marketers. I spent quite a bit of time last summer trying to find someone with good English skills who could speak without reading a script to do videos for clients websites. You show clear potential to do that and more.

I'd agree with the other comments, it's just not worth the effort for such small earnings. Find some really expensive stuff you truly believe in and you will earn alot more.
_____
Bruce

[MissLauraCatella]

Originally Posted by brucerby

Well, I'm going to say you're good at this, but would be even better promoting higher priced stuff and to MEN.

You have an intriguing look and sound. For instance, you should even consider marketing yourself for short video reviews to other marketers. I spent quite a bit of time last summer trying to find someone with good English skills who could speak without reading a script to do videos for clients websites. You show clear potential to do that and more.

I'd agree with the other comments, it's just not worth the effort for such small earnings. Find some really expensive stuff you truly believe in and you will earn alot more.
_____
Bruce

Thank you! I'm upgrading my camera and plan on offering that service to marketers in the near future. Also applied to be an affiliate for some high end brands. Onward and upward and all that good stuff! Thanks again..