Long form sales page vs short form, what's best?

7 replies
Long form: Sometimes can be up to 40 pages in text worth of sales copy (occasionally even longer).

Short form: Maybe 1 to 5 pages worth of text or less.

Shortest form: Just a picture or short description of the product and a buy button.

What is best?
#form #long #page #sales #short
  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    Curtis,

    I've summarized most of the arguments on both sides on this page:

    Long Copy vs. Short Copy: The Definitive Guide | Provides the Copywriting Backstory, Convinces Skeptics

    Hope you find it helpful.

    Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author carloszeb
    I know many say that long sales letters are better but personally, I never read more than 3 pages. Even better than that: videos.
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    This really is the argument that never dies...

    Zombie argument!

    Night of the Living Sales Letter...
    The Walking Squeeze Page...

    Oh lord, more coffee is necessary. I've been watching too much TV.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    Long copy works best.

    Except for those times when short copy is all you need.

    Of course...

    A short VSL just might be what your market responds to.

    Unless a longer, more imformative video is what your market needs (another Stansberry anyone? Anyone?)

    That being said...

    Maybe a short video combined with a long form letter is just the ticket.

    I hope I cleared things up.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
    What works better?

    Whatever sells the @#&^!! thing!

    Create a long version that covers all the bases.

    and for shits and giggles... create a much shorter version...

    Test them against each other and see which one wins.

    It's not always the version you think...
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    • Profile picture of the author cjp214
      Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

      What works better?

      Whatever sells the @#&^!! thing!

      Create a long version that covers all the bases.

      and for shits and giggles... create a much shorter version...

      Test them against each other and see which one wins.

      It's not always the version you think...
      What Shawn said.

      It baffles me that this is even debated, and it truly boggles my mind that each "side" has adherents that defend their position with all the sincerity of a religious debate.

      You might think you know what will work best in your unique situation, but you can't possibly find out until you try different lengths, test them, and see what converts.

      The answer, as politician-like as it sounds, is... it depends.

      Sophisticated investors looking to expand their portfolio have different attention spans than teenagers looking for cool cases for their smartphones.

      Start each new project with an open mind on this. Keep an open mind, test different things, and keep what works.

      Good luck,

      Corey
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  • Profile picture of the author MontelloMarketing
    Go with a picture... don't even bother with a description. Or... if you could, describe a whole different product, then put in a call to action. Or better yet, leave that out!

    You know, I think maybe mind melding might be the way to go. Ooh ooh... I got it... Ask for the money first in order to send them the picture and wrong description.

    Yep! The winner. Argument settled. Moving on.
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