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Offline Website Attempt. Please Provide Your Feedback.

by Handsome J
22 replies
Hello All. Been a while since I posted the last results on my attempts at offline business canvassing. Since then one lost interest. The other is still on the line, just waiting on him. I figured it would be best to show something to my new prospects by way of my website. Figured it could be an online portfolio for what we are pitching them. I decide to concentrate my pitch on video offerings. Most business owners I have seen are easily sold on this medium because of its infinite ROI (pay once & reap the benefits for a very long time by recycling the video in their advertising). That being said Im offering a variety of Adobe After Effects products and have also partnered with a videographer who has agreed to a volume rate and has allowed me to display his portfolio of work branded under my site so long as a credit was offered to him. The site is close to being live, so I wanted to get some feedback from the fellow warriors here as I only got this far based on what Ive learned here. This time last year, I couldn't install a Wordpress page, now I'm tweaking my templates and driving traffic with relative ease. Let me know what you think of the site. Thanks again

MediaSniper.com
#attempt #feedback #offline #provide #website
  • Profile picture of the author rdraiss
    Not crazy about your site, but your videos are GREAT. Very impressed by the quality of video. Just clean the site up a bit.
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  • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
    Alright this is good. Exactly what I'm looking for guys. Thanks for the kind words and bookmark Paul. Rdraiss, very cool, I know we cant get 100% of the audience to like the site, but your kind words on the videos are much appreciated. I was going for the black background as it looks cool, and has a "green" factor to it in that it does not consume as much power from the viewers monitor as a white background page. Heard some statistic somewhere that if Google alone changed their background to black there would be a relate able decrease in consumed power nationwide. Just a fun fact. Again, keep the feedback coming. Thanks all.

    For the body of text I agree and am trying to tighten that up as we speak.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimCastleman
      J -

      I think the video looks very nice but doubt it will sell offline. Here's why - what does video clips of movie starts, etc have to do with my offline business?

      Seriously if I am a dentist how is that video going to help me.

      I know one chiropractor who uses video that runs on a loop all day with photos of happy clients and a few video interviews of them. Crude - yes, successful - hell yes.

      I love the look, just don't know how successful it will be for offline businesses.

      Tim
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
        I like the video trailer it was really produced well and The site didn't look
        bad either.

        @Tim,
        It depends on the offline businesses products/services.

        For instance and Ice Cream shop could do well with a video showing the
        different styles and selections of Ice Creams they have available or even
        make the viewer crave one by allowing them to watch it being created in
        front of their own eyes.

        Heck, I made myself hungry for one just typing that...lol

        Have a Great Day!
        Michael
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      • Profile picture of the author karunnt
        Originally Posted by TimCastleman View Post

        J -

        I think the video looks very nice but doubt it will sell offline. Here's why - what does video clips of movie starts, etc have to do with my offline business?

        Seriously if I am a dentist how is that video going to help me.

        I know one chiropractor who uses video that runs on a loop all day with photos of happy clients and a few video interviews of them. Crude - yes, successful - hell yes.

        I love the look, just don't know how successful it will be for offline businesses.

        Tim
        Most business are a blend of online/offline so many strategies that help online businesses will also help offline ones as well.

        With that said check out Video Marketing, Video SEO, & Online Video Industry News

        Also note that universal search combines video and html SERPS together. If you search for any service in your area you will most likely find a video on the first page results.

        And video is different and therefore stands out from the rest of the pack.
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        • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
          Originally Posted by Paul McQuillan View Post

          I would break up the text below it to make it easier to read. More
          so because it is white on black text.
          That first paragraph could be tighter. It runs on a bit and loses the dramatic build a little.
          Paul
          Hey Paul,

          I just updated the Cinematic Trailers based on your input. Tell me what you think. I am of the opinion they look dramatically better now. I want an outside opinion though.

          Originally Posted by TimCastleman View Post

          J -

          I think the video looks very nice but doubt it will sell offline. Here's why - what does video clips of movie starts, etc have to do with my offline business?

          Seriously if I am a dentist how is that video going to help me.

          I know one chiropractor who uses video that runs on a loop all day with photos of happy clients and a few video interviews of them. Crude - yes, successful - hell yes.

          I love the look, just don't know how successful it will be for offline businesses.

          Tim
          Tim,

          Thanks for the comments. I know what you are thinking, but the images and video embedded within the trailers can be swapped for footage of an on location video shoot at lets say a dentist office showing the daily goings on. Also photos can be uploaded in the frames as well. These templates are highly customizable, so we can tailor to clients needs. I agree they are not for everyone, but compared to the stuff I have seen others offer, our perceived value is gonna blow away our competition right out of the gate.

          Originally Posted by thenextlevel View Post

          I think your video was very powerful. I don't know how the clips from the movie would play into a offline business.
          As I mentioned to Tim above, the clips in the examples are swappable with client shot videos or something we can produce for them.

          Originally Posted by karunnt View Post

          Most business are a blend of online/offline so many strategies that help online businesses will also help offline ones as well.

          With that said check out Video Marketing, Video SEO, & Online Video Industry News

          Also note that universal search combines video and html SERPS together. If you search for any service in your area you will most likely find a video on the first page results.

          And video is different and therefore stands out from the rest of the pack.
          Thanks for the awesome link. I am delving into it now.
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          • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
            J, Maybe it's my 50 year old eyes, but your site is almost impossible to read with the gray text on black background. It might look cool to you, and your eco-trick with the juice is fun, people still have to read the site.

            I'd think about at least offering the possibility of displaying a more easily read version, say a button that changes the font and colors to black on white in a larger size. That way you keep your cool page and give those of us who need it an easy-to-use option.
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            • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
              Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

              J, Maybe it's my 50 year old eyes, but your site is almost impossible to read with the gray text on black background. It might look cool to you, and your eco-trick with the juice is fun, people still have to read the site.

              I'd think about at least offering the possibility of displaying a more easily read version, say a button that changes the font and colors to black on white in a larger size. That way you keep your cool page and give those of us who need it an easy-to-use option.
              Good point. Duly noted. I am looking into this now.
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  • Profile picture of the author thenextlevel
    I think your video was very powerful. I don't know how the clips from the movie would play into a offline business.
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  • Profile picture of the author WikiWarrior
    This is awesome. I remember seeing a movie style trailer a couple of months ago for an IM product and it blew me away. I'd love to have one of these for products I bring out online (not quite there yet).

    Good luck getting the business going J and I look forward to seeing more of your work (subscribed).

    Ethan
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    • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
      Originally Posted by Paul McQuillan View Post

      That font color needs to go.

      Judging by some on here not realizing that they can add their own
      clips, you should address that in the copy. Make it very easy to understand.

      I personally think offline businesses could easily utilize this service
      I think you are right, I will be tweaking the copy to convey just that tonight. Thanks Paul.

      Originally Posted by YOUniversityLife View Post

      This is awesome. I remember seeing a movie style trailer a couple of months ago for an IM product and it blew me away. I'd love to have one of these for products I bring out online (not quite there yet).

      Good luck getting the business going J and I look forward to seeing more of your work (subscribed).

      Ethan
      Ethan,

      Thanks for the kind words. I'm toying with the idea to give away 10 of the Theatrical Trailers away free to War Room members as a way to give back. I will be charging offline clients around $595 each for them. I figured it would help with my Testimonials on my site. I just talked to a business owner yesterday who had a video on his site. It looked ok and he paid $950 for it. (the cycleexchange .com/commercial.php) <-----Remove the spaces to see video.
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  • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
    Ok 3:12am & just about finished. Made some changes to the copy, sexied up the product descriptions with photos. and changed the gray font to white and 1 size larger. Much easier to read on a black background now. Anymore suggestions? Thanks again everyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author joshril
    Nice site! Did you get those video stats from Yellowpages? I'm getting into video marketing/production pretty heavy with offline clients and noticed those stats while looking at some of the competition...
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    • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
      Originally Posted by joshril View Post

      Nice site! Did you get those video stats from Yellowpages? I'm getting into video marketing/production pretty heavy with offline clients and noticed those stats while looking at some of the competition...
      Thank you sir. I appreciate the kind words. I did indeed. But I tracked the stats to the 2007 Online Publishers Assoc reports. Since its not YP specific, I can post on site without worrying about copied content. Keep us posted on your progress. Love seeing what everyone is doing.
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      • Profile picture of the author joshril
        Originally Posted by Handsome J View Post

        But I tracked the stats to the 2007 Online Publishers Assoc reports. Since its not YP specific, I can post on site without worrying about copied content. Keep us posted on your progress. Love seeing what everyone is doing.
        Nice to know as I liked those stats...
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        • Profile picture of the author Keith Boisvert
          My .02.

          Having worked with offline clients for years, a much as I love what your doing, I think the home page itself needs to be more "in your face" as to WHAT it is your selling.

          When I first go to your home page I have no idea what you do. Above the fold you have the flash player and some video samples. I love this, but I would also test out a home page that has some written content above the fold, or at least a video that describes what you can do to BENEFIT them...like one with the stats you have about video. Something that speaks to the biz owners and gets them excited to learn more about what you can do for them. THEN once their interest is peaked then they can play the video samples so they get a better idea.

          No idea if what I just wrote makes any sense....

          Love what your doing, and I think video for small businesses is huge right now(at least in my area it is).

          keith
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          • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
            Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert View Post

            My .02.

            Having worked with offline clients for years, a much as I love what your doing, I think the home page itself needs to be more "in your face" as to WHAT it is your selling.

            When I first go to your home page I have no idea what you do. Above the fold you have the flash player and some video samples. I love this, but I would also test out a home page that has some written content above the fold, or at least a video that describes what you can do to BENEFIT them...like one with the stats you have about video. Something that speaks to the biz owners and gets them excited to learn more about what you can do for them. THEN once their interest is peaked then they can play the video samples so they get a better idea.

            No idea if what I just wrote makes any sense....

            Love what your doing, and I think video for small businesses is huge right now(at least in my area it is).

            keith
            Keith,

            I see what you are saying. You are right, I'm still trying to learn how to code a little more so I can tweak the page in order to spell out exactly what we are trying to sell. I appreciate the feedback, thanks again man.
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  • Profile picture of the author n7 Studios
    Great site - just a couple of suggestions:

    - Your logo and Google "Call Me" images are on a darker background than their respective web site backgrounds. I'd get rid of the backgrounds on both of those images + it'll look fine + give you the polished look.
    - Your video facts are really useful - quick, short bullet points that I absorbed. I just wonder whether they should be further up the page? Or perhaps edit the "text here" video that's shown by default to include those video stats as the text, if that makes sense?

    I am being incredibly picky on the above - the site is really good, and a cut above the rest (no pun intended!).
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    • Profile picture of the author Handsome J
      Originally Posted by n7 Studios View Post

      Great site - just a couple of suggestions:

      - Your logo and Google "Call Me" images are on a darker background than their respective web site backgrounds. I'd get rid of the backgrounds on both of those images + it'll look fine + give you the polished look.
      - Your video facts are really useful - quick, short bullet points that I absorbed. I just wonder whether they should be further up the page? Or perhaps edit the "text here" video that's shown by default to include those video stats as the text, if that makes sense?

      I am being incredibly picky on the above - the site is really good, and a cut above the rest (no pun intended!).
      Thanks a lot. I know what you were saying about the Google button. The code is auto-generated though and I cannot tweak it. I thought the same thing, I was going to try and substitute the image for a darker version but just couldn't seem to figure it out.

      I agree on the default video being a pitch and including the stats with that content. I think I will be using Animoto to make the pitch/stat video until I get some time with the videographer. Don't worry about the picky part. I'm like that too, I like hearing everyones thoughts, helps to really tweak the page. Thanks again for your taking a peek and providing some useful advice.
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