What if you can't prove it?

by Daniel Brock

Posted: 14 years ago 19 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

What's up everyone?

I am trying to re-write my sales letters for one of my products but I have run into a dilemma.

Basically I have made over $700,000 selling web hosting but I can only prove $450,000 of it through my current billing software.

The other portion of it was done through an older system that I used years ago which I no longer have access to.

In my tag lines, do you all think I should claim that I have made $700k selling hosting and only back up the $450k with proof and just say something like 'my older billing software has processed another $250k...'

Or do you all think I should just stick with saying I made $450k selling web hosting and here is my proof.

Just wondering if only being able to back up 60% of my claim is enough proof....

Thanks!
Daniel

#prove

AyaImmortal 14 years ago

I think that is enough proof. Most people cant even prove that much!
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1367918].message }}
- Jeremy Kelsall 14 years ago
  
  If you have to prove it....don't write it.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  A Blog With Reviews, Drama, and a Few Swear Words.
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1367922].message }}

Scott Ames

14 years ago

You could use it as a damaging admission:

"I Made over $700,000 selling web hosting but I can only prove $450,000 of it. My Bad"

"Oh, but $250,000 that I can't prove spent just as well as the $450,000 I can prove "

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1367931].message }}

marciayudkin

14 years ago

Daniel,

I know this is a minority view, but I believe "visual proof" is over-rated. A lot of people (like me) don't believe earnings screenshots since they're very easily faked. It's actually a lot harder to fake testimonials or a client list and therefore, I think you should just state the truth and add as many credibility boosters on your page as you can, especially testimonials, press coverage and stuff from other third-parties.

Marcia Yudkin

[ 4 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1367933].message }}

808glass

14 years ago

Originally Posted by marciayudkin

I know this is a minority view, but I believe "visual proof" is over-rated. A lot of people (like me) don't believe earnings screenshots since they're very easily faked. It's actually a lot harder to fake testimonials or a client list and therefore, I think you should just state the truth and add as many credibility boosters on your page as you can, especially testimonials, press coverage and stuff from other third-parties.

Agreed! I believe pretty much everything is fake these days (I've worked with graphics designers and video producers). Especially screenshots! The only "proof" I would believe would have to come from a credible source. Since I don't know you, you are not a credible source. I think this is generally the direction the big time IM players will be taking over the coming years. Examples of highly credible sources:

- Friends and Family (good luck figuring how to tap that)
- Authority figures with a reputation or brand to protect (legitimate businesses/experts that I can speak with regarding your product)
- Masses (everyone saying the same thing can't be wrong...)

But then again, you are saying you did make 700k, maybe I should just believe you and take the chance? Hey your only selling your product for cheap anyways, right? I mean you look trustworthy and look there's a picture of you standing by a Ferrari! Ah... the life of a marketer.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1372388].message }}

Daniel Brock 14 years ago

Thank you everyone for your responses!

The reason why I wanted to prove it is because I really do believe it will help with conversions, not to mention that I can throw in a little bit of pre-sale in my video while I am proving my income.

I appreciate the responses

-Daniel
- Thanks
Signature

Clickbank #1 Best Seller: The Deadbeat Super Affiliate.
Click here to learn how to make money online in your bath robe and gym socks!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1372958].message }}

Doug Stewart Online 14 years ago

Hey Daniel

I agree with Marcia so rather than doing an earnings screenshot, how about using Camtasia and do a quick video showing your earnings in your billing software. That way you can show much more proof.

All the best
Doug
- Thanks
Signature
Hands Free Strategy For Building Insanely Profitable Blogs- Free ebook with step by step instructions - www.dougstewartonline.com
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1369795].message }}
CliveG 14 years ago

Does anyone actually believe these "proofs" any more?
- Thanks
- 2 replies
Signature
AdsReact - Innovative Website Software that Supercharges YOUR PPC PROFITS!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1369981].message }}
- jamesjsanderson 14 years ago
  
  Hi Daniel,
  
  In my estimation, that is a fantastic problem to have!
  
  The answer is to simply test it. See which pulls better and go with it.
  
  Really, if you can show proof of 450K then people are not going to care if you can produce pics of the other 250. 450K is more than most people will make in 2 decades. They will listen.
  
  On the other hand, if you are doing a launch, you can use this as a great credibility booster in your pre-launch. It just depends on your strategy.
  
  Good luck to you!
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370026].message }}
- Michael Oksa 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by CliveG
  
  Does anyone actually believe these "proofs" any more?
  
  Yes, Clive, they do.
  
  BUT, a lot of it depends on the market. Most of us Warriors understand how easy it is to fake screenshots, the average person may not even know that this faking exists.
  
  Also, just because they CAN be faked, doesn't mean they are ALWAYS faked.
  
  Ultimately, it's up to each marketer to decide whether or not to use screenshots for proof, and to decide the best way to support their claims.
  
  @ Jeremy - I know what you're saying. However, in a way ALL sales letters are trying to prove something. You have to prove to the customer that they should choose you.
  
  That being said, too many marketers spend too much time trying to prove things in the sense you're talking about. If someone is spending the bulk of their copywriting time trying to prove a huge claim, then I would say their focus is misplaced. Spend the time writing a compelling offer, not trying to explain yourself.
  
  All the best,
  Michael
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  "Ich bin en fuego!"
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370066].message }}
lakshaybehl 14 years ago

Even if I do believe you made $700K, it doen't necessarily make me want to buy something from you. Building a realtionship of mutual value and respect, and if possible fun, is much more powerful than a screenshot.

If Frank Kern says I made a million in an hour.

And you know what I'd say to him... Big Deal?

-Lakshay
- Thanks
Signature
WARNING EXPLICIT: This is ugly... and this is the distilled truth

~~Website || Book || Facebook~~
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370147].message }}
gravtex 14 years ago

I like Scott's advice here - prove what you can and say you unfortunately can't prove the other revenue since you used and older system.

Gary
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370193].message }}
James Clark 14 years ago

You don't have to prove anything. If you speak to them in the correct tone and language that's all you need.

Jimmy.
- Thanks
Signature
Hard Hitting Information for Marketers
The Art of Marketing Online
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370718].message }}
MichaelHiles 14 years ago

Last time I checked, GoDaddy didn't "prove" their earnings as a registrar or host provider. They just offered the service... take it or leave it.
- Thanks
Signature

10XTS... I got your digital strategy right here...
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370723].message }}
Jonathan 2.0 Banned 14 years ago

I've made over $700,000 selling web hosting.

That really isn't as much as you may think considering some people make 10-times that much. At this point, I suppose you want me to produce one of those screen shots "proving" how much I make. Well, you're right. I'm not going to.

Why? Put simply, if you don't believe me, then I don't want to do business with you. Stop reading and click the back button. You've seen my video - I'm a real person.
And, I have a personal policy of not dealing with sceptical-minded people. The people who go far in this business - the ones who are ready for my product - are the ones who are open-minded and optimistic.

Now, if you're one of them, here's the good news ...

--

You could do something like that.

However I've just realized something. Kind of like what Eben Pagan would call "The Elusive Obvious." It's not the income claim that people don't believe. It's the person making the claim. (Duh, right?)

So my advice is the work on building trust because the more they believe and trust you the more they're going to believe the claim.

The most effective way of doing that today would be with video. I would go so far as to say that a professionally produced video presentation would be enough for them to believe your income claims.

Peace.
- Thanks
Signature
"Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1370876].message }}
DogScout 14 years ago

Scan your tax returns
- Thanks
Signature

Otis's Blog (Own The Internet, Silly)Paint Shop Tubes - Free images - Free Graphics - Free Photos - 3D - Poser Tubes - Scrap Kits
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1372366].message }}
Greg Brierley 14 years ago

Isn't there new FTC guidelines about this sort of thing?

Greg
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1373008].message }}
Daniel E Taylor 14 years ago

Anyone who honestly believes showing PROOF
(Whether Video or ScreenShot) that he earned
at least $450,000 isn't effective needs to go hit the books.

Even the most basic understanding in marketing and human
pyschology should tell you how powerful and effective that is.

I'm not saying it's everything, but from my tests (With and Without screenshots)
it will boost sales quite significantly.

To those people saying "I don't believe screenshots and most other people
don't".

How would you know this? Because you thought of it in your head
and you just assume it's true for everyone....

Another example of bad marketing advice given from people who obviously
haven't tested.

Prove what you can.

If you say you made $750,000 and you show $450,000 believe me
they'll take your word for the other $300k. The point is you are just
someone talking out your butt.

Anyone telling you not to use as much proof in every form possible
is someone I def wouldn't take MARKETING advance from. Maybe dancing
lessons or something.

Daniel
- Thanks
Signature

Self Actualization is one's true purpose. Everything
else is an illusion.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1373030].message }}
mark z 14 years ago

Personally, I think well documented $450k is way much powerful than partial proof of $700k.

I mean, hey, isn`t that decent amount of money anyway?

There are so many "slippery" areas in every sales later, while you trying to gain their trust, that making additional potentially suspicious point (of something actually real) is certainly unnecessary. It is not worth it.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1373533].message }}