( Delayed Call To Action Buttons )- DO NOT Increase Conversions...

31 replies
...at least in the Internet Marketing Space?


Delayed Call to Action Buttons Do Not Increase Conversions...and forcing someone to sit through a video without video controls does not increase conversions.

Everyone does not enjoy video, some cannot play video's on their computers due to poor bandwidth (especially in rual areas)

Only in certain circumstances and with the right marketing do these tactics. work...and NOT THE IM NICHE.

Once upon a time, they did.... when it was new to the market but not anymore.

Consumers, ESPECIALLY in the IM SPACE are Savvy, know it's coming and don't have the time for it....and the vast majority click off as soon as it smells bad.

just throwing it out there.

Also, A Video Sales Page alone without sales copy Text does not increase conversions.

So if your using these methods and not seeing the conversions you would like to see....perhaps it's not your copy.


All the best

Sean


So many people follow what everyone else is doing (it seems) and take everything for face value....with NO REAL TESTING of their OWN.

"I'm going to do this because XYZ person says so (or because everyone else is)...and hey...if they say it works then it Must....THEN, I'm going to teach other people the same thing because JOE BLow does."

I am so tired of seeing Launches /products incorporate this ....just because the last person did...or someone "says so"

If you watch close enough....those who start out their "sales process" or launch process quickly find out this truth....and then their Sales Pages / process change rapidly

But in a Launch / large mailing to a list...it's too late. You already blew your load mailing your list.




PS.
And here's one more thing for everyone who TEACHES, PREACHES and INCORPORATES 12 Upsells, Downsells, Cross Sells etc.

Consumers are savvy, no one likes it, and Although some may CLAIM High conversions with these upsells......you never hear about the Refund Rate... and refund rates in excess of 20% are not acceptable.

Instead of trying to trick and squeeze your Visitor dry on the front end ....deliver....work out the kinks on the back end and monetize the List you've just built long term.

You will make far more money over the long term.


All the best

Sean
#action #buttons #call #conversionsperiod #delayed #fyi #increase
  • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
    Hey Sean.

    I have never tried out video sales letters, or videos in my sales letters for that matter.

    I would really be interested in using videos, though. But your post comes as a bummer.

    Do you mind sharing your stats with us?

    Thanks
    Karan
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  • Profile picture of the author Natkingcole
    just typed in does forced videos increase conversions and saw this post. Great post reminds me to get split testing!

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author butters
    Originally Posted by Sean A McAlister View Post

    ...at least in the Internet Marketing Space?


    Delayed Call to Action Buttons Do Not Increase Conversions...and forcing someone to sit through a video without video controls does not increase conversions.
    A pretty bold claim I may say... I just got a question for you, why is all the big guys in the IM field using delayed call to actions, why are the PPC guys using delayed call to actions? Do you honestly think that the people making serious money are not testing these? The same questions go for the sales page videos.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by butters View Post

      Do you honestly think that the people making serious money are not testing these?
      I know you're not asking me , but yes - I honestly think that's surprisingly often true. I have several reasons for thinking this. One is that the people I know who do split-test them, abandon them.

      Yes, Sean made quite a big claim, but every instinct I have tells me that he's right.
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      • Profile picture of the author butters
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        I know you're not asking me , but yes - I honestly think that's surprisingly often true.
        That is just scary if true, borderline shameful.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by butters View Post

          That is just scary if true, borderline shameful.
          Call me a skepchick, but I'm satisfied that this applies to countless things in internet marketing. Things become self-fulfilling because everyone already "knows" that they "must" work, and have been split-tested, so there's no "need".

          Look at the "prices ending in a 7". On every single pricing split-test I've ever seen, myself, the price ending in a 7 converted worse than the other price. But you try telling people that. They're not interested, because they already "know" that prices ending in a 7 "convert better". Most people don't test.
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  • Profile picture of the author joaquin112
    A pretty bold claim I may say... I just got a question for you, why is all the big guys in the IM field using delayed call to actions, why are the PPC guys using delayed call to actions? Do you honestly think that the people making serious money are not testing these? The same questions go for the sales page videos.
    It really does depend on the niche. The only advice is to always split test. I personally hate delayed call to action, but that's off the point. What truly matters is what makes you the most money and split testing is the only way to know for sure.
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    • Profile picture of the author butters
      Originally Posted by joaquin112 View Post

      It really does depend on the niche. The only advice is to always split test. I personally hate delayed call to action, but that's off the point. What truly matters is what makes you the most money and split testing is the only way to know for sure.
      Oh don't get me wrong I know it is niche/marketer dependant and these variables should be tested, I understand that. I agree with it to, everything should be tested but to say they just don't work, well, that is a big claim.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Monroe
    Do you have any numbers/statistics/evidence to back up these claims, or are they just your personal preference?

    Sure we all hate sitting through the up-sell process, but we all know since the buyer has their credit card out after purchasing the front end product, if offered an up-sell 20 - 40% will generally get the up-sell.

    Also about the forced video against text sales page etc every time I've done testing the "forced sales video" with delayed call to action ALWAYS out-performs other methods.

    Plus when it comes to product launches, generally what you see used to market is what converted the best.

    Prior to launch multiple sales videos, sales pages etc will be tested and upon launch the highest converting one will be used.
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    OP: Is this rant? Or, is it something you have tested relentlessly?
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    • Profile picture of the author marketinguk
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      OP: Is this rant? Or, is it something you have tested relentlessly?
      I'm with you TPW on this one, it's a very odd thread IMO. I think had this been someone else everyone would likely have dismissed this as total nonsense. However, as this is coming from Sean I for one am interested on what he basis this bold OP on and what stats he has to back this up.

      Logic would tell me the OP is not true but i'm willing to be proven wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Sean,

    You are making a LOT of bold claims and I have to call you out on them.

    Unless you have gone and tested it for everyone's products in this niche then you simply cannot just sit there and make claims like that.

    A real marketer knows that what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. It's all about testing and using what your audience reacts to with their wallets.

    I will tell you delayed call to action buttons DO work. Videos with no controls DO work. A video only salespage DOES increase conversions. Is this the case in every instance? Hell no. But we as marketers know that, right.

    All you need to do is look at one of the most fanatical split testers around, Ryan Deiss, and you will see him using many of those techniques to sell his products. Why? Well I will give you a hint. It's not because they don't work.

    You simply cannot speak on behalf of everyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
    It works for me.

    Most consumers in most niches are not very savvy at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author intergen
    I just had one of these in my inbox 2 days ago. The email subject line was compelling & it seemed like something I needed. I clicked through and the email copy reconfirmed that fact that maybe it was something that I could use.

    I got to the sales page and it was a video - no problem - lets see what this thing is all about. Then it went on and on and on and on......... no video controls - no text on the page. I clicked out of it and gave up and, I never do this, I sent an email to the "guru" that had sent it to me (he was promoting someone else's product) telling him I might have bought it if the guy would have gotten to the point. LOST SALE.
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    what most people are missing out on, are that

    1) video's still work.

    2) button showing 100% of the time works.

    3) Button not showing up till video message has finished works.

    But you should do one important thing

    TEST the chit out of everything.

    2) and 3) will work, and when you test, one of them will work better than the other. Its hard work, but well worth it if you build lists and want better conversions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    Anyone else realize this thread is over 2 years old?
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by Coby View Post

      Anyone else realize this thread is over 2 years old?
      I must admit I did not.

      This seems to be happening more and more often recently. I have to get back into the habit of looking at when the thread was first posted because this is becoming a regular occurrence.

      I think we are all just used to threads being relevant and recent.
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        The date stamp text is way too small for workaholic eyes!
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      • Profile picture of the author Peter Pride
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        I must admit I did not.

        This seems to be happening more and more often recently. I have to get back into the habit of looking at when the thread was first posted because this is becoming a regular occurrence.

        I think we are all just used to threads being relevant and recent.

        I believe this has to do with the search function being used more often. I use it more myself and often find myself tempted to reply to very old threads (I do stop myself).


        ***************

        Amazing that there is still an argument about whether delayed call to action buttons work, even 2 years after the original thread (when countless launches would have used this marketing tool).
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    • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
      Originally Posted by Coby View Post

      Anyone else realize this thread is over 2 years old?
      lol I feel like a complete idiot.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaveWilliams1
    Even though the thread is old, the topic is still relevant.

    In the end it all boils down to testing both options for yourself to see what works better on your traffic. Period.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanmilligan
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Sean A McAlister View Post

    ...at least in the Internet Marketing Space?


    Delayed Call to Action Buttons Do Not Increase Conversions...and forcing someone to sit through a video without video controls does not increase conversions.

    Everyone does not enjoy video, some cannot play video's on their computers due to poor bandwidth (especially in rual areas)

    Only in certain circumstances and with the right marketing do these tactics. work...and NOT THE IM NICHE.

    Once upon a time, they did.... when it was new to the market but not anymore.

    Consumers, ESPECIALLY in the IM SPACE are Savvy, know it's coming and don't have the time for it....and the vast majority click off as soon as it smells bad.

    just throwing it out there.

    Also, A Video Sales Page alone without sales copy Text does not increase conversions.

    So if your using these methods and not seeing the conversions you would like to see....perhaps it's not your copy.


    All the best

    Sean


    So many people follow what everyone else is doing (it seems) and take everything for face value....with NO REAL TESTING of their OWN.

    "I'm going to do this because XYZ person says so (or because everyone else is)...and hey...if they say it works then it Must....THEN, I'm going to teach other people the same thing because JOE BLow does."

    I am so tired of seeing Launches /products incorporate this ....just because the last person did...or someone "says so"

    If you watch close enough....those who start out their "sales process" or launch process quickly find out this truth....and then their Sales Pages / process change rapidly

    But in a Launch / large mailing to a list...it's too late. You already blew your load mailing your list.




    PS.
    And here's one more thing for everyone who TEACHES, PREACHES and INCORPORATES 12 Upsells, Downsells, Cross Sells etc.

    Consumers are savvy, no one likes it, and Although some may CLAIM High conversions with these upsells......you never hear about the Refund Rate... and refund rates in excess of 20% are not acceptable.

    Instead of trying to trick and squeeze your Visitor dry on the front end ....deliver....work out the kinks on the back end and monetize the List you've just built long term.

    You will make far more money over the long term.


    All the best

    Sean

    Saying 'Do Not' makes it sound like you're stating a fact.

    It's not a fact.. Is there some kind of scientific study out there I've not seen? One where a bunch of nutty professors in a lab, managed to conjure up some kind of formula that backs up your statement?

    There hasn't be as far as I am aware..

    What works for you, might not work for me.

    What works for me, might not work for you.

    This is where the whole 'test, test, test' thing comes from.. Simply because you'll never know unless you try.

    I'm not having a go or anything, just not wanting newbies to be scared to try everything and anything to up their conversion rate.
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  • Profile picture of the author yakim1
    I don't have any long videos that I have tested, but I do have short videos on squeeze pages. I use a video hosting site that tracts exactly how many watch what percent of the video.

    It will tract how many watch 10%, 20%, 30% all the way to 100% of the video. This is a real eye opener and would never just do a video sales letter.

    I did split test and the tests only varied around 5%. There was 45% to 50% of the viewers dropping out of the video before reaching the 100% mark.

    Now I'm talking videos that are only 1 1/2 minutes long. Just think if the video was 15 to 30 minutes long for a sales letter.

    I'm able to track every video I put up and I don't see any big advantage of using video by its self.

    Best regards,
    Steve Yakim
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Here's one more thing to think about...

      Before you blindly copy some tactic because [insert name] uses it, or "all the big names use it", ask yourself 'if these guys are such fanatical testers, how do I know I'm copying the winning version'?

      Bonus thing to think about...

      You need to consider HOW someone reached that video-only page with the delayed CTA. Huge difference between cold traffic and referred traffic that's been primed to a turn.
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      • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        Here's one more thing to think about...

        Before you blindly copy some tactic because [insert name] uses it, or "all the big names use it", ask yourself 'if these guys are such fanatical testers, how do I know I'm copying the winning version'?

        Bonus thing to think about...

        You need to consider HOW someone reached that video-only page with the delayed CTA. Huge difference between cold traffic and referred traffic that's been primed to a turn.
        Also, copying what the big gurus do in the IM sphere is not a good idea for little people like us. Because their reputation changes EVERYTHING.
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  • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
    OP you have nailed it. When I see videos which can't be skipped, I usually skip them, that is close them. The guy just lost a sale from me.
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  • Profile picture of the author helisell
    Interesting stuff Sean,

    Do you have any numbers to back this up?

    i.e. Your own conversion rates with a delayed button and without?

    That would be useful to know.

    Thanks
    Signature

    Making Calls To Sell Something? What are you actually saying?
    Is there any room for improvement? Want to find out?

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  • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
    This isn't just IM/MMO... for at least a hundred years now
    madmen and closers have known that when someone is ready
    to buy, you shut-up and let them!

    And when someone wants to know the price early, if you're not
    willing to answer their question directly and go from there, you
    have bigger problems than what their reaction might be.
    Signature

    The bartender says: "We don't serve faster-than-light particles here."

    ...A tachyon enters a bar.

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