Unexpected test results and how it changed my business forever

Now I just want to mention that this only works with your own products and I have not been able to replicate or adapt with affiliate marketing.

Since I started out in affilaite marketing all of my traffic went to a squeeze page to collect opt ins, give them some sort of freebie either a free report or video that would help them solve some of their biggest problems in advance. (which is great and highly recommended for affilaite marketers)

I decided one day to start sending traffic directly to the sales page, ppc and banner traffic, just to see what would happen. (all of this took place in a non make money related niche)

I sent 1000 visitors directly to the sales page and 1000 to the squeeze page and here is what I came up with.

Squeeze page results:

21% opt in rate - 210 opt ins
9% sales conversion rate = 19 sales
$3,734 in sales

Direct to sales page:

4% conversion rate - 41 sales
$8,077 in sales

Now I did of course use an email parser and a check box after purchase to build a list of everyone who purchased who would like to willingly be on a list for future follow up.

1,000 visitors cost me roughly $700 so keep that in mind too, which doesn't come overnight in under 5 clicks, this step is actually pretty tedious and takes about 20 actual hours of work to do it right and that is just to setup, then it takes even more time to get 1000 visitors,But after its all setup the traffic continues to come on its own.

I also usually sell offers in the $197-$2000 range, the only time I have sold low end $17 offers is here in the forum, which is not ideal because you sell literally thousands of copies and are then swamped and have to answer emails all day long which eventually takes away from future earnings.

I also should mention the sales page I used and have been using ever since is much different than what is usually seen.

I start out by finding out exactly what the market is having trouble with, I do extensive research to find out exactly what they need solved and mainly what result they are trying to accomplish.

Then I figure out how exactly to help them get that result in the quickest and easiest way possible. A nice simple and easy to follow video/PDF course usually about 4-6 sessions in total which I deliver over the course of 4-6 weeks with action steps they can act on and actually get a positive result.

The important thing is that you actually focus on helping them get a result, this research takes a few weeks of actual work. Not outsourced , I'm talking down and dirty, for the product I am currently working on I went to a couple chiropractors and even some therapists in person not only to see what it was like for the people suffering but also to get first hand advice from the professionals who deal with the type of people I am trying to help daily.

I also run surveys to people in the niche, find other people who have ran surveys, basically finding out the situations they are in the real underlying problems and I also have a combination of techniques proven to be the most successful based on actual hard data.

Then it's time for the sales page, no long boring stories about life, I get right in there, if your this type of person with this type of problem and are looking for this result keep reading.

I do full text with video optional so they can either read or watch the video. I then begin to tell them what and how to solve their problems. It's almost like frank kerns results in advance strategy just worked into a sales page.

Even if they just read the sales page it would have the potential to change their lives, this basically lets people know that I can help them, how , and if they want more help they have the option to do so in exchange for a little bit of their money.

The whole process takes about 6-8 weeks and the results are pretty consistent, I have been testing this out and using it for the last 8 months and have had similar results every time

The research step is probably the most important step, without it you would just be guessing and leaving your income to chance which is never good, if you outsource you lose the inside advantage you have.

Don't be afraid to actually get in there and do some work it won't kill you and will most likely help you reach your goals.