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Oops... I Just Remembered I Suck At Internet Marketing After 6 Years...

by Clara H
22 replies
Here's the deal. I have my own product (a few actually, but let's start with this one) that solves huge, common problems in a fanatical hobby niche that I'm personally involved in. But... I just have so much trouble selling. I lack skills. I've got to the point that I'm stuck and don't know which direction to go in anymore.

With my product, there's really only one main competitor and he's been making a full time living in this niche for years. My product is an eBook and bonus eBooks, I really need to work on the presentation there. I own all of the competitor's products and I know my information is much higher quality, more informed and effective. But it's a little boring-looking at the moment.

I'm not new to Internet Marketing... I first found out about it 6 years ago and started then. I think I'm doing well for a short while, then my sales and conversions drop even though I'm doing the same thing. It's all inconsistent and the money is nothing to write home about. I want to get serious about this and put 200% into what works.

At first my salesletter converted at nearly 2%, now it's currently a little under 1%. I have a small mailing list I've been building up (squeeze page converts low, I send my list high quality articles and ask them questions then pitch my product -- no sales yet). I have a small Facebook page about the niche with 50 targeted followers so far... I concentrate on paid traffic (e.g. PPC) which I have a few tricks and am okay at, although I still need much more traffic.

With this in mind, where do I turn? How do I turn my *average* product, marketing and traffic into *mindblowing*?

What sort of website do I set up? Authority/Blog? Long sales copy (which I have, but low converting)? Squeeze page (also have, low converting)? Who are the product creation gurus that I can follow?

I'm just sort of stuck here. It's the first time that I've felt like I don't know where I'm going. I'm usually super persistent (and still am) but I think I need some major help. I want to put everything I've got into this.

That being said, two things I've learnt over the years that I do not like are backlinking and writing 100s of articles. I've not had great luck with those and have got far more out of paid traffic and other traffic methods...

Sorry for the long post and THANK YOU for any advice and tips! Also thank you for your patience with me, I was hesitant to post this.
#internet #marketing #oops… #remembered #years…
  • Profile picture of the author braincandy7
    If you know a lot about your particular niche i would suggest creating a blog which allows you to show your expertise in the subject and points towards your product/s.

    Often the top sellers will only be selling more than everyone else because they have a strong name which is partly created by lots of affiliates advertising that name all over the place.

    If you can build your own brand and following through a high quality blog you have a good chance at starting to beat them. You can also monetize with some advertising on the blog as well as getting organic traffic.
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    • Profile picture of the author Marian
      Authority blog with lots of quality content (you have no problem with, right?)... using forms, etc... I assume you know the basics already. That works for me.

      Marian
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Hi Clara *waves*

    Nice to see another Aussie in here.

    Whats the URL?
    ...oh, and whats the URL of your competitors site

    ...oh and keywords (that is all)
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    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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    • Profile picture of the author Simmeon
      Originally Posted by John Romaine View Post

      Hi Clara *waves*

      Nice to see another Aussie in here.

      Whats the URL?
      ...oh, and whats the URL of your competitors site

      ...oh and keywords (that is all)
      Oh no! I smell competition.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by Simmeon View Post

        Oh no! I smell competition.
        I got better things to do with my time than rip people off.

        Im here to help.
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        BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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  • Profile picture of the author ThereIsAlwaysHOPE
    Yeah I think if you want help with conversions and traffic you should really let people take a look at your site. Too little info to tell on why your offer isn't working well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clara H
    Sorry for the late reply, but I want to say thank you to the replies so far and the couple of PMs I have received! For people who are happy to offer specific help, I can give you my website address, PM only though.

    It sounds like setting up a blog is the way to go then... This makes sense, I've been addicted to Steve Pavlina's blog recently (stevepavlina.com) and he posts such high quality content that I'm pretty much ready to buy anything he offers.

    So what is the best way to monotize an authority blog (when you have your own product)? What generally works the best as far as advertising on your blog?

    I'm thinking about this more and I think I might also divide my product up into multiple products and improve the presentation and format somehow...
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    • Profile picture of the author Shadowflux
      As far as monetizing an authority blog with your own product I think you should do a few things. First, you should have ads for your product posted in a prominent place. Obvious, I know

      What you should also do is make sure that you have a lot of content that relates to the product. I don't know the specifics of your product but I write for a lot of people that do the same thing. Let's say your product is about Betta fish (first thing I saw on my desk), you should post articles that center around this topic.

      "How to set up a Betta habitat"
      "Preventing Common Betta Diseases"
      "The best food for a Betta"

      I'm sure this sounds a bit obvious as well but the trick is to lead into selling the product in a nonchalant way. Try using sentences like:

      "Betta fish make great pets and they will live for years if you care for them properly. Following the information provided in good Betta guides can help ensure a happy and healthy life for your aquatic friend."

      The underlined words are actually a link to your sales page. If readers like the content you post they will happily buy the product when they find out you're the one who made it.

      A blog is a great idea because it increases the marketability of your product. You're not promoting the product, you'll be promoting the blog. The blog will promote the product and I think it's a fair bit easier to promote a blog rather than a specific product.

      I hope this helps, it's late and I'm a bit tired so I'm trying to make as much sense as I can.
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    • Profile picture of the author msm24
      Hi Clara,

      It sounds like you already know a few of your issues that you are having. The sales page graphics and the e-book cover graphics probably need to be revamped to show more value. You know you have better information than your competitor, but nobody will buy the steak unless you sell the sizzle. Make the product look incredible.

      Also, I didn't know if you were already doing a few things so I have to ask.

      Are you testing multiple squeeze pages/ sales letters?
      Do you have a video version/ long letter/ short letter?

      Maybe you should also look at how you could separation your product from you competitors in value. Maybe you should create a video course to increase the value instead of just having e-books, if your market allows for video courses.

      Maybe you should do some Frank Kern "results in advance" stuff. Create a 3 page sales process, the first two sales pages should give your prospect the first two steps of the process to fixing their problem and then to get all of the information they must buy your product.

      Hopefully this gives you some ideas that can help you.

      Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author Clara H
      I just realised something! I'm going to an international convention about this niche in a few months. Last time I went they gave out bags to everyone which contained brochures and business cards and such. The convention costs $350 to get in so these guys are buyers. Maybe if I can get this blog set up in time I can throw in my own advertising at the convention. Must get this up and running!

      Originally Posted by Portlandrocks View Post

      Go for it! An authority blog should do really well if you already have been able to sell your product in the past. You could build a nice list with a site like that.

      May I ask what methods you used to sell your ebook in the past?
      The method I've used that have actually ended in sales have been PPC (specifically Adwords and Microsoft Adcenter although I've started using others too) leading directly to a long sales page.

      I've also set up a Facebook fan page and used Facebook ads to create a small following and lead to a squeeze page but no sales yet. Also built up a very small mailing list with PPC and Facebook ads but no sales from them yet.

      Other methods I've used but didn't work well for me are SEO, dabbled in article marketing (submitting to EzineArticles, etc), Twitter, press releases, eBay, YouTube, that's all I can think of for now.


      Originally Posted by Shadowflux View Post

      As far as monetizing an authority blog with your own product I think you should do a few things. First, you should have ads for your product posted in a prominent place. Obvious, I know

      ETC
      Yes, very helpful! Text links are a good idea, I click on those in blogs all the time. I guess I'll study some addictive blogs and some niche blogs and follow exactly what they do. I might also outsource some articles to some good writers (not cheap but worth it if this works out).

      Originally Posted by msm24 View Post

      Hi Clara,

      It sounds like you already know a few of your issues that you are having. The sales page graphics and the e-book cover graphics probably need to be revamped to show more value. You know you have better information than your competitor, but nobody will buy the steak unless you sell the sizzle. Make the product look incredible.

      Also, I didn't know if you were already doing a few things so I have to ask.

      Are you testing multiple squeeze pages/ sales letters?
      Do you have a video version/ long letter/ short letter?

      Maybe you should also look at how you could separation your product from you competitors in value. Maybe you should create a video course to increase the value instead of just having e-books, if your market allows for video courses.

      Maybe you should do some Frank Kern "results in advance" stuff. Create a 3 page sales process, the first two sales pages should give your prospect the first two steps of the process to fixing their problem and then to get all of the information they must buy your product.

      Hopefully this gives you some ideas that can help you.

      Good luck
      Excellent advice, thank you. I have done some minor testing with different wording and such, although I don't think I get enough traffic to do much testing and comparing. :\

      I only have a long sales letter with no video.

      I agree, I want to improve the formatting of my product, instead of it just being an eBook. Standing in front of a camera talking scares me though! I don't think I talk well on camera...

      I will certainly look more into Frank Kern's 3 step sales process.

      Thanks for all the thoughts and advice guys, I am glad I posted this thread.
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      • Profile picture of the author msm24
        Here is Frank's Results in advance process video. Make sure you watch the whole thing because in the beginning he goes of on a tangent about absolutely nothing important.

        http://masscontrolsite.com/blog/?p=62
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      • Profile picture of the author cjreynolds
        Originally Posted by Clara H View Post

        Standing in front of a camera talking scares me though! I don't think I talk well on camera...
        Don't take your own word for that - get a second and maybe third opinion. We're all too critical of ourselves, and I find people often talk themselves out of doing things that they're really good at.
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        I just added this sig so I can refer to it in my posts...

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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan Joseph
    Hi Clara,

    First, congrats on creating you're product!
    I'd suggest the top 5 things in your particular case:

    1) Check out odesk.com for someone who can help you with PR (Public Relations).

    2) Come out with a Press Release on PRweb.com (this will build up your momentum).

    3) Contact your "competitor" and suggest a JV partnership. Let them know that you've got some great free information to share, and have a webinar/ teleseminar on it - which creates high value and allows for you to CONNECT with you're audience in a powerful way. You can also suggest you're product or service at the end of the summit.

    4) Create valuable free videos and hire someone on fiverr.com to distribute them across multiple free video sites like: YouTube, DailyMotion, Vimeo, Google Video, MetaCafe, etc.

    5) Lastly, start link-building with at least 5 top keywords. Go for QUALITY rather then quantity. This will bump up you're SEO ranking in Google and get you more traffic - for free.

    I'm sure you'll do great!
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    Jon

    "Success comes when people act together; failure tends to happen alone." -- Deepak Chopra

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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    Hi Clara, you could consider finding yourself affiliates who can market your product for you. If you don't think marketing or promoting your product is your cup of tea, there are plenty of people who are going to be willing to help you for a small commission. If you truly believe in your product, this is one way to go about it.

    Another option is perhaps increasing your marketing skills. It's not something you can just go and do - you need to learn about the field before you are able to see any success. If your products are good and you have the time, you should be able to sell it with a bit of effort
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    You should get more traffic and just drive all of them to your sales letter page. Especially since you said your squeeze page converts low also. The 2% conversion rate you're getting... is that from your email list or from just driving people to your saels letter page?
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    ==>> Free book reveals make money with affiliate marketing
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    • Profile picture of the author LiamP
      Maybe consider

      - Video Sales Letter
      - Video(s) instead of or as well as ebook (more perceived value)
      You don't need to stand in front of a camera. You can talk over a Powerpoint style presentation or pay someone to read it for you
      - Kindle ebook. Cutdown content for a cutdown price
      - Answer questions in related forums to build your profile
      - Can one of the niches problems be solved by a simpe app? Get the app written (easier said than done), give it away for free and could be a great listbuilder or sales driver.
      - Guest posting on niche blogs
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      A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
      Robert A. Heinlein

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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    Originally Posted by Clara H View Post

    Here’s the deal. I have my own product (a few actually, but let’s start with this one) that solves huge, common problems in a fanatical hobby niche that I’m personally involved in. But… I just have so much trouble selling. I lack skills. I’ve got to the point that I’m stuck and don’t know which direction to go in anymore.

    With my product, there’s really only one main competitor and he’s been making a full time living in this niche for years. My product is an eBook and bonus eBooks, I really need to work on the presentation there. I own all of the competitor’s products and I know my information is much higher quality, more informed and effective. But it’s a little boring-looking at the moment.

    I’m not new to Internet Marketing… I first found out about it 6 years ago and started then. I think I’m doing well for a short while, then my sales and conversions drop even though I’m doing the same thing. It’s all inconsistent and the money is nothing to write home about. I want to get serious about this and put 200% into what works.

    At first my salesletter converted at nearly 2%, now it’s currently a little under 1%. I have a small mailing list I’ve been building up (squeeze page converts low, I send my list high quality articles and ask them questions then pitch my product -- no sales yet). I have a small Facebook page about the niche with 50 targeted followers so far… I concentrate on paid traffic (e.g. PPC) which I have a few tricks and am okay at, although I still need much more traffic.

    With this in mind, where do I turn? How do I turn my *average* product, marketing and traffic into *mindblowing*?

    What sort of website do I set up? Authority/Blog? Long sales copy (which I have, but low converting)? Squeeze page (also have, low converting)? Who are the product creation gurus that I can follow?

    I’m just sort of stuck here. It’s the first time that I’ve felt like I don’t know where I’m going. I’m usually super persistent (and still am) but I think I need some major help. I want to put everything I’ve got into this.

    That being said, two things I’ve learnt over the years that I do not like are backlinking and writing 100s of articles. I’ve not had great luck with those and have got far more out of paid traffic and other traffic methods…

    Sorry for the long post and THANK YOU for any advice and tips! Also thank you for your patience with me, I was hesitant to post this.
    Are you working 100% solo?

    If so, then that is definitely the problem. I think your best bet would be to call me immediately so we can have an in-depth consulation about your marketing.

    I also happen to have a wso in front of me right now showing how you can increase conversions 10thousand% just by using a male model. Is this something you have ever considered before? Because I just so happen to have a free coupon I can give you too. If you feel like... well, testing some things.

    Ok thats enough! I'm so sorry my mind was stuck in a daze after seeing your avy but now I'm begining to think straight again.

    My real recommendation would be to do a bit of cold calling. Cold calling can be a highly effective technique for increasing sales when implemented properly. I also have this great list I can send you that I've been able to pull a huge ROI from consistently (100%).

    There is just 1 problem though, the list only has 1 phone number.

    But hey what do you got to lose right?
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  • Profile picture of the author mrinternational
    I'm no expert in this field but would you consider the following:

    A) hire a professional copy writer with a proven track record for your sales page.

    B) Read all you can about writing your sales copy by studying other successful people's. Sales copy. What are they doing to make sales.

    Track and measure any and all changes to your sales page. Adjust until you have a wining formula.
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    ATTN NEWBIES: [START HERE] Discover How To Sell Online Without A Website
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  • Profile picture of the author Clara H
    Whoo! Okay. I’ve spent the last few days doing some research so that I can get started. I’ve read the comments here as well as nearly everything else on the Warrior Forum on how people are finding success with blogging.

    Thanks again guys for your input! I cannot express in words how much I appreciate it.
    Randall Magwood: The 2% conversion rate was for visitors going straight to my long sales letter. However after a while that dropped to a little below 1%.
    RedShifted: Haha, you are hilarious!

    I’ve analyzed exactly what the main guy in my niche is doing… he is successful so I will do what he’s doing, only better and with my own Unique Selling Proposition. I can see lots of room for improvement and I already know my raw information that I’m selling is higher quality. He has a blog so I’m still currently looking at which types of posts created the most interest from visitors.

    So… it’s time to take ACTION!

    Here’s the plan. Any comments and critiques are very welcome and appreciated. I have bit the dust in Internet Marketing many, many times, so it would be great if this works! :\

    THE WEBSITE

    I stumbled across this absolute goldmine of a website and absorbed all their content: Mindvalley Insights for Online Marketing Techniques

    They are massively successful with their websites/blogs (which concentrate on selling its own product like mine will) so I want to create a similar feel (e.g. Silva Life System | Silva Method Mind Control by Jose Silva and Chakra Healing| Complete Chakra Course By Carol Tuttle). The target market in my niche are very visual people and are big on seeing pretty pictures that reflect their hobby, so this should suit well. The main guy in my niche also uses a pretty visual website.

    I will be paying some writers to write most of the content because I don’t think I can do all this on my own. I have the type of information to be written. Speaking of which, if anyone here can write engaging, quality blog posts, feel free to send me a PM.

    The website will concentrate on delivering quality content that people want to share, building trust with me and positioning me as someone who knows what they are talking about. It will also concentrate on directing people to opt-in to my mailing list.

    I also have some videos to create, I guess!

    MY PRODUCT

    I watched this video and wow! This: The No.1 Product Tip: Know Your Market Sophistication | Mindvalley Insights for Online Marketing Techniques A thousand times this! I have been making some mistakes, so now I know how to position my products (and marketing) better.

    As I mentioned previously, my product is just a few eBooks. It covers how to solve the four most common problems in the niche, however these can all probably be separate products. I will add some audio interviews in there (outsource) and probably some videos and/or software too. I also need to improve the ecover graphics and such. I can also make a physical version (more expensive) because I keep getting emails from people asking for a physical book.

    I’ve also found a few products I can affiliate with (including Amazon) to supplement my own information product. I guess I’ll do some blog post reviews on them or something?

    It will probably be worth it for me to fork out and get some paid help writing my sales copy, considering my little success in the past.

    TRAFFIC

    Paid traffic and social networking are my two favourites so I’ll continue using them.

    I’ll cave in and give SEO another go… maybe try guest blogging too. Backlinking confuses me though because so much of it seems to be outdated advice that can do more harm than good…

    I’m going to try and go big with encouraging affiliates to sell, offering them large commissions and lots of resources and training. I have heard a technique to get affiliates and opt-ins by creating mini products that sell for under $10, giving affiliates 100% commission and the buyers have to opt-in to your list in order to get their mini product.

    I’ve also seen the main guy in this niche advertise in magazines so I’ll give that a go. As well as advertise in the convention coming up in a couple of months. If that goes well then I’ll advertise in the other conventions that go on throughout the year.

    That’s what I’ve got so far.

    If this works (please, please work! D: ), then I’ll rinse and repeat with another product I’ve written (in a health niche).
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  • Profile picture of the author braincandy7
    Very good progress Clara Jump on skype later if you have direct questions about backlinking or want me to run you through an overview. But as you also have access you can also use the backlinking tutorials on the left hand side of the site.
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