by jcisme
9 replies
A couple of nights ago I was watching Seven Pounds when something Will Smith's character said grabbed my attention.

I'm about 1/2 way through an ebook, struggled through a sales letter and a landing page, which is probably exactly why it made an impact on me. Anyway this is what he said regarding sales:

1. Tell them what you're going to tell them.

2. Tell them.

3. Tell them what you just told them.

The simplicity of it was awesome.
  • Profile picture of the author mrmatt
    Absolutely. Dan Kennedy talks about selling them 7 times in 7 different ways all about the thing you are selling them or something along those lines. People may not get it one way but they may with another.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mickm
    That's the first thing they teach you when you start public speaking.. it works.
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  • Profile picture of the author Personal Coach
    Hi Dr. Julia,

    1. Tell them what you're going to tell them.

    2. Tell them.

    3. Tell them what you just told them.
    Yes, I'd say that's right and after I tell you why, you'll be able to write sales letters, landing pages and special reports in a way that makes them easier to read and faster to write. Your website visitors and customers will also have an easier time absorbing the information you put out there for them in this format which means they'll come back to you for more information in the future.
    NOTE: Does telling you that understanding why this is right will help make your writing easier and faster make you want to read on? If so, there's your answer already.
    Here's the key...

    Your goal as a writer is to get people to read what you write. To that end, you have to understand that people will only read or listen to (with interest) things they can clearly see the benefits of learning. In other words, when you tell people what you're going to tell them, it puts them in a more receptive mood to receive that information because you've told them how the information you're going to tell them is of benefit to them.

    For example, how often do you read the instructions on a fire extinguisher? Probably never right? But, if a fire breaks out, the instructions on a fire extinguisher are the most important words you'll read (with a high level of interest) that day because you can clearly see the benefits of using it correctly to fix a situation you find yourself in.

    The thing with sales letters is that you need to identify the situation your target market finds themselves in and write your letter in a way that it tells them how your (Insert Product Here) will help them quickly deal with that situation. Once you've identified their problem, they will read your letters, landing pages, ebooks, etc because they can clearly see (because you told them) that your writings contain a benefit they want.

    Then you tell them what you said you were going to tell them.

    The purpose of telling them what you told them is simply to recap the importance of getting whatever benefit you told them they would get from reading what you wrote in the first place. It ties your message together.

    But that's just my 2 cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Lam
    I laughed when I heard him say it, but only because I've heard it before and can relate to it as a marketer. I even pointed that out to my wife. Great movie. Just crazy though.
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    • Profile picture of the author jcisme
      Originally Posted by netdebut View Post

      I laughed when I heard him say it, but only because I've heard it before and can relate to it as a marketer. I even pointed that out to my wife. Great movie. Just crazy though.
      It was a great movie. It was totally unexpected too. When I read the
      title 'Seven Pound' I thought the storyline was going to be about a baby....what a surprise.
      Signature

      Dr. Julia

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    • Profile picture of the author diggo
      Originally Posted by netdebut View Post

      I laughed when I heard him say it, but only because I've heard it before and can relate to it as a marketer. I even pointed that out to my wife. Great movie. Just crazy though.
      Haha, I was actually watching this movie yesterday. I also cracked a smile when I heard the first 2 lines (it reminded me of one of the first things I learned when I started out article marketing). I then said the last line "tell them what you told them" out loud (simultaneously with Will Smith) and just got a couple of strange looks from my family. Nevermind!
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  • Profile picture of the author DotComBum
    Is this a new movies? What the movies is about?
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    • Profile picture of the author reynald2790
      Hi Dr. Julia,

      It is right. It is just capturing the minds of your readers which you are letting them know whats on your mind. Just for example if you write an article you tell them what is on your mind.

      Cheers,

      Reynald
      Signature

      Hi! I am Reynald Laque Logan | Reynald Logan Dreams, 22 years old. Living in Dumaguete City “The City of Gentle People.” I am a pure Filipino Citizen. I am a Freelance Provider preferably working at oDesk.

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