
Copy critique request
I've been working on a product for a while now, and I could use some help with the sales copy, if anyone is interested in helping out.
The product is a timer for use on Android phones.
I need to create a squeeze page and copy for the app store.
I am having a very difficult time writing these things, so I shifted gears and wrote a F.A.Q., with the intention that it will be the first message users see from me after opening the app for the first time (they'll have to tap an Info icon to see the message, it won't pop up automatically.)
The top section (in bold italics below) is what I'm currently using as my sales copy in the app store. I don't know if this is adequate, or needs improvement to encourage downloads.
I'm also not sure if I should load up on some keywords to help me get found by people looking for a Project Timer, Pomodoro or Scrum Timer.
Do you think this same copy (the bold, italic stuff) can be used as-is on the squeeze page, with only a button to the Google Play Store as the only sign in option (no request for a name or email address)?
I am including the F.A.Q. in its entirety, as maybe you'll see a benefit or hook I'm not using as well as I could.
Thanks,
-Rob
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F.A.Q.
What is Project Time Machines, and why are there more than one?
Project Time Machines is an app designed to help you get your projects done.In this very first version you are using now, you only have one PTM, which can monitor one project.
Unlike other time management systems, Project Time Machines isn't looking to reorganize your life. It really doesn't care about your laundry needing to be picked up, or what time you have to get your kids to soccer practice.
Your PTM is only interested in one thing... The biggest, most important project you are working on right now.
* What is the overall goal for your project?
* When do you want to reach that goal?
* What specific actions will you be taking right now, over the next several minutes or hours?
* How long will you work, completely focused, starting now, with no breaks or interruptions?
* And when you're done working, your PTM will ask what you accomplished and what you plan to work on next?
You simply turn on your PTM when you're ready to start working, enter a few words or sentences about what you're doing, and turn it off when you're done.
No big setup process. No daily habits to develop. No daily maintenance of some complicated system.
It's as easy to use as a kitchen timer, but what you get in return is more usable, useful information about your progress and performance than any productivity system has provided you with before.
At a glance, you'll be able to see:
* What times of the day (or night) do you work most effectively?
* How much of the time you are at your desk (or wherever you work) is spent truly focused?
* And how much of your "work" time is spent distracted, taking breaks or otherwise goofing off?
* Do you have habits that are helping or hurting you? For example, do you work more effectively when you exercised that morning? Or do you work poorly when getting less than 7 hours sleep the night before? Your PTM will track your habits and how they may be affecting you, with almost zero effort on your part!
* Do you tend to sometimes take several days off (or longer) when working on a project? Your PTM will always tell you exactly how many days it's been since you've last sat down and got to work, which can be a great motivator for getting you back in action!
* No matter how much time you may have been away from your project, when you're ready to get back to work, your PTM will tell you exactly where you left off, and what you should be working on right now.
* What are the major roadblocks or challenges that are slowing down your progress, and how did, or do, you plan to overcome them?
* As you work, your PTM will record a step-by-step blueprint of every action you take, every challenge you overcome, and exactly-to-the-minute how much time you've spent working towards your goal.
Your project isn't going to complete itself. If you want to get it done, you're going to have to spend the time required, even if it's only a little time every day.
Project Time Machines will help you stick with your plan, improve your performance along the way and reach your ultimate goals.
In the near future, you will be able to power up multiple Project Time Machines and monitor multiple projects simultaneously.
Please keep an eye on the Info icon in the top toolbar. This is where we'll let you know when new features are released.
What's an Op?
An Op (rhymes with hop) is short for Operation. Whenever you commit to working on your project for a specific block of time, whether it be 20 minutes or 12 hours, your PTM will refer to this block of time as an Op.
Your PTM is only interested in monitoring your time and progress while your head is down, headphones are on (if that's part of your process) and you are fully focused on your tasks at hand.
Just enter, as your Op Duration, how long you intend to maintain this focus, without taking breaks or getting distracted or interrupted. This can be as long or as short a block of time as you like.
If you NEED to take a break, tap the Break button. Your PTM will track the time you're wasting.
Can I stop my Op early?
Sure.
If you want to be sure to not accumulate any Lost Time, make sure that you do not pause your Op. Just tap the Break Icon on the Icon Bar, and then Stop your Op.
What if I want to keep working after my Op ends?
Tap the Overtime button when your Op ends. Or start a new Op.
You can continue to take breaks if you need to, and end the Op whenever you're ready.
There's a bunch of other icons. Do I need to enter all this stuff?
The only thing you're required to enter before you start an Op is your Op Duration. All other fields are optional. But here is a brief description of some of the things that are available and you can decide if you want to fill in these details.
Operation Objective
This is a step or phase of your project that you're working on right now. As you may be working on this same objective over several days or more, your Op Objective will auto-fill with whatever you were working on last.
Focus
These are the specific actions you will be taking during this Op.
For example, if your Operation Objective is Launch my Blog, your Focus for this 1 hour Op may be Setup a hosting account and Install Wordpress.
Break
Try not to accumulate anything in here.
But if you are prone to taking breaks or getting interrupted, you may want to record some detail here so you can see what your biggest distractions are, and maybe when they tend to happen most.
Roadblock
In almost any significant project there will be unexpected hurdles, sometimes major hurdles, to overcome. Record them here so if you go through the process again, there will be one less surprise. Recording this information, and how you overcame the challenge will also be indispensable if you are ever helping or coaching someone else to complete a similar project.
Overtime
This field is inactive until you complete your Op (when you reach your Op Duration).
Once your Op completes, you will be given the option to Stop your Op or Add Overtime.
If Overtime is selected, your Op will automatically resume and will continue until you manually stop the Op.
Actions Taken
This is where you can record what you accomplished during this Op. You may also record the actions you intend to take next time. Enter as much or as little detail as you wish.
Actions Taken is also a good place to record details about other influences that you notice have affected your performance.
Do you find yourself more focused and getting more done in the early mornings as opposed to late at night?
Are you almost guaranteed to be interrupted at least once whenever you work mid-afternoon?
Is that one extra drink while working late at night making you more or less creative?
You can record your thoughts on questions like these, and you can see how your personal habits are affecting your performance by reviewing your Op times and your...
Op Score
How'd you do this Op? What score or grade would you give yourself for your performance this block?
Were you focused?
Did you take breaks?
Did you complete all you intended to?
You can use any 3 digits to score your performance. However...
If you use A+ through F
(A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+ C, C-, D+, D, D-, F)
OR
0 through 999
(typically 1 through 10, or 0 through 100)
your PTM will automatically calculate your Average Project Score and will display it on the Completed Ops screen.
Averages are only calculated if you use EITHER letter or number scores. If you use a mix of letters and numbers, or use letters outside the letter-score range, your average will not be automatically calculated.
You may manually modify your displayed Project Score Average at any time, but once modified, your PTM will no longer calculate an average.
What kind of projects can Project Time Machines help me complete?
* Looking to launch a blog?
* Working on a term paper?
* Trying to lose 20 lbs. before the summer?
* Learning to play the drums?
* Want to report to your client on your progress writing their new ad campaign?
Any project where you must put in consistent effort to see results, you can monitor your progress, improve your performance and reach your goals faster with Project Time Machines.
I'm already using a timer system like the Pomodoro Technique. Why should I use Project Time Machines?
Because of it's total flexibility, Project Time Machines is 100% compatible with any time measuring system you wish to use.
If you're using Pomodoro (work 25 minutes, take a 5 min break, work another 25 min...),
Simply set your Op Duration for 25 minutes, take your break when the Op completes, and then set another 25 minute Op. Do this as often as you like. But unlike with a basic timer, Project Time Machines will give you a complete record of every step you've taken during each block of time, along with a total summary of how long you've spent, how well you performed and what you should work on next - all with almost zero additional effort on your part.
And if you use a project management methodology such as Scrum or Agile, then Project Time Machines is the perfect companion system to keep track of your 3 Key Questions:
1. What did you work on last?
2. What will you work on next?
3. What impediments are getting in your way?
What else can this app do?
Well, as of this current version, it does a lot.
Hopefully, you'll come to rely on it as your daily coach...
* Showing you what you need to do now
* Reminding you what you need to do next
* Making sure you put in some time every day
* Or keeping an eye out for when you're taking too much time off
* Standing over your shoulder to keep you from too many breaks or interruptions
* Letting you know when you're performing great... or when you're working sub-par
* Telling you WHY you might be performing the way you are
* And it will look you in the eye every day and will remind you what your ultimate goal is, and just how close you are to getting there.
But this is just the beginning. We have a long list of features on the way, that will continue to help you plan and execute your project like no other system you've ever used before.
Just keep an eye on the Info Icon at the top of the screen and we'll let you know when we have exciting info to share with you!
What if I have questions, or suggestions or what if I need technical support?
Please visit us at (website coming soon).
> "Confused about sales & marketing? 7+hours of tips available"
Available on Google Play
Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff together.
Available on Google Play
Available on Google Play
Available on Google Play