5 replies
Below is some copy I've churned out for a little venture I'm considering trying. I'd love to get some feedback on the copy.

What I'm struggling with is how much detail to provide about some of the technical things. Considering I'm giving the website away for free, I don't feel like there's a huge need to over educate in the sales letter. And I'm sending the report will be a really detailed report on a bunch of stuff (related to services I can sell in the future).

Anyway, If you fine folks have a few minutes please give a quick read and provide some feedback.

Thanks,
Paul



"Small Business Owner Discovers 3 Ways To More Customers Using a Free Website, and She Doesn't Know Anything About The Internet"

Time is money. I know you're busy, so I'll get right to the point. I'm offering a free website for your business. Unbelievable, right? Well I'm not going to insult your intelligence. The website is free, but you will have to pay a monthly fee to host it with me. But you'd have to pay this fee regardless, so I really am giving you a free website.

If I've done my homework, you don't have a website for your business. (After all it would be kind of silly to offer this to a business that has one). You've probably got a good reason for not having a site... Maybe you've got all the business you can handle... Maybe you don't think this "internet thing" is going to take off... Maybe no one has explained how to use a website to attract more customers and get more sales. Well if you'll give me 5 minutes of your time, I'll tell you exactly how to use this free website to get more customers.

Lead Generation

There's nothing more powerful than capturing the contact information of a potential customer, when you know what to do with it... Luckily the internet makes it insanely easy to communicate. All you need to do is get their permission to email them, typically by giving away something beneficial (as simple as a coupon), and you can now get them into your sales process via email.

Why is that important? Because you can easily email them automatically, whenever you want, with whatever message you want them to hear, for almost no cost. Think it's all to complicated? Believe me, it isn't. In fact, I'll explain in detail, via video, for FREE... but more on that later.

So how do you get these leads to your website? There's a bunch of different ways. You can direct them there via your advertising (print, radio, TV, or internet). You can rank highly on search engines, like Google, for keywords related to your business. Then people will click on your website and discover you. (This is called Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short). Just remember, getting the lead is critical, and there's no easier way to do it than with a website.

Direct Sales

While getting a lead is awesome, what about making direct sales via the internet? Whether you sell a service or physical products, the internet is a powerful way to sell. The great thing is it's automatic. It literally sells while you sleep. It's like direct mail on steroids.

Credibility

Nowadays you really have to have a website to be relevant. Did you know that more than 70% of people will search the internet prior to making a buying decision. If they don't find you, it's kind of hard for them to buy from you, isn't it?

I said 5 minutes and I know my time is almost up... So it's time tell you how you can get this free website.

All you need to do is fill out the form below with your name, address, email address and you'll be sent the instructions. Don't worry, it's super simple.

Oh, I almost forgot. You'll also get an awesome report detailing 6 ways to boost profits with a website. And remember that video I told you about earlier, well you'll get that too.

So fill out the form below and I'll be in touch shortly with the next steps.
#critique #requested
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Headline is OK, though most people know "something" about the Internet these days. Maybe change it to "SEO" or "Online Marketing".

    I understand the first paragraph, about the hosting fees, but I don't like it. Somehow it sets up a confrontational attitude. Consider revising by eliminating the "insulting your intelligence" bit and simply stating, "That's right, the expertise of the website is free: all that you have to do is take care of a monthly hosting rate that any website will require no matter what you do."

    Next paragraph: it's very possible that someone would choose to move to you if you could show them that their existing website was not effective. Most people think of the Web as a billboard. To us, it's obvious that there's a lot more to websites than that, but not to them. So don't knock out a third to a half of your potential market because you don't think they need what you do since they have an existing product. They may be dissatisfied with it.

    Lead generation: good paragraph. I would revise the opening sentence to be more positive--"The most powerful thing you can do to grow your business with online marketing is to capture..."

    Direct sales: no changes needed.

    Credibility: You could cut the first sentence. Second sentence (70%) needs a question mark at the end instead of a period. Take out the "Don't worry"..."Don't think about pink elephants."

    A stronger closing sentence is required.

    Overall, I think you're on the right track. Hope this helps!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4953572].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author packerfan
      @Kanigang - Thanks for the feedback. I'm in NC also, over by Hickory.

      @Schwan - Thanks and I replied in your thread.

      @Chris Webb - Thanks to you as well. I'll work on narrowing my focus, and I appreciate the honest feedback. I'll take it into consideration while reworking the copy.
      Signature

      Nothing to see here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4953743].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Schwan
    hi packerfan,

    So you helped me, i'm trying to help you

    -Maybe you should offer the first month for free. This would make the whole thing more like a no-brainer for the customer, because if its for free i don't have to worry about the technic so much.

    -I don't know how educated your target group is, but maybe you should change the " Lead Generation" to a more benifitical headline, like: communicate and SELL to your costumer at almost no cost or something like that?!
    -If i scan the text these headlines could be stronger to: "Direct Sales" --> "Direct Sales: Selling to your costumers automatically 24/7"
    "Credibility" --> "boost your Credibillity for more sales"

    Just my thoughts, but i'm not an expert, as you know my website is not profitable, but i specified my question to your (in my thread) here: http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...rofitable.html Could you reply there?

    Schwan
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4953574].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Chris Webb
    OK, I'll be brutally honest, because I think that will help you the most.

    Obviously I'm not your target market, but the big problem I think you have is the copy is too long - I got bored reading it.

    Copy like "Time is money, so I'll get straight to the point" is text you don't need in there - it adds no value to people reading trying to figure out "what's this about"?

    The other big problem I think you've got is it's not clear who you're targeting this at. Obviously you're targeting business owners without websites, but are they -

    1. Complete novices who know nothing about the web
    2. Educated and understand the basics but don't know how to start OR aren't clear how a website will help them

    If I were you, I'd focus on (2) and assume you're dealing with an audience with a basic level of understanding. Trying to sell to people who don't know why they need a website is a very, very hard task. Your work will be easier focusing on people who know they need one.

    Assuming that's the case, you can adjust your copy a little.

    Here's how I'd start your letter -

    Are you interested in -

    * A new website for you business, completely setup and hosted for you by an expert
    * Pulling in new leads to your business every day from your new site
    * A free report showing you six ways you can use your new site to boost profits
    *[list more benefits]

    If the answer is "yes," I'm offering a limited opportunity for a small number of business owners like you take advantage of a special offer.

    Order today, and you'll receive a new site for your business and the free report completely at no cost, except for a small ongoing payment for web hosting.

    Hope that helps
    Signature

    Hi I'm Chris and I run compelling.tv, a site dedicated to helping you to sell more with online video
    Get Free Video Marketing Tutorials on YouTube!
    Free Video Stuff: - Join for access!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4953646].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author packerfan
      Another version: feels a little better to me, but I still can't figure out how much to educate during the message. I know it's a targeting problem, so obviously I need to work on that a little.



      "50 Free Websites For Small Businesses That Need More Customers"


      How would you like a Free Website that is guaranteed to bring in new business?

      While it sounds to good to be true, it's not.

      You see, I'm tired of seeing small businesses getting ripped off for $1000's for websites that take less than an hour to make. That's why I'm offering a very small number of websites for free.

      There's one catch... because there's always a catch. Anytime you have a website, you have to pay a monthly hosting fee. It doesn't matter where you get your site, you have to pay this fee. That's how I make money off this deal. I save you thousands on the website, and I make money on the hosting.

      You probably fall into one of two categories. You either don't have a website, or the one you have isn't making you any money. I'd like to offer a solution to both of those problems.

      For the first 50 business owners that respond I'm offering the following:
      • A Free Website customized for your business. (If you already have a website, it can be a redesign).
      • A Free online marketing report that will teach you step-by-step how to attract leads, build relationships with those leads, and convert them into customers.
      • A Free social media marketing guide that teaches everything you need to know about marketing on facebook, and twitter.
      • A Free Beginners guide to search engine optimization: How to save $1000's of and not get ripped off by your "SEO Guy".

      If you're unsure of what any of that "tech talk" is, don't worry. It's all explained in the reports. The important thing to remember is every one of those methods can get you new customers.

      Obviously these 50 sites will go very quickly. I expect the offer to close within 3 days. If you want your free website, all you have to do is pay the $xx/monthly fee by clicking on the link below.

      6-Month Money Back Guarantee

      Still not convinced? I'll tell you what then. I'll give you a 180 day money back guarantee. That's right, 6 months risk free. If you don't see any benefit to having a website at the end of 6 months, simply let me know and I'll refund your money, every last cent of it.

      So just to recap...

      You get a Free Website, 3 reports that show you new ways to get customers, and a 6 month money back guarantee.

      Be one of the first 50 or you won't sleep tonight.

      Click Here To Order
      Signature

      Nothing to see here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4954100].message }}

Trending Topics