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Video sales letter basics?

by marciayudkin
11 replies
A client of mine asked for a resource (free or low-cost) on the basics of writing video sales letters for a sophisticated (not make-money-fast) market. This is an experienced copywriter who just hasn't done any VSLs yet.

Your suggestions?

Thanks,
Marcia Yudkin
#basics #letter #sales #video #vsl
  • Profile picture of the author Tim R
    I'd suggest to them that it's worth investing in quality learning resources the same way it's worth investing in good copy. If they're an experienced copywriter I don't know why they'd be looking to learn from the cheapest option available.

    Jon Benson and Ryan Deiss both have quality products that teach you the specifics of putting together a VSL.

    Might not fit in with your client's budget though. Maybe other people know of some free resources that are as good or better, but I haven't seen any.
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    A product came out recently called VideoMaker FX that makes it
    easy to create a professional looking video sales letter.

    Video sales letters are very similar to regular sales letters.

    You grab attention in the first 10 seconds (or you lose them).

    You use an appealing promise upfront.

    You have bullet points.

    You have a strong offer.

    You have a strong call to action.

    If you can write a good sales letter you're about 85% of the way to
    writing a good sales letter.

    From there a lot of it is making sure the dialogue can be spoken naturally
    and including visuals that make sense.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
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    • Profile picture of the author joe golfer
      Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

      A product came out recently called VideoMaker FX that makes it
      easy to create a professional looking video sales letter.
      I read they made $500,000 in VideoMaker FX sales in a few days. Woah.

      Depending on the affiliate commish, that's a lot of video editor cash.
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      • Profile picture of the author GlenH
        Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

        I read they made $500,000 in VideoMaker FX sales in a few days. Woah.

        Depending on the affiliate commish, that's a lot of video editor cash.
        That's really quiet incredible given that the 'customization' functions in that app. are really limited compared to many other video creation apps. on the market.

        It must have come down to the simplicity of that app. which was the attraction for the 18000 buyers
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        • Profile picture of the author Kunle Olomofe
          Originally Posted by GlenH View Post

          That's really quiet incredible given that the 'customization' functions in that app. are really limited compared to many other video creation apps. on the market.

          It must have come down to the simplicity of that app. which was the attraction for the 18000 buyers
          You're right but I also think price mattered as well if not more. Competitors charge monthly or otherwise heftily. This was what a less than $40 deal for what looks like pretty awesome software although as you said it's customization features are limited compared to better known apps.

          Another trick I think he pulled off that worked great was the fact that he combined the kinds of videos multiple apps make into his one app which is a very attractive concept in and off itself.

          In short, an all-in-one deal for a software that's so easy to use that turns out quite a pro looking finished product at such a great price combined with a ton of eager partners/affiliates I think the product pretty much sold itself

          From what I can see it was released just a week or so ago and is already closed for taking new orders cos they want to be able to handle the intake of clients they have now so that is definitely a great sales launch too bad they don't have the structure to handle more sales and customer support because that $500K was just the start, if he was still selling he may easily double that within the next week and keep selling truck loads of it for quite a while.

          Though I hear it has some functionality issues which probably added to the reasons they shut down sales so quickly so they could fix the bugs or at least easily handle the complaints from the crowd they pulled now.

          All in all I hate that I missed the launch though cos I would have bought it too
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        • Profile picture of the author Nino
          Originally Posted by GlenH View Post

          That's really quiet incredible given that the 'customization' functions in that app. are really limited compared to many other video creation apps. on the market.

          It must have come down to the simplicity of that app. which was the attraction for the 18000 buyers
          I agree...

          I got 1000 e-mails spamming me with the videomakerfx... those videos will be so obsolete in 6 months from now that you won't believe it and here's why: because it has a few styles, templates, which, if used by everyone, will actually make you less of an authority than you'd be if you just a put powerpoint video.

          Just like the sparkol videos, which i still see people trying to sell that type of videos for $200. Are you kidding me? There's a huge difference between a real whiteboard video and the sparkol and guess what? Everyone has a horse in this race, even if you want it or not.

          Now, to answer Marcia's question i'd also recommend the split test book from http://www.dotcomsecretslabs.com/. I heard somewhere around that it has some cool stuff about VSLs too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Quality Copywriter
    the basis of a good VSL is a decent sales letter,
    not much alteration is needed.

    sure you can pick up some tricks from Benson and Chris hadaad and Ryan but they didn't re-invent the wheel.

    personally i think people are sick of the whole...

    this is a fish and 2 seconds im going to show you how this fish is going to get you laid, make you money,,,blah blah blah.

    just stick with the basics like
    getting attention with the pattern interupt
    what is this promising
    why this is different (the big idea)
    show all the benefits
    prove it
    get them to act now and you should be fine.

    come to think of it...

    Mike Marin had a very good WSO on here a while back for only a few bucks where he breaks down VSL's. it was top notch, I'd recommend it. cost you a lot less than the alternatives.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sean Fry
      Originally Posted by Quality Copywriter View Post

      personally i think people are sick of the whole...

      this is a fish and 2 seconds im going to show you how this fish is going to get you laid, make you money,,,blah blah blah.
      Hi, this is Sean.

      And this...is an obese beer drinking platypus.

      And in just a few minutes, I'm gonna show you how this obese, beer drinking platypus can help you lose all the weight you want, make more money than Donald Sterling AND get you laid...all while you're drinking yourself into a drunken stupor, stuffing your face with Krispy Kreme donuts, and watching youtube cat videos.

      This magic fat burning, money making, chick getting secret is so effective, you'll literally have to TRY to not burn fat while eating chili cheese fries, TRY not to make money while watching 50 minute vine compilations, TRY not to get laid while staring at your cell phone playing flabby birds...

      This Platypus' magic secret works even if you have to buy your underwear at Big and Tall stores...
      Even if you've only ever worked at Taco Bell and dropped out of school in the 3rd grade...
      Even if you can barely say a word in english to the opposite sex...

      But, I have to warn you...

      It's all gonna disappear by midnight tonight...so you BETTER watch it right now and DO EVERYTHING IT SAYS.

      Sorry...just practicing my chops.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kunle Olomofe
    Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

    A client of mine asked for a resource (free or low-cost) on the basics of writing video sales letters for a sophisticated (not make-money-fast) market. This is an experienced copywriter who just hasn't done any VSLs yet.

    Your suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Marcia Yudkin
    Hi Marcia,

    Not sure if you've seen this in the War Room Matt's VSL (video sales letter) creation process it may be just what you're looking for (havent checked through it myself but it's got good reviews so may be worth checking out).

    Hope it helps some.

    Kunle
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  • Profile picture of the author nmchant
    There are 4 videos that lead up to selling John Benson's VSL course.. they are free, but I got a Lot of great basic info just out of those 4 videos alone (that's how he sells a 2k product..
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  • Profile picture of the author Dot Com Direct
    Hi Marcia,

    Clayton Makepeace has a great product on VSLs available through AWAI. (which I believe you are very familiar with).

    He has a very different approach as compared to Jon Benson and Ryan Deiss, and since he specializes in the Finance market, they'd probably count as a pretty sophisticated audience.
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