General

How can I tell how much traffic my site is getting?

Written by Johnny Samsky Monday, 23 November 2009 20:03

A. Most web hosting services provide site logs or stats with their service. If your hosting service does not provide logs there are third party tracking services available. Some are free others charge anywhere from a nominal fee to a hefty fee.

At a minimum you should know :

• # of visitors to a page

• # of sales

• Conversion rate (# of sales/ # of visitors)

• Value/visitor (profit of slaes/# of visitors)

Additional information you should track on a regular basis:

• Visitors/day

• Visitors/month

• Top pages

• Enter/Exit pages

• Browsers

• OS

• Referrals/Search Engines

• Search Phrases

Some tracking services allow you to export the data to Word or Excel. I use an Excel spreadsheet to track the desired information for the year. Here is a sample of the format I use:

I set up a separate worksheet for each topic above and track each for the year. This way I can compare how the site is performing. If I notice that traffic is decreasing, I can try to find out what might be the cause.

If a newsletter or special was offered I can find out how much traffic was received or how successful the special offer was.

By tracking site information I can know what pages visitors are viewing. If I am advertising on another web site I can find out if I am receiving traffic from that site and I can make a more informed decision as to whether the advertising is worth the cost.

Your stats will tell you which sites and search engines are referring traffic. You can find out what search terms people are using to find your site. This is valuable information if you are doing a search engine campaign. You can find out if your search engine traffic is increasing or decreasing. You can also tell at a glance if the terms used to find your site are targeted or not. You may find that you need to make some changes in your web site content in order to achieve your desired results.

Your site stats provide you with valuable information. If you don't know how to access your site stats, contact your hosting service.

How can I write a good Sales Letter?

Written by Johnny Samsky Monday, 23 November 2009 20:02

A. Here is a basic outline for a successful sales letter:

Layout

• Use headlines

• Use Arial or Helvetica fonts

• Use Bullets for emphasis

• Include a picture in the upper right-hand corner (preferably of yourself or your product)

• Use an odd number of bulleted questions - 7 is best. Your questions should receive a "Yes, and doggonit that really gets my goat!" response.

• Use short paragraphs - 4 to 5 lines of type.

• Use white space

Text

• Starting your sales letter with Dear ________________ will be more likely to get responses

• Your first sentence should be short, provocative and draw your reader into the rest of the text.

• The next paragraph should be no more than 50 words long with one provocative sentence after another.

• Include the desired action frequently throughout the text (example: Click here to register or Buy Now)

• Let them off the hook. Remind them what they are not in that boat alone.

• Include your bio - how you triumphed over the same obstacles. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. What are you offering? - this will be the body of your sales letter.

• Did you know that....
  Use 7 bullets with the facts

• How will they receive the solution to their problem? Describe the details of your offer.

• What will they get - use bullets

• You are perfect for this offer if:....
  Use bullets (identify the perfect prospect/customer who will say "Yep, that's me")

• Why (are you offering this)?

• Why should you trust me?
  Use credibility building copy (who are you and what are you bringing to the  table?)

• Testimonials
  Here's what friends are saying about.....

• More testimonials
  From users of the product

• Guarantee (Risk Reversal)
  -Use boundaries - what do they have to do to get their money back

• Price of Offer
  Find a way to share the price in a way that sound ridiculously inexpensive

• Add Bonuses:

• Add it UP - Repeat the value and specifics of the offer

• How do I register/pay/etc....

Important:

• Give the reader multiple opportunities to buy/register/subscribe
• Make your offer easy to read and understand
• Describe the problem in a way that the reader will say "Yeah, that's me"
• Provide the solution so the reader says "I need that"

What information does a Press Release require?

Written by Johnny Samsky Monday, 23 November 2009 20:02

A. A Press Release is a great way to let the public know about your business. You can send a press release to your local media, newspapers across then nation,  or to online agencies. With the hundreds of press releases received every day, you need to make sure yours will catch the editor's eye. Here are a few things to remember when composing a press release.

Do not abuse the power of the press release. Keep your audience and your purpose in mind when submitting press releases. Make sure that your news is newsworthy. Limit your press releases to your most important news. If reporters get many releases from you that are not newsworthy they are less likely to pay attention when you do have something important to tell.

When sending your press releases try to think of who in the media would be interested in your news. Rather than blasting your press release to every media, target the reporters who cover your specific topic such as business, education, technology or other areas of focus. Don't forget to send your release to magazines and other publications that specialize in the topics relating to your release.

Essentials in a Press Release

Start with a basic outline of the information you want to use in your press release. Always begin your press release with FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE or the date the press release is to be publicized in the top left hand corner.

Contact Information

Include your name, title, company name, telephone number, fax number, web site address and email address. You may also include a home phone number or cell phone number.

Headline

Use an eye-catching headline. The reporter should be able to know exactly what your press release is about

Dateline

Include the date of your release and the city and state you are sending your release from.

Body

Include a compelling first sentence that will lead your readers into the rest of your release. Provide facts and use quotes in your release. Keep the information short and to the point. Try to keep the copy to one page. More than one page could lessen the chances of your release being published.

Boilerplate

This is the standard paragraph that should be at the bottom of every press release that you send out. Thinks of it as your company's signature. This will be a sentence or two that describes your company. Include your web site address, company phone number and other general helpful information.

After the boilerplate, center three pound signs - # # # - in the middle of the page to signify the end of the release.

Remember to keep your release creative, concise and easy for reporters to use.

How can I generate More Sales from my Website?

Written by Johnny Samsky Monday, 23 November 2009 20:01

Trying to sell products and services online is not the same as having a brick and mortar store. Although marketing strategies used offline also work online, you do not have a sales person on your web site to greet each customer who walks through your door. You have to separate yourself from the hundreds, thousands or millions of online businesses who are doing the same thing you are.

What makes your product or service unique?

What separates you from the rest of the web sites or online businesses out there? Is it:

• lower prices?

• better service?

• better quality?

• better selection?

• better return guarantee?

• better customer care?

When writing your copy for your web site be clear and concise. You don't have to be cute or have lots of animation to get your visitor's attention.

• Use language that is at a 4th or 5th grade level - unless your web site is technical in nature, such as a legal site for attorneys. Make the text easy to read.

• Use lots of bullets

• Turn your features into benefits. What problems are solved or what emotional need is filled by purchasing your product or using your services?

• Use the word you in the text. Talk to your visitors rather than about your company. Eliminate the 'I/we' words and replace them with 'you' words.

Make sure your customers see the Value in the price or quality of your product or service

• Display sale prices prominently. Use a slash through the Regular price. Make the Sales price stand out by making it Bold or Red or both. Tell the visitor how much they are saving (Example: Save $10 or 15% OFF)

• Throw in extra items to build value. Bundle products together. (Example: a Hat, Scarf and Gloves set would sell for $25 but sold separately would sell for $40)

• Display a comparison chart showing the benefits/features of your product compared to a lesser quality product

Use "Social Proof" to increase customers

• Testimonials - people will purchase from someone who has happy customers
• McDonalds touts how many billion happy customers?
• Let your customers know what your top 5 best selling products or services are.
• Whenever possible, use authority figures to enhance the credibility of your product or service. An example would be an author who had the quotes from other known authors on the cover.
• Display associations you belong to

Use the Scarcity/Sense of Loss Principle

• 30 day limited offer!
• Only 5000 being made!
• One Day Only!
• The price is going up January 15

If you use the scarcity/sense of loss principle don't say that the sale is a limited time offer if you actually plan to extend it indefinitely. How many times have you seen "Going out of Business" Sales that lasted for years? People will loose enthusiasm if they feel they are being duped.

Special Offers

• Bundle products
• Offer free shipping

Offer something free to your site visitors in exchange for their email address

• Trial Membership
• Free download
• Free sample
• Free e-course
• Free chapter