If you’re not currently testing your sales copy, get on it! I suggest either using Easy Split Test, Google Analytics or, my favorite, Muvar which comes free as a bonus at this link.
Then try setting up these quick 10 tests.
1. Try removing your PS’s or applying my rules to your PS’s.
2. Try a blue gradient background.
3. Try using the Ultimate Submit Button or the Belcher Button.
4. Try removing any language or dead giveaways from the top of your sales letter that tips the reader off that you are selling a product/service. (An obvious example would be an order button.)
5. Try removing the first 3-5 paragraphs from your copy. Often when you write, the first few paragraphs can be awkward before you’ve warmed up and reached your “zone.”
6. Try making your body text and your margins (top, bottom, left and right) larger.
7. Try a new headline. Maybe one that starts with “Discover,” “Amazingly Simple Method For…” or that comes across as “newsy,” like you might see on the front page of a newspaper.
8. Try adding new audio or video to the top of your sales page, that starts immediately after the page loads.
9. Try rewriting your subheads so that if you deleted all the body text, the reader would still understand the core ideas of the copy.
10. Try adding stock photography. Maybe under the headline or when Screaming For Attention.
Hey Stephen,
I’ve discovered the right picture – with a caption – can boost response double digits, in some cases.
I’m glad you bring this to people’s attention.
Thanks Kevin, where in the copy do you find the most success with pictures?
PS I’m working on the support videos to go with the copywriting software I talked to you about, as soon as they’re done I’ll send you all the info.
Cheers!
Awesome,
I was especially attracted to the note
about the “P.S.” as I’m almost always using
them… although not quite as powerfully as
I should be…
I think all too often we write so much that we
grow blind… we forget to analyze the little
pieces that make our writing work.
At least, that’s my problem…
Thank you Stephen.
Thanks for stopping by, Courtney. I subscribed to your RSS feed so I’ll be keeping an eye on your work 🙂
Cool,
Been spending so much time writing
for other people that I haven’t updated
my blog.
But it’s still my home. 🙂
I found out about your work through
Ryan Healy’s site. But now I see you’re
on Michel Fortin’s too. So I’m sure I’ll
be seeing you everywhere I go now.
Love those guys… the web is a relatively
small world… even these days.
I recently blogged about the effectiveness of call-to-action buttons in online and email ad copy, and I still believe this is an integral, although simple, component in the grand scheme of writing. But I don’t just mean how the buttons are designed or the copy contained therein; writers need to direct readers to the proper landing page, for example, so that clicks can be measured, leads tracked, and sales converted.
Thanks!
I put them all in test on my blog too.
They are all winning against the controls.
You’re the best!
Awesome Kristi! I scheduled writing a blog post for you and sending in on Tuesday. ‘Til then, Cheers!
Is it Tuesday yet?
Dang it… still 6 more days until Tuesday.
I’m sure it will be worth the wait!
🙂 Pacific Time Zone I have 29 minutes left to meet a “Tuesday,” but I bet I’ll be submitting in the morning. And I hope you like it. Cheers!
Hi Stephen,
FYI.
Just reviewing my split tests on an optin page, and found a version that matched it with your blue gradient – didn’t do better, but you might be interested to know it anyway.
body {background-color: #FFFFFF; background-image: url(images/background.png);
margin-left:0; }
with http://www.wordofmouthmagic.com/images/background.png
Diagonal stripes was useful somehow.
Cheers,
Martin