How to sell
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- kalkal
I have to write some decent stuff for my own site that sells well, I don't want to sound too serious, nor too casual. Feels like a fine line.
Anyone know of any articles on the matter of good writing (specifically on selling services), ya know copy and that sort of stuff?
Thanks
- cannonball19780
Yeah, what you need is some good copy. You know, that kind of good really readable copy that makes you want to buy stuff? You should find those books on proposals and stuff like that, you know? Proposals and other stuff that sells stuff.
- sorry i dont have any links to sites about sales copycannonball1978
- scarabin0
you could always hire a copywriter. i can give you some of the people i use if you like
- Orbit0
Just write something basic, honest, and brief, using simple words and sentences, then grab a dictionary and swap all the simple words for exotic and complex-sounding ones, increasing the lengths of each sentence as you go, and adding new ones whenever you find interesting words that wont fit into the existing sentences.
- lukus_W0
I've read that it's good to write copy according to the acronym 'FAB'.
1) Feature - something unique about the product (info about things that the product / service can do).
2) Advantage - advantages each feature provides (... over competing products / services; alternative methods).
3) Benefit - how the product feature will benefit the customer (what real-world benefits are provided).
Not sure whether this is great advice - I'd be interesting in learning more too.
- Orbit0
Classic sales copy structure from the 50's...
1. Alert your audience to the fact that you are about to tell them about the wonderful benefits of XYZ
2. Tell them about the wonderful benefits of XYZ
3. Conclude the discussion by reminding them of the various wonderful benefits of XYZ that you've just told them about
4. Produce machete, pop shirt open, slice chest diagonally, scream in a primal manner, immolate self.- Ron Popeil couldn't have said it better himself...vaxorcist
- vaxorcist0
A. define target market .... imagine 3 example prospects
B. for each of the 3 example prospects, name them, find a few pix that represent them, their lives, houses,etc..., try to think like they do....
- what's their biggest hopeful reason to buy from your biz
- what's their biggest fear in regards to your biz
- what's their short list of buy triggers
- what's their subconscious hope and fear, not the official ones
- what's their "back rationalization" to make their emotional purchase seem ok to their skeptical spouse or bossC: Stop reading all the sales-copywriting stuff that makes you sound like a midnight informercial junkmail shill if you follow thier advice, find some smart and successful businesses whose ideas you can gain some insight from....
- kalkal0
Bump. Excellent written impression of me, cannonball1978.
I wouldn't be doing it myself if I had enough money, scarabin (maybe when I'm majorly succesful and rolling in money) but it would be a better option.
Good stuff Orbit, wouldn't that ruin my SEO prospects thought?
Excelent stuff vaxorcist and lukus_W, I'd like to see more. I'd like you to show me everything you have to offer and I'd like to see it right now.
- melq0
Writing for yourself is as tricky as anything else you do for yourself (website design, logo design, company name, etc.). What I have found to work best for me is to list a couple of points I want to make in the copy, then write copy that covers those points. The lead-in is often the hardest (this is where the personality/voice really seems to play a big part).
Then I take a long break from it, before going back and trying to rework the whole thing.
Honestly, every year I set aside time to rewrite promotional copy and every year it gets a bit closer to where I want it.
Also, I'm currently reading this and it is very good:
Regarding the fine line between business and friendly, I try to write the way I speak with meeting with clients. An added bonus is that, when writing, I can rework a sentence so that it doesn't end in a preposition. Dead grammar teachers from all ages silently applaud me each time I do this.
- vaxorcist0
a huge question...... for each page of writing, are you aiming for a sale now, or a confidence building relationship that leads to a sale later?
Copy Strategy,target audience and the end-goal of the page.... I Keep things like this on a notecard as I write my copy...
- kalkal0
Sale later I guess because I'll be meeting with clients before signing a contract. (This is for portraiture and weddings)
- kalkal0
moar plz.