Elements of Persuasive Online Copy

Have you ever been halfway though a sales page or the home page of a website and realized you were no longer really reading the copy? Your mind had actually drifted off.

Maybe you started thinking about what to cook for dinner or about the business task you needed to tend to. Whatever thoughts were in your head, they had nothing to do with the sales copy you were reading a few seconds earlier.

The problem with that sales copy is that the author likely forgot that in order to make a sale, and compel a prospect to read the copy, they need to persuade.

Here are 5 elements of persuasive online copy

1. Attention getting headline. An attention grabbing headline is imperative. An easy way to craft a headline is to make it a “How to” headline. For example, “How to increase your conversion rate by 10%.” Brainstorm headlines and create a list of possibilities. The ideal headline will come to you as your creative juices start flowing. If you’re not 100% certain of your headline, ask associates what they think of the head line and test it to see if it converts.
   

2. Specific promises and benefits. One element of persuasive copy that is often forgotten is that the compelling copy focuses on the customer. You can list all of the features in the world and your prospect won’t blink an eye but tell them how the features will benefit them, make their lives easier, make them happier, better, richer, wiser, or more attractive and they’ll pay attention to what you have to say.
   

3. Facts to back it up. Promises and benefits are all wonderful, however today’s customer is a skeptical one. Back up your promises with testimonials, reviews, statistics, and facts about your credibility or the credibility of your product.
   

4. What is your USP? How are you different from your competition? What makes you unique? Your Unique Selling Proposition can be included in almost every piece of sales copy you write. M&Ms used “Melts in your mouth not in your hands for years.”
   

5. Remind them of the benefits and if you can, add more benefits. Build value. Before you write your call to action, which is also an element of persuasive online copy, take a few minutes to summarize and build value. Recap all they have to gain and then top it off with one or two more benefits to compel them to act immediately.

How to handle people who don’t understand the entrepreneurial mindset

Here is a comment I addressed recently…

>I wish I could get my husband to have the outlook you have.

>He is locked into his job and sees no way out to become self sufficient.

To those of you who live with a spouse or children who don’t understand
the way you think or the way you are learning to think, hang in there. Be
thankful that you have a good spouse and don’t be tempted to compare him
or her to others. Be thankful for the way they are, no matter what it is and
look for the good things about them, not the apparent differences.

If you have a spouse that doesn’t understand your mindset, they may not
ever change because some folks are just not entrepreneurial in nature. But
also understand that they may not have been encouraged to be that way and
with a little education and encouragement, they may respond better than you
think they would.

Don’t be manipulative, but here are a few things you can do to offer
education and encouragement.

1. Get some motivational books and read them to the whole family.

2. Get some motivational books on tape (or CD) so the whole family
can listen to them even when you’re too busy to read.

3. Leave same cassette or CD in the CD player in the car.

4. Plan now to bring spouse and oldest kids to our next conference in
August. If you don’t think you can afford the trip, look for ways to earn
some extra money and start saving now so if he/she decides they’d like to attend
with you, money won’t be an excuse not to. (They will listen to others
better than to you about anything. I don’t know why that is but it seems to be a
universal principle.) ;)

5. Start doing something to earn money to demonstrate that there are ways
to make money besides getting it from somebody who already has it, such as
an employer. Try to create passive residual streams of income so you don’t have to
keep swapping your hours for dollars. Do it as school with the kids even if you
don’t homeschool so that school at your house is alive and meaningful. (There is
usually a certain amount of your time that you have to swap, especially initially.
Just choose wisely.)

6.  Don’t be manipulative.  Everyone has a direction to go and what works for me may not work
for you. You’ve got to find your own thing in life.

7. Read the History of Underground Education by Gatto to understand how
our educational system has programmed us to think, act and live as
employees.  It hasn’t always been this way. The Industrial Revolution put a damper on
the  entrepreneurial spirit of America. What worked for our parents’ generation
will not work for us Baby Boomers. The security offered by corporate and
government jobs are false and limiting. The only way to have true financial
security is to be in charge of your own finances and that means not only what you
spend  and invest but how much you earn.

8. Encourage your children to think and take initiative for their own
lives and  education instead of just blindly filling in the blanks and doing what they
are told. Yes, they should be respectful and behave and do what they are told. But
they  should also learn to think and study to become leaders. When your children
start becoming entrepreneurs who take initiative and responsibility for
their future, your spouse will see the difference. The message is in the fruit.

That’s just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

So many books, so little time…

Rhea!
who understands the situation totally

Get Your Podcast Listed In The Zune Directory

A friend, client and listener emailed me today.

“I want to tell you first I love WAHM Talk Radio.  But since I got a Zune last year there are weeks that I forget to go in and download the podcast. I know you talk about IPods so I wasn’t sure if you knew about this or not. I would love it if I could have your show download to my Zune every week. – Judi ”

Judi, thanks for the reminder about the Zune!

This comes right on the heels of a blog post I read yesterday, podcasting consultant Jason Van Orden provided some instructions for getting your podcast listed in the new Zune Marketplace.

It works just like the iTunes Marketplace.  You have to actually download the Zune software and create an account, then you can submit your podcast if it isn’t already there.

I won’t repeat the instructions here - just go read Jason’s post.

I have submitted Work at Home Moms Talk Radio – so it should be there for you soon Judi!

A Treasure Hunt

Whew!  I have just returned from my annual 2 week vacation to the remote Cumberland Island, GA.  Most of this island is national wilderness area and we have to take a 2 hour boat ride to get there.  No stores, no eateries, no nothing but wild horses, dolphins, beautiful beaches and lots and lots of creativity!

My son is 5 years old now- he made is first trip to the island when he was 8 weeks old.  He is enthralled with pirates so we joined forces with other parents and devised simple but exciting treasure hunt.

The event began with a mysterious bottle that was stuck in the mud of the bay shore one morning.  Once we broke the bottle open, low and behold, there was Blackbeard’s Treasure Map!  The husbands and 2 boys took off with the map (and the handy compass my husband just happened to have in hispocket) like a rocket in search of TREASURE!  The moms, of course, hightailed it to the beach to bury the treasure and make sure the map markings and clues were intact.

Wow – the look on their faces when they dug up that treasure box was worth every bit of effort that went into the planning.  My son is still clutching his treasure box as his most prized possession!

The interesting thing is that whenever we went back to that spot on the beach, Thomas wanted to dig for more treasure.  Unfortunately, we had no map to tell us where to dig.  So though we are certain there are more treasure chests to be found, without a map to guide us, we couldn’t begin to find more treasure.

So my question for you is, do you have a Treasure Map?  What treasure are you seeking?  Have you plotted out how to locate it complete with trail markers and a compass or are you just digging just anywhere in hopes of random success? 

Direct Selling is a business, like any other business, and a map to success will help you move closer and closer to the treasure you are seeking.

Love & Success!
Sarah

Kepping kids busy as you work from home

Most of the clients that I have come to be for help in learning how to perform the ultimate juggling act of work and being a mom.

So, how does a work from home mom manage to keep her children happy and busy while she is trying to get her job done?

First, you need to let your children know when you are not to be disturbed. Set up a schedule that includes playtime and work time and remind them that if they don’t disturb you while you are working, you will be able to give them your complete attention during playtime. As a reminder, use a do not disturb sign on your office door when you absolutely cannot be interrupted.

Of course, it is easy for your children to behave while you are working if they have something to do. Fill a box with games and toys that can only be used while mom is working. Make sure you add a new puzzle, coloring book, or small toy on a frequent basis, to keep your children interested. Set up a small desk or table for your toddlers and add crayons and paper so they can help you with your work by drawing some pictures or writing a letter. Children that are a bit older can put stamps on envelopes and seal them, paperclip papers together or do other simple organizational tasks.

For moms who really need peace and quiet, but have small children, a mother’s helper can be a great solution. Since you will still be in the house, you do not need a fully trained baby sitter to help out. Instead, look for a teen who has babysitting experience, but likes kids. She will probably be happy to watch your children while you work for the cost of a few good after school snacks and a few dollars.

Finally, sometimes it’s just not possible to keep your children quiet and content while you are working. If your child is ill, you may just need to decide to take the day off. After all, the reason you are working from home is to have the flexibility to be there for your children when they need you!

Be sure to check out the Real Life Guidance to Balancing Work and Family  report.  It shows you how you can balance your work and family time without letting any of those balls you are juggling fall on the floor :)

Should I Get into Direct Sales?

Starting a direct sales business, such as Avon, Tupperware, Mia Bella, (the list goes on and on) is a great option for those who like the idea of owning their own business, but don’t want the hassles of setting a business up from scratch. It’s also a great way to get started with your own business quickly, with very little money up front.

I personally tried direct sales, but it just wasn’t for me. Juggling a newborn and parties at times that weren’t as ideal as I would have liked just didn’t work. By starting my own business, I wanted the freedom to do exactly what I wanted – but that wasn’t in the cards with direct sale. I also wasn’t comfortable with person-to-person selling or recruiting.

However, many other moms find it the ideal ready to run with business for them and make a great living in direct sales. It’s up to you to decide what makes a good fit for you.

If you’re considering getting into a direct sales opportunity, here some of the potential benefits and drawbacks you should consider.

Benefits:

1. In many cases, you have access to a proven marketing plan that has been developed by the company itself.

2. You’ll have the support of an upline who have already been where you are and know how to be successful.

3. Ready-to-use promotional materials are available to you from the get go. No need to worry about creating your own from scratch. Simply print them out or order them directly from the company.

Drawbacks:

1. Not as much flexibility as running your own business from scratch. Due to parties, meetings, etc., scheduling work isn’t always easy for a mom who wants to be AT HOME.

2. You have to follow company rules, which may or may not be as flexible as you would like. Also, many companies restrict how and where you can market the business.

3. Direct sales businesses are popping up everywhere and often disappearing with barely a word. Sometimes it can be difficult to choose which ones are in it for the long haul.

Whatever you do, do your homework. Some of the drawbacks can be overcome if you do your research and know exactly what you’re getting into.

Recommended Resource:
Mom’s Talk Biz Guide Direct Sales Success

Internet Based Moms Job Forum

Just a quick announcement to say that after many, many requests regarding online jobs we’ve added a new Jobs forum.

In there you’ll find a telecommuting folder where you can discuss your options, ask questions and you’ll also find a list of freelance and telecommuting companies that hire.

You’ll also find a Jobs and Outsourcing folder. There you can post any tasks you need help with including writing work, virtual assistance, graphics and web design, etc.

And last but not least you’ll see the Jobs folder. This provides fresh, daily job leads. Many are through freelancing companies and others you can apply for directly. Lots of different options here for working at home.

Access all the forum folders here – http://www.InternetBasedMoms.com/bb

Enjoy!

The dead zone… it’s coming

If you are selling children’s clothing/items… you have probably noticed a slump in sales. If you haven’t, it is coming. After Halloween, the season for selling holiday clothing is very short. Most parents are already getting their Christmas portraits taken for holiday cards (unless you are not “most parents” like me ;-) The next selling season is for spring items and it starts in late January.

So – what do you do during this slow time?

Plan! This is the perfect time plan for the next selling season so you are ready to go.  If you are a new seller, sometimes it can take a while to get into a groove and find what works for you… Now is the time!

Inventory: If you don’t have inventory yet – a great place to look is the thrift shop. MANY people donate unused items… especially at the end of the year so they can take advantage of the tax benefits. If you already have inventory, it is likely stored. Pull out all your spring and summer stuff and sort it. I like to sort by size so I can pull together outfits and sets/lots.

Picture: Go ahead and start picturing your items. Sorting and picturing take the most time because, if you don’t have a special set up that is up all the time, you have to pull everything out every time you go to picture some items.

List: You can even get your listings done! I use TurboLister and although I don’t pay the extra to schedule my listings, I do get them all ready and then just push some to auction once I’m ready to go. Turbo List is a free program from eBay. Another absolutely amazing program is Auction TNT – They are offering a $1 trial here: www.jennihunt.com/recommends/auctiontnt.htm 

The more you do now – the less you’ll have to do once the selling season… I know the holidays can keep everyone super busy – but, you’ll be super happy later even if you do a little bit now.

[I should mention that if you are selling toys this holiday season - the season is just about to begin! You can learn more about selling toys at www.holidaytoyguide.com]

Want to learn to write for the web?

I need writers and editors to help me produce a variety of marketing pieces, newsletters, ebooks and articles.

The problem is, not many folks who are good with English are trained to write for the web.

So I am going to train some folks in January and February, 2008 and provide apprenticeship opportunities for them in March.

If you are interested, join me on the phone this Tuesday night, November 20th at 9 PM Eastern Time to learn more.

The number to call is 605-475-4150

The passcode is 21414#

If you would love to write for others, this is opportunity. See it?
I hope to talk to you Tuesday!

So many books, so little time…

Rhea!
who loves helping folks learn to communicate well with others

Walk While You Work At Home

Hello from my treadmill desk! Yes, I am walking at the rate of 1.8 mph on my Smooth Fitness treadmill as I’m typing this. People sometimes ask me if it’s hard to type and walk at the same time and the answer to that is “no”. And even if it was, I’d do what my son tells his sisters all the time – “Build a bridge and get over it.” Because having a treadmill desk has been life changing for me.

If you’re an internet based mom who’s at the computer all day, wants to lose weight or just stay healthy, and have trouble fitting in the exercise, you may want to do what I did — put together your own treadmill desk.

That’s what I did a little over a year ago, and it was the best $2,500 I ever spent. You may not have to spend that much — if you already have a laptop all you’ll need is the treadmill. Maybe you already have the treadmill, sitting in a corner, gathering dust. Whatever it costs, please think about investing that amount in yourself.

I’m embarassed to admit what I weighed when I got my treadmill desk, maybe I’ll ‘fess up later. But I will tell you that I’ve lost 41 pounds during that time and the biggest factor in that weight loss has been the treadmill desk. Initially I thought of it as an experiment, and almost didn’t get the heavy duty treadmill because I wasn’t sure if I would like it. But I’m glad I didn’t get a cheapie treadmill because it would have died by now for sure.

If you’re interested in putting together your own, you can find out how I did it and even see pictures on my blog www.SharonSays.com, and you should also check out Jay Buster’s website, http://www.treadmill-desk.com

Feel free to ask me any questions, and if you get a treadmill desk, be sure to let us know!

Sharon

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