The Must-Haves for the Perfect Sales Page

The Must-Haves for the Perfect Sales Page

by | Blog, Conversions

Today I want to talk about Cathy, who created a product for the online community she served. She was passionate about her product and she knew it could help her customers…if she could just figure out how to write her sales page.

This is something I see often, people like Cathy struggling to put together a converting sales page, but not really knowing where to begin. 

I suggest you start with these three important elements for all your sales pages. If you use these elements, you’re more likely to convince visitors to make a purchase. 

Here’s what you need…

A Compelling Headline

At the top of your sales page, you’ll need a compelling headline. The job of this headline is to encourage your visitors to read the rest of the sales page. To create a headline, focus on what your customers are getting. For example, if you’re selling graphic design software, then you might use a headline like: Design Your Own Logos, Banners, and Posters in 5 Minutes!

A bold promise like this can be very effective. But keep in mind that your headline must be true. Don’t promise to teach someone everything about Photoshop in 5 minutes. They’ll either be disappointed when you can’t deliver or they’ll recognize the headline for a lie and move on.

A Fascinating Lead

There’s an expression that editors and publishers frequently tell writers, “Don’t bury the lead”. What this means is that you should put the most important information at the very top of your content. It’s good advice for writing a sales page, too.

When you’re writing the first paragraphs of your sales page, consider what your potential customer might want to know most. For example, you’ve created a course on designing with Photoshop. So your lead should be focused on how quick and easy learning this software can be.

Benefit-Driven Subheadings

So, you have a compelling headline and a fascinating lead, now add benefit-driven subheadings to your page. Subheadings are important because once a potential customer sees your offer, she’ll scan the rest of your page.

She’s looking to learn more but she may not take the time to read all of your text. She wants the highlights of your product and the best way to provide them is to have descriptive headlines. For example, if you’re releasing a course on web design your subheadings might include:

  • 21+ Design Templates Are Included for Your Use
  • Find High-Paying Web Design Clients with the Client-Getting Guide
  • Network with Industry Professionals in my Exclusive Web Design Group

All of these subheadings promise benefits beyond the product. They appeal to what your potential customers want—simple, easy web design projects and the chance to network with other designers.

When it comes to your sales page, don’t be afraid to take your time. Think about the results your visitor truly wants and show them how your product can get them those results. If you do this well, you’ll be more likely to convert your visitor into a life-long customer.

 If you’re looking for support on setting up your sales pages or launching your funnels, click here and let’s talk

Have a great week,

Robyn 

Developing A Profitable Business In The Digital Security Industry

Developing A Profitable Business In The Digital Security Industry

by | Blog, Contributed Post

***Contributed Post***

Any entrepreneur that wants to create a successful company should focus not only on picking the perfect business idea but also picking the perfect industry. As the years go by, old industries fade and new industries rise. In the present age, digital marketplaces are taking the business world by storm. These are the industries to watch if you’re an entrepreneur with any sort of background related to technology. In particular, the digital security industry is proving to be quite profitable. Consumers and businesses want to protect themselves from digital threats, given that the online world dominates our daily lives. Here’s some advice to help you develop a profitable business in the digital security industry.

Prioritise investment.

Investment is important in any industry, but it’s absolutely vital in the cybersecurity industry. You need funding and investment because digital industries are constantly evolving. If you stop updating your business plan, then you’ll very quickly fall behind the competition in your industry. When it comes to digital security, new online threats emerge with every passing day. You need to conduct regular market research, monitor new problems facing the market, and develop security solutions that will keep you at the forefront of the industry. Constant investment in the improvement of your business will keep you profitable.

Create a strong sales strategy.

With any industry, the key to success is finding your target market. That’s how you’ll create a strong sales strategy. No matter how good your marketing campaign might be, you won’t see client retention if you misunderstand your target market. In the case of digital security, you’re trying to find businesses and individual customers who might need extra protection in the digital world. Target your campaign at companies based in other digital industries who might need to keep their information safe, for example. Create an email marketing campaign that targets the right kind of people; that way, you can start personalising your advertising messages to your intended audience. 

You also need to show the market why they should value your brand. That’s the key to an effective sales strategy for businesses in this industry. It’s all about quality when it comes to cybersecurity. You can’t cut corners; consumers want to know that their systems are going to be safe. You might want to do some research on the subject if you want to know the key to a cybersecurity sales strategy. It can be tricky to market your business effectively in such a competitive industry, but the payoff of creating a strong sales strategy is that you’ll start to build a big reputation.

Offer fantastic customer service.

As mentioned in the introduction, the digital security industry is becoming increasingly popular because we’re all concerned with protecting our information both online and offline. Data plays a key part in our daily lives, and that’s why you need to make it clear to your customers that you’re going to protect their information. If you want to create a profitable cybersecurity business, then you need to reassure your client base that they can trust you to secure their systems. But they also need to trust your company to store its own information securely. If you have regular clients, then they need to know that your business keeps its data safe. Otherwise, they’re going to have a tough time trusting you to deliver effective cybersecurity services.

Six Tips to Running Your Best Email Marketing Campaign

Six Tips to Running Your Best Email Marketing Campaign

by | Blog, Contributed Post

***Contributed Post***

Email marketing can be an extremely effective means of growing and maintaining a loyal customer base. That said, to design the strongest campaigns possible, you need to understand which tactics work, and which don’t. 

As with any email campaign, best practices apply. These include crafting engaging subject lines and verifying email addresses. The following tips will also help: Keep these Do’s and Don’ts in mind, and you’ll maximize your return on investment.

Do… 

Segment & Personalize 

Your followers want to receive emails that are relevant to their needs and interests. Depending on the nature of your business, that may mean that certain messages you send will only be valuable to select customers. 

For example, perhaps you’re marketing an apparel company that sells clothes for various climates. A customer who lives in a warm weather climate probably won’t be interested in a promotion for winter coats. That’s why you should segment your email list; doing so will ensure customers receive messages they find relevant. 

Adding the recipient’s name to the subject line is also important. This simple tactic has been shown to boost open rates.

 

Optimize for Mobile 

Current trends indicate that more people are more likely to check email via mobile device than computer. Thus, it’s important to make sure your emails look well-organized when viewed on a phone’s screen. 

Avoid large chunks of text, use headers to organize content, and incorporate a reasonable amount of visuals or other media. Doing so ensures the email appears readable and compelling on all devices.

 

Track Campaigns 

You can’t know if a strategy is working unless you closely monitor its performance. That’s why you want to know exactly what the goal of a particular campaign is before you launch it. 

For instance, if you’re launching a campaign to sell a product, you want to track key metrics that let you know how many people who read your email went on to make a purchase. By tracking key metrics, you can make any necessary changes to your strategy early on.

 

Don’t…

 Rely Solely on Text 

Most devices and email clients can now efficiently display videos and other forms of multimedia. That means simply relying on text when sending messages is no longer the best strategy. 

You want your emails to stand out with dynamic, brand-appropriate imagery and features. While there is a danger of including too much visual content which can make a message look cluttered, using none at all is an outdated tactic.

 

Include Too Many CTAs 

Every marketing email should include a call-to-action. Once a follower reads your message, you want them to take a certain action, like making a purchase or signing up for a service. 

The content of the message should also align with the CTA. That’s a good reason not to include more than two, although sticking with just one is often the best choice. Your marketing email should serve one distinct purpose for your business. Include multiple CTAs, and it’s difficult to align the content with the goal, making it all the more difficult to convince a reader to take action.

 

Send One Version of an Email 

Again, email marketing is useful because it gives you the chance to monitor a campaign’s performance. That’s a good reason to send out multiple versions of a particular email. 

Through A/B testing, you can refine your strategies. If you send out just one version of a message, you won’t have the chance to learn what is and is not successful. A/B testing allows you to come up with new ways of improving your campaigns. 

Keep these points in mind as you plan your strategy. Email marketing is effective because it lets you reach potential customers in one of the few places left on the internet where they’re relatively undistracted. With these tips, you’ll be able to take full advantage of this powerful marketing tool.

The Final Word On WordPress For Beginners

The Final Word On WordPress For Beginners

by | Blog, Contributed Post

***Contributed Post***

Starting a blog means one thing: signing up to WordPress. Yes, other CMS and hosts exist, such as Wix, but WP has the upper hand right now. After all, it’s cheap, reputable, and easy to use even for beginners. And, as a newbie, it’s important not to get lost in the red tape as it’s very confusing. Don’t try and walk before you can crawl, is a motto which springs to mind. 

To say WordPress is easy is an overstatement. Although it’s more straightforward than the rest, it’s not a walk in the park. Without the right knowledge, it’s easy to make errors that will haunt your blog for a long time. Considering the competitive nature of the market, it’s best to start as you mean to go forward. 

In that vein, below are some of the best tips for blogging amateurs. Some might say the following is the final word on WordPress. 

A Sidebar Is A Sidebar 

Most of the people who see this will think “duh, that’s obvious!” And, it is pretty self-explanatory. However, it’s worth mentioning because plenty of bloggers treat their sidebar as if it’s a closet. No, they don’t put clothes and knick-knacks in there, but they do stuff in as many widgets and gadgets as possible. It’s almost as if they don’t have any spare storage space left. 

For the most part, it might not seem as if it’s a problem. After all, the widgets have to go somewhere, right? The problem is there might be a link or a piece of content in the sidebar which is masked by all the clutter. Anybody trying to find it, or who would normally stumble across it, will float straight on by, ruining the experience. 

Like all closets, sidebars need a spring cleaning once the things start to pop out of the side. Go into your settings and get rid of anything which isn’t necessary. For example, the social media icons are essential, but only the ones which get some action. Let’s face it – LinkedIn probably isn’t going to make an impact. 

Backup Isn’t An Option 

Okay, it is because there isn’t much which is mandatory on the platform. Still, it should be compulsory as it saves a lot of time and hassle. Sadly, blogs have been known to blow up in the past and crash, leaving the blogger without months of content. Granted, it might never happen to you, but there’s no reason to take the risk. Think of it as if it’s insurance: it’s worth the money. 

Some hosts don’t even charge for their basic service. Take a closer look to Bluehost plans and you’ll see this platform includes it within the price. And, it’s a host which is recommended by WordPress itself so it will integrate seamlessly. If you opt for a platform which isn’t already incorporated, then it’s a wise move to pay extra. When the worst happens, you’ll be glad of the extra money you spent. 

Double check how much storage space is on offer and then make sure you cover your needs. Otherwise, it will be a waste. A couple of gigs should be fine for now, but you’ll have to upgrade down the line. 

One Book Per Person 

Go to a library and there are hundreds of aisles with different tags and filing systems. Finding the book, you want is tough unless your paperwork is correct. Still, it’s difficult even then. Thank god for the internet as it has revolutionized searching for stuff. Just type in the keyword and scroll through the results. What a piece of cake. 

That is unless there are multiple folders to search. At first, it seems like a good move to compartmentalize all of the media. After all, it only takes a quick click to find it again. However, you might forget and not have the first clue where it is. 

With one library, the search function on WordPress works much more effectively. It saves time and energy, two of the things you’ll be short on as a blogger.

Metadata 

It’s tempting to focus on the big data, the stuff which seems like it makes a difference, and forget about the small thing. However, tags and permalinks and the like can make a massive impact when used correctly. 

The key is to shorten links where possible and to optimize tags and descriptions. Remember that the latter is for the readers and not search engines, so make them legible. 

There you have it – that’s the word. Hopefully, it helps you transition and make your ‘Press blog a success.

 

Futuristic Tech You Can Buy Today

Futuristic Tech You Can Buy Today

by | Blog, Contributed Post

***Contributed Post***

Should you be a lover of all things technology, then you will know that we are living in an exciting time. Sure, there have always been innovations in technology, but especially for anybody keen to own something that looks futuristic, there are all kinds of products available today that will fulfill the dreams of anybody who has thrilled at the futuristic gadgets displayed in films such as Back to the Future and Minority Report.

Such as?

(image)

Well, speaking of Back to the Future, you can now jet around town on a hoverboard. Okay, so they aren’t quite as cool or as functional as the one used by Marty McFly, but the types of hoverboards available today aren’t too far behind. Thanks to self-balancing technology, there is little risk of an accident, and because these cool devices are environmentally friendly, you might consider the hoverboard a far greener alternative than the toxic piece of metal that is your car!

Of course, if driving is still your thing, and you haven’t gotten over your fears of skateboarding from years ago, then driverless cars are almost upon us. The linked article suggests 2019 at the earliest, so while you can’t actually buy one today, you might still be able to put down a deposit now. Still, while you can’t hop into a fully autonomous car, unlike Tom Cruise in Minority Report, many of today’s cars do feature self-driving tech, with the ability to carry out those nuisance maneuvers, such as pulling into a parking space for you. While not as cool as anything you have seen in the movies, this is still an exciting time to be a driver.

Now we know what (you’re probably not) thinking. Hoverboards and driverless cars are fine, but what about good old-fashioned exercise. Flying around town on futuristic transport devices is all well and good, but we still need to keep fit. Fear not, fitness lovers! There are all kinds of amazing gadgets that are designed to help you do just that, including these smart shoes and socks that both look amazing, and that will help you to feel amazing too. With accelerometers that will track your fitness, sole-tech to improve your performance, and special heating functions that will keep your feet feeling toasty warm when out on your run, you will have all the incentive you need to get away from the tv.

(image)

Unless, of course, you are watching your favourite boxsets on Samsung’s new 85-inch 8K TV. Having only just gotten used to good old (are we seriously using that word already) 4K, this is the next big thing in television technology. Like those massive screens we have seen on nearly every sci-fi crime film/show ever, you can now have these ultra hi-def screens in your very own living room. Sure, it will cost you $15,000, but you can always set up a payment plan. Still, if you can’t afford one just yet, there are still loads of incredible looking 4K screens still available, just the thing if you have snagged yourself an Apple TV 4K streaming box.

We have barely touched upon the technologies that are becoming available to us, but know this: the future is upon us, and we can have a piece of it today! Now, where did we put our credit cards?!

Can More Breaks Really Mean Increased Productivity?

Can More Breaks Really Mean Increased Productivity?

by | Blog, Contributed Post

***Contributed Post***

Breaks are a touchy subject in the business world. Every company owner approaches this issue differently. Some are more than willing to let staff take an hour for lunch. Others are reluctant to give much longer than 15 minutes at any one time. Employees, too, have differing opinions on this. Some members of staff would much prefer to work through than lose an hour’s money each day. That’s no surprise when you consider lunch breaks could cost upwards of five hours wages each week. 

Whatever your stance on the subject, though, it’s clear to see the importance of taking a break every once in a while. If staff work without stopping, their productivity will take more of a hit than you may realize. That’s not good for your business or the staff in question. Hence why, if you haven’t done so already, you should consider incorporating a break space. This will ensure that everyone takes at least short breaks throughout the day. That, in turn, could see the quality of work soaring. If you want to take the benefits even further, consider the following ways you could make that break space productive.


Free snacks

Providing free snacks for staff could boost productivity in a few significant ways. For one, it saves them having to go off-site and thus take more time during meal breaks. Providing the right kinds of foods could also physically aid productivity. Berries, nuts, and even dark chocolate can increase brain power and reduce stress. They also provide a longer-lasting boost of energy than alternatives such as cakes.

The right smell

In most workplaces, the break room smells of the last thing which went in the microwave.  You may want to change that if you’re aiming to improve productivity here. As can be seen from articles like this one on www.aromatechsystems.com, studies have suggested that scents such as lavender prevent the deterioration of work productivity. By incorporating a scent diffuser, you could help even those staff members who pop in here for a cup of coffee. Besides which, pleasant smells are sure to make this a much nicer place to be generally.

Diverting the course of the workday

There’s also evidence to suggest that even brief diversions can improve focus for prolonged periods. Last off, then, you need to provide some form of diversion in your break room. Many employers opt to use television for this purpose, and that can work well. Equally, providing break room books like those mentioned on www.bustle.com could be the perfect thing. After just 10 or 20 minutes of using resources like these, you can bet your staff will feel refreshed and raring to go. Taking time out like this can also reduce stress, which is again fantastic for results.

 


You can bet, once you get your head around these methods, that you’ll be begging staff to take a break. Get your break room in the bag, and you’ll see increased productivity, even if your team start taking more time out.