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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 8135
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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 Posted: March 10, 2008, 7:09 pm Post subject: Am I to PRETEND I'm Perfect? |
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Aren't I allowed to ask for help? Or am I to pretend I'm perfect?
Long story short, recently I asked for something that could be considered a sales page review.
I did this because - well, not to toot my own horn here but, I have what I truly feel is an excellent information product for wahms with websites and online businesses. Especially for the newbies - but not exclusively to.
Not only do I feel it's a good product, I also feel it's very fairly priced. At only $9.99 - what wahm can't afford this?
I've had nothing but rave reviews from anyone who's read the ebook and taken the ecourse that follows up.
So, why am I not selling? It's not that I'm not selling - because I am. It's the fact that I thought I was going to be selling this product left and right. I truly felt as though I hit the nail on the head. But, it's just not happening as well as I thought it would.
I feared it was because of my sales copy skills - or should I say lack thereof. I'll admit it ... I stink when it comes to creating a sales page.
So that said ... I asked for a review. There was one comment made to me that kind of disturbed me. And no, it wasn't necessarily constructive criticism. I didn't just want to hear the good. I wanted to hear the bad and the ugly too.
| Quote: | | I wouldn't tell anyone else you are having trouble selling this ebook since the ebook makes you sound like if people follow your advice they could sell more.I wouldn't have bought a single ebook from someone that I thought wasn't succeeding online. |
Hmm ... so, just since I wrote an ebook ... this means I'm supposed to be a guru in every aspect? Does this mean I'm to pretend to be perfect in every aspect? And more specifically, does this mean I'm not allowed to ask for help or someone will think I don't "know my stuff"?
The answer to all those questions are a resounding No and here's my reply:
| Quote: | I'm not at all concerned about who knows I'm having issues selling this particular ebook. I'm very honest with everything I do online.
Just because I'm not doing as well selling this ebook as I would like to be certainly does not mean that I don't know how to run an online business nor does it mean that I'm not successful - it's quite the opposite.
I'm also by no means saying that I've not sold any ... my problem is that I've not sold as many as I would have liked to. With my conversion - it's easy for me to see that there is a need for improvement.
If this ebook was about "how to write a sales page" then yeah, I would hope people would think twice before buying my ebook. Give me a sponsor ad to write, even a solo ad or signature line to write - I'm your gal. Need an article, ebook or report written - again, I can show you how to do that too.
These types of sales pages just aren't my "thing". What I do know how to do is everything listed in that ebook - how? Because it's what I've been doing and succeeding at for the past 7 almost 8 years. |
So for those of you that don't feel as though you're expert OR you do feel as though you are but are afraid to ask a question because you're afraid that someone will feel as though you're not as smart as you thought you were .. no worries. You don't need to know everything. 
By the way, I have a feeling as soon as I get a chance to implement some of the tips shared with me, asking for a review is going to end up being one of the best things I've done
All the best!
Anita 
_________________
 
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Audrey
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Santa Barbara
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| Posted: March 10, 2008, 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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You've written a really excellent post. I belive it's a very fine line. Just yesterday I read a post that said "I'm doing really well, but....". I had a time swallowing he was doing well.
Big companies get it wrong from time to time. They introduce a product and it flops. Within 6 months, it's off the market. However, their other 99 products are doing great.
Just recently there was a press release about Starbucks. They have a new CEO or president or something. Anyway, this guy is saying "we need to scale back". He is seeing they expanded too far beyond the cup of coffee. They now sell a breakfast sandwich for 5 bucks. You can get the same sandwich at McDonalds for 99 cents, and so they did not sell any where near the amount they had planned for and hoped for.
This does not mean Starbucks has failed. Oh my gosh, they are in a zillino countries and on more corners than McDonalds. They got one item wrong.
Reputation is HUGE. You, Anita have an incredible reputation. If you ask for help, I can't imagine it hurting you at all. However when a newbie comes along and says "I'm doing great, but I need help" well that's just really hard to swallow.
Hmm my posts are long this morning...wonder if you've rubbed off on me (grin)
_________________
Audrey 
http://my.tupperware.com/audreyoka
http://www.recipe-barn.com |
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pattygale
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 797
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: March 11, 2008, 5:04 am Post subject: |
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Anita,
I wouldn't worry about it. You know what you're talking about. Many a successful company sometimes introduces a product that doesn't sell well, (for whatever reason).
I remember doing a research report once on all the products that Procter & Gamble launched into market that flopped tremendously.
Does that mean P&G doesn't know what they're talking about? Of course not.
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DeeBishop
Joined: 27 Dec 2004
Posts: 47
Location: Knoxville, TN
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| Posted: March 12, 2008, 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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I don't see what you're doing as a failure in any way, shape or form. Not to criticize or belittle comments already made here, but if you're selling any of your ebooks, you haven't failed in my opinion... you just want to do better. Right? As such, I agree wholeheartedly - there's nothing wrong with asking for help!
From similar comments I've received over the years from various people online, my guess would be the person who left these comments isn't doing ANYTHING successful online. I'd be surprised to learn otherwise. I've discovered that it's typically the least successful who criticize others' success the most.
And I for one understand the need for help with a sales page, of all things... I've been writing for nearly over 30 years, but I still can't write a decent sales page. I know it's a weakness, but there's nothing wrong in admitting that at all. 
_________________
Darlene "Dee" Bishop
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http://bizsupportgroup.com
http://frugalfancy.com |
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 8135
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: March 13, 2008, 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks girls - I appreciate the feedback!
| Quote: | | You, Anita have an incredible reputation. |
Thanks Audrey! That really means a lot to me. Simply because I've worked very, very hard to create that reputation and I work just as hard to maintain it too. I consider it a very strong aspect of my business in general.
Anyway, yeah, that reply kind of threw me a bit, I'll admit. But, the general consensus so far has been the same as my thinking so in this case, I think maybe I'll have to consider the source and figure it made for a great discussion.
As a matter of fact, this particular post continued to go on after her reply and mine ... with quite a few responses. And not a single person even acknowledged it went on. They just kept going to the original topic at hand. To me that speaks loud and clear also.
And one more quick thing I wanted to mention. I made this post on my blog too. (I duplicate at times because I've noticed we seem to have different readers from here to there.) Anyway, Kara replied on the blog and I just have to quote her here:
| Quote: | | Let’s think of it this way - would you hire a plumber that didn’t know how to put a door? Sure you would! They are both home improvement tasks, but very different areas. |
And I'll just leave it at that ...
Thanks again girls!
Take care,
Anita
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sewcute
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
Posts: 61
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 1:30 am Post subject: |
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Hey Dear,
Don't worry about it! I find that sometimes people are envy of you no matter what you do.
So instead of them just giving you help, they would rather say something to make you feel bad.
Brush it over girl and know that you worked hard and have succeeded in what you do. No one can never take that away from you...no one.
I sometimes feel like you do when I create my craft magazine. Now I know I'm not a professional writer and I'm still learning something new everyday.
However, I do know that I can write about my own experiences in business and share that with whoever wants to read it.
In business I go by one motto (You never know something unless you ask)
Sending big hugs your way!
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Hugs & Blessings,
Talena
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Audrey
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Santa Barbara
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 4:18 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Quote:
Let’s think of it this way - would you hire a plumber that didn’t know how to put a door? Sure you would! They are both home improvement tasks, but very different areas. |
This is brilliant. I love it.
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Audrey
http://my.tupperware.com/audreyoka
http://www.recipe-barn.com |
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pattygale
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 797
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | As a matter of fact, this particular post continued to go on after her reply and mine ... with quite a few responses. And not a single person even acknowledged it went on. They just kept going to the original topic at hand. To me that speaks loud and clear also. |
Exactly! And perhaps I should have been more clear in my original post. I did not mean that you should not let the product bother you, but rather I wouldn't let what that person said bother you.
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 8135
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I sometimes feel like you do when I create my craft magazine. |
Talena, please tell me you don't mean you feel like you don't know what you're doing when you're creating the craft magazine? Is that what you meant?
If so, honey don't you ever think that! Your magazine is fantastic! As a matter of fact, I just used it as an example yesterday
Someone was asking about creating newsletters. She wanted to know if she needed some great program like Adobe Pro or something like that. Uh, no - that's not needed for something as simple as a newsletter. That's more for something like a magazine (like yours). Honey, your magazine is good enough you could sell subscriptions. I would make sure there was something a "little extra" for charging but other than that - wow - it's fantastic! But you probably do just fine offering it for free
If that's not what you meant, I'm sorry, forget what I just said and please clarify, lol!
| Quote: | | This is brilliant. I love it. |
That was brilliant! One of those ... Hmm, wish I had thought of that! 
| Quote: | | Exactly! And perhaps I should have been more clear in my original post. I did not mean that you should not let the product bother you, but rather I wouldn't let what that person said bother you. |
No worries Patty! I understood what you meant
I'll tell you all one thing ... this has really been a great learning experience for me, without a doubt.
First of all, I know better. I should have had that page critiqued in the first place. I'll be honest with you ... it was one of those ... wow! I love it! It's great, yadda, yadda, yadda ... It was my first attempt at a "real sales page" and I thought it was good. Well, I knew it wasn't perfect but I thought it served it's purpose well. Wrong.
Secondly, a lot of people replied to that post. Not only did I get a bunch of great suggestions for the asthenics of the sales page itself but also ... I got a lot of feedback from "my target group". The people I'm trying to sell to. One thing I figured out - or I should say I'm starting to figure out - haven't hit it perfectly yet but ...
The price. My goal of course was to create a great product, full of information. But, the main goal was to keep it very affordable for the "average wahm". I would eventually like to have a whole line of products for the "internet marketing wahm". I want to create those "guruish-type" products BUT have it targeted to the Wahm BUT most importantly - have it wahm affordable too. I just don't believe in charging $97 for an ebook. I want to keep them all nice and cheap between $10 & $20 each.
There were a few people that replied to that post that mentioned, I wouldn't buy something like that because you can find it all online for free. Eh, maybe ... but, I know I don't mind paying (at a reasonable price) for information that's already gathered into a book or other form of info product. As well as I know many others do also. At one time, I had the time to do all the free research but as my business grows, I myself don't have time to do that anymore. I would rather pay someone else to do it for me. Which is pretty much what buying an info product is.
Anyway, you'll always have your freebie seekers who won't ever put a dime into their business. They're also the ones you see down the road complaining because they're not making enough money.
And someone had said that people don't buy ebooks anymore. Oh really? LOL! Needless to say, quite a few people replied saying uh yeah, they do, lol!
Here was my reply to that:
| Quote: | We have quite a few ebooks/reports etc for sale there and do quite well. (Talking about DSH here) Whether or not people still buy information products is not a concern in my mind what-so-ever. The selling of information products is actually one of the most lucrative businesses online. Besides, if you're not willing to invest money into your business and to keep yourself up to date and educated, how you can expect others to spend money with you?
"Doing everything for free" comes off very unprofessional and makes you look like you're not serious about business. If you're not serious about your business - then I'm going to question what you have to sell. Does that make sense? This is exactly why I refuse to purchase anything from a "free webhost" ... Well, let's put it this way ... you have to at least have your own domain name. If you can't afford less than $10 a year on the look of your business ... well then ... |
Anyway, my point is ... in this particular market, you're always going to have your freebie seekers who won't spend a dime on their business. And that's their perogative (sp?)
So, I need not worry too much about the price. Those people aren't going to buy if it's $1 or $97. They just want to do it all for free. But, like I said, my main goal is to keep the prices way down so any wahm can afford it. But, if they won't invest $10 into their business - then they're not very serious. KWIM?
Alrighty, as usual, I rambled on enough ... and I have work to do, lol! Thanks again ladies and if you don't mind, I would love to show you the finished product when this sales page is done!
Take care,
Anita
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sewcute
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
Posts: 61
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Anita wrote: | | Quote: | | I sometimes feel like you do when I create my craft magazine. |
Talena, please tell me you don't mean you feel like you don't know what you're doing when you're creating the craft magazine? Is that what you meant?
If so, honey don't you ever think that! Your magazine is fantastic! As a matter of fact, I just used it as an example yesterday
Someone was asking about creating newsletters. She wanted to know if she needed some great program like Adobe Pro or something like that. Uh, no - that's not needed for something as simple as a newsletter. That's more for something like a magazine (like yours). Honey, your magazine is good enough you could sell subscriptions. I would make sure there was something a "little extra" for charging but other than that - wow - it's fantastic! But you probably do just fine offering it for free
Take care,
Anita |
Its just that I sometimes feel that maybe no one wants to hear about my craft show or business experiences. Of course I know that each time I create a magazine I work out more tweeks that I didn't see before.
But I'm always my worst critic and I strive to be better than I was the day before.
omg!! you used my magazine as an example...I am honored.
Ah...thank you for your kind words on the magazine. Of course I did consider making it a subscription magazine but the prices of the post office and extra fees for out of state shipping made me think twice.
Who knows...maybe in the future I might think about it.
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Hugs & Blessings,
Talena
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 8135
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Its just that I sometimes feel that maybe no one wants to hear about my craft show or business experiences. |
But people are still downloading on their own by their own choice, right? Then apparently someone wants to
And by the way ... I think the personal touches are great! It definitely caught my attention and I'm not a crafter anymore It personalizes it - lets us get to know you a bit better. And in some cases, it gives us a chance to laugh with you! ROFL
| Quote: | | Of course I did consider making it a subscription magazine but the prices of the post office and extra fees for out of state shipping made me think twice. |
Who said anything about shipping I mean, cost to download You could create yourself a nice little membership site. Maybe, just a thought!
Take care,
Anita
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sewcute
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
Posts: 61
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| Posted: March 14, 2008, 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Anita wrote: | | Quote: | | Its just that I sometimes feel that maybe no one wants to hear about my craft show or business experiences. |
But people are still downloading on their own by their own choice, right? Then apparently someone wants to
And by the way ... I think the personal touches are great! It definitely caught my attention and I'm not a crafter anymore It personalizes it - lets us get to know you a bit better. And in some cases, it gives us a chance to laugh with you! ROFL
Take care,
Anita |
You are so right. And I love to share my experieces because I know everyone goes throught alot of different things when doing shows and in business.
So if I can help them then I have done something good and it's what I love to do.
And I love your idea about subscription...hmmm something to ponder over.
Your a gem!
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Hugs & Blessings,
Talena
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 8135
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: March 16, 2008, 1:29 am Post subject: |
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Thanks! The feeling is mutual
And if your pondering results in giving it a try ... let me know if you need some help getting it going.
Take care,
Anita
_________________
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