During
a recent teleseminar a listener asked why anyone would write long sales letters
to sell something on the Internet. Here’s the exact question, “I’m still not
sure I understand how effective they can possibly be. Because who would have
the patience to read something that long?”
I
love this question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the pros and
cons of this type of sales tool.
Let
me begin by saying, not every product and/or service needs a lengthy sales
letter nor does everyone read these types of letter. Marketing and sales are
not a one size fits all situation.
Some
people require long letters to make a buying decision, while others don’t. The
fact is, there are many different types of people who read sales information. Some read a headline and immediately scroll to
the bottom of the page to see pricing. Others skim the page catching bits and
pieces of the copy. Still others read the entire letter down to the very last
word.
So
how do you know if the long letters work? Conversion rate and revenues. Simple
as that.
Frequently,
the people that protest the loudest about how these letters “just don’t work” have
never tried them with their own sales process. They may have the misguided
belief that if they don’t like it, nobody likes it. Huge mistake!
Let
me give you an example of why I know the long letters work. The last free teleseminar
I hosted and introduced a paid program from generated nearly $25,000 in backend
sales within a few days. The sales
letter for the paid program was over 35 pages. I dare say there were those who
thought, “Why would she have written such a long letter?”
As
revenues poured in due to very well written (and long) letter I smiled and
thought, “The long letters work…for my market.”
I
wasn’t always convinced that the long letters were for me. There have been
times I’ve tried shorter letters for similar services and amazingly, I didn’t
do as well in sales. A couple of those experiences and I’m hooked on the long
letters.
Here’s
a rule of thumb I use…the lower the price, the less words you need to use. The higher the price, the more detail. And
detail takes words…lots of them.
The
fact is when you are selling something from a web page you cannot be there to
address people’s objections, concerns or questions. The letter acts on your behalf to address
these areas.
Again,
many times the people who will tell me that long sales letters don’t work are
the people who are not making money with their sales letters. I am blessed to have
some of the best mentors in my industry who have worked with me on putting my
sales letters together; people who are making millions of dollars a year. Guess
what? They write long sales letters. There’s
something to be said for it.
Here’s
another rule of thumb…Watch who you listen to or take advice from. If you’re
listening to people who know nothing about what they are advising you on, you
may want to stop taking their advice right now. Rather, find the experts who
can correctly guide you. And…pay attention to what your market does and does
not require.
It’s
just good business sense.
One
of the most knowledgeable people in the world of Internet Marketing and writing
revenue generating sales letters is Willie Crawford. Join me on Tuesday, March
3, 2009 at 5 p.m. PST as I interview Willie on how to build a six and seven
figure business in a downturn economy. http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/Willieinterview.htm
I came from a broadcst advertising background so the idea of a long sales letter seemed crazy to me. I was used to writing 30 or 60 second copy for radio and TV so a long letter went against everything I had ever done.
However, I trusted people like you who alread had success with internet marketing and I did what was suggested because you were making money online and I was not.
Long story short the long sales letter worked! I made sure I had headlines that jumped out at scanners like me and I made sure those headlines told the whole story. So long sales letters can appeal to both kinds of readers.
I also find myself scanning a sales letter and then going back to read in greater detail once I know I am interested. Long sales letters get my vote and so does Kathleen Gage!
Suzan Schmitt: The Coach Marketer
http://www.thecoachmarketer.com
http://www.zeecoachmarketer.com
Well done, Kathleen. I’ve wondered about this many times. While I know the response rate is key, and that this method works when done right, it still baffles me. (but, I’m one of those impatient gals who like my sales copy short and sweet).
I’m convinced of one thing – after reading this – that I need to trust in you, because you’re the expert here, not me. That’s what was missing previously – I didn’t trust those other long sales’ writers.
Now, knowing you, and trusting you, I believe. This was a great post.