Improve Your Sales Copy in Four Easy Steps

It's no secret that you only have a few seconds to grab the interest of potential customers and try to persuade them to stay on your site. Nor is it a secret that bells and whistles are not the answer. So how do you gain and keep the attention of your visitors? With killer copy! Words are the most powerful tool you have to do business on the Internet. Without the right words, you could be losing thousands of dollars in profits. The best way to write effective sales copy is to put yourself in the place of the person who is reading it. Ask yourself all the questions your potential customer is likely to want to ask, and then answer them for him. Here are four easy steps to help you reassure your customers by answering those unasked questions: Step 1. "What's in it for me?" Paint a picture Your customers don't care much about your background, how long you've been in business or how special you think you are. So the first thing you must do is promote the major benefits, for them, of using your product. But don't just list the benefits - paint a picture so your readers can visualise themselves enjoying these benefits. Don't write: "Save time and money with Acme widgets," but "Free! Four hours a week to read a book, walk along the beach and follow your dream when you use Acme widgets - the quickest Widget on the market today." Step 2. "How can you give me this?" Explain why You must offer credible, logical reasons to support your claims or people are going to suspect your motives. "Acme widgets achieve faster results because we incorporate not one, but two gizmos. In controlled tests conducted by XYZ, our widgets consistently out-performed the competition in speed, accuracy and endurance." Step 3. "Why should I believe you?" Give reassurance This is the time to give some details about you and your company. Provide information about your credentials,qualificationsand experience in the field. Now you can also include brief testimonials from satisfied customers (provide as much information to identify the customers as they're willing to allow (anonymous testimonials are almost worthless). Step 4. " What if I don't like it?" Eliminate the risk The final stumbling block for customers is usually the fear of losing their money if they don't like the product or find it's not what they expected - so offer your customers an iron-clad guarantee. It can be a full refund, a 'double riple money back' or whatever you feel you can afford. Always include a time factor - the longer the better - people like to know you'll be around for the long-haul. Incorporate these answers in your sales copy to instantly turn your readers into buyers.