Four Simple Steps to Improve Your Sales Copy
You know what its like, you're reading the sales material about
a product you're considering buying, but, as you read, all these
questions seem to pop into your mind, but there's no-one there
to answer them, so you shelve your plans to purchase.
If it happens to you, you can guarantee it also happens to your
customers when they read your sales copy. So, what's the answer?
You don't have to practise mind-reading, just good-old fashioned
common sense - here's a four-step format to help you reassure
your customers by answering those unasked questions:
1. "What's in it for me?" Paint a picture You already know it's
important to promote the major benefits of using your product in
your opening copy, but don't just list the benefits. Paint a
picture so your readers can visualise themselves enjoying these
benefits.
Not: "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."
2. "How can you give me this?" Explain why People aren't silly,
they're not going to believe something just because you say it's
true. You must offer credible, logical reasons to support your
claims.
"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."
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, qualifications and
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).
4. "What if I don't like it?" Eliminate the risk The final
stumbling block is usually the fear of losing their money if
they don't like the product or find its 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 help turn your
readers into buyers.