5 Power Tips To Double Your Sales

5 Power Tips To Double Your Sales

by: Michael Southon

กHow Can I Double My Sales?ก that must be the silent prayer of thousands of webmasters.

There are two ways to do it: you can either double your traffic or you can double your conversion rate.

Letกs say you have a conversion rate of 2% (1 sale for every 50 visitors) and you get 100 visitors a day you’re getting 2 sales a day. You could get 4 sales a day by increasing your traffic to 200 visitors a day.

But you can get the same result with your existing traffic by doubling your conversion rate (2 sales for every 50 visitors).

Here are 5 ways to double your conversion rate:

(1) Direct Response: Make sure your website is a กDirect Response Websiteก. A DRW is a site where the only options are to Buy, Bookmark, or Leave. The more options you give your visitor, the less likely they are to buy.

(2) Free EBooks: Include Free EBooks as bonus gifts with your product. This can easily double your sales especially if the Free EBooks are genuinely useful. Here are some places you can find Free EBooks:

http://www.freeebooks.net/

http://www.ebookdirectory.com/

http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/download.html

(3) Testimonials: Make sure you have plenty of testimonials on your website. Preferably, they should be from customers who have achieved results from your product (e.g. more traffic, more sales, saved time etc).

(4) Follow Up: Youกve probably heard this over and over again but itกs worth repeating people have to see you your message about 7 times before they buy. The biggest mistake you can make is to try and sell your product on the first contact alone.

It just doesn’t work, and the statistics bear this out: the 1st contact produces 2% of sales, the 5th to 12th contact produce 80% of sales.

So in your ezine ads and at your website, offer something free in exchange for an email address. And then follow up with sequential (or followup) autoresponders.

Here are some sites that offer free followup autoresponders:

http://www.autoresponders.net

http://www.informationbyemail.com

http://www.getresponse.com/orderfree.html

http://www.rapidreply.net/free_features.htm

(5) Backend Sales: Itกs no secret that successful businesses make up to 80% of their sales from previous customers. Why? Because people who have bought from you before are much more likely to buy from you again (they know you, they trust you, they were happy with your product).

The hard work in marketing is getting a customer. Once you have a customer, theyกll buy from you over and over again.

Contact your previous customers and let them know about another product that compliments the product or service they bought from you. Experts reckon that the value of กa lifetime customerก lasts about 3 years make use if it.

If you follow these 5 tips, you may well find that you can double your online sales with the traffic you already have.

Wishing you every success!

(c) 2001 by Michael Southon

About The Author

Michael Southon has been writing for the Internet for over 3 years. He has shown hundreds of webmasters how to use this simple technique to get massive free publicity and dramatically increase traffic and sales. Click here to find out more: http://www.ezinewriter.com

This article was posted on August 30, 2002

by Michael Southon

Double Your Profits

Double Your Profits

by: Sylvie Minson

Easily Double or Triple Your Profits in Any Business

To some it may seem like common sense, but many folks running their own businesses don’t do this one simple thing to keep their business and profits growing.

Whether you’re running an online, mail order, or traditional business, the key to increased profits is, of course, more customers and more sales. The best way to get more customers is advertising.

You need to take a portion of your profits every month, up to 50 percent in the beginning, and invest it back into your business in quality advertising.

That is not to say you should ignore word of mouth, and viral marketing, but real advertising delivers real results. Use it to keep bringing in new business.

When advertising online be careful to get your ads placed in areas where your target audience is likely to gather. CPC cost per click ads are a good choice online, because you only pay if you get a good reaction.

Text ads are also getting a much better response these days, as opposed to banners and other flashy methods. Banner ads only seem to be effective in building a brand, not in getting measureable, on the spot results.

Popups are nearly dead, given the availability of popup blockers, and the fact that the next generation browsers are coming out with popup blockers built in. Apparently people don’t like popups I know I don’t so avoid them, unless you want to irritate your audience.

Print advertising, on the other hand, is much easier to target, and even if you have an online business, I wouldn’t recommend ignoring the potential of print. Run your ads in magazines and newspapers that deal with your subject.

Whether on line or in print, youกll want to test out different wordings for your ads, and do small runs, until you find the words the pull readers in the way you would like, not just to get inquiries, but results.

When writing your ad, don’t say กWe Have Blue Widgets!ก People don’t really care about what you have, they care about what they want so กGet Your Blue Widgets Todayก is probably going to be more effective.

Ask a question, or if you have something to offer for free a free sample, info packet, or test drive advertise that. Be sure to focus on what the customer gets, not what you have.

When you find an ad that pulls well, stick with it. Don’t change until it stops working, or until you change your offering.

ReInvest in your business, and you can double and triple your profits with ease.

About The Author

Start Your Home Business at www.prosperitynet.com

Get Your Slice Of the American Pie!

© 2004 ProsperityNet.com

This article was posted on August 26, 2004

by Sylvie Minson

Double listings at Google

Double listings at Google

by: David Leonhardt

Have you ever searched for something on Google and noticed that a website has a double listing – a main listing and a second listing indented – and wondered กWhy?ก And then wondered, กHow?ก

Google lists up to two pages from a domain for any given search. Most likely, you already have two pages listed for your major search terms. Your pages might be listed at #14 and #456, in which case they don’t show up together.

When two pages from the same domain show up on the same SERP (search engine results page), Google groups them together. If your two pages are listed at #11 and #18, they will be grouped on the second SERP…assuming Googleกs default of 10 results per page.

However, you can change your default number of results in the advanced search preferences: http://www.google.com/advanced_search.

Or you can make a onetime change by simply adding กnum=17&ก or กnum=7&ก (without quotation marks) after กsearch?ก in the SERP URL. Here is an example of how a 9result page URL looks: http://www.google.com/search?num=9&hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=SEO+tips&btnG=Search&meta=

One of my client sites ( http://www.dotcommonitor.com ) delivers web site and network monitoring. As I write, it is ranked #3 at Google for กweb site monitoringก. One page ( http://www.dotcommonitor.com/websitemonitoring.asp ) specifically about web site monitoring is ranked #4 for that term.

Actually, using the technique above, I learn that the second page is really ranked #7. How? I set num=7& and see a double listing. I set num=6& and the double listing goes away, bumped to the second page.

Why does your competition merit a double listing at the top of Googleกs rankings and you don’t?

Google wants to deliver results that are important and relevant. In a search for กapplesก, your site on baking might have a very relevant page and it might even be an important page (and hopefully a tasty one, too!). But your overall site is not as relevant to apples as some others. In a search for กbakingก, however, you probably have dozens of highly relevant pages, giving Google lots to choose from.

I should note in the example above that most of my clientกs site is about web site monitoring, so it makes sense that two or more pages would rank very highly for such a term (except that Google will list only the top two).

Google gives my own happiness site ( http://www.thehappyguy.com ) a double listing for กhappinessก. The second listing is my free กdaily happinessก ezine ( http://www.thehappyguy.com/dailyhappinessfreeezine.htm ). Google could have chosen any of a few dozen pages that are highly relevant to a search for กhappinessก, but it chose the two that other webmasters link to most often.

Both examples above are for major search terms around which a site is built. I have a page ranked #1 for กhairdresserก, but don’t expect Google to give my site a double listing. My site is not about hairdressers, it is about happiness.

What should you do if you want a double listing for your website?

1. Make sure your website is about a specific topic. ‘thingsก is too broad, unless you want people searching for ‘thingsก to find you (And quite a few people actually do search for ‘thingsก!).

2. You might have been told to optimize each page of your site for different search terms. That is good advice. Each page should be optimized for exactly what the page is about. But if your website as a whole is about a certain topic, make sure that most of it is optimized for that topic, too. Both your visitors and the search engines will better understand what you are about. Make sure you have plenty of pages of content related to your main site theme.

3. Seek inbound links to several pages. Most webmasters make the mistake of seeking links only to their home page and maybe to their newsletter signup page. I sell four ebooks and give away a free ebook. I have two newsletters and an online class. I have many topical articles and a couple funny photos. I seek links to anything I think people might enjoy, and that tells search engines my site has depth.

4. Notice a common thread in the advice above. Content is king. If you have plenty good content, developed around a major theme, and webmasters want to link to it, double listings are very possible.

5. Don’t overexpect. Google will give double listings only for major themes, not for all 1,476 search terms your site is listed for.

Why does Google give double listings? Who knows, but as a searcher I find it handy to see both the home page and a highlyrelevant deep link.

How long will Google keep giving double listings? Who knows, so this is just a caveat that they could change their policy the day after this article is published.

About The Author

David Leonhardt is an SEO specialist and a freelance writer: Contact him at:

mailto:[email protected]

He is author of Don’t Get Banned by the Search Engines:

http://www.thehappyguy.com/SEO.html

and Get In The News:

http://www.thehappyguy.com/publicityselfpromotionreport.html

as well as owner of a liquid vitamins store:

http://www.vitaminsupplementsstore.net

[email protected]

This article was posted on August 04, 2004

by David Leonhardt

Money Doubler Madness

Money Doubler Madness

by: Elaine Currie, BA (Hons).

After being around in the background for a while, money doublers suddenly became a huge craze on the internet. Forum message boards sported hysterical testimonials like กI Cycled!ก and กI Got Paid!ก

I wonder if they call it a craze because it only crazy people fall for it. Well, I’m certainly not crazy, on the dull side of sensible I’d say if I was pressed on the subject. I am not given to trusting people and you won’t find me accepting a free lunch.

So why did I get involved? I put it down to an unattractive little green mean streak of greed. Once that little green fellah gave me a nudge, there was no stopping me; I went from weakness to weakness.

I thought that it would be safe to join one of the established programmes, so I joined the Easy Chair Club’s My Magic Doubler. I invested $100. Their server crashed and they closed to new members with bewildering suddenness. I wondered if I was their last ever member to sign up.

My natural mistrust of human beings became even deeper and I resolved not to make a similar mistake in future; I would not be tempted to join another money doubler.

Some days later, I received $120 back from Easy Chair Club. I had not doubled my money, but I was in profit. I began to like the human race a little better and to think maybe money doublers were not such a bad idea.

Double Bot caught my attention. People were getting paid out and, best of all, they had what they called a กspamก section on their forum where members could discuss money making opportunities (ie other doublers). I invested $50. After my success (I did not see it as a lucky escape) with My Magic Doubler, I was feeling confident.

At this time Matrix Twisted was about to launch. This was my chance to get in at the very start of a doubler and make some big money, so I funded my account with $50. The difference in time zone meant that I would have to buy shares in the middle of the night. Regrettably, I slept through the excitement of the launch. I also missed the trauma of the instant crash and the first howls of กScam!ก I began to feel less confident and more like a Jinx.

Cycle It Fast had already been relaunched and people were getting their money doubled within hours. Strangely, once I had taken the plunge and invested, things changed and I reckon it would have been better named Cycle It Extremely Slowly. Instead of cycling times being expressed in hours, they rose to days and then weeks. Cycle times are no longer mentioned. I think the wheels fell off the day I joined.

I decided Cycle It Fast would have to be a long term investment. I still had Double Bot for quick profit. I was surprised to note, when I visited the forum, one day that the popular กspamก section had been removed and posts along the lines of ก10 days and I haven’t cycledก and กWhere is my money?ก were appearing. I started to feel a little uneasy. I was disappointed but not surprised when the Bot hit the rocks. How strange, it had been doing so well before I joined. I asked for a refund but I think admin were too busy baling out.

Anxious to recover my losses, I invested $50 with Profit Sharing Hits. Money doubling with advertising hits on top. What could go wrong? I was stunned when the members’ forum disappeared overnight and Admin announced that a relaunch was necessary. I again got that eerie feeling of being the last one in before the doors closed.

After several emails from me, a reply arrived from Double Bot. As admin had not got round to refunding my money before they relaunched, they were offering me a choice of paying them a 35% fee to process the refund or reinvesting in the Bot even though doubling had stopped.

That is the absolute end! Pass me that albatross and call me Jonah. It seems that any doubler that takes me on board will immediately sink. I might as well go and throw my money straight into the sea, at least I’ll get some fresh air at the same time. I have learned my lesson. I’ll concentrate on my Plug In Profit Site and will not waste any more time or money on these stupid doublers.

Wait up! I just got mail and there’s a money tripler about to launch. Now that’s different…

About The Author

This is one of a series of articles published by the author, Elaine Currie, BA(Hons) at http://www.HuntingVenus.com.

Subscribe to Online Profit Course newsletter by mailto:[email protected]

[email protected]

This article was posted on December 02, 2004

by Elaine Currie, BA (Hons).

Single or Double OptIn?

Single or Double OptIn?

by: F. Terrence Markle

Single or Double OptIn?

You heard the message before. Your email list is the most important key to your future online success. The best list is a highly targeted and responsive optin list. At present, the single optin method is the preferred approach to building a list. However, Internet promoting considerations suggest the list owner should use the double optin or confirmation method to build a list. What is the right method for you?

OptIn Process

The optin process means that an individual has requested to be on your mailing list before you a^dd them. At the same time, the individual must be given the ability to optout (unsubscribe) from your mailing list at any time.

In the single optin method, an individual registers to join your email list by submitting their name and email a^ddress. As a result, the individual is giving you their permission to send them email messages that promote specific products and services or discuss specific topics.

In the double optin or confirmation method, an individual registers to join your email list in the same manner as the single optin method. In response, the individual receives an email from you to confirm their email a^ddress. Upon receipt of the confirmation email, you a^dd the individual to your mailing list. If the confirmation email reply is not received, do not a^dd the individual to your list. However, you may want to followup with the nonconfirming individuals and give them another chance to confirm.

Autoresponder

Your autoresponder should have the capability to implement the double optin method. If not, you can setup one very easily. Set up two separate campaigns in your autoresponder (let’s call them ขAข and ขBข). Campaign ขAข receives the initial single optin request from your visitor. In turn, the message from campaign ขAข contains a link the subscriber clicks to send a confirmation email to campaign ขB.ข The ขblankข email sent to campaign ขBข is from the subscriber’s ขdefaultข email system containing their confirming name and email a^ddress.

Subscriber Relationship

To be successful in email promotions, you must build a personal oneonone relationship with your prospects or clients. The success in your online mark^eting hinges on maintaining and building this personal relationship. As the list owner, you need to establish the initial relationship by:

Obtaining permission from your subscribers to send them promotional messages and other types of useful information

Practicing respect for the privacy of your subscribers.

Implicit OptIn

An implicit optin situation may exist as the result of permission that is not granted but is derived from another relationship. An example would be when an individual has previously purchased from you. In this situation, you may be able to send limited but unsolicited emails to that individual under this preexisting relationship. However, this level of implied permission must never be exceeded without the expressed consent of the individual.

Considerations

As a list owner, you work hard to drive traffic to your web site and get subscribers to join your list. Individuals respond and decide to join your list. They submit their name and email a^ddress. Great! All that hard work of publishing a newsletter, writing ezine articles and promoting is finally paying off. You have genuine subscribers. Or do you?

As it turns out, some of these new subscribers did not signup on your mailing list, do not want to receive your mark^eting messages or forgot they signed up. You run the risk of getting sp^am complaints when you send email messages to this group of individuals. This can be a serious problem to your online business. Open your email and look at the flood of unwanted messages. Scan and listen to the media reports. Sp^am is a continuing problem.

MessageLabs, a provider of email security services, monitors email messages on a worldwide basis. Out of 157 million emails tracked in July 2003, they reported that 80 million emails were sp^am. That’s a 51 percent sp^am rate. In December 2003, MessageLabs reported a 77 percent increase in yeartoyear sp^am volume. These numbers are incredible.

It is very important that you get your email messages into the hands of individuals that want to receive your messages. As a result, the normal single optin may no longer be sufficient. Consider the double optin method as an alternate approach. Look at the pros and cons of each approach to find out what is right for you.

Single OptIn Discussion

An argument in favor of single optin states it is simpler to subscribe to a single optin list than the double optin list. Even though the single optin method has more unsubscribes, the net number of subscribers is generally higher than with the double optin method.

An argument against the single optin method states that new subscribers may be:

Tire kickers only looking for the fr^ee bonus,

Not really interested in your mark^eting efforts,

Can not remember signingup,

Did not signup due to someone else signing them up or

There was a typographical mistake in the signup process.

How many of the single optin subscribers fall into this ขproblemข category? Depending on the reporting source it ranges from 0 to 30 percent. Malice or typo mistakes can be mitigated in the confirmation process if the recipient does not confirm. As a result, you will probably lose these people in short order through the unsubscribe process. However, the most serious consequence is the sp^am complaint. This can cause you significant grief and wasted time defending yourself against the ISP that wants to shut you down.

Double OptIn Discussion

Depending on your situation, you may need or want to start using the double optin method. This does not mean you trash all your current single optin subscribers and ask them to double optin. You should be able to continue your email mark^eting to these individuals if you have a healthy business relationship with them. Consider the double optin method if you are in the early stages of building your list or want to increase to your existing list.

The double optin method may be your best solution to the problem of single optin subscribers that don’t want to be on your mailing list. The confirmation process is your protection against individuals claiming you are sending them unsolicited email. The double optin method establishes that:

The email a^ddress is good.

The responder is the owner of the email a^ddress.

The responder wants to join your mailing list.

Some significant reasons to use double optin include:

To attract interested and responsive subscribers in your targeted niche.

Improve the chances your subscribers will see your message.

A^dvertisers will place a higher value on your receptive subscriber list.

Ability to more effectively market your products and services to your list.

Documented proof that subscribers requested to be on your mailing list.

Reduce the probability your ISP will shut you down due to a sp^am complaint.

An argument against double optin is that the number of individuals completing the confirmation stage is lower than those signingup in the initial subscription stage. This is usually due to:

Faulty typing by the subscriber.

Malice by the subscriber.

Problem with input processing at the point of signup.

Wrong or incomplete information at signup becomes a surprise during confirmation.

The request for confirmation looks like a legal document.

As a result, it should be expected that the recipient will not complete the confirmation phase. The list operator should make the confirmation request as short and simple as possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no easy answer to the single versus double optin issue. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each method, perform tests on each method and then select the method that is right for your business.

It’s possible that you could wind up with a hybrid solution. In other words, use the single optin method for your directly controlled programs like minicourses and your newsletter and use the double optin approach for your coregistration programs.

There is no silver bullet in determining the best method to handle signups. You need to experiment. Whatever you do, don’t shoot yourself in the foot. You want to build your business and not destroy it.

I wish you the best of success in your online business activities.

Copyright © 2004 F. Terrence Markle – All Rights Reserved

Get the FR^EE email course on list building

ขHow To Build Your Own OptIn Mailing Listข at:

http://www.QuikSystems.com/OIC/OpInCourse.htm

About The Author

Copyright © 2004 F. Terrence Markle has worked for over 20 years with public and private companies. He has an MBA in marketing and finance. He has been involved with Internetrelated businesses for over 3 years. His primary focus is the marketing of affiliate programs. http://www.quiksystems.com

[email protected]

This article was posted on January 05, 2004

by F. Terrence Markle