Update: The sale is now LIVE and is currently $15.00 for the next TWO sales.
Sales from 101 onwards will be $27.00 until the products are officially released later this week.
***
Tomorrow (Tuesday 1st February – already!) I’ll be running a PRE-ORDER sale for two really cool little plugins.
The first one allows you to add a special offer to your sidebar that counts down, expires and disappears. It’s cookie driven and won’t re-appear if the visitor refreshes the page (unless you want it to).
I’ve wanted something like this myself for a long time as more than once when visiting other sites, I’ve been tempted by seeing a little countdown timer and eventually just HAD to click it before the time runs out to find out more before it’s too late.
Curiousity is a powerful emotion to deal with, and I’ve always figured if it works so well on me then it will work really well on other people too. Including your visitors… 😉
The second plugin has been designed directly to enhance your sales copy.
Consider this.
There are two types of people that hit your sales pages. The readers and the skimmers.
What I do is I tend to read the headline, read the first sentence, scroll to the bullets, then skip to the price. I may then read some more copy if it looks interesting enough. Occasionally I’ll go back and read all the sales copy.
Sometimes I just jump right to the bottom to read the PSes. (Did you know that your second PS should contain your most important message?)
I *may* then also decide to watch a video if I think I need to know a little more before I buy, but videos are always low on my personal priority list. That’s just me.
Talking to other marketers, it looks like my behaviour is fairly typical. Some people prefer to watch a video, but of the group who prefer sales copy, I’m right in there as Mr Average. 😉
And… Someone I know is a mad tester. He reckons that his best performing sales copy consists of little more than a headline, bullet points and testimonials, but also says it depends on the product being sold.
When I stopped to have a think about this, the bullet points angle probably makes a lot of sense as bulleted info allows you to absorb all the key points very quickly. So people who get turned off by vast amounts of sales copy are okay with that method.
But I always find I want to know more detail before I commit to a purchase.
And that’s where the idea for this plugin came from.
What it allows you to do is create short, snappy bullet style sales copy which lets people do what they like best – skim – and absorb the key points very quickly.
If they need to know more about each point, then they can just click it and it unfolds to reveal more detailed copy about that particular point.
This method actually has a double benefit and puts both you and your visitor in control.
Your visitor has a chance to happily skim your sales page very quickly because you’ve nicely bulleted it all out for them.
And because each block of revealed sales copy is specific detail about the point in question, they’re the ones making the decision to view it.
This is really important because what you’re doing is engaging your visitor, and drawing them into the message you’re trying to convey to them.
And… Because the block of revealed sales copy is much smaller than a full page, they’re very likely to read all of that section, then repeat the process for other bullet points, and eventually read the whole of your sales copy.
All in small chunks.
This plugin increases your chances that a visitor to your site will give you ALL their attention.
Okay?
So this pre-order bundle gives you a plugin that drives people to your offer, and also a plugin that improves your ability to make the sale once they’re there.
The plugins are in test now, and they *may* be available tomorrow, but it’s much more likely that they’ll be ready on Friday hence this pre-order sale.
When they’re ready, then just like the Clone and Backup plugin I’ll be adding them directly to the affiliate scheme at full price and sold individually.
Tomorrow (1st Feb) at 6.00pm GMT (1.00pm EST), you’ll be able to get both plugins for the price of one, with a starting price of $10.00 for the first 50 sales.
-Frank Haywood
P.S. Speaking of Clone and Backup, we’ll be releasing the new version tomorrow if it gets through test today, and then the sales page and affiliate scheme for it will go live. 😉
Hopefully there’s a surprise unadvertised bonus to go with the plugin, IF it all works out okay…
P.P.S. The WordPress Sales Page Template Pack is now at $15.00 for the next THIRTEEN copies as I write this.
http://www.frankhaywood.com/wordpress-sales-page-template-pack-3/
Doggone Frank. I might as well just commit $100 a month to buying stuff from you. You just keep coming up with great ideas. The countdown one is kinda neat and may have a use for what I do, but that second one that allows you to have bullet points that you can “unfold” to more information is very useful for what I do. I can see a thousand and one uses for it – even for a project I’m working on today. Yeah, go ahead and plan on my $10 – I’ll be sitting at my computer when the sale goes live.
@James Dunn:
Thank you again James. 🙂
You may want to join PLAhh.com then in that case. 😉
(I’ll be making a few changes to that site next week including raising the first month’s membership – months after that will remain the same for a while.)
Whenever I see or do something that triggers an idea, I get it down into my ideas doc before it slips away.
The funny thing is I see some other WordPress products being released and I’m often at a loss as to what I’d do with it. For instance I saw a great page builder, but then I realised I don’t want to build my own pages as I don’t have the time, skill or inclination. 😉
I like easy, pre-done stuff where possible.
(I’ve been meaning to promote that page builder for a weeks now as I know it will appeal to many people because it IS very good.)
But there’s plenty of stuff I DO want, and I *think* I have my hand on the pulse and that I have similar needs to most small businesses. Well, so far so good anyway, hehe. 😉
And there’s some great stuff planned for 2011…
-Frank
@Frank Haywood: So are all of these available in PLAhh? I was under the impression that these were not the same things that are available in that membership site. If so, I’ll have to revisit it.
@James Dunn:
No they’re not, I’m sorry if I misled you. 🙂
I just meant you *might* be interested in PLAhh.com, as I get people asking about PLR. The PLAhh.com products are different to the ones I create and sell through PluginGreat, although I do use them myself.
For instance the slide-down effect containing my ugly mug and the sign-up form you see in the top of the sidebar is February’s PLR plugin release. (I’m just putting the final touches to it now.)
-Frank
Hi, Frank
All i can say about these two new plugins is AWESOME. From what you have said so far about them, they are sure to be a most adventageous pair to have in my arsenal of plugings.
I cannot wait for tomorrow to pre order them.
Just when i think that there will be nothing else that can amaze me, you go and do it again.
Thanks for all you do to help us along the way with our ventures, without you there, my marketing would surely be harder to achieve.
@Vince Andrews:
Gawrsh. 😉
Thank you.
(Between you, me and everybody else reading this, I have some great stuff lined up for this year. It will all get better, and suddenly all these tools I’ve been releasing will “come together” and you’ll see where I’ve been going…)
-Frank
Looking forward to these two, Frank. Count down will surely be a useful tool. And I like the formatting option of your “expanding” bullet points. Good job!
@Phil Elmes:
Yeah, at first glance you might not pair these two together, but when you think about what it is you’re trying to achieve when a visitor hits your site (engagement, participation and action), then it all makes sense.
Each page in your sales flow should do just one task and one only. If people are given too many choices then they don’t make any at all.
So, one page to get them to sign up, the next page to get them to buy, the next page to pay, the next page to do the upsell, the next to join the buyers list. I see too many sites where there are too many things going on (sign up or choose to buy) and then sometimes AdSense is laid on top of it all.
These sites are easy to fix. It should always be a matter of a yes/no choice, and a couple of hours can usually put it all right.
Blogs like this are a harder nut, and I know I break my own rules by pre-releasing a lot of stuff right here, but I have good reasons, and things are changing in the background (but not as quickly as I’d like). 😉
The countdown timer gets attention. Then if you use the right “curiosity” words (not too salesy right at the beginning…), you’ll get that click through to the sales or other page you want them to see. Then you can get them to sign up, and once that’s done, go for the sale. (You may not even go for the sale the same day, but instead choose to build some trust once they’re on your mailing list, and direct them to your first low cost product later. It all depends on what you’re doing.)
So countdown timer to get attention, expanding bullets to engage them and get their participation. Every click is an action to get them to where you want them to be, and their confidence in you builds as they go. 🙂
-Frank
I’m finding many of these tools you’re creating really useful for my online needs Frank.
But when I read about these two plugins I admit that the thought, “Why didn’t I ever think about finding a way to make my sales materials like that?” jumped into my head.
I’m a scanner too, and I immediately recognized how useful these tools will be.
@Joe Jackson:
Thanks Joe. I think you’ve sussed that these are simple tools with a lot of thought behind them.
I’m always watching my own behaviour and (despite what some people think), I’m my own worst critic. I’m not heavily into self-help and self-improvement, but there are always some areas that I think are important to receive some attention and polish.
As I’m a BIG fan of the 80:20 rule (20% of your efforts brings 80% of the benefits), I try to look at the things that would make most difference for the least work, and focus mainly on those. Once I got into that way of thinking and using it all the time and everywhere, I suddenly started seeing big improvements in all aspects of my life. That one concept has been a game changer for me.
And sometimes the smallest changes in your business can make big differences. These plugins definitely fall into that category. 😉
-Frank
Curiousity really is a powerful emotion. Now you have re-sparked my interest, those two plug-ins sound just the ticket for some things I am planning. I must admit though I read the bit about “2nd P.S.’s ” and then went stright to the bottom to see if there was an important message, lost my place and read the whole thing again from the start. Duh!
@Gareth Hogan:
Lol! Yeah, as soon as I’d sent the email out and re-read it for the third time, I realised I had two PSes in it. Funny how the mind plays these little tricks on us.
But the thing about the two PSes is absolutely true. I had someone tell me about it, and then when I watched my own behaviour, I realised that yes, the first PS got read but not noticed, but the second one was the one that always registered.
Once I knew that, I changed the order of my PSes on my sales pages. 😉
-Frank
G’day Frank,
Looks like you are making up for the time you had off crook.
Now these look interesting plugins.
I like the idea of a special offer countdown in the sidebar this sounds really neat without throwing something directly in someones face. Should work well with a mail out to subscribers building up for a week or two and telling them to watch out for upcoming special (whatever) on a certain day and telling them miss it and it’s gone as you will get only the one chance. See a lot of potential for this one.
Now the second one I have used similar in html or to be more precise php code and always liked the idea if you want to read more the box opens and gives you more. Funny part I have come across this in wordpress admin with certain plugins usually for help items but don’t think I have seen a blog that does it on the page usually it is read more and you go to the full post. So this one has to be a winner.
It is nice to know that other people think like you and I give me the facts and skip the BS is what I look for some sales pages and squeeze pages just go to far with all the nonsense in them which is to make it look like this is the ultimate thing. Just rubbish in my eyes and usually turns me off.
Videos my number one pet hate is auto playing videos I am gone when I encounter them but by all means give me a video I can watch in my time and shows and explains a product properly well and good sometimes that works better than any sales copy. And a good example of that I just encountered at the Warrior forum last week. I could not like many others grasp what exactly was been sold and many where asking is there a video so someone who bought the product did a video which explained it perfectly so it went from been a slow seller to a fast seller. I knew the guy did quality stuff but I was not going to buy just on that reason alone. So now he is telling people to see the product been set up and working see the video and rightfully gives a nice promo to the person who did the video.
Well thats my rant for the day.
Off to put a marker on my new wallpaper clock for these plugins.
Regards
Rob P. Cruisin
@Rob P. Cruisin:
I agree with just about everything you’ve said. 🙂
So many times I’ve read sales copy for a product that isn’t even a good idea, and it’s just maddening.
Especially interesting there was the WF sale and the inability for the owner to explain what the product did – it really gave me a chuckle.
Because…
I know someone (close to me) who is incredibly intelligent and thoughtful, but cannot paraphrase or pick out the key points of (just about) anything. It’s like a no-go area for him, and there’s been many times when he’s spent 3 minutes describing something and I’ve eventually got it and paraphrased it into a sentence. “Yes!” is the usual reply. 😉
He’s getting better at it though because I’ve started saying “Come on, I’ve only got one minute to spare.” Hehe.
-Frank
Frank,
Nice idea and i can see lots of applications where a sidebar countdown timer could work very very well. This is perhaps one of the best “New” ideas i have seen for a while.
The expandable sales page has been around for a little while now but some of them are a little clunky so I look forward to your version and we shall how easy that is to use.
Keep em coming Frank.
@Kevin Baker:
I’ll definitely “keep em coming.” I’ve got some great stuff on the way this year, including some BIG scripts that I’m going to be releasing as freebies. Including a WP membership script. 🙂
We already have the API core for adding and deleting groups and members (both on-site and remotely), we just have some work to do on the admin panel. I’ll release it for free as a core product together with PayPal support for accepting payment, and secure pages and digital delivery.
Then my plan is to charge for modules to do some of the clever stuff. Always low cost though. And always multi-site – I really don’t like this licencing model of one per domain, and I reckon nobody else does either. So buy the module/plug-in once and use it on all your sites.
So you’ll get a freebie base sales system for WordPress to go with the other tools I’ve been releasing and be able to run your site and sales process completely through WordPress. Then anything like one time offers, other payment processors, third party integration, etc will be extras.
That means you’ll be able to pick and choose appropriate modules to build your site with to match your site flow. 😉
-Frank
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Perfect shot again Frank !!
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@FreeMaverix:
Thank you. 🙂
-Frank
I just wish you would do these releases on the weekend when I am home. By the time I get home the price is gone up.
@Carl:
Noted. I know I can’t please everybody, but yes I’ll run the occasional sale at the weekend too.
-Frank
OK, I want it. I wish you would send me links directly to where I can buy your things. Sometimes I can’t *find* your offer to purchase it.
I do buy usually, but it seems harder than it needs to be, and sometimes I miss out.
How do we buy this plugin package? Will there be another email, one that links to PayPal button?
@Kathleen Gresham:
Hi Kathleen,
The payment link will appear at the top of this post in about 30 minutes as I write this. 🙂
-Frank
Frank,
Every time I think my little bit of money can stay in my pocket a little longer, you introduce yet another “must have” plugin. Great ideas, irresistible software and reasonable pricing makes it nearly impossible to resist even if I wanted to.
I, too, will be buying again.
Thanks for your great ideas.
@Peter Dennery:
Thank you! 🙂
-Frank
G’day Frank,
A hint to what we are getting this month nice. 😉
I have been waiting for the email to see what surprises we might get.
Wonder what else we are getting?
I like my monthly surprise. 🙂
Regards as always
Rob P. Cruisin 😎
Frank, when can we expect these plugins? They were due yesterday. How about an update on when they will be ready please?
Jim E
I purchase but and when trying to register I never got a confirmation email and I tried 3 different emails. I just checked the download link I got at purchase time and still shows the text info page when I download and unzip it.
@Jim E and Carl:
Text Expander & Countdown Offer. I’m sorry about the delay – I thought these would be ready by this Friday just gone, but I’ve sent them both back to the developer with a few changes.
They’re minor but important (to me) changes that will make the plugins better.
ETA Wednesday.
Sorry again, but well worth the extra few days wait.
-Frank
Hello Frank,
nice too hear that we will it become maybe on friday, i hope so mutch for this plugins and also for this other plugin what we wait now so long time, 😉 where we have speak in the other post,
but i hope it will be come sometimes
best regards
Olaf
Where is the Sales Helper Plugin?
@Carl:
They’re on your personal download page. If you didn’t bookmark the page, then raise a ticket at http://support.plugingreat.com/ and someone will give it to you.
-Frank
Hey Frank,
great counter plugin, i love it, it is the best what i have ever become or found 😉
it will help alot for sale, i have after i install it on one of my sites, my selling of the product was riceing up to 50% more,
thanks for this plugin, but i think i can make also more sales when we can put it also inside some post or page, maybe it will come next version 😉
best regards
Olaf
@Internet Marketing Olaf:
Well thank you! It’s always nice to seem some statistics that aren’t my own. 😉
You CAN already put any widget (including the Countdown Offer widget) inside your posts or pages by using my “Widgets In It” plugin. I think I may have released this before you became a subscriber so you don’t know about it.
There’s a post here with a link to a video showing how the “Widgets In It” plugin works.
http://www.frankhaywood.com/any-widget-in-any-post/
-Frank
@Frank Haywood:
Hey Frank,
yes it was before i have found this best site 😉
and yes this is what i need, just this now, i thing now with this two top plugins i can make mutch more sales like before,
but now i must stop here. because i must buy it 😉
i hope and will wait for the next top parts what you will bring out,
best regards from Finnland
Olaf
@Internet Marketing Olaf:
Hey Frank,
yes yes, just this parts was what i have look for, this is the best plugin what i have ever found or become, thank you my friend,
now the widgets in any post and the countdown plugin toghter it will be become a sells maschine who make only money 😉
but i have some question about the countdown plugin,
because it will be nice in this plugin when you can put also some days inside, or like i want put inside 2days 20h 15min
than it will be perfect, maybe in the next version 😉
regards
Olaf
p.s. i will write you netx week some email to you about some other parts, when i have finish my new english website, because maybe i have some parts for you
Frank,
Misplaced download page replied to you at the email address you sent out the notifications from and support@vendiva – still no reply
Went to raise a ticket at plugingreat.com but this product is not on the drop down options
Looking forward to a reply so that I can look under the hood of this
G.
@G. Byrne:
Ah yes, it was a “two-fer” so the support desk doesn’t have “Sales Helpers” as a department. The departments are “Text Expander” and “Countdown Offer” as both these plugins will be sold separately.
I’ve emailed you with your personal download page.
-Frank