Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Okay, this is definitely gettin` there. :-) I agree with, and was about to suggest the same thing as Webline, that if you have a 1-paragraph basic explanation of why you want information, that`ll be fine. And I think it`ll reassure people like Videographer.

When you click the "request a count" button, going to the page, there`s ample room at the top (right below the "Customize your marketing list..." heading) for a brief explanation. You could even use what you wrote in your post in this topic, something like:
Most people----business people---aren`t dumb. They`ll understand that you`re giving away the count as marketing materials. They`re also not trying to get something for nothing, but I think Steve`s point is that when there`s a reason for a request, more often than not it smooths the way.

I think we had a topic on this, come to think of it, with a study done about offering a reason for a request versus just making a demand.

I`d still like to see a more obvious explanation of the actual word, "count." But this is definitely getting better. :-)

Oh...one other thing, referencing your "this isn`t for newbies." That might be a bit of a dangerous pathway, given that people already using direct mail likely also have a favorite vendor. The object isn`t only to take customers away from other vendors, it`s also to grow your own customer base, right?

"Because our service and products are customized to a business` marketing goals and needs, we need to have their bus. name and # for consultation and follow-up.  If I sent you a List count report and you were new to mailing list purchases, you might not even understand how decipher it."

Then make this follow-up contact optional.  Like Stan said, establish a relationship first.  Your response to me is specifically why I am leery of any site that asks more information from me than they should need *at this point in our relationship*.

Tell the visitor *why* you ask for these details, but make it optional anyway.



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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

Hello to all that are still following.

We got some great advice from the above people.  These suggestions couldn`t be fixed or addressed without a strategic plan.  I had to take a step back to reevaluate our website message and explanations.

On monday I will provide links to our changes to the website.  I couldn`t have done it without all of you.

I appreciate your honesty and valuable time.  If I can repay any of you in any way let me know, thx.

Hi David,
You`re an unusual person to be willing to examine the fundamentals and even consider a conceptual change. I`m still following this topic, so if or when you make changes, let us know. :-)

When you recast your site, start a new thread with a new subject here.  You might snare some fresh eyeballs of forum members who haven`t been following this one.



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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

Craig,

Thanks for the compliment, well hope it`s a compliment.  I didn`t put my website up for a critique for acolades.  I wanted an unbasis opinion of the message we were trying to convey.  We are not at the point of success, that we could be so conceded to not implement  any  feedback.

It is not easy though to take feedback and make changes. Here is our new plan.
1. reconstruct the message on all of our "request a list count" pages.
2. provide a facts, definitions, and price page or pages.
3. include multiple text links to pop up page for definitions (ex. "what is this?")
4. Create industry marketing tips white papers or pdfs for free downloads

later on
5. create a blog
6. live online count system

1-4 should be implemented within 2weeks.

I will keep everyone posted about our progress.

Here is example of the an old consumer request form page
Consumer mailing list count

Here is an example of the new list count request form page.
Free mailing list count.

Let me know what you think of our copy on the latter. 

Thanks

Yes, my previous post was a compliment. :-) So many people get caught up in whatever is their vision, and they don`t want to hear anyone tell them there may be a problem with it. We`ve actually had some discussions here on SuN about it, and I suspect is has to do with modern education.

When students go through early life with no competition, they expect everything to be wonderful. They`re prevented from having anyone criticize them because "their feelings would be hurt." The result is a complete disconnection from reality.

As such, it`s nice to know there are still a lot of people who do care about what really works, despite it being a drag to hear that a trial run isn`t as good as we`d thought. There`s nothing wrong with objective feedback, especially in the world of business. The much bigger problem is even finding that objective feedback.