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Stop Selling and Start Persuading!

 
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DaleKing

posts: 1061

Jun 11, 2007 9:55 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I`m constantly surfing the Internet checking out different websites. And the more I surf, the more I realize that most marketers don`t have a clue about the concept of effective copywriting.

I see the same silly mistakes over and over and over again...Salesletters and ads trying to sell me something!

But isn`t that what a salesletter is supposed to do?

No. A salesletter is supposed to persuade me. Heck, I don`t want to be sold anything. Nobody does.

Let me elaborate: A couple of years ago, I was in Sears shopping for a birthday present for my girlfriend. As I was walking through the store I happened to pass by the shoe department. I saw a sign that said "Timberland Boots On Sale Today Only...$69.95!

I have to admit that sign caught my attention for a brief moment. I happen to know that Timberland are high-quality boots and usually much more expensive than that. However, I kept walking because my mind was focused on finding a nice birthday present for my girlfriend.

Suddenly, a shoe salesman comes running up to me and asks, "Excuse me sir, I can see you`re in a hurry. Do you mind if I ask you a quick question?"

I replied, "Sure go ahead."

He continued by saying "You can relax sir. I`m not going to try to sell you anything. I just want to ask you a quick question."

I immediately dropped my guard.

"The salesman said, "Last winter my car got a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard. It was a terrible storm! Cars were slipping and sliding all over the road. It was cold and dark. The ground was slippery, wet and packed with snow.

Thank god, I had my Timberland boots on that night. They really saved my butt! They`re waterproof and insulated and the rubber lug outsoles gave me superior traction against slipping, so I was able to get my tire changed and get the heck out of there quick!

But you have a huge advantage over me. I paid $145 for my Timberland`s. Today, you can get the exact same boots that saved my life for only $69.95!"

I replied, "Do you have them in size 14?"

Yes, he had them in size 14, so I bought the boots. 

Why? I didn`t necessarily want or need the boots. I didn`t go to Sears looking to buy boots.

But the salesman offered a persuasive and compelling argument. He got to me emotionally, so I bought the boots.

And I can honestly say, I`m glad I purchased the boots. They`ve been everything the salesman said they were and more.

The point is, the salesman didn`t "sell" me anything. He "persuaded" me in such a compelling fashion, I felt like I would have been missing out on something really good, if I didn`t buy the boots right then and there.

And that`s exactly what your salesletter needs to do.

Most buying decisions are emotional. Your sales copy should be, too! Bring out the prospects fears, their anger, their desires, their greed. Whatever the situation calls for, use those emotions in your copy.

In closing, focus on the prospect in your sales copy. When you get inside the mind of your prospect and speak to their emotional needs, you will see greater results.

I guarantee it.

Dale King



-------------------------

If you`re tired of all the money-making
hype, lies and scams...read this!
Click here for more details!


ElidS

posts: 471

Jun 11, 2007 12:30 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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While emotion may sell a product once it will not make anybody a loyal customer. I would suggest you consider appealing to their intellect first, then (if you must) add a touch of emotion to the sales pitch.
oleg

posts: 185

Jun 11, 2007 4:54 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Suddenly, a shoe salesman comes running up to me and asks, "Excuse me sir, I can see you`re in a hurry. Do you mind if I ask you a quick question?"

I replied, "Sure go ahead."

He continued by saying "You can relax sir. I`m not going to try to sell you anything. I just want to ask you a quick question."

I immediately dropped my guard.

"The salesman said, "Last winter my car got a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard. It was a terrible storm! Cars were slipping and sliding all over the road. It was cold and dark. The ground was slippery, wet and packed with snow.

Thank god, I had my Timberland boots on that night. They really saved my butt! They`re waterproof and insulated and the rubber lug outsoles gave me superior traction against slipping, so I was able to get my tire changed and get the heck out of there quick!

But you have a huge advantage over me. I paid $145 for my Timberland`s. Today, you can get the exact same boots that saved my life for only $69.95!"

If the salesman really started out by saying - "I`m not going to try to sell you anything. I just want to ask you a quick question." - and then followed up with the story about the storm, the boots, and the special today-only sale price; then he just lied to you.  As a matter of fact he lied to you twice:  He didn`t ask any questions, and he did try to sell you something.

 I just don`t see how lying to your customers is considered a good sales tactic (though I`m sure it is used all the time).  I won`t be buying any boots from this guy!



-------------------------

Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.
CraigL

posts: 9051

Jun 12, 2007 4:20 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I agree with Oleg. I read the above, and when the person asked if he could ask a question, the answer was sure. Then!...the guy says, "Relax, I`m not going to sell you anything."

At that moment I would have walked away. I already *said* he could ask the question, so ask it already.
saxmansteve

posts: 30

Jun 13, 2007 7:45 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Dale

I got the message.


"But the salesman offered a persuasive and compelling argument. He got
to me emotionally, so I bought the boots.

And I can honestly say, I`m glad I purchased the boots. They`ve been
everything the salesman said they were and more.

The point is, the salesman didn`t "sell" me anything. He "persuaded" me in
such a compelling fashion, I felt like I would have been missing out on
something really good, if I didn`t buy the boots right then and there."

The guy did you a favour. He had a great deal on offer and found an
innovative way of engaging you so as you would take notice of it. That`s
your message and in my view it`s absolutely relevant.

In my experience, people always buy things based on emotion, and use
intellect to explain why they did it.

-------------------------

Serious about focussing your business on customers?
visit us at http://www.frontofficebox.com
drvag

posts: 136

Jun 13, 2007 8:08 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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If the salesman really started out by saying - "I`m not going to try to sell you anything. I just want to ask you a quick question." - and then followed up with the story about the storm, the boots, and the special today-only sale price; then he just lied to you.  As a matter of fact he lied to you twice:  He didn`t ask any questions, and he did try to sell you something.

I also agree with oleg.  He didn`t ask questions and he did try to sell!

DaleKing

posts: 1061

Jun 13, 2007 8:42 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello Steve:

You GOT IT!!!

Yes, the salesman did get my attention, and he did do me a huge favor.

I love those boots. They`re everything the salesman said they were and more.

Admittedly, like most, I made an emotional decision, but it`s a decision I`ve never regretted making.

Color me a very satisfied customer.

Thanks, Steve.

Dale King



-------------------------

If you`re tired of all the money-making
hype, lies and scams...read this!
Click here for more details!


drvag

posts: 136

Jun 13, 2007 9:56 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Mr. King, I think we get the concept of making it emotional. 

It`s the fact that the salesperson lied to you first.   Saying that he wanted to "ask", "not sell".  I myself, would have been angry and walked away after his story / sales pitch.

Now, if he had said, "Sir, I see you are a little interested in the Timberland boots.  If you have just a minute, let me tell you about my experience with them and why you may want to consider buying a pair for yourself."

 

oleg

posts: 185

Jun 13, 2007 10:10 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Exactly drvag!  Since when is a lie considered an acceptable conversation opener, even in sales?

-------------------------

Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.
CraigL

posts: 9051

Jun 14, 2007 3:20 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Maybe it didn`t "feel like" a lie? :-)
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