Today on the net there's huge interest around social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. It seems that anyone, who is anyone, has an account and is tweeting or being friends. However, there is something that your social networking page wont do as well as a traditional sales minisite… and that is sell!
There are several reasons why minisites are still way ahead in the Internet selling world. These powerful features mean that, when it comes to selling on the Internet, the single page minisite still outsells social media. This is why you really need to weigh up the pros and cons of the minisite against the time you spend on the social media sites. You need to ask, "Would this time be better spent developing a sales minisite to present your sales message online?"
So, here are the top 3 reasons why the single page minisite still outsells the mighty social media giants!
1. Single Purpose
A social media page is there to present information, and it does this in several different ways. You may have friends, comments, posts, tweets, video, invitations, etc – For the media page, this is how you communicate with others on the site.
A social media page is there to present information, and it does this in several different ways. You may have friends, comments, posts, tweets, video, invitations, etc – For the media page, this is how you communicate with others on the site.
All this activity helps your readers hang around your page, and read your information. You can clearly see from this how a sales message could easily get lost. It's just another message in the constant steam of thousands of other tweets, posts video and content.
Conversely, the single page sales site only has one focus, and that is to push your sales copy. This focused marketing gives the sales minisite a huge ability way above it's simple construction or small size. Everything on the minisite's single page is designed to support the purpose of the sales message – that is, to get that buying click from the reader.
2. Not in a Buying Mind
If someone comes to your minisite they are looking for your pitch. They know exactly what they'll be reading when they land on your sales site – that's right, they will be sold to! They are expecting to see what your product is about, and if it can solve their problem. This means that when someone finds your sales site they are more likely to be in a buying fame of mind.
If someone comes to your minisite they are looking for your pitch. They know exactly what they'll be reading when they land on your sales site – that's right, they will be sold to! They are expecting to see what your product is about, and if it can solve their problem. This means that when someone finds your sales site they are more likely to be in a buying fame of mind.
Contrast this with the social networking site where it's common practice to have no sales message at all. When was the last time you went to Twitter or Facebook to buy something? This is only one reason why you really can't pitch effectively on your social networking page. Your followers or friends are there to mix and socialize. Not buy your latest product!
It's like being invited to go to dinner with a friend. When you get there you are subjected to a pitch to try to sell you a new watch. Are you really interested? Would you rather he just stopped and chatted to you like a friend would? Sales pitches on social media is just is the wrong message at the wrong time.
3. Only One Page
Social networking sites, by their nature, will have multiple pages covering different subjects. It's common for readers to click between pages while following links, or themes, through the content. This is great for browsing, but would be disastrous for a sales page.
Social networking sites, by their nature, will have multiple pages covering different subjects. It's common for readers to click between pages while following links, or themes, through the content. This is great for browsing, but would be disastrous for a sales page.
The single page format of the minisite means that when a reader lands on the sales page they don't need to navigate away from that page. Everything you need to see is posted right there on that one page. They don't need to make decisions about where to go next, or which link to click on.
On a minisite you are in control, and the reader follows your message through, in the intended sequence. This is the primary reason why minisites continue to outsell social networking sites.
So, if you have been tempted to transfer your selling from minisites to social media pages on the back of all the Internet hype then think again! This step could seriously damage your ability to sell.
The real way to Internet marketing success is to use social media pages, and sales minisites, together. The way to do this is to use your social media pages to pre-qualify your readers and then invite them to read your sales message on your minisite.
This will ensure that the visitors that land on your sales minisite are those that are most interested in your message, and your product. This ultra targeted traffic will automatically translate to more sales, and to higher profits.
Get some expert coaching for your minisite project! Ian Greenwood teaches the full process of minisite building in his step by step video course Creating Websites That Sell. He has just released a full update of the course, and you can snap it up on the 'special release offer' saving you over 35%. This special discount is limited, so you need to go now! Get all the details and see a full video preview at www.BuildWebsitesThatSell.com.
Five Tips for Creating a Great Business Card for Your Company – A SPN Exclusive Article
02 2011 Friday
11
Get some expert coaching for your minisite project! Ian Greenwood teaches the full process of minisite building in his step by step video course Creating Websites That Sell. He has just released a full update of the course, and you can snap it up on the 'special release offer' saving you over 35%. This special discount is limited, so you need to go now! Get all the details and see a full video preview at www.BuildWebsitesThatSell.com.
Five Tips for Creating a Great Business Card for Your Company – A SPN Exclusive Article
02 2011 Friday
11
By Gayle Hawks in Business
Handing someone a quality business card is like a good handshake – it makes an important first impression. Many cards give the impression of a well-established business while others exude a different feeling altogether. What is it that makes some cards give off a different impression? There are several things that can affect the overall impression of your business card when you present it to a prospective customer, client, or in some cases, employer. By focusing on 5 major areas, you can create a card that is more effective and professional in its impression.
Visual Appearance
The first thing to keep in mind when designing a business card is its visual impact. Most modern companies have fortunately started exercising more creativity with their cards and have moved away from traditional, plain looking cards. Many business owners now see and understand that those little 2″ x 3.5″ cards are important marketing tools. Be creative with the use of color, fonts, and imagery.
Paper Quality
Paper quality is judged and notated in many confusing different ways. For example "80# Text" and "80# Cover", the first is thin like writing paper and the second is thicker, like a thin business card.There are three things that matter in determining what paper stock is going to produce a quality card.
1. How thick the card stock is.
2. How dense/compressed the card stock is.
3. The quality of the finish on the card stock that will be printed on.
2. How dense/compressed the card stock is.
3. The quality of the finish on the card stock that will be printed on.
One point is equal to 1/1,000 of an inch for card stock. Therefore, 15 point card stock is.015 inches thick. Paper with more points is thicker but not necessarily sturdier and paper with fewer points is thinner. Fifteen point paper is good for business cards if the paper is also quality made. It is common to have thick, cheaply made paper.
Let me discuss items #2 and #3; these two issues are more important to consider than the first. Most people, however, focus solely on the first question, "How thick is it?" Paper density and the finish quality of the paper that will be printed on is determined by how the paper is "calendered".
"The calender is a series of hard pressure rollers used to form or smooth a sheet of material. The purpose of a calender is to make the paper smooth and glossy for printing and writing." – Wikipedia
Think of it this way – in terms of bread. A slice of Wonder bread is much thicker than pita bread. It is how the bread is made that is more important than its thickness. Pita bread is denser than Wonder bread. When it comes to business cards, not all thick papers are created equal either. You can have a 15pt thick card that feels cheap and spongy, yet it is still 15pt thick. On the other hand you can have a 15pt thick card that feels stiff like a metal blade. More expensive and higher quality papers are highly calendered and have that feeling of quality, thickness, and snap everyone desires for their card.
When choosing card paper or a company to print your cards, be careful not to only look for "how thick the paper is (Points)" but also look at the paper quality. It is easy to find thick cheap paper with no substance and a poor printing surface. This paper leads to a cheap feeling business card with poor quality and poor printing on a sub-par calendered finish.
Alignment for Text, Logos, and Pictures
In most cases, people's eyes find aligned text and objects appealing. Make sure that the text on your business cards is aligned left or right or centered. As long as it is consistent over your card it will project a neat, professional look. Experiment with multiple text layouts that allow you to easily upload a picture of yourself, your company, your logo, or whatever you may wish to have displayed on your card.
The Back of Your Business Card
Many people overlook the importance of the space on the back of their business card. While leaving some open space can be valuable at times for short notes or other information that needs to be written down, the back of your card is valuable advertising space. Use it to give more details about your qualifications, your products or services, or print a coupon, discount, or other incentive on there for your prospective customers.
Glossy Stock Business Card Paper
Glossy card stock allows colors to pop and offers a nice, smooth finish. But, if you opt for this, remember that it can be hard to write on glossy paper. If you or your clients ever need to jot notes on your business cards, take into consideration the use of uncoated, glossy, or super glossy finishes.
Considering these 5 points will be extremely helpful to you as you design online business cards for your company. If you have additional questions about card design, please feel free to contact the author.
