First a disclaimer… I am a Mac fan, and before that I used Linux and always avoid using Windows like I avoid rattlesnakes. But even if I was a Windows zealot, I would think this commercial sucks. If this is the best Microsoft can do to get people to buy Vista… they are doomed.
Bill Gates & Jerry Seinfeld – Shoe Circus Commercial
Pathetic isn’t it? Did you have any idea what it was about? Any clear benefits stated? What is showering with your clothes all about? And what the hell does “moist & chewy like cakes” have to do with computers?
Sound on or sound off this one is a head scratcher. It violates every single rule of good Direct Response Marketing, and I’m sure cost a fortune to produce.
If you run your hypnosis advertising like this you will go broke…. fast! But you might win some obscure awards for being ‘creative’.
Want to see a TV ad that got a 600% ROI and $18,000,000 in revenue? Check out the 2nd video in my blog post titled:
I know you say Hypnotists shouldn’t do SEO. Is it still good for hypnotists to learn how to make their page have the basic elements to get good organic search engine placement?
Excellent question. And I realize I wasn’t clear on this with my last post (Keywords and SEO for Hypnosis Websites part I)
KNOW SEO BASICS
I’m not saying be ignorant of SEO. As a business owner it is yet one more thing you need to understand at least at a meta-level.
And if you write articles it is smart to know how to use keywords in the title (the headline), the body, for images, and link tags. It’s smart Internet marketing.
YOU ARE A HYPNOTIST NOT AN SEO EXPERT
My advice is this: You don’t need to know the technical issues of SEO because they change constantly. Learn the basics so you can use it when you write CONTENT, and so you can speak with web developers, but do NOT spend hours of time on it.
Here’s why:
80% of people who search on a term click on results on the first page of search (10 total results)
17% click on the second page of results
3% click on page three or lower
So the cold hard reality is, only the front page of search really matters. And it is VERY DIFFICULT to get on the first page, even for long tail keywords unless you really know what you are doing and bust your ass for a period of time to get there.
This is something you can OUTSOURCE.
MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF YOUR TIME
But, if you put that same energy into:
- Writing press releases and faxing them to local media
- Speaking at targeted gatherings in your local area
- Write articles to ATTRACT clients to you and submit them to local media and online article sites
- Build a list of local addresses and sent out a monthly newsletter
- Find local businesses that serve the same clientèle and did a JV deal with them
- Learned how to approach doctors, hospitals, and dentists and set up client referrals
As a hypnotist, you would get much more business FASTER, than you could mucking around learning all there is to know about SEO and tinkering with your website.
USE ADWORDS INSTEAD
Plus, if you learn how to use Google Adwords, you can quickly have an ad on the front page of search for any keyword you wish to use. And Google Ads can be set to show only in the local metro area which makes them extremely cost effective for local business.
If you are going to invest your time into getting on the front page, use Adwords and you can be there today. Literally 20 minutes from when you open the account.
Two good books on adwords you can get at Amazon.com are
“Adwords for Dummies” by Howie Jacobson
“Ultimate Guide To Google Adwords” by Perry Marshall
YOUR TIME IS MOST MOST PRECIOUS ASSET
Gary Halbert had a philosophy which I have realized all highly successful business people have. He said
He pointed out that most unsuccessful people have the philosophy I will spend as much time as possible to save money. He said, “you can always make more money, but the time is gone forever”
Takeaway Points:
- SEO is constantly changing but there are some basics that do not change
- Learn enough to know what you need, pay a professional to do it for you
- Focus your time on what makes you the most income
Useful Resources:
How to write keyword optimized articles:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2003253_keyword-optimized-article.html
Most Burning Question:
Where’s are the best places to post an event to maximize attendance?
I’m planning an event that will benefit a ton of people. I’m needing help figuring out where to post it.What are your ideas and thoughts about places and venues to promote this? Thanks!
You probably won’t like my answer, but it comes from doing things the hard way before I got smart and learned better.
~ Bill Glazer GKIC
Here is the secret in a nutshell…
If you want to successfully get people to your event, promote it to your own list of prospects. OR, second to that, partner with people who have BIG lists and have them endorse you and your event to their list.
I have in the past busted my fanny to help people promoted events that did not have a list. It is brutally hard work.
I won’t take on any seminar marketing unless they have a big list to promote it to. I don’t care how much money they wave at me. The headaches aren’t worth it.
If you want to do workshops and seminars, build a list of hot prospects who have in interest in what you do. Build it to be at least 10 times the size of the event you want to have. (100 times larger or higher is better)
Give them good content, establish that you are the expert in your niche, build a relationship with them so they trust and believe you.
Months out start to tease them by sharing about your event giving them ‘behind the scenes’ stories. This builds anticipation and can be fun for both you and your readers.
Then start pitching the event with an early sign up discount. (Note: even if it is a free event, you still have to sell it, because FREE = no value until you show them there is a value).
Keep mixing in stories about the behind the scenes work to keep them excited so even if they registered, they will attend.
Other Tips:
Don’t just rely on Internet Marketing. Send a post card, fax, letter, etc. Conversion on the same marketing pieces used offline vs online is as much as 5x higher.
Use video so they get to know you and the other people involved in the event. Video allows people to feel connected to you. Email is much more sterile, hard to build a bond unless you are a great writer.
Take Away Action:
I’m guessing you don’t have your own list, so if I were you I would figure out everyone who does have a list of people who would enjoy/benefit from this event and work a JV deal to have them promote the event to their list.
One more thing… one of the other answers mentioned blogs. This can work for you if the person blogging has:
- Readers who fit the profile of your ideal prospect
- A large readership
- A good relationship with the readers
Certain bloggers have quite a bit of respect and authority with their readers, so if they say “you should go to X event” the readers will respond.
