Archive for August, 2010

Mistake No.12

Not having someone to answer your ‘phone!

Many small business owners lose stacks of business because they don’t have anyone to answer their phone when they are not there. Instead they have valuable sales leads directed to an answer phone.

Each time they hear a click as the phone is put down with no message being left, that’s another potential customer lost.

The solution is to hire a professional phone answering service or virtual office. Prices range from about $40 upwards per month. Typically they will answer calls in your name (you divert when you are going out to the special number they give you).

They will take the callers details, what they are calling about and then text or e-mail you, so that you can call them back when convenient. You will not lose any leads this way and it gives the impression that you have a full time receptionist.

Some people might be tempted to divert to their mobile, but then it often cuts out, diverts to voicemail etc. If you give out your mobile as the only number, your potential customer is being forced to pay for a premium rate call or use one of your competitors. I wonder which option they will choose…

- Keith Banfield

7 Psychological Secrets: Stories
Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Download 7 Hidden Psychological Secrets to Maximum Sales here!


From the ancient times to current day – stories continue to hold readers and listeners spellbound. There is nothing better than a good story. It works almost like magic. You can give people information and motivate using stories without having the barriers that come up normally. This is a seldom used copywriting technique that work wonders for your bottom line.

Here are a few examples of successfully using stories:

The first is the single most successful letter ever mailed according to Denny Hatch, former editor of “Who’s Mailing What?”. How about that for proof this trigger works? It is the famous Wall Street Journal mailing with “two young men”. Here’s how the story (and copy) starts:

* * *

“On a beautiful late spring afternoon, twenty-five years ago, two young men graduated from the same college. They were very much alike, these two young men. Both had been better than average students, both were personable and both – as young college graduates are – were filled with ambitious dreams for the future.

Recently, these two men returned to college for their 25th reunion.

They were still very much alike. Both were happily married. Both had three children. And both, it turned out, had gone to work for the same company Midwestern manufacturing company after graduation, and were still there.

But there was a difference. One of the men was manager of a small department of that company. The other was its president.”

* * *

Here’s another example, it is from Joe Sugarman’s most famous ads for Blu-Blocker sunglasses. He uses a story approach:

* * *

“I’m about to tell you a true story. If you believe me, you will be well rewarded. If you don’t believe me, I will make it worth your while to change your mind. Let me explain.

Len is friend of mine who knows good products. One day he called excited about a pair of sunglasses he owned. “It’s so incredible,” he said, “when you first look through a pair, you won’t believe it.”

“What will I see?” I asked. “What could be so incredible?”

Len continued, “When you put on these glasses, your vision improves. Objects appear sharper, more defined. Everything takes on an enhanced 3-D effect. And it’s not my imagination. I just want you to see for yourself.”

* * *

And the copy continues in a story fashion. You’ll notice Joe’s friend talks about the benefits of the sunglasses inside the dialogue so prospects don’t have their “ad defenses” up. It slips right by.


Find more about Yanik Silver at Your Success Club