Hi guys!

I initially was doing an ini mini myni mo whether to post here or the misc.
section. But since there are more threads and replies here, I decided to
finally post my first question in this part.

My upcoming site will sell an ebook dedicated to helping people understand
about domain names and how to solve their problems about them (at
least try, anyway. Domain names are complicated enough as they are ).
In essence, my ebook will "attempt" to help people solve their problems
with them.

I'm thinking of using a kind of "fear of loss" approach and offer my ebook
as a solution to solve those problems. My first challenge, of course, is to
create a gripping headline.

One site that got my attention was MF's copy for internetlawcompliance.com.
So I eventually based some of my initial foray from that.

I also recently read MF's blog, especially the most recent entry about how
one tiny change made a 44% boost. Based on that, I decided I'll edit my
headline.

Internetlawcompliance.com's headline seems to use a "fear" headline to
get the viewer's attention (it definitely got mine), so I figured on using that
first. There's a competing site, autoweblaw.com, that also uses a sort of
fear headline.

On the other hand, I've read of other sites using a fear approach but their
headline is more "positive", meaning it offers a benefit immediately. An
example is "How To Cure Your Headaches Without Expensive Medicines
And Costly Doctors In 3 Weeks!".

And this is where my first question kicks in.

From your extensive testing and experience, which type of headline has a
stronger chance of pulling the person's attention that'll eventually lead to
the sale? My sales letter will probably be the more deciding factor, but I
want to have a "gripping" start.

I'll eventually do some split testing and tracking since this is the only way
to know for sure. But since the devil is in the details, I'm hoping to cover
as many bases as possible.

I'll also post my sales letter soon.

Your thoughts, anyone? Thanks.

BTW, thanks for replying to my intro post, Michel. I thought you're leaving
already to attend to your more important priorities but glad nevertheless
to hear from you.

Hello Raiden,

Gary Halbert has said that "negative headlines" work wonders.

I remember this great one off the top of my head...

"Naked Ohio Housewife Investigated And Almost Arrested
For Losing 32 Pounds In Just 14 Weeks!"

New Mutated Copywriter
http://www.jesseforrest.com

Hello Raiden:

Both types of headlines can be very effective. To know which type works best for your particular product, you should test them both.

This assumes that:

(a) you have the time/money to waste on testing
(b) you reach enough people with your marketing to make testing valid.

In the absence of either of these, you're best bet is best guess based on what you know and intuition.

Jane

Hi,

In my humble opinion, if your product has the potential to save a webmaster from having a part of their livelyhood stolen out from under them, you need to trumpet that in your headline:

"Domain Name Thieves Are Lurking In The Shadows... YOU Could Be Their Next Victim If You Don't Follow These 7 Simple Steps...

Your book could be the key to them avoiding all that.

Hmmm... I guess I have a few domains to lock up

Paul Short

Jane:

That is probably the most ridiculous and incompetent statement I've ever seen posted anywhere. Testing is never a waste of time or money. Professionals always test. To do otherwise is akin to throwing your money away! Testing has always been a fundamental of good copywriting!

In addition, proper testing is neither time consuming or expensive. Simply write your best negative headline and test it for a week or two on your site. Then do the same with a positive headline. Compare the conversion ratios of the two headlines, and voila...you have your winner! If you don't see a significant difference in the conversion ratios between the two headlines, just go with the one you like best!

Jane: I got those covered, thanks. I think the new term for what you said
is "guesstimate".

Paul: interesting headline you created, although my ebook will actually
cover more. But I'll take that into consideration, thanks.

Dean: no doubt about that, I'll definitely have to test.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback! I'll post version 2 soon.

I don't think it's necessary to be this rude, and it also backs you into a corner if you're wrong or there is no right or wrong answer.

The fact is, is that under any decent statistical analysis, you will have to have enough visitors for testing to be meaningful. Testing over time may or may not give a valid answer. In many situations, testing with low numbers will only show valid answers if there is a really big discrepancy between one headline and the other.

So, let's not assume that what I said was wrong or incompetent. What I'm suggesting is that it is worth going with what you feel is better, rather than arbitrarily testing both.

Jane

Guys

Act like constructive Pro's or please dont post. This board ishere to help each other improve. Please comment on the whys and why nots ... NOT ... the personality behind the comments.