As a side note, things happen with businesses, with life, and so on.  Always have a back up plan in place when things like Microsoft, Windows, & Camtasia do not get along.  (They are all sitting in separate corners until further notice.)

Now What does a sales page need?

It is actually surprising what we can forget to add to a sales page.  And I say we because I have as well.  There are basically 10 components you need to have.

1.  A Headline ~ This needs to get your potential buyer intrigued and get them to continue to read.

2.  Welcome!  ~ Hello, Dear Home Owner, Dear Dog Lover, Dear Future Pro-Golfer, whatever fits your needs.

3. What is their problem? ~ Explain their problem to them. Let the buyer know you have a through grasp of what their problem is.  Not the shedding but replacing vacuums wearing out due to dog fur.

4. What is your solution? ~ Explain the benefits of your product. Write a few lists and mix those into your sales letter.

5. Provide testimonials, stories, facts, figures, just prove it.

6 What does it cost?  ~ Discuss the value of the product. Less shedding means not having to buy vacuums.  Another value you could use is how your price compares to similar products. Then discuss your actual price.

7.  Give them a guarantee

8. What do you want them to do? ~ This may seem like the most obvious thing in the world, but you need to be specific. Tell them to buy your product.   Buy my product or buy vacuums due to more dog fur.

9. Thank them. ~ It is the polite thing to do.

10. Add a postscript. ~ Restate the urgency. Restate the major benefits and again encourage them to buy post haste.

Hope this list helps when you get your sales templates tomorrow!

~ MJ Schrader

PS. To quote #10.  Buy my products.  Post Haste. 

Many people have asked me about writing sales letters in WordPress. They want to know if sidebars and headers and menus are acceptable. This is a mixed situation.

Advantages

If they decide that product you are advertising is not for them but they like your style then being able to look at other products or information is great. This keeps them on your website longer and allows them to pick and choose what they want. If they are not certain your product is for them, they can click the sidebar or other menus to learn more about you and any other products you may have.

Disadvantages

Many people advocate that an advertising copy should have only two options. Option one buy this product or option two hit the back button. By having the menu links and sidebar your potential customers or clients can get distracted. After the distraction they may forget or no longer be motivated in buying your product. Also what may be a cool graphic on your blog is not appropriate on your sales letter. The twitter stream in your sidebar may not be something you want on your sales letter.

Solutions.

There are many solutions which will be discussed tomorrow.  Although one solution I strongly suggest is WP Landing Pages which can be used for landing pages, sales pages and more.