But it turned out so good that I thought I’d share it with you too!

In this video I walk you through a pre-copywriting worksheet I fill out every single time I am going to be writing any kind of sales copy.

This includes writing full salesletters for my own business or for my clients, creating sales videos, webinars and even live speaking engagements where I have an offer at the end.

Now, some people know that I’m almost obsessive about creating checklists and procedures for just about EVERYTHING I do in my business.

But if you want to achieve maximum results in your own business you need to develop checklists and procedures for everything YOU do as well.

By going through this pre-copywriting procedure, the quality of your copy, your connection with your target audience and your resulting conversion and response rates will be EXPONENTIALLY better than they would otherwise be.

Also, if you are a ConversionDoctorMembers.com charter member, you have access to the PDF of this procedure in the members area, along with a couple other videos, PDFs and templates I created for this same email coaching client.

And if you are NOT a ConversionDoctorMembers.com charter member… Sorry, the site is not officially launched yet so you’ll have to wait another couple months to get access. We are not accepting new members right now.

Also, I should probably point out another lesson here…

As you can see, although I recorded this video (and the others) specifically to help one of my email coaching clients, I am actually leveraging that content in several different ways.

I’m using some of it in my membership site, I’m using some of it in an upcoming product I’m creating and as you can see here, I’m using some of it as valuable content for my blog.

Anytime you create content in your own business, you should take a hard look and think about all the different ways you can repurpose that content to get you maximum results for your efforts.

Go ahead and watch it right now!

… At least MOST of it.

While I got dozens of great emails from folks telling me they liked the video, I did get one not-so-nice email that I got a chuckle out of.

In my email and video I talked about running tests to increase the “opt-in” rate of your landing pages.

Well here is the reply I got from one subscriber:

“Isn’t the word………..”option”??? Just wondered!!!

Guess your “optins” suck because maybe,,,,,,,,you can’t even spell properly?????”

LOL… Of course any true online marketer knows that an “Opt-In” happens when somebody OPTS INto your email list. I guess they have the “option” not to “opt-in”…

But as humorous as this example was (at least to me), it does contain a valuable marketing lesson.

And that is this…

When trying to communicate or persuade, you should never take for granted that your reader understands all the terms or jargon that are common in your market.

The responsibility for clear communication does not lie with the reader, it lies with the writer.

That means in this case, it’s not my readers fault she did not understand what I wrote and assumed I was a dolt who just couldn’t spell, it’s MY fault for using a term she was not familiar with.

SIDE NOTE: Just to avoid confusion… A “dolt” is a noun used to refer to someone who is a stupid person, idiot, fool, blockhead, dunce, nitwit, etc. (I’ve got to be careful and make sure everybody understands me…)

So if you are trying to sell to, or communicate with the “masses”, or even a large segment of experience levels in a particular market, you need to be VERY careful to avoid (or at least explain) any terms that have the potential to be misunderstood.

This includes the use of any “big words”. You should write to a 5th or 6th grade level in most cases. You are not writing to impress your reader with your mastery of advanced English vocabulary, you are writing to effectively communicate ideas and persuade them to take action.

Now am I going to start “dumbing down” my emails to a newbie level just to prevent the occasional misunderstanding?

No.

But the reason I’m not doing it is because I know my target client/customer.

People who are in the market for “Conversion Improvement” information or services (and who can afford the high prices I charge for the massive value I provide), are already DOERS and ACTION TAKERS with existing online businesses.

I cater to the top 20% of the market.

They understand the basic and common terms I use in my writing.

Somebody who doesn’t know what an “opt-in” is, just wouldn’t benefit from my information or services at their current stage of business. So in this case, using the terminology actually helps to QUALIFY my potential buyers.

But even then, when I get into more technical or advanced topics such as multivariate testing, usability, website analytics or advance online persuasion tactics, I still have to make every effort to explain the topics in very basic and understandable terms.

(Even when using a few industry terms as qualifiers, I still try and write at about a 6th grade level.)

So the lesson to keep in mind here is this…

Unless you are writing specifically to a select, more advanced segment of your market, you need to avoid any and all terms that have the potential to confuse your reader.

Because if there is a misunderstanding of what you wrote, guess what?

IT’S YOUR FAULT. Not your readers.

Eric

PS - By the way, there are only 2 spots left in the offer I made in the video to personally conduct a test round on YOUR opt-in page. So if you want to build your list faster, you need to watch the video right now and see if you qualify.

http://www.ConversionDoctor.com/clickme/

PPS - If you don’t understand what an “opt-in” is, then I reserve the “option” to reject your application!

You see… A few weeks ago I opened up 4 spots for people to work with me 1-on-1 to come in for a full day and transform their business.

And while 3 of the spots filled almost instantly, I had one person tell me he wanted the 4th spot, but had to make a few arrangements before he could send me the check.

Well I usually have a first come first serve rule on deals like this, but for whatever reason, I made an exception and violated my own rule.

And of course weeks later, I’ve realized that my rules are in place for a reason!

As you’ve probably guessed, he never followed through with claiming the spot I reserved for him, so I’m opening the offer back up for a couple days to fill that last spot.

Just watch the video at the URL below and if you qualify to become a case study for my full day consultation offer, claim your spot by paying with an online or overnight check.

http://www.ConversionDoctor.com/full-day

The reason I’m only accepting checks for this simple… First it saves me a couple hundred dollars in credit card merchant account fees, and second I want to make sure the smart person who claims this spot can actually afford it, and is not borrowing on a credit card just to get my help.

(I don’t want to deal with any more desperate clients or sob stories… You need to be POSITIVE and an ACTION TAKER to work with me!)

So watch the video and I’ll see YOU during our 1 on 1 visit together!

http://www.ConversionDoctor.com/full-day

To your success,
Eric

PS - Even if you don’t think you are a good candidate for the full day with me, you owe it to yourself to still WATCH THE VIDEO, just to study my video sales process. Great lessons in conversion are contained in the video!
http://www.ConversionDoctor.com/full-day

But earlier today I noticed a trackback to one of my old blog posts “The Ultimate Submit Button” from the Warriors Forum.

So out of curiosity I clicked on the trackback to see what was being said.

Turns out one of the Warriors was asking for feedback on his optin page, and another Warrior (Brian McLeod) linked to my submit button post as part of his recommendations. (Good recommendation Brian!)

Well, since I’m in the process of setting up a few squeeze page test rounds for clients to be used in my upcoming “Optin Conversion Secrets” course, I decided to record a quick critique video giving a few of my own recommendation about what to change based on my test results.

So rather than just let the folks at the Warrior forum watch the video, I’ve decided to post it here so you can benefit from the recommendations as well!

Happy viewing!

My optin and squeeze pages suck.

They suck in new leads and subscribers like an F5 tornado!

But seriously, I’ve recorded you a short video below to explain how YOU can get your optin pages to suck too!

A few months ago he took me up on an offer to spend the full day with me for a VERY discounted rate.

Part of that deal was that he got the rights to record all or part of the day and sell it as a product (and keep 100% of the profits.)

Well… Guess what? This guy actually took action and did it!

He set aside part of his day with me to record a special video interview where he held my feet to the fire and extracted some of my BEST stuff from me, right there on camera.

His name is Fred Black, and he got me to share some stuff that I’ve NEVER shared before in public.

And Fred has just released the full video in DVD format.

http://www.MastersOfOnlineIncome.com/

On this DVD he got me to share EXACTLY, step by step how I would re-build my online empire if I had to start over tomorrow from scratch, with no list, no product, no JV partners and no money.

If you are just getting started online, (or if you’ve been marketing online for YEARS and are just looking for a few new tips, tricks and tactics), then you need to grab your copy of this DVD right now!

http://www.MastersOfOnlineIncome.com/

Now I’ not making a dime off of this. Fred is keeping 100% of the sales of this DVD, I’m not even getting an affiliate commission.

I’m simply promoting this to help Fred, and because of course I believe in the product. (I’d better!)

(I mean, isn’t that refreshing… An expert actually promoting a product on his blog or to his list because he actually believes in the content, and thinks it will help his readers, not just for a big fat commission check?)

I don’t know maybe its just me…

Now one thing I am a bit frustrated with Fred about is the price of this thing. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that my advice, products and services are NOT cheap.

I charge (and GET) top dollar for my information and advice. And I get top dollar because NOTHING I teach is based on theory. I’ve actually DONE, TESTED and PROVEN, everything I recommend.

So when I found out he was selling almost 2 hours of my time and closely guarded secrets with the world for only $97, I was a bit disappointed. Personally I think he has WAY underpriced the value of the info on this DVD.

But THEN… When I found out he was doing a 50% off introductory special on the DVD, I knew he was nuts!

So his (and my) loss is your gain. According to Fred, if you grab your copy before midnight today (Monday), you get the entire DVD, for only $47.

http://www.MastersOfOnlineIncome.com/

Also, I’ve decided to do something special just for you…

(Now Fred doesn’t know I’m going to do this…) But if you grab your DVD from Fred TODAY during his special offer, I’ll let you in on an exclusive Q and A webinar I’m doing in the next couple of weeks.

Just forward your receipt after you buy to “eric@conversiondoctor.com” and I’ll make sure you get in on the webinar’ absolutely free.

I have not even announced this webinar to anyone yet, and when I do it will cost $47 to attend.

So grab YOUR copy, forward me the receipt and I’ll send you your webinar invite as soon as I announce the webinar to everybody else.

http://www.MastersOfOnlineIncome.com/

And even if you don’t want the DVD, you need to take a look at the page because Fred has included (for free) about 10 minutes from the DVD where I share some great information.

So watch the video right now:

http://www.MastersOfOnlineIncome.com/

PS - Take a look at what copywriter Ryan Healy had to say after watching the DVD:

“Fred’s style of interviewing is simple and down-to-earth. And his interview with Eric Graham is absolutely worth watching, especially if you’re confused about how to make money online. Question: Ever wondered what an online millionaire would do if he had to start over and build an online business from scratch? Watch the interview to find out.”

-Ryan Healy

http://www.MastersOfOnlineIncome.com/

For a while I thought I was going to lose my mind as I racked my brain trying to figure out why a site that SHOULD have been converting at over 4%, only had a 0.8% conversion rate.

But once I cracked the case, conversions jumped by over 519%, by changing just 1 line of code.

Check it out!

Click Here To Play

Well if you’ve been following me for very long at all, you know that I don’t teach anything that I don’t actually do myself.
(I’m a big believer in practicing what I preach!)

So I’ve put together a brief survey to help me better serve you
and meet your needs.

http://CRDoc.me/survey

It should only take you about 10 minutes to fill out, and when
you complete the survey, you can apply for a free 20 minute
strategy session with me personally.

I normally charge $1,000 per hour for phone consultation, so this
20 minute session is VERY valuable.

Fill out the survey and get YOUR strategy session here:
==> http://CRDoc.me/survey

Thanks,
Eric

P.S. - This is a valuable survey to go through just to SWIPE my
questions… Ask YOUR readers these same questions and the info
you gather will be incredibly valuable to you and your business.

Check it out:
http://CRDoc.me/survey

Well… I knew the content was good, but I NEVER expected this!

The response has been overwhelming!

This FREE video seems to have had a BIG impact. Take a look at what Ray Edwards and Terry Dean had to say:

“I don’t watch many online videos, but Eric Graham held me spellbound with his recent video on how he achieved a 70%+ opt-in rate. I printed out the page he was demonstrating and took notes on 14 separate items I’ll be testing in my own business.

I’ve been working online now for 13 years. Picking up 1 new idea is impressive… but he gave me 14!”

Terry Dean - Internet Business Coach
www.MyMarketingCoach.com

“THIS ONE MAKES YOU MONEY”
“I know for a fact that Eric Graham gets the best opt-in rates on Webinars of anyone out there.

Now I also know why. And if you’re like me, you’ll be watching these jaw-dropping videos with a pen in hand, furiously scribbling out your actions steps… and salivating about the 80% opt-in rate you’re getting on your next Webinar!

Unlike most courses out there these days, this one is more than just ‘good information’. This one makes you money. Today - or as soon as you do your next Webinar.”

Ray Edwards, Copywriter & Marketing Consultant
http://RayEdwards.com

So… If you have not watched it yet, here it is:
(Find out for yourself what all the buzz is about!)