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Proof - Critical For Your Online Success
Copyright (c) 2005-2023 Willie Crawford
When people on the Internet read your webpages, or email promotions, they don't believe you. Before they even connected to the Internet, many had heard horror stories of people being ripped off, losing their entire life savings... or worse.
That disbelief is what you have to overcome before you can even "begin to hope" to make sales online.
In some niches, such as Internet marketing, where people also know many of the marketing "tricks," overcoming that skepticism is even more difficult.
Before you throw up your hands in defeat, I'll share with you the most powerful tool you have for overcoming that distrust... that disbelief. It's very simple. It's proof. It's proof that what you say is true. It's proof that others have purchased what you are selling and got fantastic results. It's proof that you have great customer service. It's proof that all you say in your marketing is true.
Your customers want to believe your claims. They want to purchase your products so that they can gain the promised benefits. They resist doing this because of fear and distrust. Prove what you say to break down that resistance!
Let's look briefly at ways to provide that proof.
One of the first methods that springs to mind is to use testimonials. It's natural for you to say nice things about your product. However, when someone else says the same thing, it has much greater impact and believability.
In order for testimonials to be effective, they should be specific and complete. They should tell specifically how the person giving the testimonial benefited from using your product. They should provide complete information on WHO the person giving the testimonial is. Otherwise, they could appear contrived.
A testimonial with a complete name, city and state, and perhaps website URL or occupation, is much more credible that one with just a first name and initial.
A testimonial with a photo is even more credible. It shows that there is a real person behind the name.
A scanned copy of a handwritten testimonial is even more credible still.
The scanned testimonial is so powerful because it's difficult to contrive. Pictures of any element of proof are very powerful because they are perceived as being not only proof of what is being said, but proof of the proof itself.
Other ways that you can use pictures in your copy, to lend credibility, include:
- Screen captures of webpages showing earnings or sales.
- Scans of checks that you earned or paid.
- Photos of you enjoying the benefits of doing what the product teaches.
- Before and after photos.
- Photos showing you associating with industry leaders (these photos imply that you are one of them).
Photos can also communicate another very important message. They can communicate that people "just like your prospect" are benefiting from your products. Another element of doubt that you have to overcome before you can make the sale is that your prospect can do it too. They may believe that others can do it, but doubt that THEY can do it. Therefore, you need to show them that others "just like them" are doing it... using your product and experiencing the promised benefits.
This last type of proof is often referred to as a form of "social proof." Man is a social creature, and we take our cues from those around us. We make our decisions partly based upon what others around us are doing. This removes some of the risk, and makes it less work to make routine decisions.
If others are doing it without any adverse effect, that's a good indicator that it's safe for us too.
If others purchased the product we're contemplating buying, and it "worked" for them, that's a good indicator that we too will get the desired results.
If others that we respect or trust saw it as a wise purchase, then we feel safer buying the same item. Since others, whose opinions you respect, consider it a prudent decision, you feel less foolish making the same decision.
How powerful can the element of social proof be?
I recently listened in on a tele-seminar where five very successful Internet marketers each attributed "social proof" as being a very big factor in their successes. Each of these marketers had released "big ticket" products in the Internet marketing arena, and each had sold hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars, worth of their product. One had sold more than $1 million in less than 24 hours.
Listening to those experts explain exactly how they presented and used the element of "social proof" reveals a lot about how we, as creatures of deeply engrained habits, behave.
Dr. Robert Cialdini, in his landmark book, "Influence - The Psychology of Persuasion," explained how social proof works. He explained that we respond to environmental cues. He explained that our responses to these cues are automatic, and that we often don't even give conscious consideration to those responses.
Dr. Cialdini gives many excellent examples of inviolate social "laws" that we all adhere to as strictly as we adhere to the law of gravity. I recommend any serious student of marketing grab a copy of his book. I've had one for YEARS! You can pick up a copy of Dr. Cialdini's book from online bookstores for less than $15.
The marketers in the tele-seminar revealed how they applied Dr. Cialdini's principles in the Internet marketing arena. The tele-
seminar focused primarily on one of those principle - social proof - but touched upon several others that can make your online promotions VERY powerful.
You can get a free copy of the recordings from that call, both in PDF and MP3, from my friend Jeff Walker, the host of the call. To get these, simply visit Jeff's site at: http://productlaunchformula.com/quicklaunch/ I recommend you get a copy of the recordings right now. Then set aside several hours to listen to the recordings, or to read the PDF transcripts -
several times. It will deeply increase your understand of how to apply the element of social proof on your websites, and in your email marketing.
I opened by telling you that without proof, you will make few, if any, online sales. I'll close by encouraging you to grab the free recordings, at Jeff Walker's site, that demonstrate how effective proof can be at increasing your online sales. Practice and master using proof as taught by these marketing experts, and you too can join them in the arena of the six or seven-figure online income earners.
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Willie Crawford has taught PROVEN Internet marketing
techniques to thousands of successful Internet entrepreneurs
since late-1996. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine, which
helps you cut through the clutter and time-wasting hype.
Subscribe now by visiting: http://WillieCrawford.com
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Top-Level Category: Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Willie Crawford
How To Have An Endless Stream Of Highly Qualified Free Leads (Part 2)
Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2011-07-26 |
Word Count: 854 |
Page Views: 5276
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
In part-1, I mentioned how to publish on Kindle to create
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Distributed: 2011-07-24 |
Word Count: 675 |
Page Views: 5236
| Votes: 7 |
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Do you dream of having so many customers that you can be
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Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-11-02 |
Word Count: 897 |
Page Views: 5544
| Votes: 5 |
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As I'm sure that you realize, not all online marketing
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Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-10-28 |
Word Count: 1200 |
Page Views: 5037
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 1.17
All online marketers eventually realize that a steady flow
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Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-07-27 |
Word Count: 373 |
Page Views: 5033
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 1.17
Since 1996 I've written over 1600 articles. These articles
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Your Internet Marketing Virtual Vending Machine Route
Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-04-13 |
Word Count: 1456 |
Page Views: 5205
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 2.75
When I'm being introduced at seminars and tele-events, the
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A False Economy I NO LONGER Practice Do You?
Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-03-15 |
Word Count: 676 |
Page Views: 4973
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.40
Many of us go out and buy some of the best software and
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Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-03-10 |
Word Count: 885 |
Page Views: 5615
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 1.20
In 2008, I wrote an ebook that revealed my most effective
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Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-02-09 |
Word Count: 921 |
Page Views: 5079
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 1.20
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Written by: Willie Crawford |
Distributed: 2010-02-02 |
Word Count: 722 |
Page Views: 4594
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
One of the topics that all of us online business people are
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Distributed: 2010-01-20 |
Word Count: 595 |
Page Views: 4760
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 1.25
Ann Arbor, Michigan is the home of the University of Michigan, a
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Distributed: 2008-02-20 |
Word Count: 486 |
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| Votes: 17 |
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Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 563 |
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Rating: 1.36
If you want to have a party that everyone will be talking about
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Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 840 |
Page Views: 5364
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.24
You are thinking about purchasing real estate. However, you are
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are things that you can do to build your credit so that it is
worthy of any mortgage that may interest you.
1569 Unique Ways To Get A Free Lunch
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Distributed: 2006-05-07 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 3625
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
Everywhere you turn - T.V., Radio, magazines, or the Internet,
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Distributed: 2006-05-07 |
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| Votes: 3 |
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Distributed: 2006-05-07 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 5160
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
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Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 4956
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
Pain between the shoulder blades, or any pain for that matter,
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Distributed: 2006-05-07 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 4438
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 0.75
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Distributed: 2006-05-07 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 13812
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
When did Americans stop taking responsibility for their own
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Distributed: 2004-09-14 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 6593
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
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Distributed: 2005-12-01 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 6333
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 0.50
During my twenty-three years in management, I dealt with
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Here are my suggestions for muzzling the motor mouths:
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Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2005-09-08 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 6228
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
Women since time immemorial have always looked for ways to
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Written by: Ivana Katz |
Distributed: 2005-03-29 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 6200
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.33
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Distributed: 2006-02-24 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 6032
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 1.25
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Flowers Are The Perfect Gift For Father's Day
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF |
Distributed: 2008-02-20 |
Word Count: 486 |
Page Views: 5929
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.24
Dads everywhere have Sonora Smart Dodd to thank for getting
Father's Day started. In 1909, Sonora sat in a church in Spokane,
Washington listening to a sermon expounding on the virtues of
motherhood. But, as she sat there, she thought about how special
her own father was since it was he who raised her after the death
of her mother.
Sell Yourself, Not Your Products or Services
Written by: Bill Platt |
Distributed: 2004-05-03 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 5650
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
Sell yourself, not your products or services. The point we
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marketplace.
Building your Credit to get a Mortgage
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 840 |
Page Views: 5364
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.24
You are thinking about purchasing real estate. However, you are
not sure if your credit is good enough to get a mortgage. There
are things that you can do to build your credit so that it is
worthy of any mortgage that may interest you.
7 Tips to Hiring a Good DJ for your Party
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 563 |
Page Views: 5306
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 1.36
If you want to have a party that everyone will be talking about
for days and years later, hire a good DJ to run your music and
light show. Hiring a DJ can actually be fun. Just follow these
simple tips, and you are sure to have a fabulous DJ for your
party.
Highest Ranked "" Articles
Finding the Adventure in Travel Again
Written by: Helen Bergstein |
Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 718 |
Page Views: 4400
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.64
If you want to experience adventure at every level of your next
trip, you need to go beyond the usual resorts and places to stay.
If you're like most travelers, personal safety remains a priority,
especially in today's world. A growing number of savvy travelers
have found the perfect balance between adventure and comfort.
Freedom- or Burden of Choice?
Written by: Patsi Krakoff |
Distributed: 2004-09-30 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 1101
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 2.57
Everyday decisions have become increasingly complex due to the
overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented.
A trip to a typical supermarket reveals enormous choices such
as 85 different crackers, 285 types of cookies, 230 varieties
of canned soup, 80 different pain relievers, and 360 kinds of
shampoo. Does this improve the quality of our lives?
Building your Credit to get a Mortgage
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 840 |
Page Views: 5364
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.24
You are thinking about purchasing real estate. However, you are
not sure if your credit is good enough to get a mortgage. There
are things that you can do to build your credit so that it is
worthy of any mortgage that may interest you.
Flowers Are The Perfect Gift For Father's Day
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF |
Distributed: 2008-02-20 |
Word Count: 486 |
Page Views: 5929
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.24
Dads everywhere have Sonora Smart Dodd to thank for getting
Father's Day started. In 1909, Sonora sat in a church in Spokane,
Washington listening to a sermon expounding on the virtues of
motherhood. But, as she sat there, she thought about how special
her own father was since it was he who raised her after the death
of her mother.
Testimonials and Reviews Increase Your Real Sales Potential
Written by: Bill Platt |
Distributed: 2006-02-10 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2936
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 2.00
The one essential ingredient for online success in
any endeavor is gaining your prospect's trust.
7 Tips to Hiring a Good DJ for your Party
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-05-11 |
Word Count: 563 |
Page Views: 5306
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 1.36
If you want to have a party that everyone will be talking about
for days and years later, hire a good DJ to run your music and
light show. Hiring a DJ can actually be fun. Just follow these
simple tips, and you are sure to have a fabulous DJ for your
party.
Ann Arbor, MI Offers A Lot Of Year-Around Family Fun
Written by: Jeb Maxwell |
Distributed: 2010-01-20 |
Word Count: 595 |
Page Views: 4760
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 1.25
Ann Arbor, Michigan is the home of the University of Michigan, a
leading institution of higher education. Ann Arbor is a wonderful
place to visit. The University is co-mingled with the city and
greatly expands the cultural places and events available in the
area.
How to Decorate Your Home on EBay
Written by: Pamela Cole Harris |
Distributed: 2005-09-14 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2166
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 1.20
If you are on a budget (and who isn’t?), a wonderful place for
find home decorating accessories is auction sites like eBay. But
before you go a’baying, here is some advice...
The "Proprietary Blend" Nutritional Supplement
Written by: Will Brink |
Distributed: 2006-02-10 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 3516
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.60
In a nut shell, I went onto cover each of these common marketing
terms that are used to sell supplements to unwitting consumers
and explained each in detail as to what I view as their common
misuse within the market place.
Brink's Unified Theory of Nutrition
Written by: Will Brink |
Distributed: 2006-02-24 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2327
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.60
Regardless of the topic, a unified theory, seeks to explain
seemingly incompatible aspects of various theories. In this
article I attempt to unify seemingly incompatible or opposing
views regarding nutrition, namely, what is probably the longest
running debate in the nutritional sciences: calories vs. macro
nutrients.
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