==========================================================
Webmaster Tips Weekly * ISSN: 1526-2235
==========================================================

••••• Providing you with useful quick tips to improve your
Web Site ==> http://webmaster-tips-weekly.com ••••••
___ ___
Thank you for recommending / \ / \=|
this ezine to your friends \___/ \___/ |=
http://go.MailBits.com/Tell.asp?13938.2 |_ _|_
/++\_____/xxx\
Archives available by /++++++|xxxxxxx\
sending blank email to |++++| |xxxx|
mailto:web_tips_archives@... |++++| |xxxx|
|| | |_/|
•••• Wednesday, February 23, 2000 •••• ||_ _|

This ezine is never sent out unsolicited. You are receiving
this ezine because you subscribed to it Subscribe and
Unsubscribe directions are found at the end of this ezine.


====================> Sponsor Ad 1 of 2 <==================

BePaid.com - Get paid online even when you are NOT surfing!
May be used with other programs. Get $20-$120/hr for
viewing ads. You are notified how much the advertiser is
paying prior to viewing the ad. You may choose to view it
now, in a few minutes or a few hours or not at all.
http://www.bepaid.com/users.rhtml?REFID=10148911

====================> Sponsor Ad 1 of 2 <==================


==========================================================
IN THIS ISSUE
==========================================================

1. "How To Write Sales-Making Headlines and Text"
by J. R. Beach
3. February Special(s) - Advertising - 75% off!
4. Tip(s) - "Success Story: Your Own Poll" by Dr. Nunley
5. Webmaster Selections - Ad-Writing Articles
6. Featured Ezines - you'll have to see these
7. Subscriber Link - Amy's Albums
8. Discreet Classifieds
9. Who We Are - Contact Information


==========================================================
>From the Editor...
==========================================================

Hello Subscribers and welcome to another issue of
Webmaster Tips Weekly!

Freshen up your internet marketing with some articles
about ad writing, headline writing, and classifieds.

Have you offered a poll yet? Read the success story
in the Featured Tip by Dr. Nunley.

After all this reading, you say you feel like an ad
swap? Send me your ad for your ezine or newsletter or
discussion list and I'll send one of our Webmaster Tips
Weekly ads.

We wish you the best!

Til next week - y'all take care now

Deborah mailto:webmaster@...


==========================================================
1. "How To Write Sales-Making Headlines and Text"
by J. R. Beach
==========================================================

How long does it take to make a first impression? On the
fast-paced internet you’re likely to get less than 15
seconds. That’s all they’ll spend on your opening page
unless you grab visitors with something that interests
them.

And if you’ve spent effort and dollars to attract visitors,
you don’t want to lose them in the time it takes to back
out of the driveway. After all, if you’ve got something to
sell, you’re not looking for “hits”, you’re looking for
sales. The only item someone will buy in fifteen seconds
is a face-value ticket to the Super Bowl.

With the advent of simpler, fast-loading sites with fewer
graphics, headlines and text may be the most important
tools you have during those 15 seconds.

Headlines
---------

The objective of a headline is to interest the visitor in
reading the text. Plain and simple. Without a well-written
headline, visitors will never go far enough to investigate
the details of what you’ve got to offer. You don’t sell
with a headline. That’s the job of your text. All you want
to do is get the reader to desire more information.

--Choose the right words
First, certain subjects create more interest than others.
Among the most effective are money, wealth, love, health
and safety. Practice writing three or four headlines using
those subjects.

There are also words that seem to attract greater interest
than others. Here are some of those words:
Learn, discover, easy, new, proven, save, you, now and
free

Now re-write your headlines incorporating those words.

And, of course, many effective headlines start with
“How to…” or “How you can…”

--Use a question
Many times a question works well because it involves the
reader. Ever heard this one? “Where Do You Want To Go
Today?” Sure you have.

Here are some other ways to incorporate a question into
your headline:
“Have You Ever…?”
“Do You Want To…”
“Do You Think You Can…”
“How Do You…”


--Experiment with your headlines
Chances are, you’re not going to hit the best possible
headline on your first try. And nobody can tell you in
advance what will work for your product or service. Don’t
be afraid to experiment early on, trying to gauge response
to each headline.

--Put a tracking system in place
Make sure you have a system in place to track which
headlines are generating response and which aren’t. An
easy way is to make multiple, identical pages on your site.
Each page should contain a hit counter. Then assign each
headline you use to a particular page. The highest number
of responses wins. Headline one might be
www.yourdomainname.com/product/hd1.html and the second
headline aims visitors to
www.yourdomainname.com/product/hd2.html.


Writing Effective Website Text
------------------------------

Now that you’ve perfected your headline, you should tailor
your text to involve the visitor in your site, describe
what your product or service will do for them and lead them
toward a sale. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts:

--Highlight Benefits
People don’t respond to features, they respond to benefits
(what the product or service will DO for them or how it
will make them FEEL). Therefore, turning the product’s
features into benefits is critical. For example, people
aren’t interested in a six-cylinder, turbo charged
280-horsepower engine. That’s a car’s feature. They are,
however, interested in driving a car with quick
acceleration to merge swiftly into highway traffic, pass
slow-moving trucks on two-lane roads, etc. Those are the
benefits of the engine. So stress benefits. Here’s an
easy way to do that:

W T M T Y I

A technique I’ve used for years to help turn features into
benefits, WTMTYI is an abbreviation for “what that means
to you is…”. For every feature your product has, think
“what that means to you is…” and complete the sentence.
You’ll have a benefit. “This quality vehicle has a
turbo-charged six that generates 280 horsepower (and what
that means to you is) You’ll have plenty of power to
maneuver in traffic and enough acceleration to feel
comfortable motoring onto the expressway, and that’s
important, don’t you think?”

--Quality over quantity
It’s not how much you say, it is how well you say it. Less
is better. After you first write your text, go back and
make it tighter. Then do it again. The rationale for doing
this is two-fold: reading a computer screen is harder than
reading from paper and, with one hand on the mouse, your
visitor is prone to use it as soon as he or she feels the
least bit bored.

–-Appeal to emotion rather than logic
Most purchases are made on an emotional level. Remember,
people buy what they WANT, not what they NEED. They buy
because of how the product or service will make them FEEL.
That’s emotion, not logic. Your text, then, should make
them want the product, not insist that they need it. We
need food, water, clothing and shelter. Everything else
is a want.

--Don’t use hype
If they’re smart enough to navigate the web, assume
they’re smart enough to see through hype (and they’ve
likely seen enough of it). If your product or service is
worthy, it doesn’t need hype. Besides, to make repeat or
referral sales, you want to deliver more than you’ve
promised. You can’t do that if you’ve promised the world.

--Avoid incorporating incomprehensible vernacular to
persuade your constituents to purchase (Don’t use big
words to sell) Don’t reach for the Thesaurus in an attempt
to impress your visitor. Text should be easy to read. It
should flow. Don’t use a large word when a smaller one
will do. Please, whatever you do, never write like a
lawyer or the guys who write user’s manuals.

--Use proper grammar
Few things will hurt your credibility as will grammar and
punctuation mistakes. You’ve been to pages containing
misuse of the language. What was your impression? Not
professional, perhaps? No, you don’t have to be an
English professor. Here’s what you can do:
-Use a spell check program. Let it do the work for you.
-Have a friend proof-read your site. Have several friends
proof-read it. If you don’t have any qualified friends,
pay a professional to help you (that’s the cost of having
no literate friends).
-When in doubt, simplify.

There are numerous sources of additional help on website
selling. One of the top sources is
http://www.sitesell.com/andersoncreations.html operated
by Ken Evoy, M.D.

--------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Beach is a veteran marketer and webmaster of
award-winning BUSINESS OPP.COM. The site focuses
on identifying guaranteed business opportunities and
offers a unique three step money-making process.
Plus free reports, promotional resources, a free e-zine
subscription and free DSL Internet access are available
at http://www.business-opp.com
--------------------------------------------------------


==========================================================
2. Featured Webmaster Tips Weekly Award
==========================================================

Thank you to all of you who submitted your web sites for
the Webmaster Tips Weekly award.

This week we have chosen CodeCraft at
http://www.cyberelectric.net.au/~collins/index.htm

In his own words, Darren describes his site...

"CodeCraft - The C++ Newsletter

CodeCraft is a free weekly newsletter full of tips and
advice for beginner and intermediate programmers. Topics
covered include general programming principles, C/C++
specifics, Unix/Linux environment and utilities, and book
and website reviews. A little humor is thrown in too,
just to lighten things up.."

We, at Webmaster Tips Weekly have to agree that this is
an exceptional newsletter and web site. View his archives
at http://www.cyberelectric.net.au/~collins/index.htm


§§*** §§*** Keep those submissions coming... §§*** §§***
http://Webmaster-Tips-Weekly.com/awards


==========================================================
3. Subscriber Special - Prices dropped for Subscribers!
==========================================================

NOTICE: February is the month for lower media kit prices
for Webmaster Tips Weekly Subscribers - now you can post
a 460 x 68 banner at the TOP of pages of our web sites
http://AndersonCreations.com and
http://Webmaster-Tips-Weekly.com
for only $9!
Yes, that is half off the lower Subscriber price!

1/2 Price on any and all Media Kit Prices for
Anderson Creations and Webmaster Tips Weekly.
To view the current media kit, send a blank
email to mailto:mediakit@...

Then, simply divide any price you see in half
and that is YOUR cost as a valued subscriber!

When you decide on a media package or ad, contact
me at mailto:webmaster@...

--------- A N D ---------

Virtualis W E B R E F U G E E Promotion
F R E E H O S T I N G T H R U F E B R U A R Y

Virtualis, the premier web hosting company (and the
Editor's personal choice) is offering free hosting
for the remainder of January and for the month of
February for those clients who are transferring
their accounts from another hosting company.

AndersonCreations.com has been hosting with Virtualis
for almost a year and we have never had our web site
"go down." The customer service compares to none -
only an email away - 24 hours 7 days a week. Now
who can compare to that?

Virtualis.com will transfer your files from your
former hosting company to Virtualis.com when you
sign up with Virtualis within the month of January.

To find out more information and/or to sign up for
your free hosting, go to...
http://www.virtualis.com/vr/danderso
and mention "Refugee Promotion - Anderson Creations"
when asked how you heard about Virtualis. This is
the way that you can claim your free hosting.


==========================================================
4. Tip(s) - Success Story: Your Own Poll
==========================================================

People and media both love polls. Create your own
opinion poll and you will get the interest of customers
AND have a good chance of getting covered by the media.

John Kernell of TheGeezerBrigade.com operates a monthly
humor poll from his web site. "It's a nice little
feature that draws people to the site," he says.

Kernell posts results on his site, then releases them to
the media. "When I get a particularly funny poll I send
out an email press release to 350 newspapers that tend
to like this kind of information."

Kernell gets lots of traffic and new members from all
over the country.

Joe Shafran, PR agent to top CEOs, authors, and
politicians, says polls and surveys are always a favorite
with the media.

If you don't have any earthshaking news to announce,
create a poll and announce the results on talk radio,
in ezines, and to your local newspaper.

Make it easy for people to respond. Don't ask too many
personal questions. That reduces response.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Promote your business with Kevin's Super PRESS RELEASE
Deal. He writes your release AND sends it to 5,000 media
for just $345 (everyone else charges $500 for this
combination). Write me for details at kevin@...
or see my site at http://www.DrNunley.com
-----------------------------------------------------------


==========================================================
5. Webmaster Selections - Ad-Writing Articles
==========================================================

"How To Write Copy That Sells" by Robert V. Rowe
http://www.internetday.com/archives/111599.html

"The Perfect Classified Ad" by Kevin Nunley
http://www.e-zinez.com/articles/555.htm

Placing Effective Internet Classifieds by Brian Alt
http://www.williecrawford.com/effectiveads.html


==========================================================
6. Featured Ezines & Discussion Lists & Tutorials
==========================================================
Benefit from the experience of 30 plus years
=========> for what? Your home! < =========
F R E E H O M E T I P S
The *Free* ezine for homeowners and handypeople
mailto:freehometips-subscribe@egroups.com
http://www.caolson.com/ac-home-inspector/
----------------------------2/5---------------------------
Do-It-Yourself Web Design Ezine
subscribe at http://victoriaring.com/
A weekly ezine designed to teach beginners and intermediates
everything they need to know to create, market, promote and
enhance their web sites. Course developed by Victoria Ring,
web design instructor at The Ohio State University.
----------------------------6/9---------------------------
D O Y O U H A V E T A L E N T E D K I D S ? ? ?
Discuss them here --- Share Your Ideas to help them grow!
mailto:justmykids-subscribe@egroups.com
http://JustMyKids.com
----------------------------2/5---------------------------


===========================================================
7. Featured Subscriber Link(s) - Amy's Albums
===========================================================

Amy's Albums
http://AmysAlbums.homestead.com/AmysAlbums.html
Find out how you can have your pictures made into
keepsake memory albums. Amy's Albums uses only
acid-free materials so your pictures are safe from
discoloration or fading. Rescue your memories and
order your own custom-made memory album today!


===========================================================
8. Discreet Classifieds
===========================================================
Anderson Creations does not claim any responsibility for
any other companies, ads, or what is represented here.

====================> Sponsor Ad 2 of 2 <===================

Tired of spending all your time on your web site
design and marketing to make the sum total of $0?

--------> Make Your Site Sell <------------

Don't take my word for it, get your *Free* taste
at http://www.sitesell.com/andersoncreations.html

====================> Sponsor Ad 2 of 2 <===================

----------------------------------------------------------
FREE! Money-Makers Secrets!
Learn how to make at least $5,000 a week.
Simple & easy to learn, & best of all FREE!
Check my website!
http://www.secrets2success.com/special69140/index.html
----------------------------1/1---------------------------
Let Designs for Impact ...design your web-site, ...create
great resumes, and ...print your invoices, business cards,
forms, stationery, labels, advertisements, etc. that leaves
"Impressions That Last!" Visit: www.designs-for-impact.com
Call (540) 956-2924 or E-mail: aclay@...
----------------------------1/1---------------------------
$$$ http://mymoneymachine.com/owner/TG9472 $$$ $$$
FREE Money Making Machine! $$$
$$$ Make money in MULTIPLES of $$$
$$$ $5 or $15 -- Your choice! $$$
$$$ Hurry! Get yours NOW! FREE! $$$
$$$ http://mymoneymachine.com/owner/TG9472 $$$
----------------------------1/1---------------------------
Discover the secrets to natural health
with The Herbal News E-Zine
http://herbalnews.listbot.com
----------------------------1/1---------------------------
DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
We are looking for 50 Individuals to Try Out Our Brand New
Remote Control Marketing System with Absolutely NO RISK
On Your Part...We will take ALL OF THE RISK...and then some.
Details: http://www.allthesecrets.com/ic/a564z/index.html
----------------------------1/1---------------------------


===========================================================
9. Who We Are
===========================================================

------------------
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ | Resource Links | @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
------------------
To submit
° Reader tips, articles, ad-swaps, suggestions, etc.
° Considered for a possible Webmaster Tips Weekly Award
° Suggest a site for http://www.go.com/WebDir
° Small Business...Your Business Web Site
° Web Site Building Tools
http://www.andersoncreations.com/ezines/wtw.html
mailto:webmaster@...

Webmaster Tips Weekly Subscriber Special(s)
http://www.andersoncreations.com/specials.shtml

Webmaster Tips Weekly Archives
http://www.andersoncreations.com/webmaster-tips-weekly/
mailto:web_tips_archives@...


Webmaster Tips Weekly and the occasional
AC Designer Issue

Anderson Creations * Ezine Publishing
To see a complete list of ezines
published by Anderson Creations go to...
http://www.andersoncreations.com/subscribe.shtml
Deborah Anderson, Editor
PO Box 393 * St. Francis, MN 55070
mailto:webmaster@...

------------------------------------------------------------
Subscription Management
------------------------------------------------------------
If you are receiving more than one copy of this ezine
refer to the unsubscribe directions below on your duplicate
copy of this ezine. If you continue to receive more than
one copy of this ezine, send an email to
mailto:webmaster@...?subject=SubHelp

To subscribe:
...mailto:webmaster-tips-weekly-subscribe@egroups.com
...or <http://www.andersoncreations.com/subscribe.shtml>
To unsubscribe:
...mailto:webmaster-tips-weekly-unsubscribe@egroups.com

ISSN: 1526-2235 - Library Of Congress, Washington D.C., USA
© Copyright 1999 by Anderson Creations * All Rights Reserved
http://www.andersoncreations.com