“There is no magic formula for selling on eBay. Successful selling on eBay requires the combination of a proven track record (high feedback ratings from the eBay community); superior, professional listings that stand out from the competition; along with trial and error.” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.141)
Having both an eBay and a half.com account, both eBay websites, I definitely know the meaning of what makes selling successful. Most of my own sales originate from half.com. It's a non-bidding version of eBay, where sellers simply set their price, shown the average price the item has been bought at as a reference, and users select from what is available. As my reputation has risen via ratings and reviews, the numbers of my sales also rose, as most consumers would rather pick me over a user with less ratings and reviews. Not having a large amount of eBay experience other than as a buyer, I haven't really looked at the content presentation. I am more concerned with the actual content, description, and the pictures provided. It is this thoroughness that gives me the trust in the item, along with seller reputation.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chapter 11 BOC
“Sales and marketing are inexorably linked. You cannot have one without the other. You need to have a way to identify qualified prospects (marketing) and then gain commitment from those prospects to purchase your products or services (sales).” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.126)
This chapter bluntly stated that most salesmen are terrible. 99.9% of the times I have set foot in a dealership, I have known literally everything about the car I'm after, from weight, to fuel consumption, to features, to price, to performance figures. The salesmen almost literally know nothing of use to a real person. They are really just people who go get the key for the test drive and sit awkwardly during your purchase transaction at the table.
Even employees at clothing stores have become less useful. They are usually used now to find sizes "in the back" when they are not available in the storefront. Where did the salesmen go? They went to consumer education. People just can't be sold anymore, it seems.
This chapter bluntly stated that most salesmen are terrible. 99.9% of the times I have set foot in a dealership, I have known literally everything about the car I'm after, from weight, to fuel consumption, to features, to price, to performance figures. The salesmen almost literally know nothing of use to a real person. They are really just people who go get the key for the test drive and sit awkwardly during your purchase transaction at the table.
Even employees at clothing stores have become less useful. They are usually used now to find sizes "in the back" when they are not available in the storefront. Where did the salesmen go? They went to consumer education. People just can't be sold anymore, it seems.
Chapter 10 BOC
“Suddenly many businesses, large and small, were put on an even footing, with the cost of entry being the price of a domain name. Small businesses found themselves playing in a bigger game, in head-to-head competition with the very best.” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.118)
This type of change in the game occurred with the rise of software companies in the advent of wide-spread computing. This was the beginning of Microsoft and Apple. The subject of the movie, "Antitrust." The premise was that any kid in his garage could compete with the largest of brands and companies in the digital world. It's true. MySpace. Facebook. Twitter. Google. All started with small beginnings. They also were pioneers of their time, even though that time is also now.
The point is that computers, and more importantly the internet, have changed it all. It's an individual's and small business's best friend, and a large companies occasional worst enemy. It's where tides can turn overnight. Who has a MySpace anymore? Except us in this class of course, because it's for a grade. Other than that, really? How about FML? That website literally popped up just a few months ago, and nearly everyone knows about it. Amazing.
This type of change in the game occurred with the rise of software companies in the advent of wide-spread computing. This was the beginning of Microsoft and Apple. The subject of the movie, "Antitrust." The premise was that any kid in his garage could compete with the largest of brands and companies in the digital world. It's true. MySpace. Facebook. Twitter. Google. All started with small beginnings. They also were pioneers of their time, even though that time is also now.
The point is that computers, and more importantly the internet, have changed it all. It's an individual's and small business's best friend, and a large companies occasional worst enemy. It's where tides can turn overnight. Who has a MySpace anymore? Except us in this class of course, because it's for a grade. Other than that, really? How about FML? That website literally popped up just a few months ago, and nearly everyone knows about it. Amazing.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Address Change
Sometimes, feedback can guide you to change the suggestive name of your site to something a little more manly... like...
MACHOMovies!
MACHOMovies!
Chapter 9 BOC
“The value of your business comes down to the size and quality of your customer base. If there's no market demand of buyers, then your business has little value or life expectancy!” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.107)
This quote has perhaps the only truth that matters. Its truth can be seen in websites like Google, Twitter, and Facebook. They all began with little to no money-making ability. Twitter still retains no advertising, actually. Facebook began advertising only when their membership truly began steamrolling forward. Google offers tremendous numbers of products, from just searching to YouTube to GMail. All three retain extremely high customer base size and quality.
This is what made Facebook worth millions. This is what made Google become the shocking size and value it is today, openly traded on stock market. This is what makes Twitter valuable, without having any money-making abilities yet. This is the goal of any internet business, ever.
This quote has perhaps the only truth that matters. Its truth can be seen in websites like Google, Twitter, and Facebook. They all began with little to no money-making ability. Twitter still retains no advertising, actually. Facebook began advertising only when their membership truly began steamrolling forward. Google offers tremendous numbers of products, from just searching to YouTube to GMail. All three retain extremely high customer base size and quality.
This is what made Facebook worth millions. This is what made Google become the shocking size and value it is today, openly traded on stock market. This is what makes Twitter valuable, without having any money-making abilities yet. This is the goal of any internet business, ever.
Chapter 8 BOC
“Those are the five principles of drivers: baiting, bundling, recycling, gifting, and engaging, and I have proven that using these give alone will make visitor value soar and increase conversion almost overnight.” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.103)
Over and over, these principles are repeated. However, it is apparent soon after beginning any online venture that it is always easier said than done. It takes trial and error, over and over and over again. That is the path to the only success possible. These 5 factors are the ultimate goal, not the first step. This is a strange thing to say as the author explicitly said it is what must be done. However, it simply isn't that straight-forward. To understand the customer/visitor is something of a time-consuming task, involving intelligent analysis of feedback and statistics. Only time and experience can bring the 5 factors into a successful reality.
Over and over, these principles are repeated. However, it is apparent soon after beginning any online venture that it is always easier said than done. It takes trial and error, over and over and over again. That is the path to the only success possible. These 5 factors are the ultimate goal, not the first step. This is a strange thing to say as the author explicitly said it is what must be done. However, it simply isn't that straight-forward. To understand the customer/visitor is something of a time-consuming task, involving intelligent analysis of feedback and statistics. Only time and experience can bring the 5 factors into a successful reality.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
My Grade so Far at Midterm
I believe I deserve an A; a low A at the very least. I worked hard for the materials I made. I pressed for self-created solutions to problems brought up in class, solving them in due time and executing them flawlessly. I'm referring particularly to the underlying code that runs the fan site. I made sure to have interactive portions of the page, mimicking already successful pages at their own game: user involvement. The design was challenging for me as well, as I am creative as a secondary quality, with logic taking precedence. I felt I learned and grew from doing the fanatic website. I have more experience and thought to fall back on when presented with similar problems that require web designed solutions.
Once again, I feel I deserve an A because I placed enormous effort into making the ideas and solutions in my mind follow the marketing rules into digital reality through code and design. It was difficult, but always worth it.
Once again, I feel I deserve an A because I placed enormous effort into making the ideas and solutions in my mind follow the marketing rules into digital reality through code and design. It was difficult, but always worth it.
Movie Source Las Vegas Project
My plan can be summarized with a few quotes from the book.
1. "Fail Fast For Free. Fail, fail, and fail at no cost." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.13)
2. "Within the first three seconds, users take a look and decide if they're going to stay there and look for more, of if they're going to think it's too confusing..." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.26)
3. "You must promote your site online by registering with search engines and linking with other sites." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.28)
4. "Write a powerful headline...the headline has to reach out and grab them." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.43)
I expect to fail. I expect to make numerous revisions, alterations, and changes until I am happy with my work. It is the process of failing that makes a work so great, informative, and inspiring. Failure is a gateway to greater things, and it needs to be treated as something expected, not feared. Also, through these revisions, I plan on creating a design that is simplistic and yet effective in keeping a user on the page. This would give an easy-to-use feeling that could last longer than just a few seconds before exiting.
Promoting my site online is going to be a massive key to the project's success. There is almost no other way to reach the movie fanatic websites, or the Insider site, without going through a search engine or word of mouth. Search engines are free, very fast, and numerous. Submitting to the most important and popular engines such as Google proves very wise in raising page rankings. Ideally, a real-life "buzz" needs to be created to really bring in the visitors.
Finally, a powerful headline, even with little text following it, can make a powerful statement. Headlines are often what I read, and often all I will read. I seldom read a web page's content unless otherwise instructed. With this in mind, the headlines must be driving points to find out more. They must tell stories in clean, concise statements over and over again. This is very important and will be incorporated, with tags as well.
1. "Fail Fast For Free. Fail, fail, and fail at no cost." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.13)
2. "Within the first three seconds, users take a look and decide if they're going to stay there and look for more, of if they're going to think it's too confusing..." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.26)
3. "You must promote your site online by registering with search engines and linking with other sites." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.28)
4. "Write a powerful headline...the headline has to reach out and grab them." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.43)
I expect to fail. I expect to make numerous revisions, alterations, and changes until I am happy with my work. It is the process of failing that makes a work so great, informative, and inspiring. Failure is a gateway to greater things, and it needs to be treated as something expected, not feared. Also, through these revisions, I plan on creating a design that is simplistic and yet effective in keeping a user on the page. This would give an easy-to-use feeling that could last longer than just a few seconds before exiting.
Promoting my site online is going to be a massive key to the project's success. There is almost no other way to reach the movie fanatic websites, or the Insider site, without going through a search engine or word of mouth. Search engines are free, very fast, and numerous. Submitting to the most important and popular engines such as Google proves very wise in raising page rankings. Ideally, a real-life "buzz" needs to be created to really bring in the visitors.
Finally, a powerful headline, even with little text following it, can make a powerful statement. Headlines are often what I read, and often all I will read. I seldom read a web page's content unless otherwise instructed. With this in mind, the headlines must be driving points to find out more. They must tell stories in clean, concise statements over and over again. This is very important and will be incorporated, with tags as well.
YouTube Project
http://www.youtube.com/eyeexplosion
My YouTube posting is a mini trailer for my main movie fanatic website. It is short and sweet, simply stating that manliness is coming. While not particularly interesting or driving, it is effective in capturing some attention in terms of curiosity. It was made in AfterEffects, utilizing some flame-based visuals for style and flair. Creating it was challening, but it was a good refresher and sharpener of basic motion video skills.
My YouTube posting is a mini trailer for my main movie fanatic website. It is short and sweet, simply stating that manliness is coming. While not particularly interesting or driving, it is effective in capturing some attention in terms of curiosity. It was made in AfterEffects, utilizing some flame-based visuals for style and flair. Creating it was challening, but it was a good refresher and sharpener of basic motion video skills.
eBay Project
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220506337826
In the creation of the eBay sale page, the item in question is an auto part. The book states, "principle #7 is to create rapport." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.18). While this is my first actual eBay sale, I have been selling through half.com, an eBay subsidiary, for quite some time. This has allowed me to build a perfect reputation among buyers display that I am trustworthy, reliable, and worth purchasing from. This helps in literally any buying decision as long as such a truthful rapport is perceived.
The item on sale, an auto part designed to prevent oil from entering particular engine components, is a highly beneficial component. However, showing this "hot benefit" isn't easy. "Web readers desire for hot benefits." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.46). I placed an image representing the product. The image had modest graphic design elements centered around text and readability over good design. It was not the most compelling way to drive someone to purchase the product, but it is straight-forward. Most car enthusiasts would appreciate that, as only a car enthusiast would purchase my item anyway.
"Never sell a wine before its time." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.59). This statement has a strange interpretation on my eBay page. I believe I "sold" the wine before and after its time. There are no other items like it on eBay, and yet there is no interest in it at all. There is no gain or loss from simply keeping the item, or selling it for any price. I believe it is simply not the right time to sell my item, or, clearly, the right place.
"Seduction starts by getting someone's attention and putting that someone in the proper frame of mind to know you better." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.60). By placing my image-type sales ad on my eBay page, I created something unique and attention-getting on eBay. It is not often there are actual graphics with designed layouts on eBay sales pages, so this created a unique experience. Higher-grade graphics chosen over the competition often prove advantageous.
In the creation of the eBay sale page, the item in question is an auto part. The book states, "principle #7 is to create rapport." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.18). While this is my first actual eBay sale, I have been selling through half.com, an eBay subsidiary, for quite some time. This has allowed me to build a perfect reputation among buyers display that I am trustworthy, reliable, and worth purchasing from. This helps in literally any buying decision as long as such a truthful rapport is perceived.
The item on sale, an auto part designed to prevent oil from entering particular engine components, is a highly beneficial component. However, showing this "hot benefit" isn't easy. "Web readers desire for hot benefits." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.46). I placed an image representing the product. The image had modest graphic design elements centered around text and readability over good design. It was not the most compelling way to drive someone to purchase the product, but it is straight-forward. Most car enthusiasts would appreciate that, as only a car enthusiast would purchase my item anyway.
"Never sell a wine before its time." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.59). This statement has a strange interpretation on my eBay page. I believe I "sold" the wine before and after its time. There are no other items like it on eBay, and yet there is no interest in it at all. There is no gain or loss from simply keeping the item, or selling it for any price. I believe it is simply not the right time to sell my item, or, clearly, the right place.
"Seduction starts by getting someone's attention and putting that someone in the proper frame of mind to know you better." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.60). By placing my image-type sales ad on my eBay page, I created something unique and attention-getting on eBay. It is not often there are actual graphics with designed layouts on eBay sales pages, so this created a unique experience. Higher-grade graphics chosen over the competition often prove advantageous.
MySpace Project
http://www.myspace.com/eyeexplosion
Taking a couple of quotes from chapter 6, "The Seduction of the Online Surfer," a professional MySpace page can help the seduction process. "...people online do not want to get sold to," as well as, "seducing your web visitors is like a dance, wherein you lead and they follow." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.59). In carrying a personal yet professional MySpace page that is visible to the public, it can dramatically help gain trust and interest in any related works. People are delighted to see the person behind the website, seeing a real person behind the buttons and input fields. A professional and clean MySpace can show that I, as the designer, am not necessarily scamming them. I am present and open for interview.
In chapter 3 it is said, "In a mission to achieve top-of-mind awareness of your site is the offline world, beacuse most of the real world still resides there." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.23). Creating this clean, accurate, and trustworthy MySpace page shows I am a real person in the real world. Often-times being able to place a real personal connection to a website makes it more memorable. If the user feels more apt to trust my products because my information is available in a real-world sense, the user will also be more apt to buy my products in comfort and confidence. This is the ultimate goal.
In chapter 1, it is stated that, "Your most important goals must be yours." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.5). On my MySpace page, I state my professional goals and ambitions: to grow. While this sounds like a broad goal, I am specifically a web and graphic designer. I draw on multiple sources for growth and learning. It is important prospective customers and clients are aware that I am always on the quest for improvement and knowledge to better do my job. This is just another level of reassurance and truthful respect that can fortify marketing relationships in the future.
Taking a couple of quotes from chapter 6, "The Seduction of the Online Surfer," a professional MySpace page can help the seduction process. "...people online do not want to get sold to," as well as, "seducing your web visitors is like a dance, wherein you lead and they follow." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.59). In carrying a personal yet professional MySpace page that is visible to the public, it can dramatically help gain trust and interest in any related works. People are delighted to see the person behind the website, seeing a real person behind the buttons and input fields. A professional and clean MySpace can show that I, as the designer, am not necessarily scamming them. I am present and open for interview.
In chapter 3 it is said, "In a mission to achieve top-of-mind awareness of your site is the offline world, beacuse most of the real world still resides there." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.23). Creating this clean, accurate, and trustworthy MySpace page shows I am a real person in the real world. Often-times being able to place a real personal connection to a website makes it more memorable. If the user feels more apt to trust my products because my information is available in a real-world sense, the user will also be more apt to buy my products in comfort and confidence. This is the ultimate goal.
In chapter 1, it is stated that, "Your most important goals must be yours." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.5). On my MySpace page, I state my professional goals and ambitions: to grow. While this sounds like a broad goal, I am specifically a web and graphic designer. I draw on multiple sources for growth and learning. It is important prospective customers and clients are aware that I am always on the quest for improvement and knowledge to better do my job. This is just another level of reassurance and truthful respect that can fortify marketing relationships in the future.
Movie Obsession Websites
I believe the best project belonged to Albert. Albert's vampire fan site had the most content to keep any visitor interested. He had a method to obtain email addresses, doubling as user interaction. It wasn't necessarily the most related content all the time, but it was enough content to make anyone interested in something there. However, only problem was it was a bit dense. That aside, it was the most complete with the most content available. It would definitely be compelling to any hard-core moviegoer.
http://respectablepress.net/vampfansite/
The second best project I believe was my own. I had a few methods of visitor interaction, asking their input. This included both a "suggestion box" and the "FML" style manly event submission box. It involved an easy-to-use registration method, ensuring a valid e-mail address through verification. As for content, my content is more on the minimal side, because from my own experience with internet trends it is user-driven content that brings people to a page, not the content generated by the web page itself. I made the design itself clean, with large areas for single section content. However, it could certainly use more compelling reasons to visit to begin with.
http://manfilms.hunterunknown.com/
The third best would belong to Jose with his kung fu themed fan site. His site had a lot of written content in the form of reviews. Also, the site itself was a modern template-style type, which gave it a clean feel. It incorporated clean layout, though it was slightly confusing to have so many content areas at once. His reviews and clean, large graphics make it more compelling to stay on and visit again when content has been updated. It seems dynamic, actually implying content will be updated. This is attractive. however, it just needed to be filled a bit more to really give it that polished feel.
http://joserosariolopez.com/kungfu/
The fourth place would belong to Minnie. Her page was clean, well-built in a blog-style fashion. Being blog style it implies frequent updates that any avid reader would visit again. Also being a blog-style page, it is RSS compatible, allowing easy readership. The only thing really lacking seemed to be content in general. The framework was very apparent, but it needed to be filled with relevant, compelling content to draw in the readership. Other than that, it was a truly attractive page. My only other suggestion would have been to make it more apparent in its movie-driven purpose.
http://lunaobscuradesign.com/fantasyObsession/Coming%20Soon!/old-school-favorites/
Kiely's page would be ranked last by default here, not because it was bad, but because it lacked a certain feel of completeness. When a user visits a site, the impression that the site is polished really sticks. If it isn't, that impression sticks even more. However, I know he is still going to update and improve it, bringing even more compelling reasons to visit the page. I thought the multi-page survey was a great way to involve users into staying on the page and placing trust. The on-page method for commenting was easy-to-use and appropriate for placing everywhere.
http://fagabeefee.com/browse-movies-alphabetically/
http://respectablepress.net/vampfansite/
The second best project I believe was my own. I had a few methods of visitor interaction, asking their input. This included both a "suggestion box" and the "FML" style manly event submission box. It involved an easy-to-use registration method, ensuring a valid e-mail address through verification. As for content, my content is more on the minimal side, because from my own experience with internet trends it is user-driven content that brings people to a page, not the content generated by the web page itself. I made the design itself clean, with large areas for single section content. However, it could certainly use more compelling reasons to visit to begin with.
http://manfilms.hunterunknown.com/
The third best would belong to Jose with his kung fu themed fan site. His site had a lot of written content in the form of reviews. Also, the site itself was a modern template-style type, which gave it a clean feel. It incorporated clean layout, though it was slightly confusing to have so many content areas at once. His reviews and clean, large graphics make it more compelling to stay on and visit again when content has been updated. It seems dynamic, actually implying content will be updated. This is attractive. however, it just needed to be filled a bit more to really give it that polished feel.
http://joserosariolopez.com/kungfu/
The fourth place would belong to Minnie. Her page was clean, well-built in a blog-style fashion. Being blog style it implies frequent updates that any avid reader would visit again. Also being a blog-style page, it is RSS compatible, allowing easy readership. The only thing really lacking seemed to be content in general. The framework was very apparent, but it needed to be filled with relevant, compelling content to draw in the readership. Other than that, it was a truly attractive page. My only other suggestion would have been to make it more apparent in its movie-driven purpose.
http://lunaobscuradesign.com/fantasyObsession/Coming%20Soon!/old-school-favorites/
Kiely's page would be ranked last by default here, not because it was bad, but because it lacked a certain feel of completeness. When a user visits a site, the impression that the site is polished really sticks. If it isn't, that impression sticks even more. However, I know he is still going to update and improve it, bringing even more compelling reasons to visit the page. I thought the multi-page survey was a great way to involve users into staying on the page and placing trust. The on-page method for commenting was easy-to-use and appropriate for placing everywhere.
http://fagabeefee.com/browse-movies-alphabetically/
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Chapter 7 BOC
“Your headline is strong and attractive when it talks about the beneficial end results of using what you sell.” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.79)
Generally speaking, this is almost always true. The exception being on magazines, where gossip-oriented headlines have no real benefit other than providing more gossip and speculation. However, other than that, a headline must show a benefit.
For example, most people have noticed their e-mail inboxes get filled up with ads for things like Viagra or antidepressants. The subject lines almost never say what the product actually is - only what the product is going to do. I won't mention what the subjects say, but they definitely state a "benefit."
For this reason, they are effective. Some of us believe nobody would never open, much less actually purchase from, those emails. However, if they're still being sent then they must be effective. They have a shocking return. Then again, they reach so many that the chances are probable instead of improbable.
It's all in the headline.
Generally speaking, this is almost always true. The exception being on magazines, where gossip-oriented headlines have no real benefit other than providing more gossip and speculation. However, other than that, a headline must show a benefit.
For example, most people have noticed their e-mail inboxes get filled up with ads for things like Viagra or antidepressants. The subject lines almost never say what the product actually is - only what the product is going to do. I won't mention what the subjects say, but they definitely state a "benefit."
For this reason, they are effective. Some of us believe nobody would never open, much less actually purchase from, those emails. However, if they're still being sent then they must be effective. They have a shocking return. Then again, they reach so many that the chances are probable instead of improbable.
It's all in the headline.
Chapter 6 BOC
“The seduction starts by getting someone's attention and putting that someone in the proper frame of mind to know you better.” (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.60)
This type of seduction applies originally in interpersonal relationships. However, it can also be applied to anything that involves selling a product. This is because that relationship needs to be created twice: once between the product and the potential buyer, and a second time between the selling company and the potential buyer. The only way the potential buyer is going to become a customer is if he/she finds it worth it.
How can he/she find it worth it? Only by wanting to find out more, building trust, building the relationship, and finding it increasingly acceptable to provide more information until the product is purchased. Ultimately this trust, through a good product as well, will lead to referrals and future purchases of other products from the same company. It's all the seduction, and then the relationship.
It has to start at the seduction, though, because without that there is no difference between the selling site, and any other site that gets passed up in mere moments.
This type of seduction applies originally in interpersonal relationships. However, it can also be applied to anything that involves selling a product. This is because that relationship needs to be created twice: once between the product and the potential buyer, and a second time between the selling company and the potential buyer. The only way the potential buyer is going to become a customer is if he/she finds it worth it.
How can he/she find it worth it? Only by wanting to find out more, building trust, building the relationship, and finding it increasingly acceptable to provide more information until the product is purchased. Ultimately this trust, through a good product as well, will lead to referrals and future purchases of other products from the same company. It's all the seduction, and then the relationship.
It has to start at the seduction, though, because without that there is no difference between the selling site, and any other site that gets passed up in mere moments.
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