How to: Writing ads and making sales.

[WarBot]

Ive built around 10 free sites and a half dozen tgp galleries now, I get listed at alot of link lists, I get pretty good traffic to my sites. Ive read a few articles that talk about "pre-selling", sales text and the like. I think I have the free site building and getting listed thing down, but I seem to have a problem with the most important part - making sales.

So... Im asking, whats some tricks that you can share with this newbie for getting the surfer to the sponsor and getting them to sign-up? Whats all this "pre-selling" or "pre-qualifying" stuff about?

For some examples of my current ad-writing abilities (or more like lack of) heres some of my latest free sites.

#1 - http://www.fastfreeporno.com/august/...orn/index.html

#2 - http://www.dailypornopost.com/08-200...ree/index.html

#3 - http://www.dailypornopost.com/08-200...ree/index.html

#4 - http://www.fastfreeporno.com/august/...orn/index.html

Dont be affraid to hurt my feelings on this one. I appreciate any input, no matter what it is. I dont expect people to give away their top secret tricks, Im just looking some advice and maybe a few pointers.

Thanks in advance
WB

[WarBot]

I also wanted to ask (not as important as the original topic), what about linking to a php file that redirects to the sponsor? Ive seen on other types of sites, not link lists or free sites, people linking to a php file that uses a header redirect (Im guessing). There are some pretty good advantages to this. If that sponsor sucks balls, deletes your account or goes under, you only have to change 1 file to change the links to point to somewhere else. Another thing is that these types of redirects can get listed in google as "paysite name" and get you a few sales this way.

[KG Gary]

I'm not much more experienced than you are, WarBot, so apologies if this is the blind leading the blind!


Something mentioned on GG&J a few times that I've recently started to include is text telling Mr Surfer he can do something good at the paysite.....like:
"Jerk off night after night at paysitename"
"Get yourself hard & horny every single night when you join paysitename"
"Click here if you wanna cum with the dirtiest teens at paysitename"

Telling the horny surfer he'll be satisfied if he clicks & joins.
Hope that helps a bit.


Oh, the second question.....I got nothing, sorry.

[WarBot]

Cool Ill definately give that a try. Sort of a subconcious thing. I like it.

[Lemmy]

After a quick perusal of your sites I'd suggest:

- Don't repeat the same sales text on all pages.
- Be more in the surfer's face, BIG FONTS.
- Don't be afraid to use explicit language.
- End all sales pitches with a link to sponsor.

Your sites are IMO way above average. You just have to give it more time. 10 submits is much too early to make a judgement call on the effectiveness of your advertising.

[iMan]

Hey WarBot,

Great looking sites!
I can't give you any advice on advertising since I'm trying to learn that myself... I just got my first free site out here. And although it's been listed at most of the places, and I have a LOAD of traffic to it, there ain't much activity on the sponsor stats page

I did set up my link codes with php redirects right away. The main reason for me to do this is so that I can count the clicks for individual ads. That way I might eventually be able to learn what makes people click on something... and the reasons you mentioned makes it an even better idea

[Maj. Stress]

Originally Posted by iMan

I did set up my link codes with php redirects right away. The main reason for me to do this is so that I can count the clicks for individual ads. That way I might eventually be able to learn what makes people click on something... and the reasons you mentioned makes it an even better idea

I've used php redirects for a few years now. I love em but one thing I did notice, when I used them on ppc ads I wasn't getting many sales. I went back to the direct linking and sales picked up instantly. Not sure why other than the php redirect can hang from time to time and take a few seconds longer. I dunno if that was spooking surfers or if it was just a fluke.

[iMan]

I've used php redirects for a few years now. I love em but one thing I did notice, when I used them on ppc ads I wasn't getting many sales. I went back to the direct linking and sales picked up instantly. Not sure why other than the php redirect can hang from time to time and take a few seconds longer. I dunno if that was spooking surfers or if it was just a fluke.

If the redirect is slow I can imagine that clicks will be lost... I have very little patience as a surfer myself

I was first thinking that it might look strange to people that the mouse over status doesn't show the advertised site url, but since my sponsor code doesn't show that either, I thought that it must be ok...

I'd like to be able to make the mouseover display the destination site though... but many rules state that javascript isn't allowed, and I assume that includes mouseovers, right?

I will try different things with this though. Thanks for the tip!

[WarBot]

Thanks for the input guys. I could easily get a big head from this thread if I had actually gotten any sales from those sites. I looked at some of your sites lemmy (from the link in your tagline) and YOU make some nice sites. Mine take me literally all day to make and Ive seen alot better (and worse). Im about 3/4 done with my newest one now. Nothing special for sure but I tried to use some of the suggestions on it. Fingers crossed

I think I will hold off on the php redirecting. It may not be lag, it may be the blank referrer or something else. Either way I'd rather not take the chance at this stage of the game. Maybe Ill experiment with it a bit down the road.

Ok, time to do the dishes then finish up this new site. Thanks and keep it coming. Im soaking it all in and hoping it eventually starts to make sense and fit together.

Cheers
WB

[ponygirl]

Originally Posted by iMan

I'd like to be able to make the mouseover display the destination site though... but many rules state that javascript isn't allowed, and I assume that includes mouseovers, right?

most LLs will let you use an onmouseover as long as it returns to default and shows the actual destination url. You can't use a mouseover to say 'click here for porn' for instance.

Cleo has a good example here: http://www.cleos-free-porn-links.com...aster-help.php

[iMan]

most LLs will let you use an onmouseover as long as it returns to default and shows the actual destination url. You can't use a mouseover to say 'click here for porn' for instance.

Cleo has a good example here: http://www.cleos-free-porn-links.com...aster-help.php

Cool!
I will use that then, thanks!

[WarBot]

This must be some closely guarded information I thought once the day shift arrived there would be a few more tips and tricks added.

I think that the mouseover url has to show the actual site they are going to no? So the mouseover would need to be http://www.fuckingmachines.com instead of http://www.kinkydollars.com/whatever...this&site=that. Thats how I thought it worked anyways.

I thought of something to try on my next freesite whilst I was on my throne this morning. Im going to make a pretty much black & whitish site with a white or #EEEEEE background. Then Ill photoshop the ads with a drop shadow so they look like they are raised above the rest of the site. Cant get any more in the surfers face than that That should make the ads stand out more anyways...

Cheers
WB

[WarBot]

I guess the best way to learn is by surfing other free sites, keeping the eyes open and experimenting.

[MMarko]

Your sites look great!



Did you try to think about sale text which would make you click and write that on your sites?

[Simon]

Just my humble opinion, but you can't go too wrong studying some of the things that apply to mainstream copywriting.

Anytime you feel any ad 'touch' you somehow, try to figure out how it's hooking you. In particular, keep an eye on how direct marketing ads work, and how they call someone to act, and to act now. On tv they sometimes simply say that. In print they can put on the pressure in other ways.

One tip. Remember that as the head copywriter and creative director, you're not just putting words on paper (screen). It's your job to design the concept of what your site pages are going to do to/for the reader. Once you know what your copy platform is, then you can build on it with the words needed to make it happen.

Lemmy's tip about not repeating the text on each page is important. Some elements can be used to reinforce important points, but try to use new messages on each page.

And as KG Gary said, make it personal. Right now you're talking to the world on a billboard announcing:

Hot Ass Ethnic Babes Stripping, Sucking and Fucking
Visit Ball Honeys Here

My advice would be to take down any billboards you have up and send personal messages whenever you can. Asking questions can help with that. Maybe something like:

Wanna Cum on Hot Ass Ethnic Strippers Sucking and Fucking?
Then Come Bust Your Nut at Ball Honeys Now

Okay, that's all for now. Your sites do look good, and you do need to give them time to work for you.

[WarBot]

Some pretty good input Simon, thanks.

[QuickDraw]

I wrote these up a long time ago and planned on applying them to search engine food type galleries ( not freesites/linklist submissions ) which I haven't gotten around to yet so I don't know how well any of it works, but a lot of it at least seems like it should make at least a little bit of difference . Its not all copy related but just sales generation in general. Anyway.. in no particular order:

- tease surfer by showing them more pictures of the same set and other girls from the site ( note: you may NOT link anything resembling a thumbnail to a sponsor.. I noticed some of your banners were on the blind side of 'iffy'.. just fyi )

- display price in terms of per month, per x day trial, and/or per day if they join using the monthly option ( build trust, build rapport.. they already know you want em to buy something, don't be sneaky )

- use different fonts and different colors of fonts, no plain jane black Arial nonsense

- name pictures with the models name ( google images traffic )

- megasite option on every page ( basically, if the sponsor offers a megasite, pimp it, if they're smart they'll realize that it really IS a good deal )

- give links urgency in conjunction with call to action text ( only a few hours remaining on this deal, click here now!! )

- ads every 500 pixels ( or so.. always give them something to think about )

- 'i'm trustworthy elements' like a caricature type picture and a no spyware/blind links/bullshit graphic ( i don't remember where, but I got the caricature idea from a very reputable market research site where it was backed by actual data )

- become the surfer 'I love this site because it's one of the few sites that feature real milfs, and they don't try to sell you a bunch more shit you dont want in the members area'

- use a quote from a happy customer ( fake or not, testimonials make people feel like they're part of the 'in' crowd )

- ask and answer questions "are you sick and tired of sites that don't live up to your expectations? well milf hunter is not one of those sites. they are top notch, grade a, primo.. however you want to say it, they are the best, hands down"

- spell out the steps they'll need to take in order to get the good stuff ( more stuff from the market research site backed by actual data )

The market research site I mentioned was geared toward mainstream but the logic still applies, I think. Also, if any of you linklist owners think any of the above is too shady or whatever, PLEASE chime in.

HTH
QD

[QuickDraw]

The marketing research site -> http://www.marketingexperiments.com/index.php

Cheers

[Simon]

Originally Posted by QuickDraw

- use a quote from a happy customer (fake or not, testimonials make people feel like they're part of the 'in' crowd)

If you can find some testimonials on the sponsor site, you may be safe using those, but be careful of making up quotes from customers who don't exist, or using testimonials/claims you can't substantiate.

The FTC has some pretty strict guidelines about endorsements and testimonials. More information is in the FTC's Ad Faqs, just read the top and then scroll way down to find "Internet Advertising." And check out their Internet Rules of the Road too.

Basically, my advice is don't give them extra ways to come after you if you can help it.

[CrazySy]

You've got many good advices from people and I am just going to tell you what I would change if they were my site because I don't know much so I can't call it advice

I just looked at this site http://www.dailypornopost.com/08-200...ree/index.html

Index:
1- I would remove that big banner from the top and instead use 2 or 3 line of text followed by a clear text link to sponsor, By clear text link I mean I would not use any link saying "Click Here For Booty Studio", Instead using a text link as Simon suggested.

2- I would make the recips table smaller. Right now each recip table is sitting in a 240 table. I would drop that to 200 with a cellpadding of 3 instead of 5 and drop the text size by 1. Right now the only thing catches the surfer's eyes is that table.

3- I would move the banner that's on top now to below recip table and just above warning text with a single line of text to go with it.

4- To be honest, the banner above your "Enter" link is rather useless. It might create clicks to sponsor but that's just about it. The more clear your sponsor links are, the better chance of making sales. You might not get as many clicks but the ratio is a hell of a lot better.

5- You "Enter" link is HUGE! tone it down a bit but don't make it real small.

6- I see many people use one of their 3 links on the index to the domain's root but I don't. I use three sponsor links, after all I want to make sales and your two most productive pages as far as sales goes are your index and main page. Once in a while I add a link to my hub on the second gallery.

If you remove the link to your root, you'll have another sponsor link to use which can be used above your "Enter" link (where the one you have right now but I would change that banner as well, put a more eye catching banner with again a short line of text to go with it)

This site instructure will slap a sponsor link on your surfer's eyes regardless of what part of the page they are looking at because you have one on top, on in the middle and one at the bottom


Maine
It can be changed in many different ways but I would:

1- Again, start the page with a few lines of text followed by a clear text link to sponsor. The text that's at the bottom can be moved to the top and text sized can be increased a bit as well and the banner can be moved to the bottom of the page.

2- I'd change "Booty Studio Amateur Black Pussy Free Preview" to something like "Take a Free Tour of Booty Studio to Meet All Our Ebony Hotties" or something like that. Some surfers are stupid and think "Free Preview" will give them more "Free Pics".....LOL

Galleries
I would not use my thumbs in a block like that unless I have a vertical banner to the right of them. Either:

1- Close the gap between the thumbs and add a vertical banner to the right with text and text link on the the top and at the bottom of the page or,

2- Break the thumbs to 3 rows and use the space between the rows for text and links

3- I would get rid of the link to main page and gallery pages on your galleries. They can always use the back button to get to main page and also by not having link to next and previous gallery pages on your galleries you are forcing them to go back to main page in order to get to the next gallery. That way they get to see the adds on main page more than once and that's why you want to spice up that page the best you can


Just my 1.5 cents


One more thing, always try to keep the color on your freesite close to colors of the paysite you are promoting. They don't have to be exact the same colors just something similar

[WarBot]

Some more very good advice. I think it will take a bit for all this to sink in. I appreciate all the comments and everyone taking some time to give me their input.

Just for the record on that blindish, thumbnailish looking banner. It wasnt my intention to create a banner that would be confused as thumbs by the surfer. I originally intended to split it in half (I realized it looked like thumbs), but then forgot about it until after it was submitted. Just wanted to make that clear, I wasnt trying to be sneaky or anything.

Anyways, very good posts and critique's, much appreciated.

[QuickDraw]

Originally Posted by Simon

If you can find some testimonials on the sponsor site, you may be safe using those, but be careful of making up quotes from customers who don't exist, or using testimonials/claims you can't substantiate.

The FTC has some pretty strict guidelines about endorsements and testimonials. More information is in the FTC's Ad Faqs, just read the top and then scroll way down to find "Internet Advertising." And check out their Internet Rules of the Road too.

Basically, my advice is don't give them extra ways to come after you if you can help it.

Hmm, very good info that I never would have considered, thanks.