Michael Cooney

@JoelKlettke The audiences you mention would be a great fit for what you are proposing.

It's interesting that I perceived your messaging as "I'm creating a product for people who can't afford my $2,000 minimum"

The real message is that you are creating a smaller/scaled down solution for people who don't need your full service, but could really use your experienced eye in a smaller solution or want your skill and expertise injected into their project.

@JoelKlettke Is your intention to offer something affordable for companies that don't have budget for your $2000 minimum? Or is it for people with budget that want to get something quick, new ideas, perspective?

I don't think it works for the budget minded, because they will need additional budget to prove your changes work.

However, companies that do have budget, but need a power audit to help them increase conversion with new copy, I can see a good fit there.

Can you give me an example where you've done something like this and it worked out great?

@JoelKlettke I have used copywriters and content audits in the past. In the process problems are identified, new ideas are generated and new content is created. The process is like drinking from a fire hydrant, yes I got a lot of water but could only swallow a glass full...

Messaging and positioning is tremendously important. This is the foundation on what you will build your customer acquisition and branding.

I've come to realize that messaging is not a one shot deal, it's a journey that we embark upon. In your power audit, you may have great ideas based on what we currently have, or you may help us change direction. However, when you present to the market you find that they may desire something else. As I continue with my journey, speak with customers and interact with users I begin to see common issues and comments that allow me to tweak our messaging.

I need someone who will join me on the journey.

I agree with @jkohlbach 

1. "Manage your staff holidays & sick days" works for me too
2. The calculator is excellent for engagement and also re-enforces the messaging.

Thanks for sharing the article Jeremy.

The data in this quick case study is real data. The results genuinely surprised me, when quote values were added to leads instead of giving each lead the same value.

Let me know if you have any questions.

@zenkevich I would say "relationship" is important. Once I start working with someone I like, I want to build on that. It's a real pain to develop a writer to give you what you want. Developing a relationship so that they know your style, really helps.

develop a writing relationship with a specific writer

@calosinho Bidsketch does a really great job with their site. I also love the call to action "Get a sneek peak at a sample proposal"

I've been lucky enough to be in business with my brother who's a follow through person. He focuses on execution and doesn't get swayed by the latest and great shiny new thing.

Me on the other is the ideas person, and I keep myself very busy trying out lots of new mind humming ideas, ideas where you can't fall asleep at night.

Ideas can add tremendous value, and can give you an advantage in the market, but if it has no follow-through, you end up spinning wheels, lots of work without much to show for it.

I've given a testimonial using boast before, which I assume would be a competitor. I've got no idea how you compare other than you both allow me to capture video testimonials easily. Even though I know what the service is

The main headline didn't grab me 'Easy to Use Testimonial Tools & Software from VocalReferences'

'Capture Video Testimonials > Increase Conversion' would have been a lot clearer

@adamwebanalyst and @JoelKlettke nailed it with "where is your video?"

I'm left with a ton of questions of how it works, screenshot or tour or, a simple video taking me through the process would be great.

@zenkevich, great conversion rate, congrats.

I'm going to give my critique based on using this type of service in the past and my challenges.

Matching writers to content requests.

I've used writeraccess, scripted and a couple others. I've also used elance and freelancer, with more success.

1. Using writers from the writer to content match sites, gave me a soulless experience. There was absolutely no connection with the writer, it was difficult to convey nuances. It seemed the writer saw the job as a task to tick off, I couldn't build a relationship. On elance I have been able to select a writer and then build a relationship overtime. The first few articles weren't great, but after getting feedback and implementing nuances, they learned and articles became better overtime.

2. Writer selection could be improved. I want to see history and sample articles from the writers before making a selection. I found the selection process better on elance. Ultimately, I would select 3 writers for the same pieces and see which one produced what I was looking for. After that I would select the best writer for my needs and build from there.

3. Direct access to writers. I'm not sure if it was the technology or the mindset of the writers I used, but it seemed more robotic than human.

Well, those points come across as touchy feely :) My thought is if you can convey a more human approach, than task driven approach it may connect better with people like me who use services like this.

Make me feel that the writer cares about the content they create for me

Show me that I can build a writing relationship with a specific writer. A writer may spend more time on the first piece, but once the relationship is formed future pieces will be more efficient.

I failed Creative Writing in school.... @JoelKlettke (Joel K) I like the ideation idea. What I have done in the past is throw my ideas into a post, give it form and information from key insights I've picked up. Then I get someone to fix my grammar and make sure the writing flows.

After getting the articles written and published and realizing that was only half the job, now you need to promote it.

Some wonderful take-aways from the articles. Love seeing creative ideas to get attention. Don't roll with the sheep if you want to be noticed.

Love it! I know exactly what you do and if I had digital products to sell I would definitely give it a try.

Before trying a service I like the check out the following:

1. Pricing: 5% of transactions. Simple and Fair. This makes it risk free and eliminates a lot of hassle. 10 out of 10

2. Will it work for my products: Very clear messaging. For ebook, music, videos... digital downloads.

The one image mentions 'web design', made me ask the questions, do they offer web design', but then reading closer, probably means 'web design course'. Not a big deal, just a thought glitch.

10 out of 10

3. Examples: I would have liked to see 2 or 3 examples of what the final store looks like. Just a screen shot or 2 to see what I'm getting once setup. I see what the creators say and they have links to their stores which is great. I suppose that does give me examples, but then I'm leaving the sales page.

8 out of 10 - still amazing

4. Images of creators: Not sure what all these faces add, lots of smiling people is always good, but maybe screenshots would answer the examples issue above. For a micro second I thought this section was talking about "Creators of Sellfy" instead of Creators that use Sellfy... I got it once I started reading, so I'm not sure it's an issue.

7 out of 10

Excellent site and communicates wonderfully. With the current design, I think it does a great job! 9.5 out of 10

@mc_cooney Jurij, that is a valid point. I think I'll do that.

We are brand new, so we have only started gathering testimonials. I change out my testimonial for another one and then add in Founders Note. I'm also going to remove the Industry Experts section.

Joel, the in-depth critique is impressive. The attention to detail to messaging is impressive, I've got some work to do.

We are just starting out and in the early days of our product, so we don't have a lot of great testimonials. I get the message though, a testimonial from the founder makes us look desperate.

I feel guilty for adding the Rand/Dharmesh quotes... in the development of whatconverts their comments resonated strongly. The quotes fit nicely with what we are doing. I have to re think this. Even if I reword the section to show that these are comments not related to whatconverts, I need to get permission. I'll remove it.

Thanks again...

Thanks Joel,

I'm so impressed with the time and detail you have given in your critique of our website. I'm going to go through your feedback in detail and respond. Thanks again!

Thank you for your feedback Jurij.

Removing the dots would be good.

We included a founders testimonial because it's the truth and the reason we created the software. I use the software for my clients and it's been a tremendous tool to tie the marketing value we provide to actual quote value and sales value our work generates.

I can see many marketing companies benefiting from the software too.

I think the Rand testimonial is very relevant. He's mentioned that it's "difficult to track this stuff" meaning tracking where original sales came from. I may have to expand or provide a link to where he said it.

Do you think I should provide links to where the Rand and Dharmesh said those things?

Thanks Again.

Michael

Hey Seth, Thanks for sharing your site.

1. Messaging:

The What? I wasn't sure what a Manual Phone Tree was, which could be due to me not using a phone tree. I read the second sentence to understand better, which didn't help. If the second sentence said something like "Simple Voice Broadcasting - No Equipment or Software Needed". I think that would make it a lot clearer.

The Why? I think adding a Why would be a great next step on the page. Answer why call-em-all should replace you phone tree

The How? I like the how it works, would move it up above a few happy customers.

2. Call to Action:

'Try it free' is good, but when I click it the only info I get is that I get 25 credits. I would like more information to know what I'm signing up for.

'Ready to get started' asking for the email address seems to premature, I have no idea what I'm get started with. I would go with the try it free and then let them know what they are going to get. 

'Pricing' Before signing up for any free trial I always check pricing before proceeding with the trial. I want to know that if I like the service I can afford it. I like the you have the pricing link in the main menu.

3. Our Customers:

I like the our customers section, it gives me examples of the customers that use your service. I found this section helpful