New Business/Muse

[doublevision]

Hi everyone,
I'm almost finished with the audio book, and have found it great!

I am just about to launch a website and was hoping to get some valid input from members here.

The site www.fitnessvideopodcasts.com is i think going to go very well. It also lends itself to automation extremely well.

Having only just got into the whole 4hww thing i was wondering how people would think the whole automation of the site would run?

Also the marketing of the site is still in its infancy and also was hoping for a few pointers. I am testing a few VA's found on Elance and some of these have web skills which i hope to tap into.

As you may tell we are Fitness people not neccesarily web guys, however we are experts in the former.


Anway i appreciate all comments good/bad about the site etc.

Best

[nghs22]

the site looks really good. a little overpriced for the US I think (a month gym membership is >$30) but looks good anyway

[shanerbock]

THe site looks professional... and pretty nice...

BUT, here are a few suggestions... some specific, some general.

* Take away some of the purple background at the top (the spacing).. in otherwords.. move the content up closer to the top because you are wasting space that can be used... people dont want to scroll to figure out what your site is about... they'd rather click off the page if they dont understand in about 4 seconds what you are about.

* The banner on the front is nice... but its not descriptive enough... If people come to your site.. if they have found you some how... its likely they arlready know the benefits of fitness, you dont need to tell them that... you need to tell them what YOU do... what YOU do for THEM... what your Product or service does.. not fitness.. fitness they can learn about anywhere... they are here to learn about you and your service... tell them that. when people come to your site, you need to be telling them 2 things very clearly... and VERY quickly...
1. What you want them to do... your Call to action.
2. What it is your site is about... see next bullet point...

* I already know what fitness is... I probably know what personal training is... but I may not know what podcasting is... I mean... Its ok to call it "Fitness Video Podcasts"... thats great... but it would be better if you tell me that you are going to show me step by step what I need to do in my work outs.. what to eat... inspirational stories... personal attention... or whatever it is you plan on doing... In other words, focus on the benefits and not on the delivery mechanism... (dont get me wrong here... podcast delivery is important too)... but when I look at your front page, I really dont know what I am going to get when I sign up.

* the font on your site is kinda small... not the menu links.. those look good, but the rest of the content is very small and not that easy to read... remember I am in a Hurry to figure out what you are doing and how it will help ME.

* CALL TO ACTION... you have the newsletter... and thats very important... but, make it stand out... give them a reason to sign up for that... call out the fact that the newsletter is there... Write a report... or create a free podcast video with one of your work outs.... give it away for signing up... this will get your visitors in your sales funnel... PROVE to them that you have something they want... OVERDELIVER on this free thing... and continue to show them the benefit of using your service.

* That banner... hmm... I'm back on that... sorry... I know I said it... but this is very important... You can definitely do better on that. (sorry, but its true).


Well, thats all I have time for now... Best of luck!

By the way.... I think you have a great idea here! Keep it up... tweak your approach until it works.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Make it a great day!
shane

[doublevision]

Thanks a lot for your replies!

I agree the site does need some tweaking. The problem we are finding is that everyone has a different opinion!! :-) but i do think your points hold true accross the board.

We do think that we have a great product, and are just hoping that we get the marketing sorted so we make as many sales as the podcasts deserve.

We already have affiliate companies involved and the interest has been very encouraging.

Once again appreciate all comments!

[shanerbock]

Let us know how it goes. You guys seem to be off to a great start.

I just wanted to add, in case it wasn't clear... your site looks great.... If it were all about looking good, you win already... But thats not the real job of a website... Ever seen one of those long Sales Letter websites that goes on and on and on and on as you keep scrolling forever? Well, as ugly and annoying as those are... they work! They work, because they grab attention with a headline that hits home... and then just keep telling you everything you need to know so that you can learn more and more... and the section headers just keep grabbing your attention... until you have read the whole thing (or at least skimmed the headlines, which is why the headlines should tell a story of their on in that type of sales letter)....

The point is... Those work... and they work very well... even though they are ugly... I'm not telling you to build a website like that (although it wouldn't be a bad idea to hire a professional copywriter and try it out on a different domain name to funnel them to you).... I just think you should make sure you dont just have a pretty website, but also one that attracts customers and lets them know exactly what the benefit of choosing you is (quickly!).

Again, keep us updated!


Make it a great day!
shane



Thanks a lot for your replies!

I agree the site does need some tweaking. The problem we are finding is that everyone has a different opinion!! :-) but i do think your points hold true accross the board.

We do think that we have a great product, and are just hoping that we get the marketing sorted so we make as many sales as the podcasts deserve.

We already have affiliate companies involved and the interest has been very encouraging.

Once again appreciate all comments!

[Stallion]

I agree with shanebrook that your site looks great, but that isn't necessarily what sells.

I think you should definitely make one of those long sales pages. They're annoying as hell, but it's like an infomercial. They're long 30 minute programs, because when people buy they want to get as much information as possible.

I suggest you split test. Get another domain name and make a long sales page. Just look at what converts more.

[JFrenzel]

That is a wise idea Stallion.


_Jose

[doublevision]

Thanks again guys!

I agree that having a sales site as a test would be a good idea. The podcasts are going to be up for dowload from the middle of this week. The whole process has taken quite a bit of time, and some money. Setting up another page is something we can do in a month, but just at the moment (working 13 hour days like today :-( ) is not possible.

We want to get the site going first and gradually make changes. Our main issue at the moment will be driving traffic to the site (although i agree a better sales page will make more convert)

Cheers

[doublevision]

Thanks again for all the help guys. On your advice I have come up with a proposed sales letter. Thought I would let you guys run your eyes over it if thats ok before I set it up? Thanks in advance guys! This letter is also to be sent to people as a newsletter announcement of the launch.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOP PRESS!!! FITNESS VIDEO PODCASTS GO LIVE

If we told you, you could benefit from the services of not one, but two highly qualified, experienced and award winning Personal Trainers at a fraction of the cost of a one on one personal training session would you be interested? If you have answered “yes” to this question, read on to learn more about the fantastic personal training tool now available to you….

DoubleVision Personal Training are delighted to announce the launch of our innovative and motivational Fitness Video Podcasts.

Fitness Video Podcasts

A podcast provides a personal training session, comprising an hour of effective cardio vascular and resistance training. Four podcasts are currently available for download on to your computer or personal media player at www.fitnessvideopodcasts.com. More sessions will be available soon.

New to exercise? Don’t worry, no previous gym experience needed. All exercises are clearly demonstrated and teaching points are given. You will lean how to perform the exercises safely and effectively and with the correct technique.

Familiar with resistance training? Podcasts can improve your technique and will give you some new training routines to follow to help keep you interested and motivated.

In a nutshell Fitness Video Podcasts provide:

• Real time visual personal training sessions delivered by experienced Personal Trainers;

• Workouts, which when performed with the correct weights, at the correct intensity and in accordance with the teaching points provided deliver an effective, safe workout;

• Portable, versatile and easy to use – podcasts can be used at any time and any where convenient to you. Train at home, at the gym or in the park. Going on holiday or travelling on business? Download a podcast onto your personal media player and take your exercise session with you;

• Minimal fitness equipment required;

• Competively priced – just £9.99 for a one hour podcast session.

Personal Training Mentor

How often have you embarked on a fitness programme and/or a healthy eating regime only to lose motivation a short time in and give up without achieving your goals? DoubleVision Personal Training is offering you the support of a Personal Training Mentor. For an annual subscription of £25 you can email any questions about your exercise programme, your diet or just for some encouragement and support if your motivation starts to slide and your Mentor will be there to offer advice and support. Subscribers to the Personal Training Mentoring Service can purchase Fitness Video Podcasts at discounted rates.

So what are you waiting for? With podcasts available for just £9.99 (or less when combined with an Annual Subscription) you can’t say you cannot afford a Personal Trainer. Podcasts give you freedom and flexibility to fit exercise into your busy life so you can’t say you haven’t got time to exercise either. Yes, all your excuses for not exercising just ran out!

Visit www.fitnessvideopodcasts.com and let us help you achieve your fitness goals. Start today on the road to health and fitness.

[Grayman]

I don't really understand the first two words of your sales letter, "STOP PRESS!!!"

What does that mean, like stop the presses? You might want to think about something else as that first impression leaves me pretty confused.

[JohnnyMars]

I don't really understand the first two words of your sales letter, "STOP PRESS!!!"

What does that mean, like stop the presses? You might want to think about something else as that first impression leaves me pretty confused.

It's a pretty common phrase in the UK -wouldn't expect any of doublevision's target audience paying in British pounds to be confused.

[doublevision]

Nope thats right, it is a fairly widely used word in Britain. Having said that we are targeting the world!? (thats why we think it could be so good) and so would want everybody to understand what we mean.............

[doublevision]

So our site launches pretty soon.....Any more comments from readers? Seem to have had a lot of hits but not that many sign ups! lol

Do you think giving a free ebook for signing up to the newsletter would be a good idea?

Best

[andyYY]

Actually is one of the best things you can do.

There is a statistic that shows that people,or buy immediatly at first time,or they wait so much more visits (it's around 7-8) that's because they need to take the confidence in the purchase (everyone offers full refunds,but subconsciouly people is scaried)

If you have theyr email,BANG you got the deal,because you can shoot bullets by email,let people read stories,hear what other testimonials have to say,etcetc.

Imho it's much more better to have 6 people signing up for a newsletter than 1 sell...

As said,better the chicken tomorrow than the egg today :D

[Tommy]

I just added a function to my website to collect email addresses (after the advice on this board). I was very reluctant to do so at first, and have collected 1-2 email addresses per day, for the last 4 days

These 4hww types are wicked smaht, do the free ebook thing and get their email address

[doublevision]

Hi guys,
I've managed to sort out google analytics on my site. I notice i have had LOADS of hits from this forum. But i dont seem to be able to work out whether people actually clicked on our welcome/demo video on the front page. Please could you let me know if you did/didn't? It might make a difference if i got it set to auto play?

Best

[doublevision]

Guys still need your feedback please!!?? :)

[andyYY]

set videos on auto play,but it must be "eyes grabber"

What I mean is that must immediatly provide value to people to buy your products

For one of my muses I'm projecting a video that's going to be viral (everyone pass to theyr friends)