Disqus - Latest Comments for CherylBinnie

Re: Episode 370 – A/B Testing, Subscription Selling, and Instant Gratification

Cheryl Binnie — Wed, 12 May 2021 10:50:53 -0000

Nice! I like your setup, and great article! I use an external monitor next to my laptop, which is on a stand, and a separate keyboard. It's the part about getting the monitor + keyboard and mouse high enough if I want to stand that makes me think I'll need to get an entire desk that raises up and down. 😕 I find myself standing up if I'm just trying to read something or watching a video, but as soon as I have to type, I have to sit back down to avoid hunching over.

Re: Episode 370 – A/B Testing, Subscription Selling, and Instant Gratification

Cheryl Binnie — Mon, 10 May 2021 13:59:04 -0000

Oo, what kind of desk do you have? I want to get one that raises and lowers with just a button, but I also have a friend who has a much less expensive one that raises and lowers (very smoothly) with a hand crank. I could save a bunch of $$ with the hand crank version, but worry I'd use the standing feature less often simply because it'd take 60 seconds of doing it. (I know: sounds lazy, but I think ANY type of friction would make me use it less.)

Re: Episode 370 – A/B Testing, Subscription Selling, and Instant Gratification

Cheryl Binnie — Wed, 05 May 2021 13:48:06 -0000

I have to have a clean desk with just my ergonomic keyboard + ergonomic mouse, water, tea, notebook, and an interval timer running on my phone for writing sprints and breaks. If I'm doing a Zoom writing date with friends, one of us shares an interval timer on the screen. I also have an essential oil blend that I only use when I'm writing fiction, so that smell alone helps get me in the right headspace. And my playlist! I have different playlists for different types of scenes, but I have 2 songs that I always listen to first, when I'm transitioning into writing mode. At the end of a session, if I'm in planning rather than drafting mode, at the end of a session, I leave myself a "Next steps" list so I don't have to waste time trying to remember where I left off last session.

I love Dave's tip to turn off the squiggly red line! I can ignore it when I'm excited and in the flow. But if a scene is difficult to write, or I'm not super motivated, that little red line is sooo much harder to ignore.

Re: Will You Help This Startup With Their Messaging… Before They Launch a Kickstarter Campaign?

Cheryl Binnie — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 18:13:59 -0000

Nice work! I think you'll get a lot of bites on Kickstarter.

One thing to consider -- You'll be speaking to your potential backers first, so they'll probably constitute a lot of your site traffic. Do you want to speak to them on your site? Or which of your target demographics do you think is likely to find you via Kickstarter, and then check out your website? (https://www.quantcast.com/k...

--- Headline + Subhead comments:
A is catchy, but makes me think it's something like Instagram.

B -- I was immediately turned off by the all-caps sentence (and the length). But it was interesting once I read it. But still didn't tell me what Noon is.

C hit the most points for me, but I feel like the fact that it's a flash is still buried by the adjectives. I'll admit, my first time through these, I didn't read them carefully (you can imagine people skimming through Kickstarter, too). At the end, I still wasn't sure what it was (and the picture doesn't help, since I had no idea what that flat, white thing was -- until I read some of the other reader comments below. And then I still didn't get that it wasn't attached to your phone).

And even if I did actually see + register "flash" while skimming, some people may not immediately associate the word "flash" with photography. So maybe something like:

The wireless flash that makes your smartphone photos beautiful.
Easy to use. Super slim. Way impressive.

And the word "beautiful" may not get your college kids excited. Maybe play with different words? Stunning, shine, brilliant...

The wireless flash that makes your smartphone photos like, "Wow."
Super simple. Super slim. Way fun.

--- Website comments:
I like the new CTA (Tell me when Noon is ready) much more than the one on the site (Sign up for the first Noons) because the old one sounds like I'm already committing to paying at least $59.

The CTA at the bottom of the page needs to let me know what I'm actually going to get when I click that button. Right now, it makes me think I'll be taken to a Buy Now page. I may be more likely to click through if I know I'm not immediately agreeing to pay money.

And I totally agree with Ramsay's comments about the comparison list (I hadn't realized that Noon is off-camera yet, either, so it took me second to figure it out). Would love to see a picture of it being used. Even if it's just a hand holdin the iPhone aimed at the subject, with Noon off the side. Also really like Ramsay's suggestions for the Section 2 copy.

Non-copy comments: the color choices are a little confusing. If you stick with the orange, I'd like to see it show up more throughout the homepage. The big green photo looks like you're totally changing the color pallet right away. And then we get black/gray backgrounds. The only place the orange shows up again is on the screenshots. Gimme some more cohesive colors, so it looks like it all belongs together. And then, if I've had predictable colors the whole way, that action color (the blue on the button) will stand out more.

The sliding comparison photo thing is cool... but it makes it hard to compare them side-by-side. I'm also more likely to assume it's Photoshopped if it looks like the exact same picture.

But this is all (lengthy) feedback coming from someone who is now super interested in getting Noon. So you're clearly already on the right track!

Re: The Great Copy Debate: Clear Vs. Clever

Cheryl Binnie — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:27:34 -0000

Love this study! And can't wait to see the rest of the tests for the new ebook. I feel like I always come away from your emails/blog posts/ebooks/interviews with soooo many wonderful, actionable things to try out. Thanks for challenging the accepted "rules" -- and for sharing the results.

Re: The Collective Consciousness Of Internet Marketing: My Most Important Post of The Last 12 Months (Or . . . “Why You MUST Have Access to ‘Offer Flow’ In YOUR Market”)

Cheryl Binnie — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:01:44 -0000

Hi Clay: of course I want to see that video! AND I'm interested in finding out about this email-opt-in-PLUS-leave-a-comment strategy you're using...

Re: contest

Cheryl Binnie — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:52:25 -0000

Hi Clay,

So I’ll admit that my product idea probably won’t make some sweeping global change, but it would kind of do the same thing you enjoy doing: helping people achieve their dreams.

You asked for specifics, but I’m not sure how much of my idea I want to give away here. Basically, there’s this Thing that lots of people dream of doing. There are lots of people who are already doing this Thing (we’ll call them “experts”), and other people are constantly asking these experts for advice on how to do this Thing.

I want to do this Thing, too.

So I started researching. I wanted to get better at it, and I figured, “Hey, the internet!”

I found lots (LOTS) of online resources, but they were just “meh.” Random posts hidden away in the blogs of experts, websites with basic exercises and tips, but nothing too in-depth. Pages on experts’ websites that linked to other so-so resources. Interviews with experts that never managed to focus on what I wanted to learn, but more on the experts’ life stories. Some experts really did make an effort to provide the wanted information, but it was always diluted by the stuff they THOUGHT we wanted to know and was never organized in a way that made it easy to find and/or learn from.

It amounted to hours (HOURS) of searching, sometimes finding something awesome, sometimes finding nothing but surface-level fluff.

It was just a frustration I was dealing with until the Project Mojave Conference last November. At the conference, I finally realized that I was seeing a need. (I blame the linking of my dream to a business idea on the fact the Jonathan Mead and I had a dorky conversation about a dorky pastime we had in common.) On the ride back to the airport, Carl and Chris got just as excited about my idea as I was (and made me think, “Maybe it’s not a stupid idea, but a good one!”).

When I got back from the conference, I discovered that it was a market.

I found online workshops galore. But they cost hundreds of dollars (anywhere between $100 to $800), and you had to be able to follow an actual schedule, like a class-class. So, yes: people were going on online, willing to pay to learn the skills to do this Thing. And they were paying to learn from people who weren’t even the Big Name experts.

My thought was: what if I could interview a bunch of the experts on a single aspect of the Thing, and really, reeeeaaally focus on and totally dissect just one small piece of the Thing? Get lots of opinions and strategies? And then what if I turned those interviews into a series on that one topic? So someone who needed help with just that ONE aspect of the Thing wouldn’t have to wade through everything I’d just waded through?

Would someone buy that series? I know I bought Dave Navarro’s More Buyers Mastermind, and that’s pretty much what he did (although in a totally different field).

Then, I could do the same thing all over again, focusing on another topic.

And again.

And, maybe, eventually, I’d have enough to turn it into some kind of membership site. Where members could browse through archives by expert name, topic, etc. A super-organized way to learn from the people who are actually doing the Thing. A super-easy way to find all this information on the one topic with which you’re currently struggling.

So, yeah, like I said, it probably wouldn’t change the face of the planet. But it would make tools and lessons available to a lot of people who dream of doing this Thing. This wonderful, creative and inspiring Thing. And would I learn, learn, learn about this wonderful Thing along the way, as well. And might even get to the point where I could be one of the experts.

I know all these code words like “Thing” and “expert” might make this a little hard to follow. I’m more than happy to share the actual idea with you. I’m just still a little protective of it since I haven’t staked a claim yet.

And, finally, to answer your question:
The Presell Formula is the perfect product to propel my vision and product into reality because I’m not sure if I’d be able to get any experts on board without proof that it would sell. I have no list, and what work I’d done on making some kind of presence in this market is probably obsolete by now, after 7 months of no internet (groooaaannn). I feel like I’m still at Level Zero, and the Presell Formula would skip me ahead a few levels. And if I had some money up front, I’d be able to take some time off of my Blah Job That Sucks Up Too Much of My Life. Time off from Blah Job would give me time to make this idea a reality. Making this idea a reality would enable me to quit Blah Job and focus on doing the Thing myself, while helping others do it, too.

And the “make it highly profitable“ part? Like you’ve said, I would be able to involve my target audience in the creation process. If I can give them exactly what they want and make them feel like they’re already a part of it, well then… they’re already a part of it, aren’t they? And one day, maybe I’ll be doing this kind of contest, asking people to tell ME why they think MY product is perfect for them and how it will change their lives.

Thanks for all you do!
Cheryl

Re: Your ART Is Yours

Cheryl Binnie — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:59:23 -0000

Still love what you're doing!

Re: How To Succeed – A Simple Story

Cheryl Binnie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:32:47 -0000

Awesome post, Carl!(sorry, I'm just getting around to reading it)

Obviously, I didn't know you before the Project Mojave conference, but I can see what you mean. You really have been busting your ass lately, and you've got some great things coming up.

Thanks for your support in my own ventures, and thanks for the inspiring post.

Re: A $197 Bonus for Project Mojave Members: 56 Squeeze Page Templates, PLUS Conversion Graphics and Opt-in Forms

Cheryl Binnie — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:53:46 -0000

Holy crap, Clay! This is amazing! I feel like my eyes just kept getting bigger as I scrolled down and kept seeing more examples of the templates. Thanks so much for snagging this for us!

Re: The “Freedom Business Roadmap”

Cheryl Binnie — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:12:48 -0000

Oh, this is wonderful!
I like having the process laid out for us like this. I was worried that I'd end up doing things in the wrong order (even if you gave it all to us in the correct order) and would just get lost and freak out, thinking, "Agh! I'm already behind, and there's so much more stuff, I don't even know where I am!"
This way, I'll know I'm focusing my energy in the right direction at the right time, even if I get behind.
Thanks for this!

Re: The Project Mojave Cartel

Cheryl Binnie — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:42:32 -0000

I don't have my own website yet, but until I figure out what I'll be doing, I'll probably start applying some of what I'm learning to my parents' site (commercial beekeepers; they sell raw honey in the US): http://blueridgehoneycompan...

I'm also involved with one of the big neurotherapy/biofeedback pioneers: http://www.neurotherapy.us/
I think I'd like to follow the neurotherapy route somehow. I know it falls into the service category, but I'm sure that, once I've learned the ins and outs of the practice, I'd be able to come up with some kind of info product (talk about physical and emotional pain! This stuff covers it all!).

I feel a little torn right now. I want to go all the way with this freedom business, but I also have some amazing opportunities to learn from these people and help build their practice in a local setting. How detrimental would it be to split my focus like that?

Re: What’s Been Keeping Me Up At Night

Cheryl Binnie — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:38:24 -0000

That's awesome, Clay! The move, the systems, the hires, everything.
I guess this is my first time commenting here, so you might not recognize the name. Let's just say that I'm soooo one of your fans. I found you through Naomi's interview with you at IttyBiz, and I can't wait to learn more.

I have to admit, though, when I read the bit about your move to "a place that [you] can't envision leaving," I was (unreasonably) excited for you. I love that kinda stuff. Hooray for finding what feels right!

Re: How to Feel Good About Raw Food When You Have Been Away for a While

Cheryl Binnie — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:14:48 -0000

Wow! I just found this blog and am so impressed--especially with this post! I'm going to have fun exploring everything! Thanks so much for all of this extensive information (and support).