+JMJ+
So the question is this: Are there “magic formulas” out there to help you write emails that sell more stuff?
It’s one of those things a lot of business owners might try to Google, looking for some kind of easy solution to fix their marketing woes.
Everybody seems to want a “quick fix” these days, eh?
Well, the short answer to the question is: sorta. (I told you it was a “short answer.”)
I’ll let you in on a dirty little secret at the end, but first, the longer answer …
There are some “formulas” out there, but we’re not talking about “magic” formulas because the kind of “magic” you might be thinking about here is straight-up sinful, and that’s not how I roll.
There are some basic formulas you can follow.
One of the most common is called AIDA:
- Attention
- Interest
- Desire
- Action
A lot of the marketing gurus out there will bring it up and the concept is pretty straight forward.
First, you have to grab someone’s attention, like with your subject line and your opening sentence.
From there, you generate interest and build desire …
Hopefully, and strategically, you build up that desire to the point where the reader is basically drooling to get the product or service.
The last part is where you tell people how to get what you got.
There’s a marketing dude out there named Neville Medhora who has a great AIDA video on YouTube where he explains how to use it for selling water …
The talk-through he does is completely made-up, but it’s for demonstration purposes, and it gets the point across.
There’s another generic formula you can try – it’s called PAS.
- Pain
- Agitate
- Solution
This one starts out with you talking about a pain point your customer has. From there, you crank up the suffering, like you’re taking your finger and poking it into a wound …
And the best way to stop the pain is with your product or service.
The first time I heard about PAS was from the marketing legend Dan Kennedy …
If you haven’t heard about that guy, you should definitely check him out – buy his book “The Ultimate Sales Letter” if you want a good introduction.
I’ve heard other marketing x-perts reference the formula, and it’s not unusual to see them giving credit to Mr. Kennedy. I’m not sure if he came up with it (probably not), but whatever, right?
There’s an even simpler one I picked up from binging on Frank Kern videos:
- Here’s what I got
- Here’s what it does
- Here’s how you get it
If memory serves me, and it doesn’t always, I think Frank credits another marketer named John Carlton for that one.
Are there other “formulas”?
Sure, but the ones I just laid out here are pretty much the main ones you’re going to need if you want to be your own email boss and you get stuck.
There is a big secret to these “magic sales formulas,” though …
They’re good “guidelines,” especially if you’re not sure how to get going, but they’re not a magic bullet to fix everything for you.
They’re more like outlines, and it’s up to you to fill in the variables like a math equation.
Plus, if you write your emails in the right way, formulas don’t really matter.
That’s enough for now.
Stay holy my friend and God bless.
Vic
The Marketing Trad
P.S. Can some basic marketing formulas give your emails superpowers that will make people want to whip out their credit cards? Do you want to talk about it? Book your consultation now by emailing me at [email protected]. I tell you what I’ll do … if you book your consultation before the end of January, I’ll give you 45% your first month. January is my birthday month, and I want to celebrate, so why not be generous, right?!
P.P.S. GOSPEL Matt. 2:1-12 – Now when Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: “Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him.” And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him: “In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: ‘And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him.
Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, (here, genuflect) and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
P.P.P.S. All the kids are back home. Even though my son Peter has returned from the hospital, it’s great to have everyone together again.