Let’s talk today about websites and how we can turn yours into one that actually attracts new business.
If you’ve been a reader of mine for any length of time, you know that I advocate that most businesses need two different types of websites. The first is what I refer to as your “corporate” site. It’s the place that people go to after they’ve met you to learn more about who you are and the services you offer. Chances are that if you have a site, that’s the type you’ve got.
However, what you don’t want to do with your corporate site is to spend a lot of money driving traffic to it. And the reason why you don’t want to do that is because the overwhelming majority of the traffic will simply bounce off.
Although we all wish that this was different, the reality is that most visitors will not come back to your site once they leave. Even if they would like to come back, the internet is such a fast medium that we lose track of where we’ve been. (Just the other day I visited a really great site about “cold readings” and for the life of me can’t seem to find it again.)
The answer to getting actual new clients from your web presence is to create micro-sites. These are one-page sites that target a very specific niche market and offer them something of interest for free as an inducement for them to tell us who they are.
You can see an example of what I’m referring to HERE
Nothing earth shattering here. You’ve heard this before (even though you may still not actually be doing this.)
Which brings me to the story about Bill who’s a financial advisor. In all honesty…from purely a marketing standpoint…you couldn’t pick a worse business to be in. Most every financial advisor I’ve met gets into the business because they have a real and deep interest in the markets and investments, and they truly do want to help others.
However, there are enormous handcuffs and challenges these ladies and gentlemen face. (And even if you’re not a financial advisor, bear with me because Bill’s lesson is applicable to us all).
Financial advisors can’t do a lot of the really innovative and interesting marketing that the rest of us do because of legal and compliance reasons. And if that wasn’t bad enough, virtually every single solitary financial advisors will say that they are “targeting” high net worth individuals between the ages of 45-65.
And there are a lot (I mean a cargo ship full) of investment advisors.
All those people, chasing after exactly the same prospect with limits on how they market.
And then they make it harder on themselves…
…they all say the same thing.
Here’s what I mean. Let me quote from Bill’s website,
“Our mission is simple. To help our clients achieve their financial goals and dreams. We accomplish this through a comprehensive review of our clients’ investment objectives, combined with a conservative, long-term approach to investing and superior service. It is this commitment to excellence which has made our firm one of the premier financial services providers in the state…”
This all seems so nice…so obvious…so…safe.
But the problem is that you could slap any advisor’s name on the top of the page and the text would probably fit.
Which is expedient if you’re in the “set-up-websites-for-advisors-really-fast business” but it doesn’t make visitors curious to learn more about you.
And creating curiosity and interest is the key if you want to start developing a relationship.
So let’s compare what Bill has to another site. It’s also in the financial advising business. But this page says something different. Specifically:
“We now face the gravest financial dangers — and the greatest profit opportunities — in two generations. But before I tell you about what the future could bring, let me tell you how my family and I have come to this place and time.
Over a half century ago, my father founded our Sound Dollar Committee, a nonprofit organization with a clear mission — to promote a balanced budget, avoid the erosion of America’s credit, and defend the U.S. dollar.”
Which page do you think generates the greater interest?
Which page motivates visitors to want to learn more?
Not as any great surprise…it’s the second one.
Why?
A couple of reasons.
First is the tone. It’s personal. Welcoming. Immediately you know that there’s a real live person writing the words. There’s no pseudo corporate-speak.
Secondly, there’s a story. About the family. About the Sound Dollar Committee. It’s engaging. It draws you in and makes you want to learn more.
One tells a story-One doesn’t.
As I wrote last time, there’s a huge disconnect when it comes to marketing and sales stories.
Although we believe in the power of stories as a selling tool, in reality, we don’t use them as much (or as effectively) as we could (and should).
So take a look at your website. (Go ahead, do it right now-I’ll wait right here).
Are you telling a story?
Are you engaging on a personal level with your visitors?
If not…maybe it’s time to make some changes.
Food for thought
Mark
Related links:
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