Cant land my first sale...

19 replies
Hello all,

My name is Roman, im am 29 and trying to achieve my stuff...
I have been lurking in the forums for some time, while no-lifing books and direct marketing online.
But now i really need some help...
I am fully commited and understand how the game works - You just dont quit.
Let me give you a small background of my project...

I started really getting into online marketing 4 months ago.
Everything i do since then is for the sole purpose of landing my first sale online.
I started with getreponse's free trial - made a list and started running FB ads.
It felt like email list was not part of the 80-20 rule (at least until i landed my first sale).
I told myself that i sould land One sale, before making big funnels.

Then i bought infusionsoft (clickfunnels requires a credit card and i dont have one) and started making landing pages.
So my focus switched from building funnels, to landing 1 sale with the simplest possible funnel - A FB ad, a Landing page and an affiliate CTA button.
Since then (3 months+) I have been running facebook ads and studing CopyWritting.

I did experiment ads for some weird niches to get a feel of it and then started a more focused campaing on 1 Clickbank product.
I did ads for a Numerology product in Clickbank - reached a relevance score of 9 with an ad , at some point , but no sales.
(total 2.5k hops 8 order forms, 0 sales)
Got sick of selling this weird service, so i switched to a solid product, one that I, myself, bought (clickbank's university course).

Started from scratch and a wooping 2 relevance score for my first 5-6 ads,
the best i reached was relevance 7, with a Boost Post

Then i realised Costum and Lookalike audiences exist!

My focus switched solely to building a 1k list for facebook pixel to start building me an audience. I had no pixels installed prior to this....
I did ads and posts with the only goal to build a Somewhat relevant audience, so that facebook will create a nice lookalike from it.
after 3-4 days and some bucks spent, i managed to reach 1k pixels, and facebook populated a lookalike audience for me.

I run 3 of my best ads on this lookalike audience and after 2 days (15 euros budget daily each ad , each day) I still have 0 sales
77 hops and 10 order forms was the result of 100 euros spent with my best copy.
Im so sad.
My total testing budget has reached 900 euros and i still feel like i am missing something major here.

I made a total of around 60 landing pages, and run a total for around 40 facebook ads

---------------------------------------------------------
Here's my most recent landing pages and ads:


#1 FB banner copy
(copy) Still dreaming about that perfect life?
It starts with your first sale...

"image of a perfect life"

(headline) Start Now! Land Your First Sale Today! (more info)

#1 landing page
https://ko502-2e3e11.pages.infusionsoft.net

And a testimonial one (storylike)

#2 FB banner copy
(copy) - It Blew My Mind -
How Simple it Was to Set-up My Own Business Online...

I used to think that online income is a myth...
that if you wanted to start your own business
you'd need Tons of time, hassle and investment...

ClickBank proved me wrong All the way...

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

I'll Never Forget,
coming across one of their videos and with the Simplest
Step-by-Step Instructions,
i managed to launch my own business
in NO time and land 16 sales JUST the first week!!

...and the Best Part is that ALL i needed
was my low-budget laptop...

But dont take my word for it...
Check it Out for Yourself - - > > https://bit.ly/2PTtuyU
and save Tons of time and money!

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

-Definetely a Strong Recommendation
for Every Starting Entrepreneur
Looking to Fund Their Dreams.

---- copy ends here----

Image: A screenshot of the landing page (to build more trust)

(headline) Marketing Done Simple...
(Discription) [FREE VIDEO] The Ultimate Step-by-Step Training Portal...


#2 Landing page
https://ko502-5ce86b.pages.infusionsoft.net/



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

Huge Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this.
Any tips are gonna be massively appriciated!

<3
#land #sale
  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    First your landing page is terrible. Huge picture of a "Thumbs Up" you have to scroll to get to the call to action. The copy is not interesting or exciting and does not invoke enough curiosity for me to click.

    Second, the page does not collect my email address, it just sends people to the sales page.

    Third, you are not doing any pre-selling, just linking. you need to convince people that they should check the product out.

    al
    Signature

    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

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    • Profile picture of the author Sidiropoulos
      thnx for the reply.
      how about the second one?
      the thumbs up really is ugly. but for some reason it ha the highest convert rate. So i put it here

      every insight is really helpful
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve L
        Originally Posted by Sidiropoulos View Post

        thnx for the reply.
        how about the second one?
        the thumbs up really is ugly. but for some reason it ha the highest convert rate. So i put it here
        If you want a good looking, mobile responsive landing page or website for free that you can hack and customize forever, checkout the Bootstrap Backyard Template. You'll need to learn some of the Bootstrap CSS framework to customize but you'll most likely have something that looks much better in the end.

        FreeCodeCamp.org offers some free courses to help you learn basic web dev and design.
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  • Profile picture of the author SARubin
    I don't want to be too harsh on you here, Roman -

    But your copy screams "I'm the same as every other bright shiny object spam offer on the internet"

    5 years ago this type of copy probably would've gotten you a lot of interest. But now it's just a grain of sand in the desert.

    So I suggest you either make your sales copy more authentic, or target a young, naive audience that hasn't been online for very long


    (of course some of the lack of authenticity I'm feeling could be because you're here asking how to make your first sale. But your copy says...
    "i managed to launch my own business in NO time and land 16 sales JUST the first week!!") ???



    Originally Posted by Sidiropoulos View Post


    ---------------------------------------------------------
    Here's my most recent landing pages and ads:


    #1 FB banner copy
    (copy) Still dreaming about that perfect life?
    It starts with your first sale...

    "image of a perfect life"

    (headline) Start Now! Land Your First Sale Today! (more info)

    #1 landing page


    And a testimonial one (storylike)

    #2 FB banner copy
    (copy) - It Blew My Mind -
    How Simple it Was to Set-up My Own Business Online...

    I used to think that online income is a myth...
    that if you wanted to start your own business
    you'd need Tons of time, hassle and investment...

    ClickBank proved me wrong All the way...

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

    I'll Never Forget,
    coming across one of their videos and with the Simplest
    Step-by-Step Instructions,
    i managed to launch my own business
    in NO time and land 16 sales JUST the first week!!

    ...and the Best Part is that ALL i needed
    was my low-budget laptop...

    But dont take my word for it...
    Check it Out for Yourself - - > >
    and save Tons of time and money!

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

    -Definetely a Strong Recommendation
    for Every Starting Entrepreneur
    Looking to Fund Their Dreams.

    ---- copy ends here----

    Image: A screenshot of the landing page (to build more trust)

    (headline) Marketing Done Simple...
    (Discription) [FREE VIDEO] The Ultimate Step-by-Step Training Portal...

    Signature

    Grow Your Copywriting Skills & Network with Other Copywriting Professionals - Join us at the Copywriters Forum

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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    I'm not going to dive into everything that's wrong with your funnel...

    Your main problem is that you're trying to promote to people a product that supposedly will teach them how to make their first commission when you yourself have not made a single sale online. Don't you think that's a bit strange?

    People aren't stupid. They can smell BS from a mile away, and this funnel reeks of it.

    If I were you, I'd toss this funnel in the trash can and fine a niche that you know about or at least has some low-hanging fruit. Believe it or not, the make money online niche isn't the online niche in the world. But, it is extremely competitive.

    Then you can get your feet wet and build a reputation for yourself. Then use your own name/reputation/results to teach people how to make money online.

    You can't do that right now, because you haven't made any money online. And that's why your funnel is the way that it is.

    Apologies for the bluntness/harshness but this is the best advice I can give.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sidiropoulos
    While all this insight is really helpfull, i already have gone through all this in my head.
    I was hoping more techinal manners.
    Like, Why my messages feels fake? I might have not made money from commissions, but i am funding this project with money, i made online.

    I understand all the aspects in place. I know im missing their emails. But you guys are focusing in the wrong matter.
    Perfect tips would be from ppl who are forced to use to my funnel.
    What would you change to make One sale if you were forced to use it as it is?
    without changing niche or product
    In my head its simple. If i cant land 1 sale at any given niche at any given point, then Im missing something huge here. (and so sould feel anyone at a similar spot) .

    Im not talking about building a business here.
    Im trying to understand how the motor works.

    Thanks for all the great insight

    Or if im really that far away from landing my first sale. What is the 1 thing you would NOT change? Is there anything you saw that i did right? Something that felt right?
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by Sidiropoulos View Post

      While all this insight is really helpfull, i already have gone through all this in my head.
      I was hoping more techinal manners.
      Like, Why my messages feels fake? I might have not made money from commissions, but i am funding this project with money, i made online.

      I understand all the aspects in place. I know im missing their emails. But you guys are focusing in the wrong matter.
      Perfect tips would be from ppl who are forced to use to my funnel.
      What would you change to make One sale if you were forced to use it as it is?
      without changing niche or product
      In my head its simple. If i cant land 1 sale at any given niche at any given point, then Im missing something huge here. (and so sould feel anyone at a similar spot) .

      Im not talking about building a business here.
      Im trying to understand how the motor works.

      Thanks for all the great insight
      Obviously, all the insight is NOT helpful to you. Why? Because you still think this pile of garbage can be salvaged. IT stinks.

      You want to force people to use your funnel?

      Here is how the motor works:

      Fire. Air. Fuel. That for any simple combustion engine. It is a simple combination, but each element needs to be adjusted for the right amount.

      You have an old junk yard engine with no spark plugs, no air filter, and no gas in the tank.

      That is a basic engine, and all mechanical adjustments usually are about the three.

      That is a metaphorical engine. Online sales of anything, let alone crappy same-old same old products would be

      CUSTOMERS/PROSPECTS/PEOPLE whatever you want to call them.

      PRODUCT.

      PROMOTION.

      For a marketing engine to operate successfully, all three elements must be working together.

      First, your PROSPECT. YOU? People like you, desperate to make a sale, to get started with their IM dream/nightmare? Your ads target wannabees. What in the hell is an image of a perfect life?

      Where are these ads being run? Where are these people coming from? How simple is it to set up a business online? REALLY? You want to mislead other people, because you think it is all some magic in the way you sell bull shit?

      So, you landed 16 sales your first week? So says your copy. Are you a liar too?

      You want to find people like you, and it looks like you have, wannabees looking for the easy solution, say anything to make a sale, and so the first part of your engine needs a total overhaul. You are NOT helping anyone to build a business. And your prospects can see and feel this.

      PRODUCT. An affiliate program for Clickbank U. Why would they buy from you? You offer nothing additional, you yourself would be a dropout from the U. because you don't even have one sale. This may be a good product which helps people, but if you are following the directions of this course for your efforts. then it totally sucks. It is apparent to your traffic you simply see them as dollar signs.

      ADS/PROMOTION. Your ads only appeal to the lowest hanging fruit, no, that's wrong, to the rotting fruit that is sitting on the ground. You want people to believe lies and bullshit, and maybe some of that traffic is thinking, well, I'll take a look, and when they do, realize what it is. They run away as fast as they can.

      IF you think this is a good product, because you have bought it, used it, and applied what you have learned...then you need to write a person to person promotion. But, that is work and based on facts.

      Honestly, this is one of the most offensive posts at the WF. And good people are wasting time on you, giving you solid advice, BUT, YOU don't want to hear it. You want some magic. Well, I do sell IM marketing spells, let you have a guaranteed spell, for say, about 900 Euros? Just let me know.

      GordonJ

      PS. This is the edited and toned down version.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
        Banned
        Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

        Honestly, this is one of the most offensive posts at the WF.
        Offensive website/page as well.
        Signature
        "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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        • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
          Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

          Offensive website/page as well.
          Your first post was a version of the Rob Schneider character in THE WATERBOY. He who shouted from a distance to Adam Sandler..."YOU CAN DO IT MAN."

          Then, a little bit later, outside the hospital, he yells, "The Waterboy sucks."

          I think of Rob everytime I see one of your automatic, KNEE jerk posts that shout YOU can do it. Without ever reading or researching into the poster, their background, or visiting their sites...all things which makes for a measured response.

          But, YOU CAN DO IT MAN, apparently serves you well. OK, and allllrighty then. BUT it doesn't really serve anyone else. As self gratifying as it must be to always be the pat on the back go-to guy...life can be and often is a bit harsher.

          Although I may get harsh, some might even think cruel...I do my homework before I render the opinion, and that is all that is here, at a public forum.

          Your opinion, is ALWAYS, you can do it man. Until, apparently you take a little time to actually read stuff, and then your opinion changes.

          Mine, is, MAYBE, maybe if you live in reality, know and understand what you are doing and why, then maybe in this big world of so much competition, one stands a chance of success.

          I'm not attacking you 2.0, you have enough of those already, I'm trying to point out that help rarely comes from cheerleaders. I don't know of any professional football player who has ever thanked a cheerleader for making it to the hall of fame, or for that matter for even winning the game.

          REPORTER FOR ESPN: Great game today Billy Bob, what was your motivation?

          BILLY BOB PRO- "I'd like to thank CANDY, the blonde cheerleader, for her many chants and cheers, without hearing those, I never would have had the success I had. Thanks CANDY, (in a bit of a wink and whisper) you know my room number.

          Sometimes in the world, candy coating every knee jerk reaction does more harm than good, will you at least give it some thought?

          Thanks,

          GordonJ
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  • Profile picture of the author Jen Eick
    OK, Roman, here's my 2 cents.

    Strengths:

    You are obviously highly motivated.
    You've become very educated on using FB ads to drive targeted traffic to an offer.
    I personally thought the overall design of your squeeze page is kinda cool.

    However...

    Areas of Improvement Needed:

    Your funnel needs to be more targeted. It's just kinda overall confusing to me, as the visitor.

    Your squeeze page is worded too general and vague. It needs to lead to a specific answer to a specific problem people are having.

    As others have said, the squeeze page cannot lead directly to the Clickbank University sales page.

    The way I see it, you've created a problem for yourself there, in that you created a squeeze page to get traffic to the Clickbank University page, and now you're struggling to get traffic to the traffic page.

    Look at your metrics, but my guess is that people might be coming to the squeeze page. It just confuses them, and they leave.

    So, you need to put an overall strategy in place.

    How about tweaking the wording on your squeeze page to "Are you discouraged because you're still trying to make your first sale online?" It's a problem you can relate to, yes? Something you know people will respond to.

    From there, have them opt in to your email list - not immediately reroute them to a page. You're losing potential leads if you can't follow up with them.



    You should offer an incentive; a free report or other goodie to get them to opt in.


    Basically, you want the squeeze page to say, "I know your problem; opt in and I have the solution" (or, can at least guide you to the solution).

    Once they've opted in, redirect them to the Clickbank University video/offer.

    Then continue to follow up with the leads who have opted in to your email list. Follow through by sending them the free report you offered, for starters.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sidiropoulos
      Your wisdom is so appriciated.

      Thats exactly what my copy was missing!
      Before i meet you here is how i composed a copy:

      Simon sinek's Why>how>what model
      Always start with feeling and go for logic after. Never start with logic and forget feelings.
      Strong offer is a must
      Be polarized
      (start building attractive character if vendor)
      Be Specific
      Tunnelize and drain readers into a slippery slope
      100% relevant all the way of the funnel
      cut the crap
      The 1 big thing
      the 1 big selling point of the product

      But specific turned into > CRYSTAL CLEAR PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION + CRYSTAL CLEAR PROBLEM SOLUTION.
      ----------------------

      mhm LP sucks. Im gonna redo it

      That is exactly my plan friend. I want to start building a recognized brand based 100% on my results, But im not going anywhere until i land a sale on this "extremely competitive" niche.

      Bluntness/harshness is effective if you dont use malice ofc
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Sidiropoulos View Post

    Re: Cant land my first sale...
    You can land your first sale ... You just have to keep learning and progressing. (Partly with the help of People here.)
    Good Luck. : )

    P.S.
    As a quick tip: Be 100% honest, sincere, and transparent.
    Signature
    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author Arijit Dutta
    Hey just saw your post. it is quite a journey you went through.

    To be honest with you, even I had to struggle at my initial stages when I was striving to make my first sale online. Maybe it was lucky for me or my bad luck, whatever you call it. I landed $152 from ClickBank affiliate program in 1 full year.

    I tried everything from search engine optimization to blog commenting. And somehow blog commenting did bring in some sales for me.

    But that was not at all sufficient...

    Hey! at least I learnt along the way a lot of things. Later with every trial and error now I know how to bring in traffic and sales.

    In your case you are not wasting any time, you are in fact investing in yourself, whether mentally or physically. You have learnt quite a lot about affiliate marketing.

    I would say that 90% more than most of the affiliates out there.

    As far as your landing page goes, yes! it does need a ton of work and from my perspective, you need to provide a solution to a problem in order to make sales online.

    Just like you are struggling with online money making right now say for example, if someone from this forum gave you a link to one affiliate course. You would be enticed to purchase that right now. Hoping to reach that the course might help you reach to the level of affiliate marketers like us who are making $10K per month from affiliates commissions.

    Right?

    In a similar way, whatever affiliate program you opt for, You have to provide solution to a problem first.

    Then only you can make sales.

    I don't know with whatever issue you have right now, you want to make it hard with affiliate marketing. And I respect you for your determination.

    But affiliate marketing takes a lot of time and effort. Its no "QUICK RICH SCHEME"

    I would suggest you to stop spending money on advertisement and start focusing on FREE ways to do affiliate promotions.

    There are innumerable ways to promote one single offer, let alone there are millions of affiliate offers to promote.

    Just try focusing one thing at a time.

    If you feel like starting to learn landing page designing, first do that...
    If you feel like learning about paid advertising media, do that...
    or if you want to learn SEO, go for that as well (Recommended)

    Then get a good domain hosting, from bluehost, infusionhost or anything. Build a legit domain and start using affiliate links to promote products there.

    NO! one in this world can provide one Push button money making an option. It was available in 2008, it's been a decade since people have understood about affiliates.

    You need to be a problem solver first, then money will come right at you.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Sidiropoulos View Post

    Sorry I didn't look at that page at first (before responding) ... However it's kind of odd. Personally I wouldn't click that link.
    Signature
    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Business is also effective if you use common sense.

    You have the ideas and the talking points right - which is something many people never understand.

    But - you are trying to promote something you can't do yourself - and no matter how much thought and time you put into that it's unlikely to work well for you.

    I'll Never Forget,
    coming across one of their videos and with the Simplest
    Step-by-Step Instructions,
    i managed to launch my own business
    in NO time and land 16 sales JUST the first week!!
    Doesn't fit with the title of this thread. It is not compelling 'copy' - sounds as hyped as it is. You don't have to resort to that.


    Some of the best advice you will get on this forum is not the polite 'you can do it' stuff.....it comes from the experienced, successful marketers who take time to look at your question and your plan and give an honest opinion.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    My ducks are absolutely not in a row. I don't even know where some of them are...
    ...and I'm pretty sure one of them is a pigeon.
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  • Profile picture of the author affmarketer101
    Perhaps I am not your target audience, so I have no feeling when look at/read your copies. My advice: you should research carefully your customer avatar to understand their interests, objectives, objection, motivations, pain points, etc to write ad copies that... sell. Otherwise, let hire some copywriters to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashwinsd
    You have to provide a solution to the problems your audience is facing right now.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Op do not post multiple posts to your thread, with live links unless someone asks in the future.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Bump - please help the op out if you have not responded.
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