As Amazon is expected to release a revised version of its Kindle eBook reader on Monday, analysts expect that there will be much hype over this market in the following period.
Amazon did this again in November 2007, when it released the first generation of Kindle. While the concept of a dedicated eBook reader was somewhat popular, the specifications and the connectivity features of Kindle convinced many people, especially students, that these types of devices are the way to go these days.
Interested in seeing an unbiased review of the different eBook readers? Checkout the news cast in the below video The Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and Iliad on Twin Cities Live”"
However, market researchers predict that the revolution in the eBook arena will be the integration with cell phones. For instance, Amazon has already announced that it would make its dedicated eBook platform available for smartphones in the near future. This means that virtually anybody will be able to get eBooks from Amazon’s impressive digital library on their phone.
Amazon’s old and new Kindle (credit: Boy Genius Report)
Folks the current Amazon Kindle backorder list might be getting an upgrade offer real soon. Stephen Windwalker, a Kindle book author, explains that the Amazon is gearing up for the Kindle 2. The updated eBook reader should be introduced on Monday at a press event.
So what happens if you ordered a Kindle but don’t have it yet? Steven says that Amazon will offer a chance to upgrade to the newer device at a small price increase. He says to expect roughly a 10% bump, which is around $35 at today’s Kindle pricing. If true, I figure Amazon will launch the device at the $399, which is the first Kindle’s original price; it later dropped to the current $359.
This eBook includes two user-friendly new features; a realistic “flipping page” effect and an improved print version. Automatic printable versions are now created directly from the eBook, making it simple to print out all eBook pages, and eliminating conversion errors. These new features create an improved and even more innovative way for media companies to deliver quality editorial content online.
On the reporting side, eBook publishers now have more detailed information on their traffic-driving efforts. Advanced Link Tracking allows eBook clients to receive in-depth information on how many targets from different marketing campaigns register for an eBook, as well as who these targets are, their contact information and demographics, and their interaction with the eBook.
Lastly, the code for MWS’s eBooks has been completely rewritten in ActionScript 3.0. This upgrade allows eBook compatibility with all Adobe’s latest technologies, including Adobe Air.
“These new features keep our eBooks ahead of the pace in custom digital publishing technology,” says COO Margaret T. Minnick. “In addition to being a more innovative way of showcasing and monetizing online content than a traditional digital edition, our eBooks are incredibly user-friendly and provide an excellent lead-generation tool. The latest reporting innovation, Advanced Link Tracking, was suggested by a client of ours and has been called the ‘Holy Grail of marketing.’ I’m looking forward to the next round of innovations, launching in mid-February.”
Electronic books (ebooks) are becoming more and more popular with Brits, says Hitwise.
Research by the company, which monitors trends on the Web, revealed that searches for the digital devices such as the Sony Reader and the Amazon Kindle, which allow users to read books in an electronic format, have increased by 100 percent since January last year.
The Sony Reader was the most-searched eBook, closely followed by Amazon’s Kindle, which is not currently available in the UK, the Iliad and the Cybook.
Hitwise research director Robin Goad: “Searches have followed similar patterns in the US and UK. Interest has been building since September 2008 and there were peaks in November and December in the build-up to Christmas”.
Goad also revealed that UK ebook users were keen to get their hands on free files to use on the devices.
“As you would expect, eBook searches are always on the look out for free stuff and the second-most popular search including the term ‘ebooks’ is ‘free ebooks’.”
When Nuro, a Nairobi banker, decided to set up his blog two years ago, it was for the same reasons most bloggers go set off — to freely air views on subjects close to his heart.
That was until late last year when he heard about a new tool that would enable him to place adverts on the page and make some money.
“The net is all about adverts and that’s how most webpages make money unless they are being used to sell some good or service,” said Nuro, whose true name cannot be revealed because of regulations by his employer.
So, late last year, Nuro went shopping for online partners who could help his blog become a money-making venture in the same way a traditional web page does.
In the world of blogging where divergent opinions are expressed, money-making is often a hard sell. But as blogging gains a foothold among the Kenyan population many entrepreneurs are seeing an opportunity to make money.
As blogs feature in the list of the most visited websites, so is the potential for entrepreneurs to make money. Internet monitor, Alexa, says websites like Kenyaimagine, Startups in Kenya, Mystockskenya and Riba Capital, are among the most visited websites.
Tell them exactly what they will get for their money
This should be in the latter part of the landing page, where you include details of any bonuses that are coming with the main product. But be sure to list the main benefits they will get from buying the main product itself. This is your primary focus, and you should always make sure you make it clear what a good buy it is.
Use facts to support your claims and strengthen your writing overall
Statements of fact are always worthwhile using because they add credence to your landing page. You have probably read landing pages before which have a number of facts dotted throughout them that are relevant to the product being sold. Look into all the research you have done to see if there is anything there that you can use. Sometimes simply pointing out certain facts about the product itself can have a big effect.
And don’t forget about figures too
Figures are equally if not more attractive than facts when it comes to spicing up your landing page and catching the eye of the reader. If someone is scanning your text very quickly to see if there is anything there that could be of interest to them, any figures that have been included in the text will leap out at them. Therefore, they will tend to read what follows those figures – and that gives you a great chance to convince them just how good your product is. You can use numbers in a variety of ways. Percentages are good if you can substantiate them – don’t try and use them if you can’t, because it will destroy your credibility. Look at the next point to discover a great way that you will always be able to use numbers to good effect.
Include page numbers with your facts
This obviously only applies to books, but you can use it with other products too. For example, you could make a reference to the size or dimensions of something. This will help a potential customer visualize the product more readily. If the product is perishable, say how long it is guaranteed to last for. If it can only be used a certain number of times, make sure you tell them that number. As far as page numbers are concerned, you can mention what can be found on a certain page of the book, or what they will learn in a particular chapter. It all helps people to identify with the product more easily – and that can lead to more sales.
Don’t deceive your reader
This should be obvious, but it’s not about lying. When you are in the middle of writing a landing page, you will find that it’s very easy to start exaggerating certain elements of your product without even realizing it. Always ensure that you are accurate and truthful about every aspect of your product, and be prepared to double check all your text several times before constructing your landing page and making it live. We’ll get into this in more detail in the section on editing your writing.
Don’t forget to insert those keywords
Remember all that keyword research you did? Well now is the time to keep that list of keywords close at hand while you are writing. You will need to make sure that your text is peppered with these without it spoiling the overall appearance of your writing. If you have ever read any piece of writing that has gone overboard with keywords and phrases, you will know how stilted and uninformative it can be. It becomes clear that the main task of the writer has been to get as many keywords in as possible. So while you should try and ensure that your landing page is as appealing to the search engines and to your potential buyers as possible, the number one priority should always be that your text is readable and that it flows.
Avoid using long sentences
Here’s a quick tip for you – once you have completed the first draft of your landing page, read it out loud. This is the single best way for rooting out any long sentences. Keeping them short will make the page easier to read. It will also make it easier to order your thoughts and to make sure that you don’t confuse the reader by throwing them too much information in one go. The rule of thumb is this – if you are reading the text aloud and you run out of puff before you get to the end of a sentence, try rewriting that sentence so it’s shorter.
Don’t apologize for anything
Every product has a downside in one form or another. It may only be a disadvantage when you compare it to a rival product, but you can still usually find something to point to. However, the trick is to turn that downside into a positive. And you should certainly never point out any disadvantage your product might have, because you will lose sales if you do. Try and identify any potential problems before you start writing, and think about how you can turn them around. For example, let’s say you are releasing a new eBook on starting your own business. You know there are others on the market and they are twice the length of yours. But instead of bringing attention to that in a negative way, you should think about how you can throw a positive light on it. Don’t even mention the length of the others. Instead, you could say something along the lines of your guide being the most no fluff and compact guide around today.
So you know what’s needed to build a great landing page, and you’ve done all your research. Now it’s time to start writing.
Make it easy to read
The first attempt at writing your landing page won’t be the final text that appears on your web page, but you should make sure that your writing is easy to read and not too complex right from the start. Remember that conversational tone you are aiming for? Keep that in mind as you start to put your first draft together.
Don’t confuse the reader with overly technical terms
If you know who your reader is, this shouldn’t be a problem. You should never assume that people will know what you are talking about when you use certain words and phrases. Remember that you may have a better level of knowledge about it than most regular people do – especially if you have created it from scratch yourself. On the other hand, many people will be arriving at your web page with no prior knowledge of it at all. So make sure you approach them at the right level.
Use bullet points when it works well
Bullet points are a very powerful element to include on a landing page. One thing you need to constantly think about is how your writing will look when people see it. Bullet points immediately draw the eye in and demand attention – and since they can be used to list some of the best points of your product, it makes sense that they should be so powerful. Don’t overuse them, but don’t be afraid to use them more than once on a single landing page either.
Avoid the use of long paragraphs
This really plugs into what I said above about how good your landing page will look. If you don’t use lots of paragraphs to break up your thoughts and ideas, people will be more likely to click away to another website as soon as they see huge paragraphs of text. It’s not just the words you use to get peoples’ attention that you need to think about – it’s the way you present them as well. Keep all your paragraphs as short as possible, and if you spot a long one, see if you can break it up into two separate parts instead.
Insert a link to buy the product several times
If you take a look at a handful of landing pages, you will see that there isn’t just one ‘buy it now’ button. It will be there several times, dotted down the length of the page at regularly spaced intervals. It’s a fact that some people will buy your product sooner than others; some will need more convincing. You need to let people know that they can buy the product without having to read the entire page if they know it is what they want. The one thing to remember is not to have the first button too near to the top of the page. This comes across as being a bit too eager, and you want them on your side.
And finally… don’t forget the PS
The PS has a very important role to play on any landing page. You might think that it is no more than an afterthought; after all it appears last, and if people aren’t convinced about your product by then, the chances are they aren’t going to be. But it has been shown that some people will scroll to the bottom of the page to find out what the price is and to read the summary of what is being offered before they decide whether or not to read the entire landing page. So if you list the best points of your sale in those PS’s at the bottom, every reader will know why they should be reading the whole thing.
Write a great headline
We’ve mentioned headlines already, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the headline is one of the ten most important parts of any landing page. As such it should press some buttons and grab your reader’s attention. If it doesn’t, they may not get any further at all. That’s why you shouldn’t settle on the first headline you think of. It’s a good idea to make a shortlist of all the ones you can come up with, before evaluating each one carefully to see which one is the most powerful. Once again, take a look at as many landing page headlines as you can lay your eyes on; they will all help you to learn exactly how to reel people in. Even one word changed here and there could elevate your conversion rate significantly. For more information on optimizing headings check out the ultimate 305-page writing, publishing, and selling guide on the planet at The Wealthy Plumber with the link at bottom of this page.
Put words in their mouths
This is a neat psychological technique that takes a while to get used to, but once you know how to use it, you will be amazed at the results it can get you. You are probably familiar with the power of suggestion, where you state a fact rather than asking if someone believes that fact. By stating it positively you can have a huge influence on how someone reacts to the words on your landing page. For example, if you want someone to believe that your eBook is the best one on that subject; you would make sure you put that positive statement into a sentence. So the statement would be: “You know that our eBook is the best one on this subject.” And the sentence that you’d put this phrase into would go something like this: “Whether or not you know that our eBook is the best one on this subject…” You see how that positive sentence is still there? This can be very effective if used several times during the course of the page.
Put the price in the right place
The price of your product is of course very important, and most people will want to know how much money they are going to have to part with in order to get the product. But you should never disclose that price until near the end of the landing page itself. If you reveal it too quickly, you stand a chance of putting people off buying it altogether. The benefits must come first – you must pre-sell it before letting people know how much it will cost them. You cannot make a valued judgment on whether or not the product is worth buying – regardless of the price – until you know more about it. So make sure you save this bit for last, otherwise you will lose a lot of sales that you may otherwise have made.
Add relevant bonuses
This is a technique that works well if you choose the right bonuses to offer alongside your main product. The perfect bonus is one that has much more value to the customer than it does to you. For example, if you are selling an eBook you can easily give away free reports and other similar items with it. These may be worth a great deal to the customer if they would have to pay twenty or thirty dollars to get them separately elsewhere, even though to you they are sitting on your hard drive, and there is no inherent cost in giving them away. Make sure the bonus complements your main product though; don’t give something away that is unrelated to it.
