So three weeks after my initial post we have repackaged our idea and built a new website.

We have a new website and url: Nature Stress Relief (and with a new logo).

We are working on authoring our DVD, it should hopefully be done soon. It's a really big learning curve and more $$ in software but we're sure we can do it. (Unfortunately it turns out it was not as easy as we initially assumed it would be.)

The sounds app is in development; we found a developer and this project should be done within a week. It's underway.

We have free wallpapers to give away; 12 without having to give us anything, and thereafter if you want to get one a week via email we will use this to build a list. We have set up an autoresponder system to market to this list.

The home page works with a slider of 3 images. We are considering finding a software expert to program the ability to click on the image of the DVD and take the visitor to the DVD sales page. At the moment this technical fix is a little beyond us.

We'll use Facebook mostly for advertising, and when I've rebranded all the video (this entire process has to be redone now the name and logo has changed) we'll put video up on youtube for marketing, with watermarks and link to our site.

Our main keywords are "stress relief" and we have some long tail keywords with reasonable traffic and low competition that we are targeting first. The articles on the article page are primarily for that purpose.

Things we know we need to do which are in progress:

- We've found a plug-in for a fun "stress test" visitors could take, I should have this written and active within one to three days

- We need to complete a preview video for our first DVD, this should be ready within another week. Again, we have to reprocess raw video files for this and rebrand with the new logo and name.


If fastlane members can see anything we should change please let me know. Your feedback so far has been extremely helpful!

Specifically; writing good copy is our major weakness. If anyone can see a better way to write any of the copy, particularly the headlines and DVD sales page, your thoughts are welcome.

LOVE the pictures.

Could I make a suggestion?

IMO your site is talking about research studies.

BUT your product is relaxation. For me personally reading about a research study does not convey relaxation. How about a person who looks very relaxed with a quote next to them that says something like a testimonial.


Does it seem strange to you that you are selling videos but there are no videos on your site?

Or maybe I missed them.

I bought my wife a noise machine a few years back on a whim. Turns out the thunderstorm soundtrack is absolute bliss. We fall right back to sleep when we wake up if that thing is in. I'm a definite convert.

You should look into selling audio tracks as well, either on iTunes or CD.

I had also thought there might be a market for audio tracks of someone walking in the sand near the surf. The sound of footsteps softly crunching in the sand with waves crashing nearby might be soothing. I'd thought people that could no longer walk much, or not at all, might like to hear that. Dunno, but thought it could be an under served market.

Amail said:

I bought my wife a noise machine a few years back on a whim. Turns out the thunderstorm soundtrack is absolute bliss. We fall right back to sleep when we wake up if that thing is in. I'm a definite convert.

You should look into selling audio tracks as well, either on iTunes or CD.

I had also thought there might be a market for audio tracks of someone walking in the sand near the surf. The sound of footsteps softly crunching in the sand with waves crashing nearby might be soothing. I'd thought people that could no longer walk much, or not at all, might like to hear that. Dunno, but thought it could be an under served market.

Click to expand...

We have an app in development for sounds. So far we have 5 tracks: tuis, bellbirds, small beach waves, lapping lake waves and mountain stream. I want to record heavy rain also, that would the 6th to complete the picture. The tuis and bellbirds are particularly beautiful sounding NZ birds. The app should be ready within a week.

PatrickP said:

LOVE the pictures.

Could I make a suggestion?

IMO your site is talking about research studies.

BUT your product is relaxation. For me personally reading about a research study does not convey relaxation. How about a person who looks very relaxed with a quote next to them that says something like a testimonial.


Does it seem strange to you that you are selling videos but there are no videos on your site?

Or maybe I missed them.

Click to expand...

No you did not miss that. The site has just been completed and we're in the process of authoring the DVD. Part of that process is to develop a video preview which will go onto the DVD sales page. So yes, you are right, there should be video but it's not quite ready yet. The authoring and processing of the raw video files is taking longer and requires more technical learning of new skills than we originally thought, that is why it's taking longer than I hoped.

However, we have a lot of other video which will not make it into the DVD which we plan to use for YouTube marketing and will probably put on the site. When we put it onto YouTube the quality necessarily reduces though, we've recorded in HD video.

the talk about research studies, and specifically the headline on the slider of the main page, is a result of another fastlane members suggestion.

Perhaps we need to balance it out with more relaxation pics

Amail said:

You should look into selling audio tracks as well, either on iTunes or CD.

Click to expand...

this is another good idea, and one we had thought of before too.

yes, when the files are all processed we may sell them for download as mp3 on our site. I'm thinking 99cents each perhaps

we have some really beautiful birdsong and nice water sounds.

thank you for your feedback! yes, I think that this is a good idea and you are not the first person to suggest it

I hate to say this given you just redid everything, but that logo screams cheap to me. The tree looks like early 90s clip art and having it form the T doesn't read well.

I like the logo.

It could be marketed as a "TV 'screen saver' to have on in the background" as well as the relaxation appeal.

orinoco said:

No you did not miss that. The site has just been completed and we're in the process of authoring the DVD. Part of that process is to develop a video preview which will go onto the DVD sales page. So yes, you are right, there should be video but it's not quite ready yet. The authoring and processing of the raw video files is taking longer and requires more technical learning of new skills than we originally thought, that is why it's taking longer than I hoped.

However, we have a lot of other video which will not make it into the DVD which we plan to use for YouTube marketing and will probably put on the site. When we put it onto YouTube the quality necessarily reduces though, we've recorded in HD video.

the talk about research studies, and specifically the headline on the slider of the main page, is a result of another fastlane members suggestion.

Perhaps we need to balance it out with more relaxation pics

Click to expand...

A suggestion or comment I guess.

If I was on your page or Utube and saw a snippit of video, then bought your dvd and that part was not on there I would feel cheated.

For me you do a little of the video from the dvd and then stop it right at a dramatic part with text and a link, something like to see the rest click here and they are taken to an order page, so the potential buyer is intrigued to get the dvd.

PatrickP said:

A suggestion or comment I guess.

If I was on your page or Utube and saw a snippit of video, then bought your dvd and that part was not on there I would feel cheated.

For me you do a little of the video from the dvd and then stop it right at a dramatic part with text and a link, something like to see the rest click here and they are taken to an order page, so the potential buyer is intrigued to get the dvd.

Click to expand...

Good point.

I guess we have a lot of video that we will not be able to use then!

We certainly do plan on having a good preview, with enough footage of each scene in the video so that buyers know exactly what they're getting before they purchase.

Except there is no drama. It's just video of a nature scene. So we'll probably show about 20 to 30 seconds from each scene, just enough to get the idea.

I like the logo, too. Just my opinion. The pictures are just beautiful.

It's probably good to have some articles available; for example, I like the thumbnails of your stress-relief posts. I agree that focusing too much on the science aspect is probably not beneficial, and maybe might even turn some potential customers away from your site.

When I clicked on "about", I was actually expecting to find maybe some information about you. Maybe a story about how you got started on your site, who takes the pictures/videos, and why you are dedicated to help relieve the world of stress. I'd put the science stuff on the bottom - leave it there for those who want it (there may, indeed be those who do want it), but make the "sexier" pages more accessible.

Good job! Thanks for posting updates here, too; I am definitely interested in reading about your progress.

An update on our progress:

www.naturestressrelief.com

We have gone through the process of learning how to author a DVD (not easy) and have found a manufacturer. Our first DVD is now ready for sale! The proof arrived in our letter box a couple of days ago and looks very good. It plays well on our DVD player.

We had a horrible experience with ODesk trying to find an app developer and so decided to learn how to do it ourselves. Our first free app with nature sounds is in the process of being uploaded to Apple now and should be ready in a few days, depending on whether or not Apple approve it quickly.

We have redesigned the site to try to make it look more "corporate" and think it should be almost ready. We will be adding footer menus over the next couple of days, hopefully done tomorrow.

We will be posting off copies of our DVD to a range of family and friends all over the world to test it works on a variety of DVD players and TV's and to get some feedback. We will add testimonials underneath the product image.

When the DVD has been viewed and tested by several people and we are confident of its quality we will begin advertising. If its not good enough then back to production to fix any problems.

At this stage we are very close to spending some reasonable money on advertising. So before we do that if any forum members have feedback we are receptive to your ideas.

Again, thank you very much to forum members for advice and guidance so far. We feel more confident that we are on the right track with this product, in that it should be packaged as a DVD. The key now is conversion rates which is reliant upon the site design and copy.

Let me know when the nature sounds app is available.

Way, way better, mate!!!

The only thing I would experiment more with are the colors.

Maybe those sites can help you with that:

Color Trends + Palettes :: COLOURlovers

kuler

Color Theory for Designers, Part 1: The Meaning of Color | Smashing Magazine

Color Theory For Designers, Part 2: Understanding Concepts And Terminology | Smashing Magazine

Color Theory for Designer, Part 3: Creating Your Own Color Palettes | Smashing Magazine

A Fun Approach To Creating More Successful Websites | Smashing Magazine

50+ Beautiful Websites with Great Colour Schemes | Inspired Magazine

25 Awesome Tools for Choosing a Website Color Scheme | Design Shack


Another thing I can highly recommend to you is probably the 'bible for web design':

Amazon.com: Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (0029236723101): Steve Krug, Roger Black: Books

Good luck with your business!

Way, way better, mate!!!

The only thing I would experiment more with are the colors.

Maybe those sites can help you with that:

Color Trends + Palettes :: COLOURlovers

kuler

Color Theory for Designers, Part 1: The Meaning of Color | Smashing Magazine

Color Theory For Designers, Part 2: Understanding Concepts And Terminology | Smashing Magazine

Color Theory for Designer, Part 3: Creating Your Own Color Palettes | Smashing Magazine

A Fun Approach To Creating More Successful Websites | Smashing Magazine

50+ Beautiful Websites with Great Colour Schemes | Inspired Magazine

25 Awesome Tools for Choosing a Website Color Scheme | Design Shack


Another thing I can highly recommend to you is probably the 'bible for web design':

Amazon.com: Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (0029236723101): Steve Krug, Roger Black: Books

Good luck with your business!

Vigilante said:

Let me know when the nature sounds app is available.

Click to expand...

Will do. It's pretty simple so far, we want to get more birds to add to it.

I'm hoping the sales of the first DVD will allow for us to buy some better sound recording equipment.

I've learned SO much about video recording, and although our HD camera is fantastic and the visual footage is great the sound needed work. Professional sound recording equipment can cost tens of thousands, but technology advancing as it does means you can get equipment which will give a professional result for about $1,000 to $3,000.

When I have professional equipment I'll be recording a variety of our birdsong and other nature sounds to add to the app. Need money to do this first!

When we have enough then the plan is to add more sounds and some features (timer, alarm) and have a paid version for $0.99

TK1 said:

Way, way better, mate!!!

The only thing I would experiment more with are the colors.

Maybe those sites can help you with that:

Good luck with your business!

Click to expand...

Thank you very much!

Will look at your links, thank you for taking the time to post them.

We only gave colour a little thought so agreed, it could do with a better approach.

I still have the fun "stress test" to add also...

ntapia said:

I like the logo, too. Just my opinion. The pictures are just beautiful.

It's probably good to have some articles available; for example, I like the thumbnails of your stress-relief posts. I agree that focusing too much on the science aspect is probably not beneficial, and maybe might even turn some potential customers away from your site.

When I clicked on "about", I was actually expecting to find maybe some information about you. Maybe a story about how you got started on your site, who takes the pictures/videos, and why you are dedicated to help relieve the world of stress. I'd put the science stuff on the bottom - leave it there for those who want it (there may, indeed be those who do want it), but make the "sexier" pages more accessible.

Good job! Thanks for posting updates here, too; I am definitely interested in reading about your progress.

Click to expand...

Thank you.

I'm going over the copy on the site to refine it today, and I'll see how I can make the "about" page more like a story.

We've left the science stuff on its own page with a navigation from the top, with everything else, but moved it over.

I'll be writing "stories" with lots of pictures of our road trips to film the nature scenes. These will go into the "articles" page. Just to add interest and depth for those who may want it, also may go some way towards better SEO.

Thank you for your feedback

TK1 said:

Way, way better, mate!!!

The only thing I would experiment more with are the colors.

Maybe those sites can help you with that:

Color Trends + Palettes :: COLOURlovers

kuler

Color Theory for Designers, Part 1: The Meaning of Color | Smashing Magazine

Color Theory For Designers, Part 2: Understanding Concepts And Terminology | Smashing Magazine

Color Theory for Designer, Part 3: Creating Your Own Color Palettes | Smashing Magazine

A Fun Approach To Creating More Successful Websites | Smashing Magazine

50+ Beautiful Websites with Great Colour Schemes | Inspired Magazine

25 Awesome Tools for Choosing a Website Color Scheme | Design Shack


Another thing I can highly recommend to you is probably the 'bible for web design':

Amazon.com: Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (0029236723101): Steve Krug, Roger Black: Books

Good luck with your business!

Click to expand...

I've purchased that book "Don't Make Me Think!" and will be reading it tomorrow. It looks like an excellent guide, thanks for the tip!

We have compiled a colour theme which is nature focussed and calming. We've changed the site with new colours. What do you think? There was some discussion in our household about the background; whether or not it should be a colour or white (of main pages where text is located). I lost :-(

Hey, I found a template that fits really awesome for your product:

Best Of Joomla!

I would focus on something that perfectly communicates what the product is about = if i visit the site i become relaxed = it needs to have a very warm look = look for smooth, warm color combinations

About the logo you have asked me I would go with something like these:

Natural by melab

Relax & Smile by Logomania

Chillax by grigoriou

I like the idea of showing already in the logo a relaxing person

TK1 said:

Hey, I found a template that fits really awesome for your product:

Best Of Joomla!

I would focus on something that perfectly communicates what the product is about = if i visit the site i become relaxed = it needs to have a very warm look = look for smooth, warm color combinations

About the logo you have asked me I would go with something like these:

Natural by melab

Relax & Smile by Logomania

Chillax by grigoriou

I like the idea of showing already in the logo a relaxing person

Click to expand...

I like the colours on that template, but it would be a hard sell to my other half with the black.

We have come up with a colour palette and implemented it in the website, using a search on kuler to find "zen" and "nature".

What to you think of it? Nature Stress Relief

I've changed the logo colour to match the new palette better. We'll take another look at redesigning the logo, I'm still not completely happy with it. However, at this stage I think it's good enough and not a deal breaker in terms of conversions.

The new site looks great! Nice work. It's cleaner and looks more professional.

DustinG said:

The new site looks great! Nice work. It's cleaner and looks more professional.

Click to expand...

Thank you!

We're tweaking it, adding a fun stress test, a little humour, updating the 404 page with a pic of "broken" nature (clear felling or pollution) etc. while we wait for several copies of the DVD we are sending out to be tested by various people.

The other thing I'm doing is reading up "Don't Make Me Think" and we will be testing our site for usability.

Then I will be starting a long reading course on copy writing (the list I got from a forum member's post; Alty). Once I've got one or two books read I'll be going over ALL our copy to improve it.

I want all our ducks in a row as it were before we spend thousands on advertising.

When we are certain our product is of professional quality we will be advertising.

I'll be updating this thread when we're onto the next stage!

Looking good! Good Luck!