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How should beginner web designers get big results for clients?

Anything considered a "hustle" and not necessarily a CENTS-based Fastlane

Thabani

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Fox has mentioned that results mostly means sales for clients but how exactly should a beginner go about doing that? Is it via copywriting, social media marketing, SEO etc. How do we get clients more sales while only working on that particular project just the one time? Or are results only achieved through continuous work as in SEO blog posts for example.

I am working on my copywriting skills and I have an SEO course I am looking at but what do you guys recommend someone new do?
 
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Kepler

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Fox has mentioned that results mostly means sales for clients but how exactly should a beginner go about doing that? Is it via copywriting, social media marketing, SEO etc. How do we get clients more sales while only working on that particular project just the one time? Or are results only achieved through continuous work as in SEO blog posts for example.

I am working on my copywriting skills and I have an SEO course I am looking at but what do you guys recommend someone new do?
Copywriting and site layout are crucial. Also try and up sell session recording analytics to get monthly revenue and home conversions.

Keep in mind the traffic going to their site when writing the copy.

make sure to remove all buttons that are not conversion related (social media buttons, newsletter sign ups, etc.)

integrate tools to allow people to finance purchases in smaller payments.

make the call to action button a completely different color than anything else on the page, and make it bright so it pops.

don’t include videos in the background, an image slider, or animations on the site (distractions and conversion killers)

put your value add below the buy now buttons and make the checkout slide out from the side of the screen.

offer a coupon code if they try to leave the site on checkout.

I could keep going forever, but I suggest reading up on landing page optimization and copywriting.

best regards,

-Kepler
 

Thabani

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Copywriting and site layout are crucial. Also try and up sell session recording analytics to get monthly revenue and home conversions.

Keep in mind the traffic going to their site when writing the copy.

make sure to remove all buttons that are not conversion related (social media buttons, newsletter sign ups, etc.)

integrate tools to allow people to finance purchases in smaller payments.

make the call to action button a completely different color than anything else on the page, and make it bright so it pops.

don’t include videos in the background, an image slider, or animations on the site (distractions and conversion killers)

put your value add below the buy now buttons and make the checkout slide out from the side of the screen.

offer a coupon code if they try to leave the site on checkout.

I could keep going forever, but I suggest reading up on landing page optimization and copywriting.

best regards,

-Kepler

Thanks kepler, this is the sort of response I was looking for. Do you have any resources you recommend for learning about landing page optimization i.e learning enough to get big results.
 

Kepler

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Thanks kepler, this is the sort of response I was looking for. Do you have any resources you recommend for learning about landing page optimization i.e learning enough to get big results.
Hone conversions*

I do, I’ll have to check my car for the book in a second
 
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Thabani

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Landing Page Optimization by Tim Ashe is a good starting point. It’s a little old but he covers a ton of great principles still used.

there are some newer tricks not discussed however.
Thanks, and just one more quick question. I know that landing pages aren't technically exactly the same thing as homepages and websites, but do we just treat websites in pretty much the same way as landing pages?
 

Kepler

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Thanks, and just one more quick question. I know that landing pages aren't technically exactly the same thing as homepages and websites, but do we just treat websites in pretty much the same way as landing pages?
Landing pages are the most important things they make the money for things.

Home pages are vanity pages that return customers and the companies CEO’s look at.

all you need is a solid landing page, a good offer, good copy, and one conversion goal for the page with nothing on the page unrelated to that goal.
 
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Kepler

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Technically Landing pages are websites And can be a home page too.

landing pages are just where your traffic is directed to land.

but I assumed you meant sales page when you said landing page and responded accordingly
 

Fox

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Fox has mentioned that results mostly means sales for clients but how exactly should a beginner go about doing that? Is it via copywriting, social media marketing, SEO etc. How do we get clients more sales while only working on that particular project just the one time? Or are results only achieved through continuous work as in SEO blog posts for example.

I am working on my copywriting skills and I have an SEO course I am looking at but what do you guys recommend someone new do?

What can help a lot is really understanding the customer (of your client).

They are on that site for a reason and most likely they will buy from someone - why not your client?

What do they need to move ahead now...

What are they looking for?
What will help them move ahead?
What will build trust?
What will build authority?
What will amplify need and desire?
What shows social proof and community/results?
What obstacles do you need to remove?
What fears do you need to address?

It isn't design, that just helps to organize your content.
It isn't images and videos, that just adds to your point.

It is your core message.
You need a website that makes a point and that brings people from unsure browser to action taker.

Picture the typical customer of your client and make a website that gets them to cross the line and take some form of real action.

Imagine it is a court case - make your best argument as to why they need to click.

And also remember - it should read normally and in their language.
Like a conversation with someone you trust and respect.

Tag me in if you got more Qs (use the @Fox so I get alerted).
 

Thabani

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What can help a lot is really understanding the customer (of your client).

They are on that site for a reason and most likely they will buy from someone - why not your client?

What do they need to move ahead now...

What are they looking for?
What will help them move ahead?
What will build trust?
What will build authority?
What will amplify need and desire?
What shows social proof and community/results?
What obstacles do you need to remove?
What fears do you need to address?

It isn't design, that just helps to organize your content.
It isn't images and videos, that just adds to your point.

It is your core message.
You need a website that makes a point and that brings people from unsure browser to action taker.

Picture the typical customer of your client and make a website that gets them to cross the line and take some form of real action.

Imagine it is a court case - make your best argument as to why they need to click.

And also remember - it should read normally and in their language.
Like a conversation with someone you trust and respect.

Tag me in if you got more Qs (use the @Fox so I get alerted).
Landing pages are the most important things they make the money for things.

Home pages are vanity pages that return customers and the companies CEO’s look at.

all you need is a solid landing page, a good offer, good copy, and one conversion goal for the page with nothing on the page unrelated to that goal.
Yes, all the articles I have seen on landing pages so far claim they are superior i.e they get better results. I would like to know @Fox comments on this as well since I don't think I have seen a video on them.
 
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Thabani

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Dec 21, 2018
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What can help a lot is really understanding the customer (of your client).

They are on that site for a reason and most likely they will buy from someone - why not your client?

What do they need to move ahead now...

What are they looking for?
What will help them move ahead?
What will build trust?
What will build authority?
What will amplify need and desire?
What shows social proof and community/results?
What obstacles do you need to remove?
What fears do you need to address?

It isn't design, that just helps to organize your content.
It isn't images and videos, that just adds to your point.

It is your core message.
You need a website that makes a point and that brings people from unsure browser to action taker.

Picture the typical customer of your client and make a website that gets them to cross the line and take some form of real action.

Imagine it is a court case - make your best argument as to why they need to click.

And also remember - it should read normally and in their language.
Like a conversation with someone you trust and respect.

Tag me in if you got more Qs (use the @Fox so I get alerted).
Thanks for your time, the main question I have for you is really the original question about results. I don't feel confident that I can guarantee results yet. I just need the process of how I go about achieving great results for clients to be clearer in my mind.

@Kepler has said it's pretty much about the copywriting and the layout of the page. Do you use anything besides those two to get big results (ignoring quality templates and photo's for a second).
 

BizyDad

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I have a different perspective.

I run an SEO agency, and my clients have sites that look very different from each other. Some are really professional, and some look stick in the '00's.

I'll use three different conversion points, forms, phone #, and chat.

I'd argue the home page is super important, especially for clients who are using a local SEO strategy. Your homepage is your most authoritative page on your site, so it's the easiest to rank.

If someone designs a home page as vanity, they're missing out on customers.

To answer your original question, there are a lot of ways that you could increase your value to your customer. Better design, improving conversion rate, or becoming good at implementing any number of marketing strategies.

Don't guarantee results.

Just get good at what you do, help the client get more customers, and they will love you.
 

Fox

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Thanks for your time, the main question I have for you is really the original question about results. I don't feel confident that I can guarantee results yet. I just need the process of how I go about achieving great results for clients to be clearer in my mind.

@Kepler has said it's pretty much about the copywriting and the layout of the page. Do you use anything besides those two to get big results (ignoring quality templates and photo's for a second).
Copywriting isn’t some after thought you just add to a page - it’s a mindset. You need to start looking at a website differently.

Step in the shoes of who you are trying to sell to and have the content and design that makes the most sense for them.

You can never guarantee results. You are selling your past experience of generating sales + your ability to spot new potential results. You present what you have already done, find possible ways to help your new client, and agree to give your “best effort”.

It will become clearer when you go out there and start working with real clients.

Go find one business with a real problem you can help solve using a website. Solve it. Now look for a business with the same problem and other problems too. Then help them. And so on.

There isn’t a set formula for creative problem solving. You start with good questions and then go from there - hence my questions above.
 
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Kepler

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I don’t like relying on SEO because it violates the rule of CONTROL, google controls the algorithm and changes it frequently because they don’t want people to use it to rank hi and want them to pay for their ads.

but to each their own.
 

BizyDad

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I don’t like relying on SEO because it violates the rule of CONTROL, google controls the algorithm and changes it frequently because they don’t want people to use it to rank hi and want them to pay for their ads.

but to each their own.

By that logic no one ever ranks high because Google doesn't want it. And yet, funnily enough, I always seem to find businesses on Google when I search for products or services.

I can say "lack of control" about people relying on just FB ads or just AdWords or just organic social or just Amazon, etc. Tech companies change things all the time. Ad markets are constantly getting pricier. So you can't control the cost of the ads either.

Diversify your marketing efforts.

But if your clients search for you on search engines, don't you want to be there? Maybe I have a different perspective because I have clients who've held their top rankings for 5+ years. (Not trying to brag, I choose my clients very carefully. I can't do that for "everybody").

You're right, they could go away at any moment. So why bother trying?!

From my perspective most SEO's try to get rankings using the latest gads, tricks, or gimmicks. The industry is a whole hive mind. And customers suffer the consequences, which leads to this kind of thinking.

But instead of thinking of SE's as something you can't control and therefore should avoid, I prefer to think of it as one more way to enter a marketplace. You can't control the market. The question to me is, should my (or my clients') business try and compete in the Google marketplace? Are my customers on Google?

If they are, can I cost effectively reach them via Ads or SEO?

If so, go for it.

Not trying to argue, like you said, to each their own. Just presenting a counterpoint.
 

Kepler

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By that logic no one ever ranks high because Google doesn't want it. And yet, funnily enough, I always seem to find businesses on Google when I search for products or services.

I can say "lack of control" about people relying on just FB ads or just AdWords or just organic social or just Amazon, etc. Tech companies change things all the time. Ad markets are constantly getting pricier. So you can't control the cost of the ads either.

Diversify your marketing efforts.

But if your clients search for you on search engines, don't you want to be there? Maybe I have a different perspective because I have clients who've held their top rankings for 5+ years. (Not trying to brag, I choose my clients very carefully. I can't do that for "everybody").

You're right, they could go away at any moment. So why bother trying?!

From my perspective most SEO's try to get rankings using the latest gads, tricks, or gimmicks. The industry is a whole hive mind. And customers suffer the consequences, which leads to this kind of thinking.

But instead of thinking of SE's as something you can't control and therefore should avoid, I prefer to think of it as one more way to enter a marketplace. You can't control the market. The question to me is, should my (or my clients') business try and compete in the Google marketplace? Are my customers on Google?

If they are, can I cost effectively reach them via Ads or SEO?

If so, go for it.

Not trying to argue, like you said, to each their own. Just presenting a counterpoint.
I just believe if you make good quality relevant content on the regular for your market it’s naturally going to rank decently in SEO.

I agree you should diversify your streams of attracting clients.

I may have misspoken when I said I don’t believe in SEO. I should have said I don’t believe in paying others to do SEO for my company.
 
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Something that's very effective for me in getting past that Catch-22 position of not having any successful client projects to draw from is to be completely transparent with your potential client. But then also show that you are hungry and will add value to them.

'I haven't done this professionally before, and I know that increases your risk in having me do this work. I have some ideas on how to reduce that risk for you that I can get to later. Before then, I have some questions for you about your business.'

You want to acknowledge the elephant in the room and say that you'll take care of it, and then deflect to something else for a bit. Focus on their business, their needs. Ask how they currently get clients, what works, what doesn't. What is their customer base looking for? etc etc etc.

Try out your ideas on them. 'What do you think your clients would say about x approach?' Be creative and humble and hungry. Offer to work with them on stuff. Also, if you could find a seasoned professional that you'd pay some money to, to coach you on projects, you can mention that as part of your conversation with a potential client.

How they will see it: "Here's a guy that is obviously inexperienced. I was inexperienced once. What I like about him is that he's dedicated. I can use that. And, because I would be willing to work with him, I can get him for pretty cheap. I won't be able to get top notch marketing out of him, but whatever we do together will be better than what I have, and its better than me trying to do it myself. And, the fact that he's being mentored by a seasoned pro, that might be to my advantage."

Talk about how you would mitigate risks later in the conversation. Ask if they have any concerns. Come up with a way to reduce the effect their concerns have on the project.
 

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Be creative and humble and hungry. Offer to work with them on stuff.

People need to read that again.

Always be that. Even after ten years. Always stay creative and humble and hungry and offer to work with them on stuff.
 

Jon L

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People need to read that again.

Always be that. Even after ten years. Always stay creative and humble and hungry and offer to work with them on stuff.
its so simple, right? And effective, and attractive. And, EVERYONE can be that.
 
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Thabani

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I just told you.

Copywriting isn’t some after thought you just add to a page - it’s a mindset. You need to start looking at a website differently.

Step in the shoes of who you are trying to sell to and have the content and design that makes the most sense for them.

You can never guarantee results. You are selling your past experience of generating sales + your ability to spot new potential results. You present what you have already done, find possible ways to help your new client, and agree to give your “best effort”.

It will become clearer when you go out there and start working with real clients.

Go find one business with a real problem you can help solve using a website. Solve it. Now look for a business with the same problem and other problems too. Then help them. And so on.

There isn’t a set formula for creative problem solving. You start with good questions and then go from there - hence my questions above.
Yes, I think I understood what you were saying before and I understand that those questions come about by you thinking of what the client's customer would want from the website.

Sorry, maybe my question wasn't clear, I was just looking for the name of the specific skills you use or recommend in your approach. Knowing this would allow me to get the best books/courses/videos on all the necessary skill(s). Leaving no stone unturned.

I already have multiple resources on copywriting( a Udemy course and a couple of books) and i have got a book on landpage optimisation and some books on selling.

You are right of course that some things will be clearer once I start working with clients.
 

Kepler

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The other thing to consider is finding someone who does a fantastic job at what you wish to sell to people, and leverage their reputation and portfolio of work to overcome the lack of experience obstacles.

After collaborating on enough projects you will have a decent reputation and portfolio of your own to run with.
 

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