Hi kids,

       Time to talk about websites

       There are different schools of thought on commercial websites.

       One is that you need bells and whistles to look professional and the other is to keep it simple so that nothing distracts from your message.

       I feel it depends. You just aren't going to get some teenager with the attention span of a gnat to put down his PSP long enough to read a whole paragraph. When his eyes see a computer screen, they jump all over the place and he is clicking before his brain moves on to a youtube video of some kid getting nailed in the groin. If you want these kids' attention, you need to flash them breasts as fast as possible and keep all your messages to three words or less.

       But, when it comes to financial information products, you are dealing with people who do read and want as much info as possible. You can see that the site itself tries to also follow the AIDA formula.

       No matter what you decide, the content and the words are still the most vital part of the website. Everything they see needs to be good marketing.

       I called to get Kevin to start building the site but he was busy working on taxes. So like your grandpa I just started building it myself. When I came to a snag I solicited the help of a friend who knew a way to fix the snag.

       Don't let anyone slow you down.

       Also remember the world is revolving even while you sleep so unlike your grandpa don't take it personally when people don't drop everything to make your project priority one.

       The small snag I had was getting background colors I liked correct. My friend Chris had a different version of web building software and he was even faster than I was in slapping it together.

       Instead of simply repeating the exact same marketing, the copy on the website differs in some small but important ways.

       The way I see it, the prospects fall into two groups.

       The first is people who already intended to request the report and just forgot they needed to send an email. For those ready to sign up, you want to make it as simple as possible. The website is designed so when they enter they can start filling out the fields where they put in their email address and first name right away. They do not have to click an extra link to get to another page to sign up.

       The second group is people who have at least decided to check out the website, most likely, to see if they can get any info without giving their e-mail address. This second group of people on the edge is the reason we only ask for a first name. They will feel less threatened and know they don't even have to give their real first name.

       For these people the copy on the site places more emphasis on reducing their fear that they will get spam. It is also gives a much stronger call to action. The last part of the AIDA formula because for those on the edge, this is what will push them over.

       The copy is also written to give the impression that things are changing and happening at the site, so the info seems like it could be as fresh as possible.

       We got most of the site done but it still needs a few things, but it took all day yesterday and some of today.

       Love,

       Your pooped out pop