Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A must for anyone involved with copywriting for the Web Review: After a few years writing and managing copy and content for the web, I've run into a few good references. In terms of the copy basics you need to dominate to increase conversion rates for your web site, this book is it. "Persuasive Online Copywriting" takes you gradually from copy writing techniques and general do's/don'ts (for example, focusing on benefits, not features, when writing copy) into the specifics of writing successful copy for the Web to convert visitors into buyers and have them come back.
There is no magic trick here. At the end of the day, some of the very concepts that would apply offline are still valid online. But Eisenberg and company are very effective at packaging them in a way that comes in very handy for online copywriters. An absolute must for people specializing in copy, as well as SEO, producers and content managers at large.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Draw in your customers Review: Are you like me in buying every self-help or non-fiction book to bring in more business? One problem. When do we have the time to read them? This book simply won't let that happen with its short chapters, personable style, and valuable information on how to keep visitors clicking until they make the buy. This book is the how. How to take all the theories and whys discussed by other authors and make it happen. I have trouble with theories because they don't help me visualize the application of such theories. This book stays away from whys and shows you how. When I started reading the book, several big projects got thrown my way leading to late night reading being replaced by late night working. Every now and then, I took a break and breezed through this book reading many pages in a brief time while gaining new knowledge and a refresher in creative writing as it applies to online copy. Non-fiction is my thing when it comes to writing. Over time, I have forgotten creative techniques for adding spice to copy. The authors jolted memories of high school English classes where we learned about the different poetic styles (iambic pentameter, alliteration, meter, etc) and to avoid using passive verbs. Not only that, but also they cover how to write for different personalities. Already getting high traffic to your site? That means you know how to draw attention and interest. But, how are you doing in building desire so that they take action? Hmm... could that be the challenge? The authors drive toward long-term results by engaging your visitors and leading the way for them to get what they need and be satisfied with it. I'm familiar with a few techniques discussed in the book, but many may not be. It depends on what you do with regard to the Web site. I understand making a Web site usable and getting visitors to the site. My Web site's weakness is converting visitors into customers. Marketing pros may succeed with creating a desire, but have trouble with visitors taking action. The authors cover all the areas needed to persuade via the Internet from "notice me!" to "be happy with me!" Are you thinking, "More technology! We need more technology to make this work?" We've taken technology for granted, but all it can do is what human programmers program it to do. Technology doesn't know human nature. It doesn't know how to feel or need something. People do and can convey what they know with words. Words make the sale. Technology ensures the words get their say (by quickly loading the Web page and functioning the way it should) and to push the sale through the back-end process (taking the order, managing inventory, etc.). This is where conversion principles apply. The authors share simple processes for improving conversion rates. A splash page is the "introduction" page to a Web site. It's flashy, colorful, and cool. But it's a waste of time. It gets in the way of the core material. Customers don't care how good your designers are, they care about what you can give them and that comes through words and good online copy. It's time for the online world to get what print mastered many years ago. The authors' witty writing style makes the book enjoyable to read without sacrificing wisdom. They practice what they preach and it's no wonder that GrokDotCom.com, the site behind Future Now, Inc. is a success. Time has come to let go of what's in it for the company and think of what's in it for the customer. In time, you shall reap the rewards at the bank.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: No Background In Copywriting? Find Another Book. Review: I bought this book to try and gain more of an understanding on copywriting for the net. My honest opinion is that unless you have a background in professional writing or copywriting, this book won't be much of a help. The book makes references to things like Fraking, Poetic Meter, etc and then gives you a very short paragraph description on what they mean that doesn't give you an understanding of the term, but rather a definition. I was for lack of a better term, lost by the time I was 60 pages in. Maybe if you do have a background in copywriting, this book will be quite useful in helping you understand how to adapt regular copywriting to the web. But, if not, you won't get much of an "education" but rather a "how to adapt" approach that isn't very useful to someone who hasn't had a some form of formal education on the topic. I did give this book two stars because there was a "nugget" here or there that anyone could have gleaned, but overall I was disappointed by the book.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: If You Read only one book on the Internet, make it this one. Review: Internet Marketing is here to stay and it's getting better every day. And the authors of this book are a big part of the reason why. 1998-2000: Money fell like rain from heaven and the streets were flooded with stories of teenage millionaires. These halcyon days were fueled by a mentality that "if you build it, they will come." Investors drunkenly bought into the Internet's promise of a "new economy" and billions of dollars were pumped into spec-tech and dotcoms, never to be seen again. But when the investors saw that the `net's realities didn't quite match up to the glowing promises, investment capital dried up faster than alcohol on a summer sidewalk. There were fundamental problems with Internet marketing that could not be overcome with mere advances in technology. What Internet marketing needed was someone who truly understood the fundamentals of human persuasion and could apply them to the Internet." Today it is my extraordinary pleasure to announce that those people have been found. Jeff and Bryan Eisenberg were talking `conversion' back when `eyeballs' were the thing and conversion wasn't even in the lexicon. Their work was greatly accelerated when they added Lisa Davis to the team. Bryan, Jeffrey and Lisa graduated with honors from Wizard Academy and have since gone on to accomplish a number of internet marketing miracles. Consequently, they were chosen to become adjunct faculty at Wizard Academy, where they now teach a curriculum that has punched Internet ROI through the ceiling for every company that has sent a delegate. This book, for a [low price], contains an extremely important portion of what they teach. Prepare to be amazed. Roy H. Williams NY Times bestselling author of Secret Formulas of The Wizard of Ads
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: If You Read only one book on the Internet, make it this one. Review: Internet Marketing is here to stay and it's getting better every day. And the authors of this book are a big part of the reason why. 1998-2000: Money fell like rain from heaven and the streets were flooded with stories of teenage millionaires. These halcyon days were fueled by a mentality that "if you build it, they will come." Investors drunkenly bought into the Internet's promise of a "new economy" and billions of dollars were pumped into spec-tech and dotcoms, never to be seen again. But when the investors saw that the 'net's realities didn't quite match up to the glowing promises, investment capital dried up faster than alcohol on a summer sidewalk. There were fundamental problems with Internet marketing that could not be overcome with mere advances in technology. What Internet marketing needed was someone who truly understood the fundamentals of human persuasion and could apply them to the Internet." Today it is my extraordinary pleasure to announce that those people have been found. Jeff and Bryan Eisenberg were talking 'conversion' back when 'eyeballs' were the thing and conversion wasn't even in the lexicon. Their work was greatly accelerated when they added Lisa Davis to the team. Bryan, Jeffrey and Lisa graduated with honors from Wizard Academy and have since gone on to accomplish a number of internet marketing miracles. Consequently, they were chosen to become adjunct faculty at Wizard Academy, where they now teach a curriculum that has punched Internet ROI through the ceiling for every company that has sent a delegate. This book, for a [low price], contains an extremely important portion of what they teach. Prepare to be amazed. Roy H. Williams NY Times bestselling author of Secret Formulas of The Wizard of Ads
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Excellent book; informative and well-written Review: Lots of great info on what WORKS in copywriting. Very helpful in avoiding the common mistakes that so many make. The authors "we-we" calculator is brilliant!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: no good.. Review: Sorry doesn't do it for me... better copywriting books out there,believe me.Let me rephrase that,much better books.This is junk...like many copwriting books its too general...it doesn't explain anything.And don't get nick usborne either...he stinks. Get the classics...Halbert,Sugerman,Dan Kennedy, Carlton...and even Marlon Sanders,his stuff is 5 times better then this dribble.Another modern book which is pretty good is make your words sell by ken evoy. Another thing I would suggest read tons of online copy,,,,print it out and read it.The only thing I like about eisenberg is imbedded links.I believe there is a lot of copywriters out there that don't have a clue how they even write copy...they are unconciously competent just like many sales people...I'd put these guys in that catagory.I want to know who gives all these 5 star reviews
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A Must Have! Review: This book is a must have for any web site manager, content coordinator, or copy writer. It contains a proven methodology with solid examples on how the most important part of any web site are its copy and content(which by the way are two seperate things...) It also pushes you to realize that "conversion is king!" in the online world. The second half of the book features web site "conversion" principles that you will find no where else other than the author's twice monthly newsleter, The Grokdotcom. After years of building sites with form, but no function it is great to finally see someone address this issue. I don't know anyone else who takes it to this level. Perfect for both the seasoned web professional and beginner alike - A very easy read!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!! Review: This book opened doors to my imagination. My mind sprung wells so deep that I could not help but drink. This book should be recommended to any marketer who would like to persuade. It is deeper and more valuable than any other book about the Internet. It will explain how to set your web page in order and keep visitors clicking until they become repeat buyers. This book is recommended for anyone who would like to increase their conversion rate!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Pure Gold for Online Marketers Review: This book take a century's worth of marketing learnings from the world of direct mail and applies them to the web. From verb tense, to web page composition to email subject lines there are tons of good tactical suggestions for anyone selling and marketing on the Internet. Required reading for my staff!
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