Do People Like Websites That Instantly Play Audio … or Not?

Interesting results from a recent survey by Tessa Stowe of Australia’s Sales Conversation. She wrote:

I recently did a survey on whether people like audio playing automatically on web pages or not.

Of the 81 people who responded:

80.2% (65) said they did not like automatic audio 13.6% (11) said they did like automatic audio 6.2% (5) had no opinion.

In fact quite a few people commented that if they come across a web page playing audio automatically, they immediately leave.

How do you feel about audio assaults on websites? (“Hi! I’m Jim

So and So .. Thanks for coming by the Wonderful World of Marketing …”)

Hate ‘em? Love ‘em? Drop by and cast your vote.

More headshot tips from Joan Stewart

The Publicity Hound, Joan Stewart, had some cogent comments in her blog on getting a decent headshot. Read Photos Will Look Better If You Follow These Tips. And avoid looking like a startled deer, or worse 'a moose' as one of my friends insists.

Technorati Tags: Headshot, self promotion, portrait photography

Platform Analysis of Some Really Good Websites

So I’m really not so mean, alright? In fact, I’m an old softie. AND I really want you to understand how to package yourself so you come across as the credible expert that you are. Here are some sites that do exactly that … and by the way, some of them are blogs.

Go to http://debbieweil.com/ Debbie packs a lot into a little space, and her blog has a fresh, lively feel with lots of useful info. Now, Debbie’s not posting a lot right now because she’s writing some books – but I LOVE the feel of this blog. One no-no: no media room in the tabs at the top.

1.Friendly, welcoming feel that’s different. She went the designer route and got help here. And it shows. (Blog design work is much cheaper than site design.)

2.Great, lively picture of author. Really shows a lot of personality.

3.Lots of categories with key phrases in them.

4.Tabs to other blogs. The whole package is right here, led off by her abundant personality.

Go to http://www.forgetperfect.com/press.htm Here is an elaborate, expensive site that really does the job – and the media room (called ‘Press Room’ here) has all the ciritcal pieces. All of this appears ‘above the fold’ – in the first screen you see on the site.

1.Tight response info up front.

2.Awesome pictures.

3.Lots of media mentions featured quickly. (This can be almost as effectively done with small venues like regional newspapers or cable TV.)

4.Story angles. A nice link for Show and Story Ideas right up front.

This page genuinely helps the media. That works!

Finally, a favorite because this is my client’s site which we worked on together: www.couragelender.com Don’t you just want to get to know this woman?

1.Awesome brand. (She got it in a meditation!) Full of benefit and unique, too.

2.Friendly, upbeat colors and feel.

3.Freebie offer prominently featured to collect names.

4.Audio that’s warm, personal and doesn’t blast you the minute you arrive.

To see more sites and blogs that work, go to my own gallery of ‘Get Known Now’ Success stories

Platform Analysis of Some Really Bad Websites

In my Get Known Now Blast Off group coaching program the other day, I did something really mean. I showed my clients some lousy websites. They were sites that simply didn’t work from a marketing point of view because they were too cluttered, too hard to read, unfocussed, or simply way too general.

I chose these sites not to be nasty, but because they provide great learning tools. The owners are clearly competent people who simply aren’t packaging themselves correctly – and it really impacts the overall impression they make, (If you happen to own one of these sites, be in touch. I have ideas for you!)

Take a look at what I mean. Go to www.proactive-coach.com . This is a fairly attractive, minimalist site BUT it’s missing a lot, too.

1.No particular focus or niche – ‘Proactive Coach’ is like saying ‘Effective Doctor’. We don’t know specialty, focus or even who the audience is

2.No bonus. No reason to get involved or sign up for the ezine. No freebies in general.

3.No photo. Who is Serge, anyway?
4.No media room or even easy way to contact Serge.

Now look at www.smalltownmarketing.com/Author.html This guy is an established speaker with a catchy brand that’s meaningful BUT … if you’re the media, trying to find out more, his ‘About’ page is a mess.

1.Too long and windy. There’s nothing fast about this page – no immediate contact info, story ideas, additional head shots … nothin’!

2.Site is un-navigable. It’s folksy, in a small town way, but there’s no easy selection of buttons to get around the site. Instead you have to go through the entire 300 page site. Yikes!
3.No media room. Again.

4.Brand isn’t specific. It’s catchy – but what’s the benefit. With John Jantsch’s ‘Duct Tape Marketing’ you get it immediately – effective, flexible, always there to patch problems up. While memorable, this brand isn’t quite as fast.

Go to http://www.authenticintention.com/ It’s one of those sites that conveys a really good message, but visually is so heavy and difficult to read you just can’t stay there.

1.Black is the basic color. A psychological no-no, folks. First of all, it’s much harder to read type against black. Secondly, it’s just heavy – in feeling, look, everything. I don’t want to stay there. It’s too somber.

2.Brand is too generic. No focus. Who’s the market? I have to click on ‘What is True Living’ to find out, and if I’m like most visitors, I won’t bother.

3.USP is too difficult. ‘Enabling authentic living through intentional guidance.’ What does this mean? Only the coach knows.

4.No photo of the author. No relationship or trust established easily here.

By the way, this is the kind of learning we do in my Get Known Now Blast Off Program. So I can help you establish your brand, package your look and feel, and set you apart from the crowd … so you, too, can attract national media. Next class starts on April 20.