Here’s a peek behind the scenes at what I’m using to setup and create my blogging class.
Sales Page
I created the sales page within WordPress using the Premise plugin from Copyblogger. I love it because it’s a plugin and not a theme, so I can keep my “pretty” theme for my main site but customize sales and opt in pages with Premise. It’s also got all sorts of built in copywriting advice (you can even click a button to get example text!) and fun graphics.
You can see my sales page here: https://michelleshaeffer.com/rock-your-blog/ and here’s a free opt-in page I created with Premise: https://michelleshaeffer.com/learn-how-to-create-a-blog-that-helps-you-help-others/
Shopping Cart
My site is currently using AMember Pro for orders. It’s been a little glitchy and I’m in the middle of upgrading to the newest version to fix that.
It’s been a reminder for me to expect technical issues, and just deal with them as they come. Fix it and keep going.
Creating the Class
I use Freemind to map out what I want to be sure to include.
I’m using PowerPoint to create my slides (Open Office has a free presentation tool if you don’t have PowerPoint).
Images for my slides are from StockFresh (lots of free alternatives).
For bonus step by step videos of how to do various things I use Jing Pro (only the Pro version makes the right format to upload to YouTube) and host my videos on Screencast.
Delivering the Class
I’ll be using InstantTeleseminar to deliver the class so participants can listen in by phone or stream live on the web. It also offers an easy to setup replay option so all the calls are instantly available for replay once they’re done, and a Q&A box right on the call page so participants can easily send in questions.
Promoting the Class
So what’s worked promotion wise? Free teleseminar. Emails to my list. Promotion on social networks (Twitter and my fan page).
One thing I haven’t done yet was invited affiliates to promote. I’ll be doing that today — are you an affiliate yet? If not, you can sign up here and make $ sharing my class (or Twitter or Website Building courses) with your blog readers or list: affiliate sign up.
Your Turn! What tools do you use in your business?
Image Credit: CandyboxPhoto/StockFresh
Every business has different requirements but the tools you’re using and very common and used in almost every business, and if I do my business then I’ll use all of these tools.
Yes, we’re blessed to have thousands of options to choose from in the online world. Makes it easier to find the right tool for our specific businesses.
Sales page is the requirement of every business so that they can get more and more lead. You’ve simply used some nice and useful tools.
Premise is a very nice tool for building sales pages, I’ve been very happy with how much easier it’s made it to create them on my blog.
Thank you for sharing this post! I will be checking on the things you mentioned and see if it works for me as well!
Hope they’re helpful for you, Edmond.
great useful post Michelle, thank you!
Where do we get, or who does the covers of the e books like the one you have in your opt-in page? Thanks,
Patricia
Hi Patricia, my virtual assistant (Melissa from http://barhamvirtualassistance.com) does the covers for me. We use http://www.myecovermaker.com to turn them into books/CDs/etc.
Good to hear it’s going well. You’d be the best teacher Michelle. The only reason why I didn’t take you up on your offer is short-term financial. I know that in the long run, a lot of the things that you will be teaching will do all blog owners a lot of good. I am also already familiar with many of the areas that you cover.
The only areas that I really need help with are getting traffic coming in and also with the pluyins that I am using.
I hope you’re having a fantastic day
Your friend across the pond
David
Hey David, yes, this class covers a lot and isn’t right for everyone. I am planning some shorter, specific-focus action days in the new few months. :)
I am storyboarding a couple projects for spring and it looks like FreeMind will be a perfect tool to help me out! I’m a huge fan of Powerpoint and I am starting to implement SlideShare for a couple of other projects involving some holiday crafts I am working on. Now if I could just get past my stage fright and start implementing a video, I think I would be set LOL — thanks for sharing some of your “secrets” :)
I have also found oneshopping cart to be a good alternative. I like it because it helps me manage my affiliates where authorize.net did not. Thanks for the post Michele.
Great info as always Michelle! I must say…you are “Rockin Your Blog” these days!