Resonance - It’s official - It does work!

Filed under: Copywriting — Shaune on Thursday, April 13, 2006

I believe that there is a great deal of power in using Resonance in our copy. I go into a lot of detail on this topic in my coaching program. One of the “generic elements of resonance” that I talk about is water.

As human beings most of us have an affinity for water. We can associate some positive feelings with water, especially the Ocean.

Why?

Of course there are the images of beaches and vacations that we can associate with. This is what I call direct influence but there’s more.

There is something innate in us that feels as though the Ocean, mountains as well, connects us with creation. It is “an inner knowing,” something deep within us, something unspoken, something indirect. Our resonance to it is natural.

Think about it — How do you feel when you are near the Ocean? It’s almost undescribable right? It’s just a knowing, a feeling of… “at home.”

It’s powerful to understand how potent it is to have resonance embedded in your sales message.

I’ve experienced it.

When I speak to clients who have responded to my site at…

http://www.DynamicResponseMarketing.com

They will often make mention, specifically and warmly of, “The Harbor”.

And now…

I recently called Pasti Krakoff from http://www.buildabetterblog.com

It’s off topic but wanted to throw this in… (This is a blog. I can do that right?)

Patsi has great rhythm in her URL.

Here’s what I mean. Read it quickly. (Because that’s how you usually read a URL)

Build - a - better- blog - dot - com - Niiiice!

Back to my point about resonance…

Patsi had signed up for my New Copy Secrets Newsletter. I wanted her honest opinion about how my new and unpolished blog had landed on her. I thought I’d use that, often forgotten method of communication, the phone, : ) to call her.

She was so gracious with her time.

She made some excellent suggestions and then, regarding my blog photo said…

Is that picture of you “On the Bay” from San Diego?

Whoa, I thought! This resonated with her so much that she actually commented on it.

Now, although I did once spend 6 spectacular weeks living on Mission Beach in San Diego, this photo is from Nova Scotia…the other side of the planet, at least to some. : )

Can you see the “generic” resonance in that?

Here’s the key as it relates to incredibly powerful copy…

ANYTIME you create resonance and connection, you have created a very powerful bond. If you use that in your copy, along with other forms of “Indirect Persuasion”, you will gracefully guide your prospects to buying…

This approach is much different from the standard hype and “Push em to buy” marketing that is unfortunately, all to common.

I’m on a mission, Let’s…

Stop using hype, Let’s stop hammering prospects with benefits instead, let’s start using…Graceful persuasion!

What do you think?

4 Comments - I want to hear your opinion. Click here to leave a comment.

Comment by Mike Muller

April 18, 2006 @ 12:46 pm

Shaune,

Your dislike of hype is dead on. When I sit down to write something out, I really have to think about how I want something to sound to me. In past years, I purchased products that were overhyped and when they didn’t live up to their lofty promises, I felt a little cheated. If you can really connect with someone through the written word, that’s very powerful. And that’s one of the many reasons I’m looking forward to your coaching program.

50

Comment by John A. Manley

April 19, 2006 @ 12:54 pm

In a way it’s too bad hype has been so abused. Like Mike says, when products don’t live up to their promises we start believing nothing we hear.

I’ve had products/services that I’ve under-promised for the sheer sake of making it more believable.

“The to good to be true” factor could ruin honest copy, these days I think.

John A. Manley
http://www.REALITYCopywriting.com
A “Live” Online Look at the Day to Day Life of a Fulltime Copywriter From Starving Writer (Day One) to…?

62

Comment by Timmy

May 2, 2006 @ 6:44 pm

Howdy,

Nice blog Shaune. You know, We’ve all been conditioned with institutional (Image, or Madison Avenue, if you prefer) advertising and we’re to the point as a society that we’ve insulated ourselves from anything that even smells remotely like hype. Add to that the fact that we’re literally bombarded on a daily basis with people vying to get a mere second of our time and then couple that with the inherent intangibility of much of what’s being peddled on the internet and you seriously have a marketer’s worst nightmare. Compelling copy and the guts to get it out there without hype may be all we have left.

Have a groovy evening,

Tim Centner,
Marketing Director, The Brian Rodgers Companies

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Comment by Bob Powell

May 16, 2006 @ 10:31 am

Shaune,

Great looking blog and even better information and insight!

I also agree with the premise that hype-style has been, well, over-hyped. Like Mike Muller said, I like to write as if I’m going to be on the receiving end. Can I believe what I’m writing? If not, I won’t buy what I’m selling. (sounds like an experience on the planet Bizarro!).

John Manley’s point of “under promising” is dead on, IMHO. It’s the antithesis of the “too good to be true”, and I don’t think there’s even one of us that hasn’t been underwhelmed by a product that was over-hyped and delivered less than the promise.

Something to consider: in this “I” age, meaning Internet, I wonder what the percentages are for people who get the sales copy, then check the Internet for correlation and confirmation of the promises? It’s something I’ve been doing more and more.

Example: I got a penny stock sales letter a few years ago. Another “system” that will bring you riches, etc. I did a search on Google, and what turned up? Litigation hits on this gentleman. When I checked them out, he and his son have been and were under SEC investigation for false testimonials, false promises, misleading investors, etc.

This criminal’s ad was in Investor business Daily. I sent them an email and asked them how they could allow a half page of advertising from a known scam artist. Never received a response. I know why they didn’t check and didn’t care: ad revenue for a half page.

Sorry to belabor the point, but perhaps the “less is more” approach with truth, honesty and credibility works better lately, especially if people followup with an Internet check after receipt of the sales copy. I know I do.

Now that I discovered your blog, I’ll be a loyal reader of your comments and the responses. What a great learning tool.

Cheers to All!
Bob (nobody…yet!)

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