Here’s this week’s eclectic mix of worthwhile reading from around the Web. Also, things may look a bit different – check out our new, easier-to-read (we hope!) design. Let us know what you think in a comment!
This may not be a shock to many, but your appearance has an outsized effect on how others perceive you. In an article in Psychology Today (@PsychToday), Dr. Susan Whitbourne (@swhitbo) explains why The Way You Look Counts More Than What You Say.
One of the persuasion gurus featured in my free ebook, List-Building Secrets of the World’s Top Conversion Experts, is Crazy Egg’s Neil Patel (@neilpatel). In How to Use Urgency and Scarcity to Improve Conversions Neil shows you how to use one of Robert Cialdini’s powerful principles to boost your conversion rate.
Many employers block their employees from accessing social media and other online platforms at work in an effort to keep them productive. Surprisingly, a new study by researchers from the University of Cincinnati suggests that allowing employees to use technology and access social media may actually promote efficiency. Online Breaks Enhance Productivity by Rick Nauert describes the findings.
Want a lesson in how NOT to do online reputation management? The previously unknown but now infamous Union Street Guest House came up with a novel approach to avoiding bad reviews on sites like Yelp. Hotel fines $500 for every bad review posted online by Mara Siegler (@MaraSiegler) describes their bizarre approach to ORM. Naturally, a tidal wave of bad reviews ensued.
You’ve got landing pages, but do you have video? Few sites incorporate videos in their landing pages, but Colin Osing (@ColinOsing) shows how they can be effective conversion-boosters. Get the details in The Psychology of Landing Page Videos (+5 Video Optimization Tips).
What’s in a name? Hundreds of years after Shakespeare penned that immortal line, it turns out that the answer is, “a lot!” Names can make or break brands and companies. Aaron Orendorff (@iconiContent) digs into the surprising effects of different names in Three Scientifically Proven Tests to Select a Name That Works. Registration may be required, but you won’t regret keeping up with the latest content from MarketingProfs (@MarketingProfs).
One of the most useful tools in my kit was Rapportive, a nifty Gmail plugin that showed you a photo and social profile links for any email address. LinkedIn acquired Rapportive a while back, but maintained its functionality. Until now, at least. LinkedIn Neutered Rapportive Today by Alan Hamlett (@alanhamlett) tells the sad story, and offers a few alternatives. I’m testing VibeApp – a bit beta-ish at the moment, but shows some promise. If you are seeing good results from something else, let us know in a comment.
What’s the most challenging thing about writing an article about headlines? My vote goes to the task of coming up with a headline that’s as awesome as the advice provided in the text. “How to Write Good Headlines” just doesn’t make the point. But, what’s not to like about Kissmetrics (@KISSmetrics) attention-grabbing 9 Awesome Examples of Copywriting Headlines (That You Can Steal!).
My Stuff
Ask most online businesses what their most important asset is and you’ll likely get the reply, “our mailing list.” So, we did a deep dive into list-building strategies by looking at how the smartest people in the business build their lists. How Top Conversion Experts Seduce You Into Giving Up Your Email illustrates three different approaches, and tells you how to get the free 40-page ebook I mentioned earlier.
Many things grab and hold our attention. Movies. Gossip. Religion. What do they have in common? Dr. Jim Davies (@drjimdavies), author of Riveted, would use the term compellingness. To hear about what makes things and people compelling, check out the latest episode of The Brainfluence Podcast, Episode #18: How to Be Compelling with Jim Davies. You’ll also hear about the unique Science of Imagination Lab at Carleton University!
Don’t miss out on some good stuff we picked on last week’s top picks. We talked about neuroscience for businesses, redesigning websites, not breaking promises and handling trolls. Check Selling to Tightwads, High-heeled Hotties, Killer Ad Copy, more – Roger’s Picks.
Weird
Speaking of headlines, the New York Times missed the boat completely with their ultra-bland Wikipedia Details Government Data Requests written by Mark Scott (@markscott82). Buried in the article is the fact that Wikipedia refused to remove photos taken by a monkey at the request of the owner. This shows why the Times is in trouble online – do you think The Huffington Post would have missed an opportunity like “Wikipedia Defends Monkey Photographers, Denies Takedown Request?”
Feel free to add your own great find in a comment. Also, as I mentioned above, Neuromarketing is sporting a new look -what do you think?
