How to Write Ads that Make Sales 1-2-3

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Step 1:
Get the Prospect's Attention

• Ask a question
• Empathize with your reader
• Be direct and to the point

Step 2:
Demonstrate a Need, How You'll Fill it & Proof

• Address the prospect's most common complaint
• Show how the prospect will benefit from using your product/service
• Prove how your product/service is better than the competition, use customer testimonials and offer a guarantee if you can

Step 3:
Ask For Action

• Use fear of loss: if prospects don't act now, they'll miss out. Use a time limit or limit on product availability
• Make it easy for prospects to respond to your ad. Give them multiple ways to respond to your offer (toll-free phone, website, email, mail) and make the process simple and quick.

Fill-in-the-Blank Headline Examples:

• Warning: _______
• A Startling Fact About _______
• The Secret to _______
• _______ Steps to _______
• How a Simple Idea Allowed Me to _______
• Who Else Wants _______?
• If You are _______, You Can _______
• How _______ Made Me _______

More Ad Writing Tips:

A. Be Direct in your message. (Get to the point!)

• Use Less Words.
  
• State a Real offer, don't promise the world - unless you can
  
• What do you want your reader to do?

B. Make your offer Stand Out:

• What Benefits do you offer?
  
• What makes your product/service Better?
  
• In direct mail, include a personal note of recommendation (They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care)

C. Be Professional in your advertising/mailing.

• Use quality mailing materials and thought into your ad copy
• Avoid using mailing labels on your envelopes
  
• Use 32 cent stamps as opposed to bulk mailing whenever possible

D. Be Cost Effective: (Make your Dollar Go Further)

• Higher quality mailing leads, larger ads may appear more expensive, but will actually cost you less in time and money because you will receive more responses much more quickly
  
• Follow-Up with your prospects! Someone may not need you product or service today, but they may need it next month. People need to be reminded. FREE internet classifieds can be a great source of advertising, but be sure they bring in leads, or they aren't worth your time.

Where to advertise in print: Low-Cost Postcards | Discount Newspaper Ads | Business Cards