Advertisers: Sharpen Your 5 Line Ad Skills
by LuAnn Elliott
You've heard it before, don't write your classified ads to sell
your products. Write them to draw your potential customers in
for a closer look.
Fine, but how? What elements need to be included in the
limited space of a classified ad to get a response?
Let's assume we are working with a typical 5 line ad, and
breakdown what you need to accomplish with each of those 5
lines.
THE HEADLINE
This is the crucial one. If you fail here it doesn't matter
what else your ad contains. The headline's SOLE purpose is to
draw the attention of your target market. Not everyone's
attention, just those who will be interested in your product.
Now what's the best way to get someone's attention? Call their
name. So, first ask yourself, WHO is your target market?
Title them, name them something to which they will answer.
That's the first part of your headline, your target market's
name.
The second part of your headline informs your target market
what you are going to do for them. What is the main benefit
of your product? What problem does it solve?
Line 2 ASSOCIATION
You now have your target market's attention. Now identify with
them a little. Show that you can associate with them or feel
what they feel. Think of the solution or benefit you want to
provide. Show them you understand why that solution or benefit
would be desirable.
Line 3 TEASER
You grabbed their attention, associated with their problem or
desire. Now, revert back to the second part of your headline.
Repeat it only expand on it just a little. You're not just
identifying with them here, you're hinting at HOW you can offer
a solution or benefit. Don't try to fully explain everything
your product can do, just hint at some possibilities. Pique
their interest, nothing more.
Line 4 COMPEL THEM
It's time to make your request, for them to click on your link,
and put it in an immediate sense. Don't beg for a response,
tell them what to do. Give a reason why they need to
investigate your product further, and why they need to do it
now. Then tell them to do so.
Line 5 YOUR LINK
Double check that your link is right. All your advertising
goes to nothing if your link is faulty. The best way to do
this is actually copy the link after you've typed it, paste it
in your browser, and see if it works.
Don't forget to use active words in your ads. Format each line
to stand on it's own. Avoid long sentences, overuse of
capitals, and misspelled words. Try to be concise, yet
intriguing. The action you are seeking is simply to get your
prospect to click a link looking for more information.
Keep that single goal in mind as you work through each line and
in the end, that's the action you'll put across to your reader,
and the result you'll get.
Copyright © LuAnn Elliott 2003
http://www.websuccesscentral.com
Discover How YOU Can Quickly and Easily Generate Amazing
Autoresponder Messages, Killer Emails and Profit-Pulling Ezine
Ads -- Using Best Selling Examples From the World's Top
Internet Marketers" Now You Can Simply Model, Copy and
Swipe Your Pick of These Winners and Watch Your Website
Sales Explode! http://www.websuccesscentral.com/e/magic.html
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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