Their ad went like this: "New Diet and Exercise Tape, with African Percussion Drums, only $10.00! (followed with their name & address). I was instructed to place the ad (over MY name) and to keep $5.00 of every $10.00 order I received!
I didn't take them up on their offer, because it seemed like it would be an expensive proposition, with little chance for any number of sales coming from that ad!
May I offer a few suggestions on writing a good ad?
1) Your ad should SELL! Your ad NEEDS to do MORE than just TELL what it is you're selling! The ad needs to SHOUT the reasons WHY they should send you their money, for something you're selling! It needs to tell the reader HOW they're going to BENEFIT, if they order from you! Will they be happier; healthier; wiser, by ordering? Will they save money; will this help them make MORE money? Should you tell them your product is powerful; efficient; solidly built or a time-saver! Is their life going to be better; easier; more fulfilled; more exciting, by responding to your offer?
2) Your ad needs to be IRRESISTIBLE! It could contain a "special offer" or a BONUS item, if they respond within 30 days! Your ad should be so inviting and so compelling, that the reader will want to clip out the ad, right then! Maybe they could be assured of a full 30 day "satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded!"
3) Tell the reader to ACT NOW! Include a time limit; offer a special discount; whatever it takes to make the reader TAKE ACTION, now! There might be a limited supply; the price might go up after 30 days; they shouldn't miss this opportunity! Don't just ASK the reader to consider it,.. REQUIRE that they take action now!
4) The Price need NOT be in your ad! "But, how can they order from me if I don't put a price in my ad?" you might ask! Your ads shouldn't contain a price! Money can scare people away! You want people to respond, that's all! Don't tell them to send a certain amount! Usually a small 40 word ad is NOT enough to convince someone to put their money into an envelope and send it to you! Just get people to write to you for more info, or to ask for a Free Sample!
5) A FREE Sample! If at all possible, give them a "free taste!" Let them sample your product, if there is a way you can do that! If you have a line of tapes, offer the first one FREE! If you have a line of Books, offer a small one FREE! If it's Ice Cream, give them a taste! NOTHING is more compelling,.. more irresistible than getting a sample, FREE, trying it, liking it, and wanting more! Once you have a customer that's SOLD, they'll keep coming back for more!
FREE is still the most powerful word in the english language! But, if you CAN'T give away a free sample, maybe you could offer Free Information; or a Free Brochure; a Free catalog, or Free Details, etc. Use the word FREE somehow, as it might be the ONE WORD that might make the difference between just a "good" ad, and a "GREAT" ad!
(This Report written by Gary Christensen, a freelance writer of Home-Based Business Articles, has written and Self-Published 9 Books and 85 Original Reports like this one! (Those 85 Original Reports can be had for $33.00 (39c each!) Each Report covers a different "Trade Secret!" His New "67 Mailorder Trade Secrets" book is yours for only $26.00! Send Gary your 2 page Article or News Release with $22.00 (by the 26th of any month) & it'll be distributed to 90 Publishers of Mail Trade Magazines! Check out the HomeMoney Magazine & HomeMoney Mall at: http://www.nemaine.com/homebiz/mail-order/GChrist95w.htm
Email your comments and suggestions to: grays@homeimages.com