Post by Marketing Matters on Jan 3, 2016 20:47:29 GMT
How to Write a Winning Ad
Now that you understand the uses of classifieds and you have your products ready to go, it is time to begin working on your own winning copy. Following is a list of suggestions for creating a classified that gets results.
1. Select the right publications. This has been suggested elsewhere but it bears repeating. As a small businessperson, you will save money and avoid waste when you choose the best publications for your classified ad campaign. What are the best publications?
First, they are the newspapers and magazines that are read by your audience. Second, they are the same ones that are used by your competitors. Third, they are the publications that have a strong classified section. Typically, magazines with a large classified section are effective in pulling orders.
Although magazines and newspapers will undoubtedly be at the top of your list, do not rule out other publications. Consider newsletters published by the local Chamber of Commerce or perhaps an e-zine that targets your audience. "You must familiarize yourself with all the publications that reach the people who can buy from you," noted Dr. Jeffrey Lant in No More Cold Calls.
2. Request a media kit. A media kit is nothing more than a folder of information that provides detailed advertising data about a particular publication. In addition to the cost of the ads (also called "ad rate card"), the kit provides you with circulation figures, deadlines, and information on the demographics served by the publications.
Media kits are free for the asking and they usually come with a sample copy of the publication.
3. Examine the classified section. Once you have a few of the publications read by your audience, take a close look at the classified section. How large is it? What's the cost? Who are your competitors? What are the available categories under which your ad might appear? Must you pay by word or by line?
Examine the graphics. Are bold headlines allowed? What about headlines in all caps? Is color allowed? Borders or boxes around the copy?
If you study several issues of a magazine, you will find that certain ads are repeated over and over. This is a sure sign of a winning ad.
4. Select the appropriate category. Take a look at the category used by your competitor. Is it the best one for your product or service? The fact that classifieds have categories is a plus for this type of advertising, according to Jay Conrad Levinson, author of Guerrilla Advertising. "[Classifieds] are more powerful than ever, because there are more classifications than ever, letting you pinpoint prospects," he wrote.
5. Write a powerful headline. Since the headline is the most important part of any ad, you would be wise to spend as much time as possible in brainstorming until you come up with a winner. Begin with a list of all the benefits of your product or service. Select the one that is most likely to grab your prospects.
Then write a headline that incorporates this major benefit.
If you struggle with using a benefit in your headline, consider a headline that focuses on the problem or need of your prospects. As with the benefits, simply make a list of all the problems that your product or service solves. Then pick the one most likely to grab the attention of your prospects. Once this is done, write a provocative headline that calls attention to the problem.
Since shorter is usually better with classifieds, try to write a headline with six words or less. Sometimes, when stressing a problem, you can get away with one or two words as a headline. Example: "BAD BREATH!" Or you could write something like, "YELLOW TEETH!"
In addition to using benefits and problems in your copy, you might also consider calling out to your audience. "MEN WITH BAD BACKS!" Or you may write, "EMPLOYERS WITH HIGH TURNOVERS!"
"If you can find a one-word headline that will attract the right prospects, such as 'Accounting,' 'Deaf,' or 'Loans,' it will probably be your best headline," according to John Caples in his classic advertising primer Tested Advertising Methods. "The reason is because it can be set in big type without taking up much room."
Note: Classified headlines can be more effective when they printed in bold type or they are written in all caps.
6. Write a complete sales message about your product or service. One of the best ways to create a winning classified is to first write a lengthy sales message about your product or service and then cut it down to size. Here's how to start:
First, make a list of all the essential elements. This list should include headline, benefits, offer, call to action, contact information (mail, phone, e-mail, or website) and some type of code that allows you to know where prospects saw your ad.
Second, while using your ultimate benefit, write a detailed paragraph that shows how your product or service will help your prospects. Will it save them money? Improve their health? Ensure a job promotion?
7. Determine the required length and begin cutting. How many words can you afford in your ad? Will you test an ad with 30 words or 20? Three lines of copy or four? Once you know this, it is time to start cutting.
Simply go through the copy and cut all unnecessary words. Eliminate sentences that don't add to the message. Remove introductions and leave only those words with the strongest selling power.
8. Use telegraphic language. Write "as if you were sending a cablegram (in the old days) and you had to pay fifty cents a word," advised John Caples. This is good advice when you consider that readers of classifieds are accustomed to this type of language. They've come to expect it and can usually read it without a problem.
Therefore, instead of writing, "I will send you a free report," write: "Free report!" Instead of, "You can use this widget to save money," simply write, "Save cash!" Instead of using, "This widget is fast and easy to use," you could write, "Easy! Fast!" Instead of writing, "Guaranteed results or your money back," write: "Guaranteed!"
9. Abbreviate where necessary. Certain abbreviations are easily understood by respective audiences. If you specialize in Business-to-Business services, then your audience will certainly understand the use of "B2B" in your ad. Most readers would understand "Bklt" to mean "Booklet."
Since you will be paying by the word (or lines of copy), you want to tell your story in as few words as possible. This idea is particularly useful when writing your contact information. Example: Instead of "Post Office Box 10," write: "Bx 10."
Note: Don't forget to code every ad, as this will allow you to track results. Some businesses use different names to call in each ad: "Call Mary" will appear in one ad; "Call John" will appear in another one. Sometimes this is done to test publications: "Call Mary" will appear in magazine A; and "Call John" will appear in magazine B.
Another method of coding is to include a suite number in your address: "Suite A" will appear in one ad or one publication, while "Suite B" will appear in another."
10. Write a second classified and begin testing. Write a second headline and test it in the same publication. Measure the results. Or, keep the same headline and change the offer. Run this in the same publication and then measure the results.
Once you've determined which ad pulled the most response, begin testing it in different publications.
Now that you understand the uses of classifieds and you have your products ready to go, it is time to begin working on your own winning copy. Following is a list of suggestions for creating a classified that gets results.
1. Select the right publications. This has been suggested elsewhere but it bears repeating. As a small businessperson, you will save money and avoid waste when you choose the best publications for your classified ad campaign. What are the best publications?
First, they are the newspapers and magazines that are read by your audience. Second, they are the same ones that are used by your competitors. Third, they are the publications that have a strong classified section. Typically, magazines with a large classified section are effective in pulling orders.
Although magazines and newspapers will undoubtedly be at the top of your list, do not rule out other publications. Consider newsletters published by the local Chamber of Commerce or perhaps an e-zine that targets your audience. "You must familiarize yourself with all the publications that reach the people who can buy from you," noted Dr. Jeffrey Lant in No More Cold Calls.
2. Request a media kit. A media kit is nothing more than a folder of information that provides detailed advertising data about a particular publication. In addition to the cost of the ads (also called "ad rate card"), the kit provides you with circulation figures, deadlines, and information on the demographics served by the publications.
Media kits are free for the asking and they usually come with a sample copy of the publication.
3. Examine the classified section. Once you have a few of the publications read by your audience, take a close look at the classified section. How large is it? What's the cost? Who are your competitors? What are the available categories under which your ad might appear? Must you pay by word or by line?
Examine the graphics. Are bold headlines allowed? What about headlines in all caps? Is color allowed? Borders or boxes around the copy?
If you study several issues of a magazine, you will find that certain ads are repeated over and over. This is a sure sign of a winning ad.
4. Select the appropriate category. Take a look at the category used by your competitor. Is it the best one for your product or service? The fact that classifieds have categories is a plus for this type of advertising, according to Jay Conrad Levinson, author of Guerrilla Advertising. "[Classifieds] are more powerful than ever, because there are more classifications than ever, letting you pinpoint prospects," he wrote.
5. Write a powerful headline. Since the headline is the most important part of any ad, you would be wise to spend as much time as possible in brainstorming until you come up with a winner. Begin with a list of all the benefits of your product or service. Select the one that is most likely to grab your prospects.
Then write a headline that incorporates this major benefit.
If you struggle with using a benefit in your headline, consider a headline that focuses on the problem or need of your prospects. As with the benefits, simply make a list of all the problems that your product or service solves. Then pick the one most likely to grab the attention of your prospects. Once this is done, write a provocative headline that calls attention to the problem.
Since shorter is usually better with classifieds, try to write a headline with six words or less. Sometimes, when stressing a problem, you can get away with one or two words as a headline. Example: "BAD BREATH!" Or you could write something like, "YELLOW TEETH!"
In addition to using benefits and problems in your copy, you might also consider calling out to your audience. "MEN WITH BAD BACKS!" Or you may write, "EMPLOYERS WITH HIGH TURNOVERS!"
"If you can find a one-word headline that will attract the right prospects, such as 'Accounting,' 'Deaf,' or 'Loans,' it will probably be your best headline," according to John Caples in his classic advertising primer Tested Advertising Methods. "The reason is because it can be set in big type without taking up much room."
Note: Classified headlines can be more effective when they printed in bold type or they are written in all caps.
6. Write a complete sales message about your product or service. One of the best ways to create a winning classified is to first write a lengthy sales message about your product or service and then cut it down to size. Here's how to start:
First, make a list of all the essential elements. This list should include headline, benefits, offer, call to action, contact information (mail, phone, e-mail, or website) and some type of code that allows you to know where prospects saw your ad.
Second, while using your ultimate benefit, write a detailed paragraph that shows how your product or service will help your prospects. Will it save them money? Improve their health? Ensure a job promotion?
7. Determine the required length and begin cutting. How many words can you afford in your ad? Will you test an ad with 30 words or 20? Three lines of copy or four? Once you know this, it is time to start cutting.
Simply go through the copy and cut all unnecessary words. Eliminate sentences that don't add to the message. Remove introductions and leave only those words with the strongest selling power.
8. Use telegraphic language. Write "as if you were sending a cablegram (in the old days) and you had to pay fifty cents a word," advised John Caples. This is good advice when you consider that readers of classifieds are accustomed to this type of language. They've come to expect it and can usually read it without a problem.
Therefore, instead of writing, "I will send you a free report," write: "Free report!" Instead of, "You can use this widget to save money," simply write, "Save cash!" Instead of using, "This widget is fast and easy to use," you could write, "Easy! Fast!" Instead of writing, "Guaranteed results or your money back," write: "Guaranteed!"
9. Abbreviate where necessary. Certain abbreviations are easily understood by respective audiences. If you specialize in Business-to-Business services, then your audience will certainly understand the use of "B2B" in your ad. Most readers would understand "Bklt" to mean "Booklet."
Since you will be paying by the word (or lines of copy), you want to tell your story in as few words as possible. This idea is particularly useful when writing your contact information. Example: Instead of "Post Office Box 10," write: "Bx 10."
Note: Don't forget to code every ad, as this will allow you to track results. Some businesses use different names to call in each ad: "Call Mary" will appear in one ad; "Call John" will appear in another one. Sometimes this is done to test publications: "Call Mary" will appear in magazine A; and "Call John" will appear in magazine B.
Another method of coding is to include a suite number in your address: "Suite A" will appear in one ad or one publication, while "Suite B" will appear in another."
10. Write a second classified and begin testing. Write a second headline and test it in the same publication. Measure the results. Or, keep the same headline and change the offer. Run this in the same publication and then measure the results.
Once you've determined which ad pulled the most response, begin testing it in different publications.
10 Tips for Unleashing the Power of Classified Ads:
Entrepreneur Magazine
Don't forget to Follow More News From Entrepreneur Magazine
Entrepreneur Magazine
Don't forget to Follow More News From Entrepreneur Magazine
These look to be sure fire tips for writing a successful classified ad campaign.