August 2007
You are currently browsing the articles from written in the month of August 2007.
Free online advertising offers many benefits for online and offline businesses.
Obvious benefits of free online advertising include increased exposure, sales leads, and additional sales.
Some of the less obvious benefits that can be obtained through the use of free online advertising are increased search engine ranking, greater product awareness, and credibility acceptance.
When you use free online advertising you will be receiving in most cases links from other sites.
This links will point back to your site and will count towards your link count.
Most search engines, including Google, use your link count to determine your search engine rankings. The more links pointing to your site, the higher your rankings will be.
Another benefit is that the more ads you receive, the more people will see your site, and in turn they will be aware of your products and services.
Credibility acceptance is another important benefit of using free online advertising.
The more times prospective customers see your ads, the less skeptical they will feel towards your products and services. This assumes that your ads are well written and that your products and services are in fact legitimate.
While many entrepreneurs discount free online advertising, I can assure you that it works.
Free online ads work because your prospective customer does not care of you received the ads for free. As long as he or she is interested in what you are offering, they will respond to your ads.
The question is whether people will actually see all those free ads.
While a majority of those ads might not be seen by prospective customers you will still benefit.
Even if only one sale a day is produced from free online advertising, wouldnt you agree that its worthwhile?
Donny Lowy is the CEO of a free educational advertising resource.
http://www.advertisingcellar.com
Post-Katrina Role Of Property Insurers Threaten Consumers NationwidePrediction is very hard, especially when its about the future. Yogi BerraGiven the focus on the recent one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by the media and government officials and its label as the most costly catastrophic disaster in United States history, there has been little focus on the nationwide impact the property and […]
Business Ethics: Lesson Plans, Knowledge Management, Ethics and Capitalism CollideRecently I read of a new website where teachers can post and sell their lesson plans to recover the time that they had spent in developing these plans. On the surface, this sounds reasonable and why would anyone object to teachers making a little more money through such a capitalist venture and leveraging their […]
You Are WrongIt appears that most gurus if you want to call them that represent themselves as experts. In several statements that Ive read, they refer to other marketers as making mistakes. Yet, when they make the same mistakes, they call it testing.I read a quote one time about a child learning to walk. […]
Local Classifieds Convert BestWith internet taking over the whole business transactions, the focus of advertising re-shifts to the power of words. Local classifieds used to have a stigma as being read by only people in the lower income strata. The runaway success of real estate classifieds in real estate magazines, auto classifieds in auto classifieds section of newspapers […]
Written by info on August 25th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on accounting.
When youre first creating advertising for your small business, its very tempting to go for the flashiest, cleverest, artiest adverts. But adverts with impact are those that actually generate customers.
Brand advertising tells you how great the company is, how old and established they are, or a quick reminder of their product which you already know very well and dont have to think too hard about. Great if youre Coca Cola or BMW, not so good if you dont have those kinds of budgets.
Direct response advertising is designed to create an immediate response or action ?a visit, a call, a click. It tells a complete story, with factual, specific reasons why your offering is superior at meetings the needs of your audience. It is salesmanship in print. It overcomes sales objections, it answers all major questions, it promises performance or results, and it backs those promises with warranties or guarantees. This is the only advertising your money should go anywhere near.
?Remember ‘AIDA’ - Attention Interest Desire Action. The Attention part is the banner or headline that makes an impressive benefit promise. Interest must relate closely to the way that the reader thinks about the issues concerned. Desire relates benefits to the reader so that they will want them. Finally you must prompt an Action, which could be to call, click, or visit. Be very clear what action you require.
?Your main message must be the most prominent. Dont be tempted to devote half the space to a striking picture. The biggest part of the advert must be your main benefit statement. This is the part that entices the audience to read on.
?Offer a single impressive benefit, quickly and simply. Research proves that the best adverts are those which offer an impressive, relevant benefit to the reader. This ‘promise’ should ideally contain the business brand name, take no longer than about 4 - 8 seconds or about eleven to fifteen words, and be clearly the most striking part of the advert. You must keep it quick, simple and to the point. Think about the vocabulary and language you use - know your target audience.
?Your message must be quick and easy to absorb. Use a clear layout, clear fonts and clear language. Dont distract the reader from the text with images or fancy fonts. Use simple language, avoid complicated words, and keep enough space around the text to attract attention to it. Use simple traditional serif fonts in ten, eleven or twelve point-size for the main text in magazines and newspapers; smaller or larger are actually more difficult to read and therefore less likely to be read.
?Involve the reader in your writing style. Refer to the audience as ‘you’ and use the second person (’you’, ‘your’ and ‘yours’ etc) in the description of what your business does for the customer to get them visualising their own personal involvement. Describe the service as it affects them in a way that they will easily relate to it.
?Develop an offering that is special or unique. Why should people be interested if your proposition is no different to your competition? Emphasise what makes your service special and new. Unless your code of practice prevents you from claiming superiority over your competitors, you should put as much emphasis as you can behind your USP (unique selling point), and either imply or state directly that you are the only company to offer these things.
?Your offer must be credible and believable. The Advertising Standards Authority would prevent you from making overly extravagant claims anyway, but you should make your offer seem perfectly credible. Explaining ‘why’ and ‘how’ you are able to do the things you are offering overcomes huge psychological barriers in the prospective buyers mind.
?Use lower case type - word-shapes are lost when capitals are used. People read by recognising word-shapes not individual letters, so don’t use capital letters for text, and ideally not for headlines either, as it takes longer to read and reduces impact.
?Headlines should be three-quarters up the page or advert space. Position your headline statement where it can be seen quickest. Do not put headlines at the very top of the space. The eye is naturally drawn to between two-thirds and three-quarters up the page or space, which is where the main benefit statement needs to be.
Kathryn Lennon is Managing Director of Tangerine Trees Business Consultancy.
Refreshingly straightforward thinking for successful small businesses at http://www.tangerinetrees.co.uk
Business Ethics: Lesson Plans, Knowledge Management, Ethics and Capitalism CollideRecently I read of a new website where teachers can post and sell their lesson plans to recover the time that they had spent in developing these plans. On the surface, this sounds reasonable and why would anyone object to teachers making a little more money through such a capitalist venture and leveraging their […]
You Are WrongIt appears that most gurus if you want to call them that represent themselves as experts. In several statements that Ive read, they refer to other marketers as making mistakes. Yet, when they make the same mistakes, they call it testing.I read a quote one time about a child learning to walk. […]
God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator magnet. They are my favorite, because they are so extremely inexpensive, and extremely effective in getting your company name seen in countless locations.They dont make the greatest commission for a salesman of advertising specialties, but I cant stop myself from recommending these little beauties […]
Local Classifieds Convert BestWith internet taking over the whole business transactions, the focus of advertising re-shifts to the power of words. Local classifieds used to have a stigma as being read by only people in the lower income strata. The runaway success of real estate classifieds in real estate magazines, auto classifieds in auto classifieds section of newspapers […]
Written by info on August 25th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on accounting.
The search engine marketing industry has developed into a billion dollar industry and clients expect their agencies to get them involved. Ad agencies are now chasing the increased revenue generated by search engines.
In the past advertising agencies tended to ignore organic SEO as it was seen as a complicated system with results that were difficult to measure as part of an overall media campaign. This changed when they realized the potential of Pay per Click (PPC). This made sense to the agencies because its results were easily measurable and the results were impressive.
Ad agencies need to track and manage advertising results for their clients and there is a constant need to measure value and ROI. Thus the lack of tools for measuring the effectiveness of an SEO campaign was seen as a major draw back. In the present day this is no longer an issue as there is a large choice of measuring options out there. However ad agencies often make use of the SEO firms expertise in using these tools and analyzing the results.
To meet their clients demands many ad agencies have had to dive straight into SEO. Their clients have become knowledgeable of what search engines can offer them. In fact they often have a greater knowledge of it than the agencies. So the agencies have had to learn quickly or risk losing some of their client base. They often chose to outsource to the SEO experts who have the skilled staff and the ongoing commitment to dedicate their resources and energies to SEO.
We are now at the point where advertising agencies are beginning to integrate search engine strategies into their traditional advertising media mix. They are often doing this with the help of SEO experts. This enables them to retain their traditional role of campaign management while outsourcing to the SEO firm. This is often a win-win situation for both sides as they each retain their areas of expertise while expanding their combined market share.
James Peggie is the Director of Marketing for Elixir Systems ?a search engine marketing agency located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their website is located at http://www.elixirsystems.com and James contributes to their blog http://searchblog.elixirsystems.com
The Only Bad Advertising Is No Advertising - Or Is It?Depending on whom you ask, you will get told many truths?about advertising. The question I have for you today is this ?Is the only bad advertising, no advertising??/p>Before we begin, it might help us to agree on what advertising is, so heres one definition:Advertising is the non-personal communication of an individuals paid persuasive information regarding […]
When and How Do I Track My Advertising?Each and every time it runs!That’s the easy answer. After all, it’s your money and your business at stake. You should be learning from every campaign. Here are some basic questions:(1) How many customers did you reach?(2) Why did they pick your business?(3) What was in the ad that made them call or […]
God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator magnet. They are my favorite, because they are so extremely inexpensive, and extremely effective in getting your company name seen in countless locations.They dont make the greatest commission for a salesman of advertising specialties, but I cant stop myself from recommending these little beauties […]
Business Ethics: Would You Buy From You?You can never find yourself until you face the truth. Pearl BaileyAT the beginning of the twentieth-first century, it seemed that business ethics had become an oxymoron, that integrity was for suckers and that profit was the singular force driving business.Then, as mega-corporations collapsed and scandalized companies fell, we witnessed the fragile framework of […]
Written by info on August 25th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on accounting.
Advertising on television is one of the most effective ways to reach your target audience. With nearly 99 percent of American households owning a television, it is marketing tool that almost any type of business could use effectively to its advantage.
Unfortunately many small businesses dont even think about advertising on television because they feel it is just too expensive. Small business owners feel that television is a medium that is reserved for only large companies with huge advertising budgets.
However, with the growth of cable and regional television, a small business can benefit from television advertising just like the large corporations. The industry is exploding today, new cable stations are starting up every year, and they need advertising to be able to stay on the air. Because of the competitiveness of television today, many stations offer very affordable rate packages for small businesses.
Television advertising is very powerful. Your businesses can gain instant credibility when you advertise on television. Advertising on television puts you in the same league as the large companies in the eyes of consumers.
Advertising on television is like any other form or marketing, it must be done correctly. Poor ads will do you no good and will cause you to loose a lot of money. Many ads you see on television today try to be cute, funny, and entertaining. With many television ads, its hard to tell what the company is even selling.
Studies show that with television advertising people pay attention to the graphics first, the headline second, the bullets third, and the text fourth. Headlines are just as important in television advertising as they are in print advertising. You only have a few seconds to grab the viewers attention, so you need to begin with a powerful headline that stresses benefits and then end your ad with a strong call to action.
Your ad must speak with a clear message to your target audience. With television advertising people will remember how they felt after seeing your ad more than the actual details of the ad itself. So its important to have great visuals that are supported by a good script. You want your ad to leave people feeling good, well informed, and motivated to buy.
Your call to action at the end of the television ad is critical because you must tell people what to do. They need to know whats in it for them and how to reach you. Make sure you give your location, your phone number, and your Web address. If your ad will be seen by viewers outside of your immediate area, include your toll-free number.
The key to a successful television advertising campaign is no different than any other marketing campaign: repetition. The more times people see your ad, the deeper your message will driven into their subconscious mind which will bring your prospects closer to purchasing your product or service.
Television advertising can be expensive, so its important to do your research before investing in a campaign. Look closely at the make-up of the stations viewing audience. There are plenty of cable channels out there that get a large viewing audience. Just make sure it is the audience you need to reach. How many viewers does the channel reach? Are the viewers made up of business owners and managers, or do they consist of mostly working men and women? It is a younger viewing audience, such as teens?
Getting a return on television advertising is like any other type of advertising, it takes time. It does not happen with just one ad. So once youve found the station that reaches your target audience, get a package that fits your budget, because it may take three to six months to begin to see results from your advertising.
Its important for any business and especially for a small businesses to make sure youre getting a good return on investment. So you need to be constantly planning, measuring, and evaluating your television advertising campaign. You must test your ad to see the audiences response. Testing is the best way to determine if television advertising is the right medium for your business.
Just because youre a small business, dont automatically discount television advertising. With all of the cable television stations, advertising on them has become more affordable.
If you advertise on the right station that targets your prime prospects, and have the right message, television is the most powerful medium you can use to get your message out.
Copyright?006 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his seminars and lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many of Americas largest corporations, on the subjects of leadership, self-esteem, goals, achievement, and success psychology.
Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com
The Only Bad Advertising Is No Advertising - Or Is It?Depending on whom you ask, you will get told many truths?about advertising. The question I have for you today is this ?Is the only bad advertising, no advertising??/p>Before we begin, it might help us to agree on what advertising is, so heres one definition:Advertising is the non-personal communication of an individuals paid persuasive information regarding […]
You Are WrongIt appears that most gurus if you want to call them that represent themselves as experts. In several statements that Ive read, they refer to other marketers as making mistakes. Yet, when they make the same mistakes, they call it testing.I read a quote one time about a child learning to walk. […]
God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator magnet. They are my favorite, because they are so extremely inexpensive, and extremely effective in getting your company name seen in countless locations.They dont make the greatest commission for a salesman of advertising specialties, but I cant stop myself from recommending these little beauties […]
Local Classifieds Convert BestWith internet taking over the whole business transactions, the focus of advertising re-shifts to the power of words. Local classifieds used to have a stigma as being read by only people in the lower income strata. The runaway success of real estate classifieds in real estate magazines, auto classifieds in auto classifieds section of newspapers […]
Written by info on August 25th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on accounting.
Business cards with nothing on the back are wasted
opportunities to sell.
Use the back of your card to expand and reaffirm
your selling sentence (which should be prominent
on the front of your card).
If your Selling Sentence is “Where You Save 20% on
Power Tools Everyday”, use the space on the back
to list the brands on sale every day. Another
solid impression about you and your business.
You can use the back of your card to explain the
high points of your business, quote happy
customers or list the products you offer. If you
quote, be sure to get permission. Implied
permission is when you use a sentence with quotes
around it and no attribution.
No need to fill the back edge to edge, but put
something there that will work for you. Judicious
use of white space front and back is the mark of a
professional. Ever notice the isles in an
expensive store are wider than Wal-Mart?
Find a way to work your name into what you put on
the back. The back is an ad for you, a mobile
marketing piece. Without your name there, the
close is lost. Don’t repeat anything else from the
front, but be sure your name is on both sides.
You can offer a quiz (or checklist) that will
stimulate thinking and prompt a call to you.
Some folks put valuable information on the back
(police, fire, hospital phone numbers, a calendar,
or a football schedule). Some cards use handy tips
or conversion tables or charts.
Turn the back of your card into a coupon. When
they redeem the coupon, give them another card.
Another clever idea is to print the back of the
card with enough space for you to give your
prospect your direct number or your private 800
number by hand writing it in the space on the
back.
“Here, let me give you my PRIVATE number”
indicates in not so subtle tones not everyone gets
that number or you would have printed it on there
for all to see. The chance of that card making it
back to the prospect’s desk are 10 times better
than a ho hum card.
If you use color on the front, the back can be
done in black and white. Information is usually
presented in black and white. Nice physiological
touch, and less expensive, too.
Dig out that pile of cards you have saved from
meetings, conventions and networking. Few utilize
the back for anything, let alone planned
marketing.
For more about business cards, get my article
“What’s on Your Business Card?”
MailTo:BizCardOn@BigIdeasGroup.com
You stand out from the crowd when your business
card is a professional marketing piece, both
sides.
?005 BIG Mike McDaniel All Rights Reserved
Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com
BIG Mike is a Professional Speaker and Small
Business Consultant with over 30 years experience,
http://BIGIdeasGroup.com
Subscribe to “BIG Mike’s BIG Ideas” Newsletter
subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net
Business Ethics: Would You Buy From You?You can never find yourself until you face the truth. Pearl BaileyAT the beginning of the twentieth-first century, it seemed that business ethics had become an oxymoron, that integrity was for suckers and that profit was the singular force driving business.Then, as mega-corporations collapsed and scandalized companies fell, we witnessed the fragile framework of […]
Business Ethics: Lesson Plans, Knowledge Management, Ethics and Capitalism CollideRecently I read of a new website where teachers can post and sell their lesson plans to recover the time that they had spent in developing these plans. On the surface, this sounds reasonable and why would anyone object to teachers making a little more money through such a capitalist venture and leveraging their […]
God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator magnet. They are my favorite, because they are so extremely inexpensive, and extremely effective in getting your company name seen in countless locations.They dont make the greatest commission for a salesman of advertising specialties, but I cant stop myself from recommending these little beauties […]
Local Classifieds Convert BestWith internet taking over the whole business transactions, the focus of advertising re-shifts to the power of words. Local classifieds used to have a stigma as being read by only people in the lower income strata. The runaway success of real estate classifieds in real estate magazines, auto classifieds in auto classifieds section of newspapers […]
Written by info on August 25th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on accounting.
Advertising has truly become a part of all of our lives as consumers, as business owners, as parents, as concerned citizens. We simply cannot escape from its presence no matter how hard we try. Considering how pervasive advertising is in our daily lives, it’s no surprise that people have such extreme views about it.
Many home-based business owners want to steer clear of it altogether. They might dabble in marketing or use some sales strategies, but most don’t want much to do with actual advertising. Unfortunately, this is a mistake on their part and it usually comes as a result of not understanding the purpose of advertising.
So what is the true reason for advertising? According to Michael Corbett, author of The 33 Ruthless Rules of Local Advertising, you should advertise to create an equity position in a target market and to …motivate a sufficient number of consumers…?In simple language, you advertise so that people will know you exist and will keep you in business. What’s so evil about that?
Absolutely nothing! Here are a few very good reasons why you need to start advertising today:
1. Potential customers are constantly shopping
The truth is that most people are always looking for ways to spend their money. They don’t always realize it, but they are. That’s why banner ads, commercials, and billboards work even though they are being viewed miles away from the business. If you don’t advertise, you’re missing out on a chance to tap into that human desire.
2. Potential customers may forget you
While the desire for shopping may be permanent, a consumer’s memory is not. Even if they have had a tremendous experience with your business, even if they’ve recommended you to their friends and family, even if you were the only company they ever thought of doing business with, after awhile they would forget you or forget how to get in touch with you.
3. Potential customers don’t always make buying decisions immediately
Another tried and true rule about consumers is that they don’t always decide to buy as soon as they see an ad. For example, if you see a commercial for a fast food restaurant right after Thanksgiving dinner, you’re not going to run right out to the drive thru after seeing the commercial. However, the next time you’re hungry, you might remember that commercial and choose to stop in then. So the idea of advertising is to plant an image in consumers minds so that when they need your product, your business comes to their minds.
4. Customers rely on name recognition to guide their consumer choices most of the time
Why do people still buy name brand products over generics even when the price difference is significant and the quality of the products is equitable? Because of name recognition! Consumers respond to names that are familiar whether they are buying a new car, a computer, a lawyer, or ketchup. If you want to succeed, you need to be sure that your targeted audience will know your name when they hear it and will think of your name when they need your product. Advertising can make that happen.
On the other hand, many business owners see advertising as a quick fix. If business gets a little slow, a newspaper ad or a direct mail piece will fix everything in a jiffy. That’s not the case either. Let me give you a few reasons why.
1. Advertising works on a six month cycle
Many times when people think their advertising hasn’t worked, it’s because they haven’t waited long enough to see results. Generally, the advertising you do today won’t fully pay off for another three to six months. For that reason, if you want to ensure a consistent stream of customers, you need to continue to advertise all the time. Advertising only when business is slow simply won’t save your business because by the time you start seeing results, it may be too late.
2. Your problems are related to another step in the process
Another reason advertising can’t cure everything is that simply attracting customers is only one step of the process. Once you lure them in, you need to have the content or the customer service to convince potential buyers to take that next step. If any step in the process is lacking, then no amount of advertising is going to help.
3. You are neglecting your current customers and their potential
Don’t make the mistake of focusing all of your efforts on finding new customers when your best source of additional revenue is being neglected. Past customers are more likely to become repeat customers, plus they don’t require the additional expenses of marketing and advertising.
As you can see, the truth about advertising is that it can be a powerful force for your success if handled correctly. Too many people see it as an evil force or as a business miracle when the reality is somewhere in between.
———–
Vishal P. Rao is the owner of Work at Home Forum, an
online community of people who work from home.
———–
Business Ethics: Would You Buy From You?You can never find yourself until you face the truth. Pearl BaileyAT the beginning of the twentieth-first century, it seemed that business ethics had become an oxymoron, that integrity was for suckers and that profit was the singular force driving business.Then, as mega-corporations collapsed and scandalized companies fell, we witnessed the fragile framework of […]
The Only Bad Advertising Is No Advertising - Or Is It?Depending on whom you ask, you will get told many truths?about advertising. The question I have for you today is this ?Is the only bad advertising, no advertising??/p>Before we begin, it might help us to agree on what advertising is, so heres one definition:Advertising is the non-personal communication of an individuals paid persuasive information regarding […]
God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator magnet. They are my favorite, because they are so extremely inexpensive, and extremely effective in getting your company name seen in countless locations.They dont make the greatest commission for a salesman of advertising specialties, but I cant stop myself from recommending these little beauties […]
Writing Effective AdvertsAdvertising ?Who Needs It? - Who doesnt!Most people who read information about business or advertising are doing so because they are trying to make some kind of positive change in their life. Perhaps get a job, make money, and increase their customer base ?whatever. Thats the central purpose of a classified ad. […]
Written by info on August 24th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on accounting.
The headline is the most important element in any sales message your company ever uses. It is the opening sentence you use in any sales letter, brochure, print ad, or on you Web site.
The purpose of a headline is to grab your prospects attention. Your headline should zero in on precisely who you want to reach, your target market. For example, if you want to reach homeowners, put the word homeowners?in the headline.
The headline should serve as the ad for your ad. It should tell the reader immediately and clearly the essence of what youre trying to say in the body copy. The headline needs to tell people what your big benefit or promise is. Your headline should appeal to the reader or listeners self-interest.
The two most powerful words you can use in a headline are free?and new.?You cannot always use free? but you can always use new? if you try hard enough. Some other powerful words to put in your headlines are: last chance? revolutionary? just arrived? easy? announcing? bargain? compare? how to? last chance? offer.?/p>
A good headline explains how the reader, viewer or listener can save, gain, or accomplish something beneficial through the use of your product or service. How your product or service will increase his or her financial, social, or physical well-being. Or, if youre taking the negative track, how your product or service will decrease the prospect or customers chances of personal, business, or financial loss.
It is important to remember, that when youre writing a headline, your prospect is not buying a product or a service. Your prospect is buying the result or benefit that your product or service will provide to him or her. Always focus headlines on the benefit or result that your prospect will be receiving.
A headline is most effective when you speak directly to the reader, one reader at a time. Your message must telegraph the benefits the prospect himself or herself can expect to receive. Your headline should never talk about we?or our.?Your headline must be written or expressed with you? the individual readers direct interests in mind.
Here are few time-tested ideas for creating great headlines:
* Feature a price in your headline.
* Tell a story.
* Feature a free offer.
* Feature a price reduction or a reduced price
* Feature easy or more attractive payment terms.
To find the headline that has the strongest pulling power, you must test them. When you run a display ad, test your headlines against each other with the exact same body copy. You can check your results by using a differently coded coupon for each version of your ad. You can also, tell the prospects in your ad to specify a department number when they call or write. Or, you can ask the prospect where he or she saw or heard about your offer.
You should also keep detailed records of your results. Keep track of every piece of information that you need in your marketing. Be sure to differentiate in your record-keeping between responses and actual sales. Prospects are great, but sales are what you want.
Once you have all the results tabulated and you have one headline that out pulled the other, then test again. This time you use the winning headline against a new headline. Always compare your new headline against your proven winner. By doing this constantly you will always be sure you are getting the optimal return on your ads.
To start writing powerful headlines, you first have to ask yourself, What is the primary benefit that your product or service provides to a prospect or customer??Then pick out a few of the power words that I mentioned earlier and add them to the benefit that your product or service produces.
Here are just a few of the best headlines ever written:
* How I Improved My Memory In Just One Evening
* How To Win Friends And Influence People
* You Can Laugh At Money Worries — If You Follow This Simple Plan
* Who Else Wants A Screen Star Figure?
* Is The Life Of A Child Worth $1 To You?
Dont limit yourself to writing a single headline. Write at least 25 or even 50 different headlines. If you get stuck, ask yourself, If I were talking to a prospect about this benefit, I would be telling him or her how to . . . . .? Once youve written 25 to 50 headlines, pick out what you think are the best five and start testing them to find a winner.
Copyright?006 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his seminars and lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many of Americas largest corporations, on the subjects of leadership, self-esteem, goals, achievement, and success psychology.
Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com
Post-Katrina Role Of Property Insurers Threaten Consumers NationwidePrediction is very hard, especially when its about the future. Yogi BerraGiven the focus on the recent one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by the media and government officials and its label as the most costly catastrophic disaster in United States history, there has been little focus on the nationwide impact the property and […]
The Only Bad Advertising Is No Advertising - Or Is It?Depending on whom you ask, you will get told many truths?about advertising. The question I have for you today is this ?Is the only bad advertising, no advertising??/p>Before we begin, it might help us to agree on what advertising is, so heres one definition:Advertising is the non-personal communication of an individuals paid persuasive information regarding […]
Advanced Tips for Advertising OnlineAdvertising online is really important for the online business. It is also very effective. You can use different types of online advertising methods to get the desired result.Place all your online advertisements in a website that has the maximum visitors a day. This is important because more visitors will ensure that you get good numbers […]
When and How Do I Track My Advertising?Each and every time it runs!That’s the easy answer. After all, it’s your money and your business at stake. You should be learning from every campaign. Here are some basic questions:(1) How many customers did you reach?(2) Why did they pick your business?(3) What was in the ad that made them call or […]
Written by info on August 24th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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When you read the newspaper, do you read advertisements as closely as you read news stories? Do you believe advertising as readily as you believe news stories? I dont and neither do most people I know.
Because we have advertising shoved at us from every angle we tend to ignore it, but we pay attention to news or public interest stories. Not only do we pay more attention, we also are more likely to believe news stories than your basic advertisements. When your news is published either online, on the radio, TV or in newspapers people automatically feel that since its being published it must be worthy information.
I read somewhere that Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you pray for? This is so true. You can spend a fortune on advertising and yes, it will bring you some traffic but traffic is only part of what you need and it stops when the advertising stops.
What you really need is PUBLICITY - free publicity so that your information reaches your potential customers and people will begin to get to know?you. When people see and hear your name over and over they will begin to think of you as an expert in your field. They will trust your judgment and buy your products or the products you endorse. They will also recommend you to others which in turn cause a chain reaction and the process starts all over again. One of the best ways to get free publicity is by writing articles and press releases then submitting them to the third party sites and newspapers for publishing. Plus with a price like FREE, why not take full advantage of it?
The most important thing to remember when writing news is to write a STORY not a sales pitch. Dont you hate it when you ask someone about a product and instead of them telling you what it is and how you could benefit from it they go into this elevator speech?about its features and why its a good product (it comes with this and that, plus as an added bonus you get?? Please! If I wanted to hear a sales pitch Id turn on the TV.
Sales people call it selling features instead of benefits?but among news editors this is called, selling the store, not the story?and its the WRONG way to get your news published.
You should be trying to sell a STORY connected to the product instead of trying to sell the product itself. Why you ask? Because people love stories! Weve been listening to and telling stories for centuries and we will continue to for a long time to come. People will pay attention if they think they’re going to hear a good story but will turn away if you give them a sales pitch.
By writing like a storyteller, you will get free publicity which will increase your traffic and your sales.
Melody Spier is a work at home mom of two teens. She is the owner of Ballyhoo Virtual Services a Virtual Assistant business catering to women in business. She specializes in business marketing and promotion with article and press release submissions, blog maintenance as well as many other services.
You can contact Melody by visiting http://www.BallyhooVA.com or by email Mel@BallyhooVA.com
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God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator magnet. They are my favorite, because they are so extremely inexpensive, and extremely effective in getting your company name seen in countless locations.They dont make the greatest commission for a salesman of advertising specialties, but I cant stop myself from recommending these little beauties […]
Written by info on August 24th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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You can turn your vehicle into a rolling advertisement. Costs start at just a few dollars, and you can put your business name, slogan, phone number and web site URL in front of thousands of potential customers while you are driving along the freeway, stuck in traffic or even while you are parked. Here are some of the best ways to use your vehicle as a marketing tool.
Bumper stickers are so inexpensive that you may want to print enough for employees, friends, family members, customers and others. Publisher Susan Sabo of Small Dogs Press made bumper stickers saying, I do bad things for love,?along with the Small Dogs web site URL. The line is from one of their books, and everyone who sees the bumper sticker wants one. Sabo sells them at her web site, and gives them away at book fairs. Of course, she has one on her car, and says she has given them to all of her friends, too.
License plate frames are a favorite of car dealers and auto repair shops, but they can work for any business. You can have them custom made with your business name or slogan, along with a phone number or URL.
Magnetic signs are an easy and low-cost way to put a lot of information on your car. Put them on both sides of the car, and make sure the lettering is large enough to read, even from a distance and when the vehicle is in motion. Personal chef Sue Gaughenbaugh added an effective twist to this idea. She bought a supply of magnetic business cards and placed them around the sign on her truck. When customers see her truck in a parking lot, they can pick up a card to take with them. Gaughenbaugh started getting calls from new customers within days of putting the take-away magnetic cards on her truck.
Vinyl decals and window stickers are a highly visible way to promote your web site. Put the URL in large letters across the width of your rear windshield. After all, you never know who might be behind you in traffic. This is most effective if you have a catchy and descriptive domain name. Custom stickers are available at prices starting under $20.
You can order many of these items from local printers and sign shops. Or, do an online search for companies that can create bumper stickers, magnetic signs, decals and other promotional items.
And when you are ready to go all-out, consider a vehicle wrap. These vinyl decals look like a custom paint job and cover your entire vehicle with bright, high-quality graphics. This is not a do-it-yourself project, but you can hire companies such as www.coloredink.com to design and install the graphics. At an estimated cost of $3,500, this option is much more expensive than the others described here, but it will certainly make an impression on the other drivers you encounter.
When your car is a traveling billboard, the time you spend in traffic will become more productive.
Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with creative strategies that help your business excel. Get free tips and discover what she can do for you at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.
Business Ethics: Lesson Plans, Knowledge Management, Ethics and Capitalism CollideRecently I read of a new website where teachers can post and sell their lesson plans to recover the time that they had spent in developing these plans. On the surface, this sounds reasonable and why would anyone object to teachers making a little more money through such a capitalist venture and leveraging their […]
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You Are WrongIt appears that most gurus if you want to call them that represent themselves as experts. In several statements that Ive read, they refer to other marketers as making mistakes. Yet, when they make the same mistakes, they call it testing.I read a quote one time about a child learning to walk. […]
Written by info on August 23rd, 2007 with comments disabled.
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What many may consider the most important part of advertising is writing an effective ad. The information provided in a classified ad may be the deciding factor if it is successful or a, “bomb”. In addition, there are three important angles to consider when writing business advertisements.
Choosing the angle of your advertising may vary depending on what is offered. Writing a business Ad is not much different than writing an essay, with the exception of a literary work. Here are three well known angles to utilize when constructing a business advertisement.
Expressive Advertisements
An expressive advertisement is very personal. Expressive ads may be a good idea for a small business wanting to utilize a personal approach. Think of writing an excerpt of the day in a journal. As the writer of the advertisement, express personal feelings, thoughts, or opinions related to the offerings. For example, a Business Opportunity may be advertised as, “I made over $100,000.00 in one year. I cannot believe how easy it was”. This eliminates the need to use examples or testimonials, as the author becomes the example.
Persuasive Advertisements
A persuasive advertisement is used to convince the reader or change their opinion. To be successful with a persuasive ad, the writer needs to have a firm, direct, and clear point. The goal is to evoke a reaction that causes the reader to have the same point-of-view.
A common form of advertising, using a Persuasive approach, is the Governments, “Register to Vote,” advertisements. They generally are direct and to the point. They provide a concise reason why the reader should register to vote, “Make your voice heard”. By pointing out a simple benefit, they are achieving the task of persuasion.
Informative Advertisements
Informative advertisements provide detailed information. They explain all the details of a product or service. When constructing such an advertisement, the author should demonstrate observations, ideas, facts, statistics, or research data.
This is becoming common on the internet, as consumers are noticeably, information hungry? Consumers want to know what they are buying. In addition, this is a wise choice if consumers cannot physically see the item for sale.
An example of Informative Advertising is an Auto Manufactures advertisement for their vehicles (Not Dealerships). They generally print large advertisements that inform readers of the Vehicles Engine Horsepower, Torque, Maintenance Schedule, Improvements from prior models, available colors, Wheelbase, seating, trunk size, etc… All the information is based on facts and research. It allows consumers to compare their vehicles to similar Models, prior to taking a test drive.
With some thought and planning, an advertiser can present their information with an angle that sells. It takes monitoring, trial and error, and careful construction. Clearly indicate the next step by including a call to action. If the audience does not recognize an ordering process, it is likely the advertisement will not produce results.
Michael Medeiros is an Entrepreneur with a background in Business and Advertising and the founder of Mjmls.
Online Classifieds, Website Directory; (www.mjmls.com)
Post-Katrina Role Of Property Insurers Threaten Consumers NationwidePrediction is very hard, especially when its about the future. Yogi BerraGiven the focus on the recent one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by the media and government officials and its label as the most costly catastrophic disaster in United States history, there has been little focus on the nationwide impact the property and […]
Business Ethics: Lesson Plans, Knowledge Management, Ethics and Capitalism CollideRecently I read of a new website where teachers can post and sell their lesson plans to recover the time that they had spent in developing these plans. On the surface, this sounds reasonable and why would anyone object to teachers making a little more money through such a capitalist venture and leveraging their […]
The Only Bad Advertising Is No Advertising - Or Is It?Depending on whom you ask, you will get told many truths?about advertising. The question I have for you today is this ?Is the only bad advertising, no advertising??/p>Before we begin, it might help us to agree on what advertising is, so heres one definition:Advertising is the non-personal communication of an individuals paid persuasive information regarding […]
Writing Effective AdvertsAdvertising ?Who Needs It? - Who doesnt!Most people who read information about business or advertising are doing so because they are trying to make some kind of positive change in their life. Perhaps get a job, make money, and increase their customer base ?whatever. Thats the central purpose of a classified ad. […]
Written by info on August 22nd, 2007 with comments disabled.
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