How To Write A Good Advertisement
There are many misconceptions about what constitutes a good advertisement and
what does not. When I tell people that I write ads for businesses, they
immediately assume that I'm 'creative'. Inevitably they ask "how do I think of
new ideas all the time?"
What I do is NOT creative. I use reliable and proven sales triggers within my
copy - triggers that make people pull out their wallets and spend money.
Writing profitable direct response ads does not require creativity. It requires
a system. It requires empathy. And it requires discipline to craft a message
that makes people buy.
A good print advertisement:
- Is NOT an outlet for creative design, humour, entertainment... or... to win
awards.
- They sell benefits... not features! What's the difference? A feature is
something a product or service does. It's a technical fact. A benefit is
something the product or service does for the prospect. It's the end result,
gain or advantage realized.
- They acquire attention and invite readership. The key here is not to be
outrageous but to address the strongest interests and concerns of your target
audience. Example: "How To Lose 15kgs In 12 Weeks Or Less!" appeals to the
reader's desire to lose weight, feel fit and look trim and healthy.
- They provide meaningful information. The yellow pages headline "Warning: Don't
Call Any Chiropractor Until Your Read This Message!" lures the reader because it
promises useful information. Or how about the headline "The 8 Biggest Mistakes
Back Pain Sufferers Make When Choosing A Chiropractor!" Advertisements that
provide information the prospect wants to know about gets higher responses.
- They educate fascinate and even titillate.
- They extend value packed offer - irresistible offers others cannot resist.
- They integrate urgency and time limited offers that compel prospects to make a
decision NOW
- They ask for a response. Good advertising tells people to order.
- They take away the risk with money back guarantees... better than risk free
guarantees... and even... double your money back guarantees!
- The advertisements are easy to read and NOT the end results of a graphic
designers creative frustrations. For the most part, you need to keep designers
under control because they can actually hurt the sales effectiveness of your
message. You want your ads to look simple and easy to read.