In some businesses, advertising may be the only way to reach new customers. Advertising comes in all kinds of forms from emails, web banners, magazine ads, radio, television, billboards….the list goes on. It’s not enough just to advertise your business. You have to create ads that will grab the attention of the reader/listener and make them want to know more about your products or services.

For print ads specifically, you need an attention-grabbing graphic and a powerful headline. These two work together to draw the reader into the rest of your ad copy. Many advertisers have a great product and great message but they fail to grab the potential customer’s attention. The reader may turn the page without ever looking at your ad, and the terrific ad copy you wrote has gone to waste.

Once you’ve gotten the readers attention, focus on the body of the ad. You want the message to be short, simple, and persuasive. Create a need. Leave the reader with the feeling that your product will solve a problem or desire they have. And always have a call to action. The easier you make it on the customer, the more likely they’ll be to follow through. Include your web address, phone number, and email.

For more tips on writing ads that sell, click here.

Laura Fox

Marketing Director

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

Comments

Lots and Lots of Benefits

11:28 AM, Jan. 16, 2006, posted by

Remember to put lots and lots of (relevant) benefits in your headlines, too....

So, something like:

"Christian PR Expert Reveals How To Drive In New Customers,
Get Local News Coverage, and Build Your Business, All From
A Moral, Ethical, Christian Perspective"

There's a blog I was thinking about for that one, but I can't think of the name off the top of my head...

And, next to the headline, the most important part of the ad is the first paragraph the draws them into the ad. Don't be boring!

Edited by Confessor on Jan. 16, 2006 at 11:28