Doesnt Have A Clue
| Category: Copy Writing - ad copy | Date: 2003-05-14 |
This is a real life story, so bear with me as I give some background information.
We have a "free ad" section at our web site where people can place a free ad for their business. Ads are submitted weekly and published on the web. Now, to place an ad, someone has to visit our web site and fill out a form containing their email address and the copy of the ad. We try to make it as easy as possible, but the bottom line is many people are not serious, and dont have a clue as to how to run a business on the web.
When the ads are received, we send an automatic response to the person who sent it. Perhaps one out of ten has an incorrect email address and the response is returned as undeliverable. What a waste of time.
How do these people think that people can respond to their ad if their email address is incorrect?
Going through our archives, I found some real gems - what do you think about these offers?
"Join our MLM and earn beg income". This is either a typo or they are promising very little in the way of earnings. This person obviously didnt proof their copy before submitting the ad.
Another ad promised huge earnings, but gave no contact information. Not a web site URL or an email address to be found. Guess they figure it is so powerful an offer, we will find them - another waste of time.
"Make Money! Turn $10 into $40,000 CASH like I did" - but wait - this guy is using a free email account. If hes making all that money, wouldnt you think he could afford one for ten bucks a month - maybe he is saving all those $10 bills so he can earn $40,000 CASH with each one.
"You can make 500% Profit without investing any money" - need I say more!
"Tired of the "Rat Race"? Free online training and no capitol needed!" Did this guy mean "capital"? Ill hang on every word he has to say.
"Exciting,EasyandProfitable" - guess this person never learned how to use that big bar on the bottom of the keyboard. I think you see where this article is going.
If you are going to advertise a business on the web, and you present less than a professional image - youre not going to do business. If you present yourself like the above examples, enjoy your "walk on the quiet side". Most people are not idiots, and Im sure the authors of the above ads are not either. But why give that impression? I sure wouldnt do business with any one of them.
I read another ad for Web Design and the HTML coding in his ad was wrong. That sure built a lot of confidence.
Most people scan poorly constructed ads and simply "click away". Guess they feel like I do. If you dont care enough to write a credible ad, why should I think youll care about me if I buy from you?
Many people rely too heavily on the spell checker on their computer. This is a mistake. After you do spell check, get someone else to read it. When writing something, many times you get so close to the article, you miss mistakes that someone else would quickly find. Many words that are being used incorrectly will pass spell check.
Remember - you usually only get one "shot" when a person sees your ad. If it is well written, and has an attention getting headline, you just might make that sale. If you want to do business on the web, get serious or people will come to the conclusion that you are someone who "Doesnt Have a Clue" and look elsewhere.
About the Author
Bob publishes the free weekly "Your Business" Newsletter. Visit his Web Site at adv-marketing.com/business to subscribe. As a bonus, get 40,000 FREE E-Books from Larry Dotson, when you visit http://www.ldpublishing.com
DrOsgoodby@adv-marketing.com
http://www.adv-marketing.com
We have a "free ad" section at our web site where people can place a free ad for their business. Ads are submitted weekly and published on the web. Now, to place an ad, someone has to visit our web site and fill out a form containing their email address and the copy of the ad. We try to make it as easy as possible, but the bottom line is many people are not serious, and dont have a clue as to how to run a business on the web.
When the ads are received, we send an automatic response to the person who sent it. Perhaps one out of ten has an incorrect email address and the response is returned as undeliverable. What a waste of time.
How do these people think that people can respond to their ad if their email address is incorrect?
Going through our archives, I found some real gems - what do you think about these offers?
"Join our MLM and earn beg income". This is either a typo or they are promising very little in the way of earnings. This person obviously didnt proof their copy before submitting the ad.
Another ad promised huge earnings, but gave no contact information. Not a web site URL or an email address to be found. Guess they figure it is so powerful an offer, we will find them - another waste of time.
"Make Money! Turn $10 into $40,000 CASH like I did" - but wait - this guy is using a free email account. If hes making all that money, wouldnt you think he could afford one for ten bucks a month - maybe he is saving all those $10 bills so he can earn $40,000 CASH with each one.
"You can make 500% Profit without investing any money" - need I say more!
"Tired of the "Rat Race"? Free online training and no capitol needed!" Did this guy mean "capital"? Ill hang on every word he has to say.
"Exciting,EasyandProfitable" - guess this person never learned how to use that big bar on the bottom of the keyboard. I think you see where this article is going.
If you are going to advertise a business on the web, and you present less than a professional image - youre not going to do business. If you present yourself like the above examples, enjoy your "walk on the quiet side". Most people are not idiots, and Im sure the authors of the above ads are not either. But why give that impression? I sure wouldnt do business with any one of them.
I read another ad for Web Design and the HTML coding in his ad was wrong. That sure built a lot of confidence.
Most people scan poorly constructed ads and simply "click away". Guess they feel like I do. If you dont care enough to write a credible ad, why should I think youll care about me if I buy from you?
Many people rely too heavily on the spell checker on their computer. This is a mistake. After you do spell check, get someone else to read it. When writing something, many times you get so close to the article, you miss mistakes that someone else would quickly find. Many words that are being used incorrectly will pass spell check.
Remember - you usually only get one "shot" when a person sees your ad. If it is well written, and has an attention getting headline, you just might make that sale. If you want to do business on the web, get serious or people will come to the conclusion that you are someone who "Doesnt Have a Clue" and look elsewhere.
About the Author
Bob publishes the free weekly "Your Business" Newsletter. Visit his Web Site at adv-marketing.com/business to subscribe. As a bonus, get 40,000 FREE E-Books from Larry Dotson, when you visit http://www.ldpublishing.com
DrOsgoodby@adv-marketing.com
http://www.adv-marketing.com
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