Is Your Classified Ad Effective?
| Category: Selling Techniques | Date: 2001-09-04 |
Recently I was asked by a potential advertiser about the effectiveness of classified advertising.
Based on my own experiences, I have concluded that classified advertising can be extremely effective if used in the correct way. Unfortunately, due to inexperience and lack of understanding on the part of the advertiser, too often it's not.
There can be a multitude of reasons why a particular classified or sponsorship ad does not bring the results expected. Here are some points to consider when using classifieds to promote your product, service or opportunity.
1. In my opinion, a classified or sponsorship ad should not be used to sell a product, service or opportunity. It should be used to entice your prospect into asking for more information or clicking over to your site where your real sales material should be. This is done by listing a benefit(s) for the reader. (Don't confuse benefits with features)
Frequently I see ads that tell the whole story and the advertiser wonders why they don't get a very good response. Classifieds and Sponsorship advertising should be the first of a two-step process.
2. Too often I see ads that promise the reader they will make millions in the next 30 days... and in their pajama's no less. Ad copy not only needs to be enticing but it also needs to be realistic. Most people can't visualize themselves as millionaires in 1 year, much less 30 days. If they can't perceive it, they won't believe it and will move onto the next ad.
3. Ads are not run long enough to determine if they are effective. Here is part of the verbiage I send out in my renewal offer to all our advertisers that purchase ads for 6 issues or less.
"As you may know, most prospects don't respond immediately to a single marketing communication, or perhaps even several of them. The average person will see an advertisement 7-9 times before responding."
4. Your headline alone should call your readers to action and be strong enough to be used as a stand alone ad. If you took away all your ad copy (except your headline), would your headline be sufficient enough to prompt your reader to respond? It should be.
Of course there are other issues around advertising that come into play as well such as having a product/service/opportunity that others want, knowing who is most likely to want what you have to offer and where the most logical place is to find this type of person.
Do your homework before you place an ad!
About the Author
Article by Heather Colman, Publisher of eBook Searchengine News. Published bi-monthly by Colman WebShop, eBook Searchengine News will soon be the Premier "eBook Information" resource on the Net providing tips, tools, resources, and "proven" eBook marketing strategies for maximizing your eBook profits. Subscribe (ebsen-on@ebooksearchengine.com)
:To contact see details below.
webmaster@ebooksearchengine.com
http://www.ebooksearchengine.com
Based on my own experiences, I have concluded that classified advertising can be extremely effective if used in the correct way. Unfortunately, due to inexperience and lack of understanding on the part of the advertiser, too often it's not.
There can be a multitude of reasons why a particular classified or sponsorship ad does not bring the results expected. Here are some points to consider when using classifieds to promote your product, service or opportunity.
1. In my opinion, a classified or sponsorship ad should not be used to sell a product, service or opportunity. It should be used to entice your prospect into asking for more information or clicking over to your site where your real sales material should be. This is done by listing a benefit(s) for the reader. (Don't confuse benefits with features)
Frequently I see ads that tell the whole story and the advertiser wonders why they don't get a very good response. Classifieds and Sponsorship advertising should be the first of a two-step process.
2. Too often I see ads that promise the reader they will make millions in the next 30 days... and in their pajama's no less. Ad copy not only needs to be enticing but it also needs to be realistic. Most people can't visualize themselves as millionaires in 1 year, much less 30 days. If they can't perceive it, they won't believe it and will move onto the next ad.
3. Ads are not run long enough to determine if they are effective. Here is part of the verbiage I send out in my renewal offer to all our advertisers that purchase ads for 6 issues or less.
"As you may know, most prospects don't respond immediately to a single marketing communication, or perhaps even several of them. The average person will see an advertisement 7-9 times before responding."
4. Your headline alone should call your readers to action and be strong enough to be used as a stand alone ad. If you took away all your ad copy (except your headline), would your headline be sufficient enough to prompt your reader to respond? It should be.
Of course there are other issues around advertising that come into play as well such as having a product/service/opportunity that others want, knowing who is most likely to want what you have to offer and where the most logical place is to find this type of person.
Do your homework before you place an ad!
About the Author
Article by Heather Colman, Publisher of eBook Searchengine News. Published bi-monthly by Colman WebShop, eBook Searchengine News will soon be the Premier "eBook Information" resource on the Net providing tips, tools, resources, and "proven" eBook marketing strategies for maximizing your eBook profits. Subscribe (ebsen-on@ebooksearchengine.com)
:To contact see details below.
webmaster@ebooksearchengine.com
http://www.ebooksearchengine.com
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