Step # 3.

The third step in writing your killer copy is to let your prospects know that there is a solution to their problem. Not only is there a solution to their problem, but you have solution.

Remember these three magic words, "I can help."

Identifying problem is not enough. You have to show reader that there is a solution and you have it.

Tell them every benefit they will get when they order your product or take advantage of your service.

Let them know you can help them make more money, save time, or improve their health.

Step # 4.

The final step in creating killer ad copy is getting prospect to take action.

Identifying your market, determining their problems and letting them know you have solution, is not enough.

You have to make them act.

You have to create a sense of urgency.

There are many ways you can do this. You can offer a special discount for fast action.

You can offer special fast action bonuses.

Ask for order.

Let them know they don't have to put up with their problems another day. You can solve them right now.

These four steps are a basic outline to get you started.

Start studying sales letters you read and break them down into four basic steps. Determine how effective writer was in covering bases.

Make notes on how you could improve on sales letter. Learning to write persuasive copy is a life long venture.

You can write persuasive copy. You have basics, rest is up to you.

3. The "Straw Man" Here you set up a premise and knock it down, showing benefits of your alternative view or approach. This is ideal to use when you're discussing drawbacks of a new practice or method that's controversial right now. Here's a great example we often see on covers of health magazines: "Are High Protein Diets Key to Fast Weight Loss?" You get all excited, thinking you've discovered an amazing dieting revelation. But article reveals, point by point, that high protein diets are unsafe for long term, and that of course only reliable way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. Oh well! Back to treadmill....

4. The Mini Case Study Raise a provocative question and then answer it with three or four real-life examples. Example: For an article titled, "Should You Quit Your Job and Go Freelance?" you could begin with a few stats on how today's workforce is leaving corporate world in search of solo bliss. Then you could feature a few real cases, each with different outcomes to show all sides of issue.

5. The Interview Choose a credible expert to interview for your article. For example, if your topic is latest trends in banking, you could interview a top banking industry analyst. Present it in either a traditional article format or do a Q&A format.

6. The Trend Trends aren't just for fashion! Whenever a trend sweeps a certain profession, you'll suddenly see dozens of articles covering topic. From latest hairstyle to latest tax shelter, people want to know all about these trends - their origins, benefits, and drawbacks.

7. The Study Finding These articles report results of a study or survey. If you do a bit of research, you can probably dig up a recent study on which you can base your article. Examples: "Blue Chip Companies Cutting Marketing Budgets Across Board," "Armadillos Now Deemed America's Favorite Pet," and "More 20 Somethings Finding Love Online."

Hope these ideas got your juices flowing! Let us know if you need any help developing angles for *your* articles.

Alexandria Brown is president of AKB Marketing Communications. Her FREE monthly e-zine gives "how-to" tips on writing compelling copy for Web sites, brochures, and e-zines. Learn how to attract new clients and strengthen your customer relationships! Subscribe today at http://www.akbwriting.com or by e-mailing AKBMarCom-On@lists.webvalence.com