4. What does rest of fine print say? Have you given over rights to your work simply by submitting it? Such details are often included in that tiny type. Read it carefully.

5. Is judging “blind”—are you asked to submit a manuscript without any identifying material on it?

6. If a fee is charged, does it seem “worthwhile” considering potential prize? For example, a $25 entry fee for a possible $100 prize might not seem as alluring as a $25 fee (or less) for a $500 (or more) prize.

Considering these questions should set you on way to thinking more critically about contest process, and they’ll assist you as you navigate many listings and advertisements you’ll find more time you spend investigating opportunities to develop your writing career.

© Copyright 2004 Erika Dreifus. All rights reserved. Article reprint permission is granted provided that entire article, including “About Author” information, remains intact and unaltered. Please send a copy of reprint to erikadrei@yahoo.com .

Interest. Once you have their interest and attention you have to hold onto it. Telling short interesting or personal stories in your ad copy can hold that attention. People love stories and can relate to them. A section of questions and answers also generate interest for readers. People like it when questions that come to mind are answered right in ad copy. This gives them confidence that you can relate to their needs and concerns and are familiar with them..

Action. The final step is to generate a call to action. Urge reader that it’s time to act now. You can do this by offering a limited time free bonus or offer money off your product if they act now. Convince reader that they can’t wait. The time is now.

Know your products and customers. It’s important to know who your customers are and what they want. A teen boy interested in body building may require totally different needs than a middle aged woman interested in body building. By understanding your customers you’ll understand their needs and what kinds of problems they have that depend on you to solve. Focus on what your customer is willing to buy, not what you have to sell.

Additional Guidelines

Use simple, familiar words. Your ad should be easy and fast reading. Don’t use big words and long run-on sentences. Offer a tangible result. Phrases like ‘lose weight in two weeks’, get rich online’, ‘find love now’ sound cliché but they all offer your reader a solution to a problem or need. Avoid ambiguities and jargons. Get to point and keep it flowing.

Write like you are talking to a friend Use bright, cheerful language. Don’t be too formal and don’t lecture.

Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. There are many ads that misuse grammar intentionally, and this is ok as long as it fits a specific purpose or theme of ad. Unintentional poor grammar, misspellings and poor punctuation can hurt your credibility.