- Does your headline focus on selling points that distinguish your products and services from competitions?

Writing Headlines that Get Your Prospects' Attention People look at web sites same way they look at magazine ads. They scan page quickly to see if product or service is something they want. On web or in a marketing brochure, if you capture their interest, they'll keep reading.

The best way to do this is to give them a clear idea of problems your products or services can solve and/or benefits you provide. Use a few carefully selected words such as:

- Leverage your expertise to attract a steady stream of clients - Reliable Office Supplies, free next day delivery. - In-home sports training for exercise enthusiasts - Web and print design that helps your business grow - Costa Rica Travel, Unique off-the-beaten track tours to jungles and beaches

Your page headline should communicate clearly what you offer clients, which problems you solve and benefits you provide. Do your headlines:

- Clarify what you do? - Describe problems you solve? - Define whom you do it for? - Explain benefits? - Emphasis a key selling point? - Compel your prospects to keep reading?

Imagine that you worked at an exercise facility and wanted to attract clients for your massage business. Here are some possible headlines you might use for your flyer and associated critiques.

- George Jenkins Massage (It's your name but so what)

- Are You Bothered By Back Pain (Better, it defines problem)

- 7 Ways to Get Instant Back Pain Relief (Defines problem and a solution)

- How Computer Users Can Banish Back Pain in One Hour (Defines who your target market is, problem and benefit)

Grab your prospects attention in first few seconds with your headline. Then follow with compelling copy that clarifies value of your products and services and you'll generate many more sales. - 2004 © In Mind Communications, LLC. All rights reserved.

Your business depends on your integrity so make sure you treat your visitors with respect and honesty. Don’t promise them anything you can’t deliver. Publish your policies and stick to them. Make sure that everything on your site reflects your honesty and integrity. Deserve to be trusted!

• Outstanding service . . .

Give your customers more than they expect!

Let them know how important they are to you. Listen to what they have to say. Take care of their questions or problems immediately and courteously. Stand behind your product or service 100%. Issue any necessary refunds quickly and with a smile.

If it’s possible add a personal touch to your customer service. Send a little thank-you note via email ~ don’t rely solely on your thank-you page to do it for you. Check back with them later to find out if they’re satisfied and if there is anything else you can do for them.

Make your customers feel special and they’ll come back again and again.

Don’t be satisfied with a poor imitation . . .

Your business should be just as unique as you are! If you’re going to time, trouble and expense of building a business make sure it reflects things that are important to you. Unless you bring your dreams and personal creativity into your business and brand it as only you can, you’ll never feel pride of ownership you need to be successful.

Your business starts out like an empty canvas on which you can paint anything you want. Give it thought, give it soul and give it life ~ make it your own unique creation.