Consider crafting several, still staying within single call to action, by changing wording ever so slightly so that it doesn't sound memorized just in case others are close enough to over hear you. This also works if you are testing to find best language.

Always make first sentence a declarative statement: "I perform miracles. Not religious type, of course, business type. Entrepreneurs, like [current or past client] and [another current or past client], hire me to make their marketing more attractive and pull in clients. I help them become a human magnet, drawing new businesses to them like bees make honey."

It is important for very first sentence be short and declarative. Declarative doesn't ask, it asserts. Now stop for a few minutes and play with some ideas of your own. Be bold when playing; write with energy of a firecracker.

A second method would be to open with a declarative question. Actually there isn't any such thing as a declarative question in grammar, so bare with me as I stretch a declarative statement. A declarative question is when you ask them a question but not for them to answer but with a declarative prowess. "Have you ever seen a speaker so dynamic and engaging that you forget where you are? Someone who teaches with inspiration, hypnotizes their audience, empowers people to act, all while filling atmosphere in room with love. Then you haven't experienced me."

The first two sentences will determine whether they are listening. A firecracker intro guarantees that you will snap them out of their moment. If you find that these openers are too bold, you have my permission to continue to let people be in their own moment and keep trying to get a regular elevator speech to work.

Using an ezine I sent to librarians and online editors, I grew value of a web site about search engines to almost a million dollars, without spending a dime on advertising.

This strategy works equally well for established companies. Les Schwab Tire Centers fixes flats for free, giving away over $10 million in repairs each year. Building goodwill with giveaways like this and an unusual dedication to customer service, this chain of 300 tire outlets earned estimated revenue of $1 billion in 2003.

2. Lack of Results from Advertising You're not getting a positive return on your ads, should you buy more ad space? How much? Where?

In my experience, there are two obstacles to increasing sales with advertising. Its either message or audience. Both can be fixed to increase sales.

If you want people to respond to your advertising, get their attention and prompt them to contact you, write your marketing message, ads and marketing copy from your prospect's perspective. Identify and address their concerns.

No matter how good your marketing message is, it won't help you unless its seen by people who want your products and services. Even if you do your homework up front, there is no guarantee your ad will draw sales.

Track each ad campaign and each sale to determine which ads sell. No matter how good your copy is or how many people see your ad, if ad audience doesn't include people who want your services and are ready to buy, it's wrong audience. Drop those ads that bring in meager results and identify additional advertising opportunities, ones that will be seen or heard by people who want to buy your products and services.

Stop wasting your time struggling to jump over marketing hurdles. Instead, you can identify obstacles that get in way and eliminate them one by one. Make this shift and you'll increase your sales and be more successful. - 2004 © In Mind Communications, LLC. All rights reserved.