How to write Killer Classified Ad CopyWritten by David Bell
I'll never forget what my accountant said five years ago when he saw ad I wrote for my services: "How many scotches did you drink before you wrote this?" He was kidding about scotch. But he just couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would write such a bold and outrageous ad for their own writing, consulting and speaking services, as I had. Well, I spent $300 on that ad -- $200 to run it in a local trade association directory, and $100 to have it reprinted as a flyer. The following year, that $300 ad turned into $12,341 in new business for me. And $12,341 was just a tiny fraction of my total business that year. Why did I make so much money myself while there were so many thousands of "starving writers" in world? The answer may surprise you. You see, it's not because I'm a better writer. It's not my schooling. Not my resume. Not any talent I was born with. It's all because I learned how to write "killer copy." How do you write killer copy? You start your killer copy with an emotion-packed opening statement that will get attention of your reader. This opening statement may be: * a headline * an opening sentence * a subject line on an email * header on a Web page ... or for that matter, opening words in a telemarketing script, radio commercial, or TV spot. What's important is that you understand - your first words count for everything - because you must captivate peoples' imagination with those words in order to keep their attention. Here are examples of opening statements from actual successful marketing pieces: a) "Take luxury vacation of your dreams at a reduced cost because of this special offer" (from a travel agency's letter to business owners.) b) "How to stop overwhelm before it stops you" (from a personal coach's ad aimed at stressed-out overachievers) c) "Why almost every financial statement in family court may not disclose full net worth of opposing spouse" (from an investigator's sales letter to divorce lawyers.) Then, after your emotion-packed opening statement, you just a) Make a promise b) Back it up with convincing proof and c) Ask for action Let's look at how you do each of those three techniques. 1. Make a promise. The letter about luxury vacations starts with these words: "Imagine taking your winter vacation knowing you aren't spending a penny more than you have to - secure that you have a team of travel experts making sure every little detail of your vacation goes smoothly. "Here's how you can have that vacation right now: Take advantage of an unusual promotion our company is doing. Let me explain." Pretty exciting, right? Even if you don't think so, people who got letter did - because letter produced an amazing $5 million in sales for travel agency.
| | How To Get Business With Your Business Card ?Written by Ray Smith
So, you have a business card? And you have given it to a few of your friends as well? Great! But did you get those cards to give to your acquaintances or to get business? Are they getting business for you?? That is key question.Most of us today have a business card, except those few who plans to survive battle of brands without most necessary armor. In this 20th century business world, even a mom-n-pop shop needs a business card and a logo to survive—today these are bare necessities for any business. Now, having business card is not good enough, question is how good is your business card? Is it getting desired business for you? Or in other words, are you able to use your business card to its full potential? We must realize a business card is not just a piece of paper or a small card stock with your contact information. It is an essential branding tool for your business and has every potential to get you new business, provided you know how to use it. When you hand over your business card to a client, you expect him to contact you for your product or service, but have you ever thought, why should he contact you and not your competitor, if he has both cards? This is where a well-planned business card gives you advantage. Your business card must have something in it that would create an interest in prospect to contact you. There are several ways to do this. a)You can add a tag line to your business card that speaks about your USP. b)You can offer a discount to people purchasing your products if they present your business card while purchasing.
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