How to Write the Perfect Classified Ad
by Alvin Apple
Classified Ads are a very effective and inexpensive
marketing tool. Just a few simple sentences placed on AOL or in the bigger
business ezines can let millions of readers and web-surfers know about your
business. Classifieds are so short and simple that most people can crank one
out in a matter of minutes. Sounds like a piece of cake, right? Well,
almost.
The danger in writing classified ads lies in letting that
simplicity fool you. A poorly written or unimaginative classified ad will just
be ignored, and your time and money will have been wasted. To avoid that
hassle, follow these simple steps.
First. Write a catchy and unique headline:
There
are a lot of businesses advertising on line these days. You've got to make
yours stand out. Avoid generic headlines like "DOUBLE YOUR INCOME!" Phrases
like this sound canned, and probably too good to be true. Try to say something
that gives information about your business, like, "INCREASE YOUR INCOME SELLING
LIST MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE ONLINE!"
Second. Cover all the details:
Make sure you
give all the pertinent information about your business. What exactly are you
offering? How much does it cost? If it's a business opportunity, what exactly
does it involve? Make sure someone who's interested can get in touch with you.
Include a phone number, an email address, or preferably your url.
Third. Use a simple structure:
Classified ads
usually have a length limit. You can save space by eliminating unnecessary
words. No one is expecting poetry when they browse the classifieds. You don't
even need to use complete sentences. Simple phrases like, "Offices across U.S.
and Canada," or, "48 hour turnaround on all jobs," work just as well as wordier
prose.
Fourth. Make sure it makes sense:
This can not
be stressed enough. After you've written the ad, put it down and walk away from
it for a few minutes. When you come back to it, read it slowly from start to
finish. Does it make sense? If you knew nothing about your business would the
ad be clear?
Have someone else read the ad as well. Don't tell them
anything about what you're trying to do, just have them read it. If they get
it, you're probably fine.
Fifth. Place the ad appropriately:
Even the best
ads are useless in the wrong market. When you place your perfect classified ad,
make sure you're hitting the market you want. Read a few issues of an ezine
before you advertise. Are the articles and ads in the same ball park as your
business? When placing ads on big classified sites such as AOL Classifieds
Plus, make sure you're placing your ad under the proper heading. Read a lot of
ads under each heading to make sure you're putting yourself in the proper
forum.
If you follow these steps you will have a perfect
classified ad. Now, this is not a guarantee of sales. As we all know, the
advertising world is pretty unpredictable. You can really improve your chances,
though, if you start out with something great. There's money to be made out
there if you just know how to do it.
Alvin Apple helps everyday people
start businesses they will enjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all
his helpful strategies, including his latest article, "Four Important Tips for
Working Effectively at Home" at http://AlvinApple.com Reach Alvin at
801-328-9006 or alvin@drnunley.com.
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