How To Write Kick-Ass, Profit Pulling Adverts For Your Business?

Doesn't that just grab you by the eyeballs and make you stop dead in your tracks? I mean it's a little harsh ? grammatically speaking ? but holy smokes, it does it have 'stopping power'...

Now I'll share with you a few secrets for creating good adverts. So let's dive right in because we're all busy people ;-)

First you need to be introduced AIDA.

- A stands for ATTENTION, as in get some or you lose your chance
- I stands for INTEREST, as in now keep me interested.
- D stands for DESIRE, as in ok, make me want what you've got.
- A stands for ACTION, because people need to take some for things to happen.

Got it? That's all there is to it?Easy right?

If it were that easy we'd all be rich and you wouldn't need marketing consultants like me. Truthfully, just invest a few thousand hours studying, read all the classic books on advertising that date as far back as 1920 (when advertising really became a science) and you'll have the subject down cold.

And on the off-chance you don't have that much free time, I'll give you some wickedly powerful pointers that will let you leapfrog over the other guys. So let's begin?

Headlines R Us (or is that You?)

It all starts with a headline. You know, the first thing the prospect sees. The title at the top of the page, that's the headline. The first few words they hear on the radio, that's a 'headline' too. Take this article for example, the headline was the first thing you saw. A good headline can almost stand alone and you just 'get it'. It's an advert for the advert.

Studies have shown the headline results in approximately 80% of the results. So the headline makes all the difference. In one test a changed headline improved response over 2000% (over 21 times!)

Here's an example of a really bad headline? YOUR COMPANY NAME

That's right, your company name is not a good headline. In fact your name, your contact details, how long you've been in business and all those other boring bits of data you often put at the top of adverts, is a waste of time?and money UNTIL the prospect wants to know who you are ? only then are they important.

Next...Make Them An Offer They Can't Refuse

Then you have to make a good offer. Don't beat around the bush. People are busy, your headline stopped them, now they're looking ? so make your pitch. Give them the best you've got. Make them an offer they can't refuse?

Describe the benefits of having your product or service in a way that the prospect can experience. Don't focus on the specific features ? focus on benefits. People buy benefits. Here's an example:

[Feature] 1/4 Inch Masonry Drill Bit.

[Benefit] 1/4 Inch hole... Probably to hang a picture ? so the real benefit was admiring the picture or proving to your spouse that you really are handy around the home...

Finally...Action!

And once you've helped them see themselves experiencing your product or service tell them what you want them to do ? call, click or visit today. Or words to that effect. Remember, advertising that does anything other than sell is a waste of money for most of us ? brand advertising is expensive.

Darn it...I've run out of time.

Because headlines are so critical to the success of your adverts I wanted to sign-off with this formula for a good headline: SINC (Self Interest, Curiosity & News).

If you can make the headline show the reader what's in it for them, make them curious to read more, and share something newsworthy you've likely got a winner on your hands.

Remember, the money is ALWAYS in the headline.

JAMES C. BURCHILL is a 20-year veteran entrepreneur and information technology executive who now provides strategic marketing consulting services to a select group of clients. He is a published author, a passionate advocate of technology and the Internet, as well as an avid study of classical advertising and marketing strategies (which he uses during 'Internet alchemy' experiments.) James is an expert in information and data management, Internet marketing and online networking. A self confessed 'information and technology enthusiast', James brings a wide range of valuable skills to any venture. Of singular note is James' ability to assimilate complex subject matter and produce clean clear 'easy-to-understand' messages. James has been interviewed many times and caused quite the media buzz when a client 'double-dog-dared' him to prove you can get front page coverage for $0. The details and that 'dumb stunt' are now part of EBay legend. Currently James lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife and family, their Siamese cat and one very nervous fish. Visit for details.

In The News:


CBC.ca

GM says Super Bowl ads too expensive and bows out
Philadelphia Inquirer
The Detroit automaker said Friday that it won't be advertising on the Feb. 3 spectacle because of a steep price hike demanded by CBS, the network broadcasting the game. "We understand the reach the Super Bowl provides, but with the significant increase ...
GM Drops Another Advertising Bombshell -- On the Super BowlForbes
GM Says It Won't Advertise During Next Super Bowl GameBloomberg
Recommended: GM won't advertise on next Super Bowl, report saysmsnbc.com

all 306 news articles »

Christian Science Monitor

Advertisers and Facebook face an uphill battle. But it could be worth it.
Christian Science Monitor
General Motors' decision to invest significantly less advertising dollars in Facebook inspired some to suggest that the world's most popular social network needs to grow up. By Megan Riesz / May 18, 2012 Facebook increased the size of its initial ...
Is Advertising on Facebook Worth the Expense?TIME
Companies ask: Does advertising on Facebook pay?Seattle Post Intelligencer

all 13,666 news articles »

Dragas Mortgage Company Selects JASE Group LLC as Advertising Agency of Record
PR.com (press release)
JASE Group LLC (jasegroup.com) will serve as the Inbound Marketing & Creative Advertising agency of record for Dragas Mortgage Company (dragasmortgage.com) of Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach, VA, May 20, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Dragas Mortgage Company ...

and more »

USA TODAY

GM Says Facebook Ads Don't Pay Off
Wall Street Journal
By SHARON TERLEP, SUZANNE VRANICA and SHAYNDI RAICE General Motors plans to stop advertising on Facebook after the company's marketing executives determined their paid ads had little impact on consumers. Sharon Terlep has details on The News Hub.
Do Facebook ads work? IPO, GM spotlight issueUSA TODAY
Facebook's biggest problem is that it's a media companyWashington Post
Facebook sparks divide: GM, Ford advertising strategies divergeDetroit Free Press
Chicago Tribune -San Francisco Chronicle -Forbes
all 939 news articles »

Oakfield marketing students dive into advertising
Fond du Lac Reporter
Marketing students at Oakfield High School delved into the world of "Mad Men" recently by creating an advertising campaign for a local business. Fondy Sports Park teamed up with the high school's marketing department to give students a realistic ...


CIO Today

Does Advertising on Facebook Pay?
CIO Today
By Peter Svensson And Tom Krisher GM's advertising spending is a tiny fraction of Facebook's total 2011 advertising revenue of $3.15 billion. But the automaker's decision to cease advertising on the social network could be symptomatic of Facebook's ...
Facebook Advertising Shows 'A Lot Of Potential But It's Not A Slam-Dunk'Huffington Post
Advertisers weigh in on the value of Facebook adsExaminer.com
Ahead of IPO, GM to Quit Advertising on FacebookNew York Times
Forbes -AdAge.com -San Francisco Chronicle
all 204 news articles »

Presidential TV advertising onslaught begins, but is Pennsylvania really a ...
The Republic
The advertising onslaught of the fall presidential election has begun in Pennsylvania and a handful of other states that may be up for grabs between President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. Republicans and Democrats both ...

and more »

TV networks woo advertisers as threats to viewership intensify
Los Angeles Times
(Evan Agostini, Associated Press / May 16, 2012) By Joe Flint, Los Angeles Times NEW YORK — Every May the broadcast networks take over midtown Manhattan to promote their new shows and ply advertisers with shrimp and champagne. It's a business expense.

and more »

TechCrunch

Silicon Valley Can Do Better Than Facebook
TechCrunch
Facebook sells advertising—it may be the most effective advertising platform since Google, or not—but that's not the best use of the brightest minds of our generation. Advertising doesn't improve our balance of trade. It doesn't lift people out of ...

and more »

AIADMK spent crores of public wealth on their advertising: Karunanidhi
Daily News & Analysis
Place: Chennai | Agency: PTI DMK President M Karunanidhi on Sunday flayed the Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu for its advertising campaign listing its "achievements" on completing one year in office, saying it had spent a "huge amount" of ...

and more »
Google News

God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!

Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator... Read More

Placemat Ad Advertising

Starting a placemat ad business can create more business for... Read More

The Not-So-Hidden Persuaders: The Power of The Media Upon Us All

In 1957, a perspicacious young journalist from Pennsylvania named Vance... Read More

Online Classifieds

Choosing a Classified Website and creating your advertisements.The internet has... Read More

What Does Your Business Card Say?

Business cards are the most underutilized and misunderstood marketing tool... Read More

A Lunchtime Lesson on Print Advertising

I promise you'll be able to finish this article before... Read More

Can I Write and Print My Own Business Brochures and Business Cards?

If you have a computer and a printer, preferably one... Read More

Driving Customers to You - Your Car as a Marketing Vehicle

You can turn your vehicle into a rolling advertisement. Costs... Read More

Media Savvy - How To Lead, Persuade And Influence

The ability to lead, persuade and influence are integral skills... Read More

3 Elements To A Deal-Sealing Classified Ad

Have you ever wondered why your perfectly fine classified ad... Read More

Humor in Advertising

Many of the most memorable ad campaigns around tend to... Read More

Magnetic Signs: Where Do They Work Best?

Recently, a woman called to ask about replacing a magnetic... Read More

Information Gathering & Delivery May Never Be The Same!

Give Us The Bottom Line!If you are like most people,... Read More

Advertising: 10 Powerful Secrets To Help You Sell Your Ad Space Like Crazy

If you want to sell more ad spaces, you must... Read More

Understanding The Basics Of Advertising

I get the L.A. Times delivered to my door every... Read More

Testing Headlines

A correspondent to AdBriefing, my monthly newsletter, has posed a... Read More

When Times Get Tough... or When to Really Advertise

The Pundits say the economy is slowly, but surely, recovering.... Read More

How to Write Great Headlines

According to experts, just changing the headline of an ad... Read More

Trade Writing - For Cash!

Often considered as "plain Jane's" of the print world, trade... Read More

Advertising Costs Getting Too High?

Everyone knows that advertising is essential to growing a business.... Read More

Graphical LED Display

Graphical LED Displays utilize high-resolution graphics and video to transmit... Read More

How to Use the 3 Most Common Direct Marketing Measurements to Increase Your Profits!

John Wanamaker, a 19th century entrepreneur, once famously made the... Read More

A $40 Million Dollar Little Known Referral Strategy

Would you like to know how a car wash chain... Read More

If You Lost 70% of Your New Customers, Would You Notice?

Buyers Don't Rely on the Yellow Pages Like They Used... Read More

Unlock The Power Of Online Groups

Yahoo Groups: I see countless marketers on shoestring budges turn... Read More