Do classified ads really work? Should you include an email address or fax number in them? How about a call to action?
Questions like these are often brought to the attention of OhioHelp.net, an Ohio-based company specializing in helping businesses worldwide with their marketing, public relations and freelance writing services. Here are some top tips they offer based on their own client projects.
TOP TIPS FROM OHIOHELP.NET
I. CLASSIFIED AD PLACEMENT
Study the ads in publications where you would like to place yours to see what works. And STUDY them like you'll have an exam over them. If you didn't see the ad before, skip it. Only focus on those who repeatedly placed the same ads - -these people are selling off of them: bottom line.
While you're at it, call some of those companies who are not your direct competitors and ask how their ads pull (and log their replies for reference). Exchange contact information and follow up so that you can possibly team up with them later in a joint venture and send clients back and forth.
Results show that small ads placed in inexpensive publications generally bring in phone calls and clicks to websites, but no email replies. And on the average, these callers reported having limited or no Internet access along with limited or no computer / email capabilities in their homes. If they had access at work, it was limited and did not offer personal / private email. Toll-free numbers brought in more responses than local numbers with area codes. And fax numbers brought in nothing at all.
II. CLASSIFIED AD GIFTS
Sales increased with the inclusion of Gift and Reward items in a call-to-action ad. Popular items were:
A. A No-Cost Information Kit that included a variety of tip sheets,electronic books and software sent via downloadable links in printed sales letters and included on disks or CDs. All items were mailed Flat Rate via Priority Mail.
B. A Book / workbook set sent the same way or mailed Media Rate in a manila envelope. Sets were for a trial period before purchasing. And No-Cost Information Kits above were included in the package.
C. A special "Freebie" item of their choice from our bookstore was mailed or emailed with mention of the ad.
III. CLASSIFIED AD COPYWRITING
To increase customer contact, communication and overall sales, include specific pricing in the ad; for example, say, "rates from $39." Also list an email address with a domain name and specific person to contact. In other words, instead of emailing info@aol.com, email diana@ohiohelp.net using a first name for familiarity. (Note that some classifieds charge a 3-word count for URLs but only a 1-word count for email addresses.) And use an action verb in your call-to-action, "Mention Ad for?"
So sharpen your pencil or grab your keyboard and tune up your classified campaigns. Testing and improving your ads can definitely increase sales.
To learn more top tips and receive them on a regular basis at no charge in your email, sign up at http://ohiohelp.net today or email diana@ohiohelp.net. Preview your own "MAP: Move Ahead Plan" book and spiral-bond workbook set today and receive your No-Cost Information Kit along with it by visiting http://help-plan.biz
--
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated - send to: diana@ohiohelp.net
About The Author
Diana Barnum, president of http://movingaheadcommunications.com and CEO of http://ohiohelp.net. For more help with marketing, public relations and writing, email diana@ohiohelp.net or call: (614) 529-9459.
I know what your thinking, "what the heck does starting... Read More
Developing a successful web site takes more than simply building... Read More
For people who have decided to strike out on their... Read More
The Shopping Search Engines are a new breed on the... Read More
Special Article Report: Theses Keys Work!Many times over the past... Read More
I am going to share a real secret with you... Read More
One of my favorite net marketing tasks is creating a... Read More
Think about it, how many emails do you send out... Read More
Recent research predicts that the online ad market will decline... Read More
Hold a discount sale on your web site. Use the... Read More
Creating a lucrative online business is not an easy task.... Read More
What is the secret of being the best at Internet... Read More
There is a particular web site where I regularly place... Read More
When you run an online home-based business, your web site... Read More
There are lots of ads for lots of product out... Read More
Here's an astonishing fact guaranteed to excite you...Many successful internet... Read More
I, myself, being an internet marketing "newbie" (endearing term used... Read More
Your brain screams "Gimme Fast", "Gimme Easy", "Do it for... Read More
NO, that's not one of my secret dreams :-) It's... Read More
How many times have you... heard that running solo ads... Read More
The Internet Contains Billions of Website Pages - All Clamoring... Read More
Cross promotion is, without doubt, a powerful technique used by... Read More
Whether you are now looking for opportunities to start your... Read More
For three years in Internet Marketing, I've tried to find... Read More
One of the most exciting things about doing business online... Read More
Many of you are reading this article because you would... Read More
For all those who still think internet marketing is rocket... Read More
Most people in a new year make resolutions to make... Read More
Who said marketing on the internet was easy. All the... Read More
When my sister and discussed our shopping plans this year... Read More
What the heck am I talking about?Let me tell you... Read More
Looking for some tips on being a newbie in the... Read More
Network Marketing online works by giving you your own online... Read More
I started as an internet marketer, like I am sure... Read More
It is a story about Manku, a blind man who... Read More
Tell your readers what they are probably thinking, feeling or... Read More
Internet marketing promotion & advertising are crucial for your website's... Read More
That is a great question!We all know by now that... Read More
Overcome lackluster copy and lack of product sales by using... Read More
Now, I'm a firm believer in knowing what you're getting... Read More
For all those who still think internet marketing is rocket... Read More
1. Start a newsletter that people can subscribe to, and... Read More
If you could get your prospective customers nodding their heads... Read More
Potential niche products exist all around us, but how do... Read More
More and more people are realizing that the Internet offers... Read More
Just yesterday a colleague of mine, whom I'll call "Sandy,"... Read More
Have you ever wanted to add new products to your... Read More
Exponential Multiplication a Real Life Example:Double a penny every day... Read More
Opt in clicking promotes your business. By increasing link exchanges... Read More
In search of the coveted search engine traffic? Yes? Then... Read More
You can earn a large monthly passive income with a... Read More
Are you confused by what really works when marketing your... Read More
So you've just sold another digital product; things are going... Read More
Most people get into internet marketing because it looks like... Read More
Google tells us there are 4 billion websites- almost one... Read More
What's happening to the personal touch on the World Wide... Read More
Multimedia here and multimedia there. Is it just a flashy... Read More
Many of us in the marketing services and/or agency business... Read More
There is no internet marketing chore that I enjoy more... Read More
Dear Cathy:I just found an interesting article on someone else's... Read More
One of the best and fastest ways to build your... Read More
I was writing the final chapter of my book on... Read More
The secrets on how to send a floodgate of traffics... Read More
Set up multiple simultaneous marketing campaigns with database marketing automation... Read More
Recently, I stumbled upon a simple way to hit the... Read More
It doesn't make any difference if you're promoting your own... Read More
Internet Marketing |