10 Tips to Create Profitable Adverts

Advertising, you either love it or you hate but which ever camp you fall into, it is a necessary task if your business is going to survive.

Many people think it is fairly easy to put an ad together – throw a few graphics or images together, add a splash of colour and a few words and, hey presto, you have an advert.

Well, if that’s how you work, you may not be in business too much longer. To help you out I have listed below 10 tips to help you create adverts that will not only look great but will also sell.

1.      Get ideas by studying the advertising material of similar products to your own. Put together a ‘swipe’ file of good sales letters, adverts and emails etc., which can use for reference.

2.      Be clear from the start what it is you want your advert to do. Is it for sales, lead generation, attract web traffic, newsletter sign-ups…

3.      Before you begin list your products features and benefits. Make sure your leading benefit is used in the headline or first sentence.

4.      Be specific – include numbers, sounds, smells, descriptions etc.

5.      Tell you reader how your product differs from those of your competitors and highlight the areas that your product is better.

6.      Use visuals – show people using your product or before and after shots (if relevant).

7.      Identify your target audience. Who are they, what do they like, how to they think…

8.      If you have proven facts (i.e. surveys, reviews, product tests etc.) use them in your ad as they will add credibility to your product.

9.       If you offer a guarantee, after sales support etc., tell them. This will add to your credibility and your readers’ peace of mind.

10.   Make sure you tell them what you want them to do – buy now, call today, book an appointment etc. If your call to action is vague or non-existent you won’t make a sale.

There you have it. These 10 tips will help you put together adverts that will convert into sales and put money in your pockets.

Sally Ormond of Briar Copywriting, is a freelance copywriter helping local, national and international companies increase their marketplace visibility, web traffic and sales. Her comprehensive range of copywriting services providing powerful and persuasive marketing solutions for all their on and off line needs.