Advertising - For Small Businesses (Part 2)

How to do it

People skim through newspapers and magazines and they aren't necessarily looking for information on products or services (unless they're reading the classifieds) It's therefore absolutely vital that your advertisement grabs their attention and encourages them to read more. Many ads are designed merely to create awareness of a product or service, however, small to medium size businesses need a result.

Use words that attract attention in your headline - The two most powerful words in a headline are - YOU and FREE. Other great headline words are - How to - New - The Secrets of - Amazing - Breakthrough - Announcing - Discover - Protect - Facts you - At last

Don't worry too much about a photograph or a graphic - A good headline is what you need to grab attention and differentiate you from your competitors. There are several ads in my local paper for plumbers. All but one has the name of the plumbing business at the top of the ad - "Fred Smith Plumbers." One of the ads has "DYNAMIC PLUMBERS" at the top of the ad. I had to read more to find out what made this plumbing service "DYNAMIC." To me - one plumber is much like another; however, this one grabbed my interest.

Offer something free - A sample - an hour of your time - information - a drink - a coffee - some food - a place for children to play - a book - an audio or video tape. Offer something that has a high perceived value for the customer but a low cost for you. Remember - you want them to respond to your ad, not your competitors.

Use simple language - Get to your point FAST - remember, people will only spend a few seconds looking at your ad, so don't beat around the bush.

Offer benefits - Tell the customer how your product or service benefits them or solves their problems. Don't start sentences with - "We do ??." start with - "You will ??."

No jargon - Watch out for abbreviations, jargon, buzz words and technical information. You might understand the language but does the customer?

Don't be boring - Don't use words like -"Quality service" (What does that mean?) - "Established in 1862" (Who cares) - "We provide an individual service" (Doesn't everybody?) Look at what some of your competitors say in their advertising and do something different.

Touch the emotions - Make your ad look and sound human, warm and friendly. Perhaps put a name in - "Call Jim now for a FREE quotation."

Use testimonials - Put in the names of people and businesses that you've worked with and what they said (with their permission of course)

Call for action - Your advertisement must prompt people to do something. You must ask them to phone you - come and see you - ask you to see them or place an order - NOW! Make it as easy as possible for them to do that - a free phone number - a freepost address - a simple tear-off coupon to complete - something free or any other incentive for them to take action NOW!

Discover how you can generate more business without having to cold call! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales without Selling" This book is packed with practical things that you can do to ? get customers to come to you . Click here now http://www.howtogetmoresales.com

---

How to Profit from Business Consulting Opportunities

Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking... Read More

Pressure Washing at Golf Courses

There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More

Age Old Marketing Technique Improves Business Plan Executive Summaries

Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More

How to Start a Paper Shredding Business

Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More

25 Valuable Phone Numbers For Small Businesses Success

Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More

Combating Over Regulation of Small Business

Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More

The Truth About Government Grants for Your Business

Free money! Receive up to $25,000 that never has to... Read More

The Key to Small Business Growth? Buyer Alignment

Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More

There Are No Dumb Business Questions, Not!

Q: I'm curious. What is the dumbest business question you've... Read More

Setting Up a Pressure Washer Rig to Clean Concrete

Maximum efficiency in the cleaning industry is a key to... Read More

4 Areas Where Your Business is Losing Money

In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More

Do You Microbifer in Your Cleaning Business?

Microfiber cleaning towels have been around for about ten years... Read More

Pressure Washing Heavy Equipment

One of the best ways to make money in the... Read More

Your Babys Ugly..and Youve Got Bad Breath

I've got good news and bad news. The good news... Read More

How to Effectively Design Your Business Image

In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More

Three Big Barriers To Small Business Marketing Success

When you feel like you're always busy working on your... Read More

Asphalt Paving: Striping Your Parking Lot

As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More

Starting an Aircraft Washing Service

To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More

Hispanic Small Business Advantage

One thing I have noticed in my travels to different... Read More

Detailing Business Options

So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More

More Business Card Uses

Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More

Mobile Pressure Washing and Cleaning Scheduling

If you own a mobile car washing, pressure washing or... Read More

Small Businesses - Big Obstacles

Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More

Dispute Resolution; Competing With Other Franchisees

If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More

Increase the Wealth in Your Community

Many of us have noticed how some nearby communities seem... Read More

The Single Most Powerful Small Business Marketing Tool On The Planet

Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More

Making a Donation to Bring MORE Business

How a donation is different from a sponsorship and what... Read More

Do You Own Your Business Or Does It Own You?

What was your aim when you went into business for... Read More

Small Business - Would You Still Need An Accountant If You Didnt Need A Tax Return?

After over thirty years advising small business it still comes... Read More

Six Essential Skills to Business Success!

The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More

Do You Need Accounting Software for Your Small Business?

If you're anything like me then you dislike with a... Read More

Freelance Tips: How to Cope with Spring Fever When Theres Work to Be Done

We all know how glorious those first warm days of... Read More

Starting a Small Business: Balancing Risk and Reward

In a perfect world, starting a small business would be... Read More