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Further
Reading ...
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Banish Those Bookkeeping Blues! - Tracey Lawton
Are you one of those people who are guilty of just stuffing your receipts into a folder and thinking 'I'll sort that out when I've got time'? Do you need a more organised bookkeeping system, nothing too flash, just something that's simple and easy...
The Freelance Translator and PayPal - Anita Karlson Henssler
A problem most freelance translators are faces with is how to receive payment. In particular: How to receive payment for small jobs. Many translation agencies are reluctant to pay small fees via wire transfer due to the transaction fees; often...
Ben Franklin Didn't Quite Get it Right - Terry Mitchell
When Ben Franklin said "a penny saved is a penny earned", he didn't quite get it right. Actually, a penny saved is worth more than a penny earned. Do you find this statement shocking? I am about to prove to you that what I'm saying is true. Most...
Issue Management Methodology for Tracking Project Issues - Grant Murray
1. What is an Issue? An issue is an incident, circumstance, problem or inquiry that affects or potentially affects the timely delivery of the project, product or service, it may also impact the quality of deliverables and the cost of production. ...
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Classified Ads - What Works & What Doesn’t
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Written By:
Diana Barnum
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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 - continued below ...
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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
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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
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.
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| _Additional Resources ... |
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Make Sure You Get The Customer Perspective - Erwin Steneker
Businesses that fail, often forget to seek out the customer perspective. I have talked to some folks at businesses that were less than succesful, and when asked if they actively seek out customer comments, the answer invariably is no. Why don't they...
6 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN TRADING UP TO A LARGER ANN ARBOR AREA HOME - Tony Dulgeroff
6 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN TRADING UP TO A LARGER ANN ARBOR AREA HOME Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you’re looking to move up, and already own a home, there are many factors that can complicate your situation. It’s very...
Insight: Failure and Success in Online Business - Jack Humphrey
Creativity and Determination are the KEY ingredients in all online success stories. So many times, as a moderator and participant in the net's most active and lauded online marketing forum, The Internet Marketing Warriors, I have heard the same...
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