Five Ways To Start a Money-Making Ad

Advertising is more affordable than ever thanks to ezines, small
newspapers, and an exploding number of trade publications that
cover specific industries.

I often place classifieds ads for as little as $3 in ezines that
reach thousands. Local papers and trade pubs sell short
classified ads for $13 to $50, with small display ads (those box
ads) going for $100 to $300.

Of course, to keep the cost down, you may have to write your ad
yourself. The hardest part of writing an ad is always the very
beginning. Once you get the ad started, the rest is easy.

Here are five ways to start your ad. Use these simple time-
saving formulas to get a great ad going. Don't worry about
compromising quality. These are the exact same tricks top
professional copy writers have used for decades, even for
million-dollar ad campaigns.

1. Start with the word FREE! It's the most popular word in
advertising--because it WORKS. FREE trial consultations, FREE
samples, and FREE limited-time offers all get attention and get
your ad rolling.

2. Start with the word NEW! Announce a new product, service, or
idea. NEW tables just in, NEW opportunity to make money, NEW
information just developed.

3. Start with a DO YOU? DO YOU make enough money, DO YOU suffer
from heartburn, DO YOU get tired of ads? Questions pull the
reader into the rest of your ad. A question makes the reader
think the answer. As subtle as this seems, it's a powerful first
step in getting people to think seriously about buying.

4. Start with $10,000...or any other big amount of money.
$10,000 a week for life, $13,000 is what you can save each month,
$5,000 off this month only.

For years we've tested ads on AOL in front of their millions of
members and visitors. Big money numbers and "FREE COMPUTER" pull
the best response. Now, the folks that click on the ad may not
be the kind who are going to buy, but there is no question that
this method gets lots of attention.

5. Start with "I tried it." Happy quotes from customers work
far better than having the ad copy say the same thing. "I
haven't been sick for years," "I work just 2 hours a week and
still earn cash," "I cut expenses in half!"

Testimonials work. Get them from customers, friends, experts
known in the industry, or celebrities. Many times you can offer
a free product or service in exchange for a testimonial from an
important person. Others actually appreciate it if YOU write the
comment for them, then get their approval to use it.

Here are a few more tips to make writing an effective ad quick
and easy: keep sentences short-- only two words? Fine! Also,
start sentences with actions words: save, buy, learn, enjoy.

When you mention a feature of your project or service, link it
with the benefit it will give the customer. People aren't
necessarily impressed that your new potato chips have a nifty new
ridge design. They DO care that the ridge design provides added
flavor and crispy crunch. The line should read: Nifty new ridge
design adds delicious flavor and crispy crunch!

Give people several ways to buy or contact you. I like to
include a web site address, email address, and phone number. If
many of your customers order by mail, include your mailing
address. Often you can limit the address to just your street
location and the zip code.