Sales Copy and Marketing Advice That Sells

Today is Part 10 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Quick question for you… Do you want your prospects read your sales copy?

If your sales copy reads like a complicated legal brief, uses big, complex words, or doesn’ t directly relate to your reader on a personal level… they probably won’t.

They’re more likely to completely ignore it, and you’ll lose any chance to make a sale.

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #10:

You gotta remember that it’s people who read your sales letters, ads, and web copy – not robots or businesses.

Every time you write any marketing copy… whether it’s your company brochure, a sales letter, websites, emails,  or whatever…

Make sure the sales copy is written with some personality.

You want it to sound like you wrote it specifically for the reader, using short and simple language. A trick I sometimes use is to pretend like I’m talking one-on-one with a friend over a beer.

It forces me to talk to him in a way he can easily understand. That, in turn, helps me write copy that sounds simple, but still clearly communicates the message I want to convey.

Most people don’t like it when you talk over their heads, but many still write and even talk using language that sounds impressive, but turns off their audience, because they don’t understand it.

Do you agree?

To check out the previous tips you may have missed, the links are below:

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 3 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 4 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 5 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 6 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 7 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 8 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 9 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

.

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 9 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Did you know that you can get higher response when you include exact numbers in sales copy and headlines, as opposed to using rounded off numbers?

“It’s true”… according to well known copywriters such as Clayton Makepeace and Bob Bly.

But when people write sales or ad copy and headlines, they usually don’t know the numbers, or they’re plain lazy, so they just round off, or use numbers that sound impressive, but aren’t accurate.

And what happens?

Often they don’t sound true, and the copy sounds weak and kind of wimpy.

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #9:

Use actual specifics in all sales copy and headlines.

It will make your copy and headlines much more powerful, plus it will sound more believable to your readers.

This will boost your response rate.

Here’s an example:

Bad – How Mike C. from ABC Company saved thousands over a year’s time simply by changing his company’s health insurance plan.

Good – How Mike C. from ABC Company saved $3,142.00 in 9 short months simply by changing his company’s health insurance plan.

See the difference?

Do you agree?

To check out the previous tips you may have missed, the links are below:

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 3 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 4 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 5 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 6 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 7 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 8 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

.

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 7 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Do you tell your prospects and customers the biggest reason they should buy from you instead of your competition?

If you’re like most business owners, this “special” benefit isn’t conveyed to your prospects at all. In fact, many businesses don’t even know what their “special” benefit is.

This benefit is often called a USP, or your Unique Selling Proposition.

It’s the biggest reason someone would choose to do business with you over another business.

For example: Dominos Pizza’s USP is… Fresh, hot pizza, delivered in 30 minutes or less.

You notice it doesn’t say “best tasting pizza”, but hot pizza delivered fast. Speed is how they differentiate themselves.

If your marketing message doesn’t quickly and concisely explain why you’re different than your competition, then your marketing message becomes lost.

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #7:

Spend some time figuring out your USP – what makes you different than everybody else. Then make sure your marketing message tells the world what it is.

I’m not saying it will be easy, but it will certainly be time well spent.

One thing’s for sure: Having a USP and putting it into words can give you a giant leg up on your competition, because you’ll have something special to offer your clients that your competitors can’t.

Stand out from the crowd for goodness sake…and tell the whole world why!

Let me know your thoughts on this…

To check out the previous tips you may have missed, the links are below:

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 3 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 4 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 5 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 6 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 6 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Would you like to get better response from your sales copy and marketing materials?

Of course you would.

Many business professionals think that “selling” your products and services in you marketing copy is the best way.

But does that technique consistently work?

Not usually. That’s because most people don’t like to get sold.

Fortunately, there is a better way…

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #6:

Educate your prospects instead of selling them.

Most people would rather get good information about their problem instead of being sold.

So instead of doing what everyone else does, create a special report or brochure that gives away some valuable information (not your deepest secrets, of course), and let your prospects come to their own conclusion that you are the best solution to their problem.

Make sure your information is so valuable, they wouldn’t think of looking anywhere else.

Let me know your thoughts on this…

To check out the previous tips you may have missed, the links are below:

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 3 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 4 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 5 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 5 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

What’s the most prominent thing your potential customers see in your marketing copy?

Is it your company name in bog bold letters? Or is it a headline that quickly shows them how your product or service can help them?

If you’re like most business owners, your answer will be “your company name”. And that’s unfortunate.

Right now you’re probably saying to yourself: “So what? I need to get my name out there”.

But what you don’t realize is at this stage of their interest, prospects don’t usually care about your company name – yet.

What they do care about is that you can solve whatever problem they have or provide exactly what they’re looking for.

Which leads me to…

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #5:

As a rule of thumb…Always remember WIIFM (what’s in it for me) when writing marketing copy for any media. What should stand out before anything else is the headline that tells your prospects you can help them and why they should do business with you – not your company name.

Your company name may be important, but unless they know the benefits of dealing with you first, it wont’ matter to them.

Let me know your thoughts on this…

To check out the previous tips you may have missed, the links are below:

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 3 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 4 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 4 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase – “The proof’s in the pudding”.

But how does that phrase relate exactly to marketing?

Let’s talk about why proof is so important.

Simply put, it’s because before most people will buy, they want and need to believe your sales copy or ad is telling the truth about any claims you make about your product or service.

Because people are more skeptical than ever before, you need to prove it to them.

• • One way is to using honest and believable testimonials from real people to prove your claims to potential clients.
• • Another way is to incorporate statistics in your copy or ads from sources that can be independently verified.
• • Or maybe results from actual studies or lab tests regarding your product or even one that’s relevant.
• • Using quotes or comments from respected and trusted authorities work well, too.

Why? Because they all add the “proof” factor people look for. Proof that eliminates the fear, doubt, and uncertainty your prospects have before they click the order link.

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #4:

Add proof to every single piece of your sales and marketing copy. I’m talking ads, brochures, sales letters, postcards, web copy, emails, and even business cards.

Heck – sometimes I even include a proof element in my proposals. What better place to have a potential client read about a happy and positive experience that helps prove your case when you’re proposing a similar project or product?

Let me know your thoughts on this…

To check out the previous tips you may have missed, the links are below:

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 3 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 3 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Exactly what makes people buy?

Is it because buying this widget makes sense?

Sometimes it is, but not usually.

Studies have shown that most buying decisions are actually made based on emotions, not logic.

Think about this example for a second…

Do you really need an expensive car like a Mercedes? Um… NO.

Do you want a Mercedes? If you do – it’s because you want to be associated with the status it gives you, or you’ll look cool to your friends.

You’ll buy it on emotion. Then to justify it to your better half, you’ll explain how the engine runs smoother, and the quality is so fine, and how all the other bells and whistles will help you drive better.

Now you’re justifying it with logic.

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #3:

Make sure all of your sales and marketing copy appeal to the emotions of your reader.

Remember, all buying decisions are driven by emotions and then justified with logic.

Let me know your thoughts on this…

In case you missed the first two – here are the links so you can check ‘em out.

Part 1 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

Part 2 marketing & advertising power tips for NH small business owners

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

Today is Part 2 of the 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Let’s say you came up with a blockbuster headline that really got people’s attention.

But what do you do next to compel readers to continue reading your ad or sales copy?

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #2:

In simple terms – you have to give them a reason to.

You see, most people are squeezed for time and being pulled 20 directions at the same time. So your copy must quickly resonate with them in the first sentence, or their gone.

And if their gone – they’re sure not going to buy.

Fortunately, there are many ways to interest your reader enough that they keep reading.

Just make sure you follow up on any promises or questions you make in the headline that got their attention in the first place.

One way is to incorporate a story that hits a nerve with your readers to demonstrate an understanding of their own feelings, problems, and desires, and how you will help them.

Using people’s natural curiosity is another common technique used to keep them reading.

And there are many other ways, but always remember the marketer’s motto: WIIFM!

(What’s in it for me)

Because as soon as you’re not talking about your reader, you’ve lost em.

And losing ‘em – well…it doesn’t help you at all now, does it?

So whatever you write – keep their attention, and they’ll keep reading. Then you have the chance to make a sale.

Let me know your thoughts on this…

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

If your small NH business is going to survive, you need to market and advertise using cost-effective techniques that get results.

So starting with today’s post, I’m going to give you the first of 15 Profitable Marketing Power Tips you should use in every marketing or advertising technique you use to promote your business.

Profitable Marketing Power Tip #1:

Use attention-getting headlines in every single piece of sales or marketing copy you write – No ifs, ands, or buts!!

The primary purpose of a headline is to immediately grab your reader by the eyeballs and compel them to read further.

And I’m talking using headlines on your web pages, emails, space ads, handouts, follow-up letters, and even your business card.

You do that by conveying a powerful benefit, addressing a problem that your product or service can solve, or by arousing the reader’s curiosity.

There are many “formulas” that have worked successully to create powerful headlines, and I’ll just toss out a couple of ideas you can use…

• • Start your headline with “How to…” (most people love to learn)
• • Ask a thought provoking question – (it engages your reader and gets them to nod their heads)
• • Make a bold promise or offer – (most people love deals, and if you make a promise, make sure it doesn’t come across as too good to be true)

But whatever you write, and wherever it will be written, make sure all of your marketing and sales copy  includes a headline that will get the rest of your material read.

And if you do just that one thing – chances are, it will be more effective than most of your competitor’s copy. 

Let me know your thoughts on this…

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter

NH small business owners love to discover secrets of writing better sales copy, so let me give you one.

Every time my buddy asks (or tells) his 5 year-old son to do something, he always responds with a question – “Why?”

And if you have young kids, you know where I’m coming from.

What I didn’t realize until recently though, is how important the question “why?” is with regards to writing ad or sales copy.

Why, you ask? (no pun intended)

It’s quite simple really…

Because if your copy can answer that question, it will have a much better chance of getting your readers to respond.

Answering it will overcome the possible objections and obstacles they have, but only if you answer it to their satisfaction.

Plus it provides a “reason why” – just make sure it’s believable.

Basically, if you can write copy that the reader looks at, and they don’t have to ask “why?”, then you’ve done your job.

Let me know your thoughts on this…

And visit www.webcontentNH.com for help with Website design, writing SEO copy, e-mail marketing, or other online marketing strategies.

To your marketing success!

Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter