THE DO'S AND DON'T'S OF PROFITABLE MAIL ORDER ADS

Regardless of how you look at it, the most important aspect of

any successful mail order business is its advertising. In fact,

mail order success is wholly dependent, and even predicated upon

good advertising.

First of all, you've got to have a dynamic, spectacular ad that

attracts the eye and grabs the interest of the people you're

trying to sell to. Thus, unless your ad really "jumps out" at the

reader, your sales won't live up to expectations, and your ad

money will be wasted.

The eye-catching appeal of your ad must start with the headline.

Use the headline to very quickly create a picture in the minds of

the reader--a vision of all their problems being solved, and

attainment of the kind of happiness they seek. If your headline

fails to catch the attention of your prospect, you cannot hope to

capture him with the remaining of the ad, because it will go

unread! So in writing your advertisement for just a little while,

so you must quickly interest him in your offer, show him how he

can get what he wants, and then cause him to send immediately for

your "solution" to his problems. Your copy must exude enthusiasm,

excitement, and a positive attitude. Don't be afraid to use a

hard-sell approach! Say what you feel and believe about your

offer. And use common, "everyday," but correct English.

Even so, you can and must remember to be honest. Don't exaggerate

or make claims you can't back up. Never make promises you cannot

or don't expect, to keep. To do so could get you in trouble with

the Federal Trade and Fair Practices people.

Stress the benefits of your product or service. Explain to your

reader how owning a copy of your book (for instance), or

receiving your services will make his life richer, happier, and

more abundant. Don't get involved in detailing all the money

you've spent developing the product or researching the

information you're selling, or you're selling, or your

credentials for offering it. Stress the "sizzle" and the value of

ownership.

It is important to involve th reader as often as possible through

the use of the word "you." Write your copy just as if you were

speaking to and attempting to sell just ONE person. Don't let

your ad sound as a speaker at a podium addressing a huge stadium

filled with people, but as if there were just one individual

"listening."

And don't try to be overly clever, brilliant or humerus in your

advertising. Keep your copy simple, to the point, and on target

toward selling your prospect the product or service because of

its benefits. In other words, keep it simple, but clear; at all

costs, you don't want to confuse the reader. Just tell him

exactly what he'll get for his money; the benefits he'll receive;

how to go about ordering it. You don't have to get too friendly.

In fact, becoming "folksy," and don't use slang expressions.

In writing an ad, think of yourself as a door-to-door

salesperson. You have to get the attention of the prospect

quickly, interest him in the product you're selling, create a

desire to enjoy its benefits, and you can then close the sale.

Copywriting, whether for a display ad, classified ad, sales

letter or brochure, is a learned skill. It is one anyone can

master with a bit of study, practice, and perhaps some

professional guidance.

Your first move, then, is to study your competition, recognize

how they are selling their wares. Practice rewriting their ads

from a different point of view or from a different sales angle.

Keep a file of ads you've clipped from different publications in

a file of ad writing ideas. But don't copy anyone else's work;

just use the ad material of others to stimulate your own

creativeness.

Some of the "unknown facts" about advertising--and ad writing in

particular--tell us that you cannot ask for more than $3 in a

short classified type ad. Generally speaking, a $5 item will take

at least a one-inch display ad. If you're trying to sell a $10

item, you'll need at least a quarter page--perhaps even a half

page of copy--and $15 to $20 items require a full page. If you

are selling a really big ticket item (costing $50 or more) you'll

need a four-page sales letter, a brochure, separate order coupon,

and return reply envelope.

If you're making offers via direct mail, best to get into the

postal system with it on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, to be sure it

does not arrive on Monday, the first and busiest day of the week.

And again, unless you're promoting a big ticket item, the quality

or color of your paper won't have any great effect on the

response you'll get, but the quality of your PRINTING definitely

will, so bear this in mind when you place your printing order.

One final point to remember: The summer months when people are

most apt to be away on vacation are usually not good months for

direct mail. But they ARE good for opportunity and advertisements

in publications often found in vacation areas, and in motels and

hotels.

Again, it cannot be stresses too much or often: Success in mail

order does, indeed, depend upon advertising, and as with anything

else, quality pays off in the long run. Read this report again;

study it; let it sink in. Then apply the principles outlined in

it. They have worked for others, and THEY CAN WORK FOR YOU!