What are you asking?One of the best pieces of advice I can offer when creating copy is to always include an offer, otherwise known as a call to action.
What do you want your customers to do? Don't assume they'll come to your website or storefront just because you've told them you're there. Results driven advertising, marketing and promotions take more planning and effort than an "If I build it they will come" approach.
Give your prospects and customers a reason to support your business. Invite them in to your storefront, request they visit your website and be sure to ask them to take action by giving them a compelling reason to do so.
What are you "asking" your clients and prospects to do?
How often do you see a billboard, print ad or webpage that makes you scratch your head and wonder "what was that all about?" Think about radio and television ads for a moment. Do you ever wonder why advertisers invest in the so called clever and catchy campaigns with no clear message?
Advertisements designed to build top of the mind awareness without any clear call to action are called institutional ads. I'm not saying they don't have their place. If you have an unlimited budget this can be effective. I'm simply making a case for the use of direct response tactics in all of your marketing efforts. Direct response ads get better results. They promote action. Isn't that what marketing is really all about?
Take a moment to consider the types of marketing or advertisements you personally respond to. If you see an ad on television that is unclear do you immediately gravitate toward the brand being featured? Probably not. On the other hand if you see an ad with a specific offer, perhaps a solution to a problem you've been experiencing or an item that fills a need you have right now you're more likely to take action.
Here's an example:If you're reading this article in Manyon's Musings, at some point you decided to subscribe to my ezine. You were probably intrigued by the offer to deliver savvy marketing insights directly to your inbox at no cost to you. Undoubtedly you wanted to learn more about copywriting and marketing. I trust I'm delivering satisfactorily or you would have unsubscribed by now.
On the other hand if you're reading this article on my blog, you may not be a subscriber yet. In that case I'd like to invite you to claim your gift subscription to Manyon's Musings. Each month you'll receive Savvy Marketing Insights delivered right to your inbox at zero charge - valued at $97 per month. Simply click on the "Grab Your Free Stuff" button in the top right hand corner of any page on my blog.
Lisa Manyon POWERFULLY communicates your marketing message to increase results. Manyon’s work has been featured by the National Association of Women Writers, Absolute Write, Copywriting TNT, Lewiston Tribune and more. She has written promotional, advertising and marketing copy for internet gurus and a wide variety of brick and mortar businesses.
Manyon has spent well over 15 + years in the marketing trenches of advertising agencies, radio stations and non profit organizations.
Manyon continually invests in professional growth to offer the best service possible:
Manyon developed a series of marketing trainings for the Idaho Small Business Development Center to help businesses avoid costly start-up mistakes.
o She is the first professional copywriter in the state of Idaho to achieve Glazer - Kennedy Creating Copy that Sells certification
o Manyon served as Managing Director of Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero’s National Copywriting Mentorship Program and is a Copy Coach for the She Factor Copywriting Bootcamp
o She is the Copywriting Expert and for the Association of Web Entrepreneurs and a featured author in The Official AWE Guide 2009- Emerging Trends Every Online Entrepreneur Must Know.
As President and Founder of Write On ~ Creative Writing Services, LLC. Manyon has created a mobile business model that allows her to work and play anywhere she chooses.
She LOVES what she does and enjoys writing web copy, press releases, broadcast copy and more. She accepts a select number of ongoing copywriting and consulting clients and fits in special projects when time allows.
Manyon publishes an monthy ezine Manyon’s Musings and She offers a free Copywriting Action Plan with 7 Power-packed Insider Tricks of the Copywriting Trade to Dramatically Increase Sales of your Products & Services. Claim your subscription by visiting any of her websites or her blogs.