TRIPLE THE RESPONSE RATE TO YOUR ADS
Do You Really Need All Those Extra Words? Read on.
By Gary Christensen
It's surprising how many ads I read that use extra words, encouraging readers to "Order Today" or to "Send only $19.95 for our new book" or "Send just 50¢ postage" or even, "For Details, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE).
Small ads should NEVER be used to sell products or services. Very few people will send you $19.95 from a small 30-word ad. A lot of readers just won't send you 50¢ postage, and still others even refuse to send a SASE!
If you really want to TRIPLE and even QUADRUPLE your number of responses, consider the following.
1. Ask Readers to Contact You for More Info--That's all. Don't request any money or postage or even a stamped return envelope. If you're used to getting 20 responses per 1,000, try just saying "Free Details by Calling..." or "Write us for Free Details at..." and you may get 40 or 50 responses per 1,000 readers. Any time you make a condition, requiring that readers send you something, you're just cutting down on the number of responses you'll get.I know... I used to think that I MUST GET AT LEAST A STAMP or two from every person when they responded to my ad. To cut down on my costs, I used to ask for a SASE in every ad, even when I offered a Free Report. All I was doing was cutting down on my responses.
2. Offer Something Free--Besides being willing to send Free information, or a Free Catalog, you could offer something extra, free, to everyone who responds to your ad. It can be something that only costs you a few pennies each, yet offers something that is wanted by each reader. Offering something free will ALWAYS add to the pulling power of your ad. Not only should you offer details without cost, but you could add a "free-bie" to increase your response rate. Every ad you send out should offer readers something "free for the asking."
3. Offer Something of Value--In addition to offering free information to all who respond, you should offer them something of value. One of my most popular Reports is my list of the "Top 20 Order-Producing States." When people read that ad, they immediately wonder WHICH 20 States are on that list. They also want to know if THEIR states is on the list. I offer that report FREE to all readers of that ad. It's a curiosity thing and it pulls in lots of inquiries, but when I offer the report Free, at no cost to them, my response rate goes way up!
4. Focus on the Benefits to the Buyer--Every readers wants to know "What's in it for me?" So, tell them HOW they can benefit, how it will help them, how it will better their life, to lose weight, to make more money, to become financially independent, etc. Readers (usually) care little about YOU or your product or service or how many years you've been in business, etc. They really only care about WHAT your product or service will do for them.
Besides the above four, a better response rate will be yours if a Discounted Price is mentioned. Along with a Guarantee of Satisfaction (money back, etc.) and a Deadline. If at all possible, send the requested information as quickly as possible. Each person wants that Free Report or Free Information. They're interested, they're a hot prospect, and their interest and desire for the details will fade with each day you keep them waiting.
Good luck.
Gary Christensen has written more than 100 articles just like this one. Buy 88 of his best reports in his "88 Shortcuts to Greater Mailorder Profits" for only $14.95. To receive Gary's latest free report, email him: garch7@peak.org
You mail also write him at:
Gary Christensen 2601 NE Jack London St #138 Corvallis, OR 97330
Previous Index
Idea Help
Next
