One of the nation's top copywriters reveals secrets to powerful print ad, web copy or any other form of direct response copy

To define what constitutes good print advertising, or a web copy for that matter, let's begin with what a good print ad in not:

o It is not creative for the sake of being creative.

o It is not designed to please copy writers, art directors, agency presidents or even clients.

o Its main purpose is not to entertain, win awards or shout at the readers.

In other words, you need to ignore most of what you would learn in any basic advertising class or from the big marketing agencies.

So, what makes successful direct response print ads?

1. They stress a benefit. The main selling proposition is not cleverly hidden but is made immediately clear. Example: "How to Win Friends and Influence People."
2. They arouse curiosity and invite readership. The key here is not to be outrageous but to address the strongest interests and concerns of your target audience. Example: "Do You Make These Mistakes in English?" appeals to the reader's desire to avoid embarrassment and write and speak properly.
3. They provide information. The headline "How to Stop Emission Problems - at Half the Cost of Conventional Air Pollution Control Devices" lures the reader because it promises useful information. Prospects today seek specific, usable information on highly specialized topics. Ads that provide information the reader wants get higher readership and better response.
4. They talk to the reader. Why are so many successful control ads written by direct response entrepreneurs rather the top freelance direct response copywriter? Because, although these entrepreneurs may not be professional writers, they know their product, their audience and what hold their audiences' interest. And that is far more important than copy writing technique or style.
5. They are knowledgeable. Successful ad copy reflects a high level of knowledge and understanding of the product and the problem it solves. An effective technique is to tell the reader something he already knows, proving that you, the advertiser, are well-versed in his industry, application or requirement.

The opposite approach - reducing everything to the simplest common denominator and assuming the reader is completely ignorant - can insult the reader's intelligence and destroy your credibility with him.

6. They have a strong fee offer. Good ads tell the reader the next step in the buying process and encourage him to take it NOW.

The offer should convey urgency in order to generate immediate response and business from prospects that are ready to buy now or at least thinking about buying. Without an offer, you lose many potential customers.