Ten Tips for Writing Good Sales Copy

Do you ever write ads for online or offline media? 

If so, the tips below will help you to get the very 

best response.

1.   Start by choosing the single benefit of your product 

    or service that you most wish to highlight. This is your
    "principal selling position". To choose this, ask yourself
    what specific benefit makes your product or service 

    different, better, or special. Is it the price?, the
    convenience?, the reliability? How are you different from
    your competitors?

2.  Write attention-grabbing headlines. This is very important.
    People are overloaded with information, so they skim read --
    particularly on the web. If your headline doesn't get their
    attention, everything else may go unread. Your headline will
    often highlight your principal selling position.

3.  Write a list of all the features of your product or service
    then translate each of these into a benefit for the customer.
    One way to do this is to look at each feature in turn then
    ask yourself "So what?" Imagine you're a customer; why should
    you care about this feature? Ask yourself, "What will it do
    for me?"

    For example, don't just say that you product is fast (a
    feature) tell the customer that it will give them more free
    time (a benefit). Better still, paint a picture of them
    using their free time to go to the beach, read a book, or
    relax.

4.  Write copy that emphasises the benefits in a way that makes
    an emotional connection. For example, let's say you're
    selling toothpaste. A feature might be that it contains
    fluoride. Sure, but that's boring. Rather, say it "Lessens
    tooth decay!" or even better: "Brush with Boffo and avoid the
    dentist's drill!" See? You've turned a dull feature into a
    strong emotional benefit. Isn't that more effective than
    "Contains fluoride"?

5.  Start with your strongest selling points. The first few
    paragraphs are particularly important. Use them to create a
    desire for your product or service by briefly touching on
    the major benefits it will bring the customer. You don't
    have to go into too much detail up front as you can expand
    on these benefits later. Do try to get your big guns in
    early, though.

6.  Testimonials sell. Good, believable testimonials from real
    people will help sales, particularly on the web where
    establishing credibility is a tough job. For even better
    credibility, ask your testimonial writers if you can
    include their contact details along with their testimonial.

7.  Write with a natural style. Don't try to be pretentious or
    over friendly. Just write it the way you'd say it.

8.  Decide who you're writing for and why. What tone are you
    trying to convey: light hearted or serious? What level of
    jargon are you going to employ? Suit your language to your
    intended audience.

9.  The final sales pitch can be strengthened with some or all of
    the following techniques:
    * Provide a good deal; for example, "20% off".
    * Employ urgency; for example, "This week only".
    * Make your offer risk free; for example, "Comes with a
      money-back guarantee".

10. End by telling the reader how to get your offer; for example,
    "Ring now" or "Click here to order now for immediate
    delivery". Needless to say, ordering details must be clearly
    visible and simple to follow.

Looking at these tips, it may seem that good advertising
involves manipulating the emotions of your customers.

It does.

Selling is a blatant form of emotional manipulation that involves
convincing your customer that they want to buy your product or
service, and they want to do it now.

Is this unethical? Well, it can be. It depends where you draw the
line. 

In point 9 I said that your sales message could include a sense
of urgency. A common ploy on the web is to include a claim like
"Offer closes this Saturday". If you go back to the site the
following week, though, the offer is still available. If you were
tricked by such a claim, would you order from that company again?
Would you recommend it to your friends?

So, by all means, use the tips above to write as persuasively as
you can, but remember that if you attract sales by deceiving your
customers you risk legal action, poor word of mouth, no repeat
business and refund requests.

So, be as persuasive as you can possibly be, but avoid the
temptation to be too persuasive.

You'll find many more helpful tips like these in Tim North's
much applauded range of e-books. More information is available
on his web site, and all books come with a money-back guarantee. 

by
Tim North, http://www.scribe.com.au
http://www.scribe.com.au/ebooks.html