How to Write the Perfect Classified Ad
by Alvin Apple

Classified Ads are a very effective and inexpensive marketing
tool. Just a few simple sentences placed on AOL or in the bigger
business ezines can let millions of readers and web-surfers know
about your business. Classifieds are so short and simple that
most people can crank one out in a matter of minutes. Sounds
like a piece of cake, right? Well, almost.

The danger in writing classified ads lies in letting that
simplicity fool you. A poorly written or unimaginative
classified ad will just be ignored, and your time and money will
have been wasted. To avoid that hassle, follow these simple
steps.

First. Write a catchy and unique headline:

There are a lot of businesses advertising on line these days.
You've got to make yours stand out. Avoid generic headlines like
"DOUBLE YOUR INCOME!" Phrases like this sound canned, and
probably too good to be true. Try to say something that gives
information about your business, like, "INCREASE YOUR INCOME
SELLING LIST MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE ONLINE!"

Second. Cover all the details:

Make sure you give all the pertinent information about your
business. What exactly are you offering? How much does it cost?
If it's a business opportunity, what exactly does it involve?
Make sure someone who's interested can get in touch with you.
Include a phone number, an email address, or preferably your url.

Third. Use a simple structure:

Classified ads usually have a length limit. You can save space
by eliminating unnecessary words. No one is expecting poetry when
they browse the classifieds. You don't even need to use complete
sentences. Simple phrases like, "Offices across U.S. and
Canada," or, "48 hour turnaround on all jobs," work just as well
as wordier prose.

Fourth. Make sure it makes sense:

This can not be stressed enough. After you've written the ad,
put it down and walk away from it for a few minutes. When you
come back to it, read it slowly from start to finish. Does it
make sense? If you knew nothing about your business would the ad
be clear?

Have someone else read the ad as well. Don't tell them anything
about what you're trying to do, just have them read it. If they
get it, you're probably fine.

Fifth. Place the ad appropriately:

Even the best ads are useless in the wrong market. When you
place your perfect classified ad, make sure you're hitting the
market you want. Read a few issues of an ezine before you
advertise. Are the articles and ads in the same ball park as
your business? When placing ads on big classified sites such as
AOL Classifieds Plus, make sure you're placing your ad under the
proper heading. Read a lot of ads under each heading to make
sure you're putting yourself in the proper forum.

If you follow these steps you will have a perfect classified ad.
Now, this is not a guarantee of sales. As we all know, the
advertising world is pretty unpredictable. You can really
improve your chances, though, if you start out with something
great. There's money to be made out there if you just know how
to do it.


Alvin Apple helps everyday people start businesses they will
enjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all his
helpful strategies, including his latest article, "Four Important
Tips for Working Effectively at Home" at http://AlvinApple.com
Reach Alvin at 801-328-9006 or alvin@....