Five Ways To Start a Money-Making Ad

Advertising is more affordable than ever thanks to ezines, small newspapers, and an exploding number of trade publications that cover specific industries.

I often place classifieds ads for as little as $3 in ezines that reach thousands. Local papers and trade pubs sell short classified ads for $13 to $50, with small display ads (those box ads) going for $100 to $300.

Of course, to keep the cost down, you may have to write your ad yourself. The hardest part of writing an ad is always the very beginning. Once you get the ad started, the rest is easy.

Here are five ways to start your ad. Use these simple time- saving formulas to get a great ad going. Don't worry about compromising quality. These are the exact same tricks top professional copy writers have used for decades, even for million-dollar ad campaigns.

1. Start with the word FREE! It's the most popular word in advertising--because it WORKS. FREE trial consultations, FREE samples, and FREE limited-time offers all get attention and get your ad rolling.

2. Start with the word NEW! Announce a new product, service, or idea. NEW tables just in, NEW opportunity to make money, NEW information just developed.

3. Start with a DO YOU? DO YOU make enough money, DO YOU suffer from heartburn, DO YOU get tired of ads? Questions pull the reader into the rest of your ad. A question makes the reader think the answer. As subtle as this seems, it's a powerful first step in getting people to think seriously about buying.

4. Start with $10,000...or any other big amount of money. $10,000 a week for life, $13,000 is what you can save each month, $5,000 off this month only.

For years we've tested ads on AOL in front of their millions of members and visitors. Big money numbers and "FREE COMPUTER" pull the best response. Now, the folks that click on the ad may not be the kind who are going to buy, but there is no question that this method gets lots of attention.

5. Start with "I tried it." Happy quotes from customers work far better than having the ad copy say the same thing. "I haven't been sick for years," "I work just 2 hours a week and still earn cash," "I cut expenses in half!"

Testimonials work. Get them from customers, friends, experts known in the industry, or celebrities. Many times you can offer a free product or service in exchange for a testimonial from an important person. Others actually appreciate it if YOU write the comment for them, then get their approval to use it.

Here are a few more tips to make writing an effective ad quick and easy: keep sentences short-- only two words? Fine! Also, start sentences with actions words: save, buy, learn, enjoy.

When you mention a feature of your project or service, link it with the benefit it will give the customer. People aren't necessarily impressed that your new potato chips have a nifty new ridge design. They DO care that the ridge design provides added flavor and crispy crunch. The line should read: Nifty new ridge design adds delicious flavor and crispy crunch!

Give people several ways to buy or contact you. I like to include a web site address, email address, and phone number. If many of your customers order by mail, include your mailing address. Often you can limit the address to just your street location and the zip code.

Keller Flynn writes killer ads and selling sales letters for DrNunley's http://WhizLetter.com See his popular 900-Word Ultimate Sales Letter that turns your site's visitors into buyers! Reach him at keller@whizletter.com or 801-328-9