Copywrite your way to Success: 2005-07-31 .comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Copywrite your way to Success

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Marketing Gurus Updated Site

Some of you may or may not know of Dr Joe Vitale.

Joe is a marketing and copywriting genius who has had some amazing results with his work and the work he has done for his clients.

I really respect the man even though I have not met him but I do read his newsletter and sales pitches whenever they come in (Just reading his letters teaches you so much!!)

Well if you want to learn more about Joe there is a ton of information out there and his new site will tell you a bit as well.

It is the new site part that I am interested in posting about especially the 'Copywriting Profit Centre' where there are examples of great, money pulling diect mail pieces. The link to the profit centre is http://www.mrfire.com/article-archives/copywriting-samples.html

Read over one, two or several, I have only just gone there today so I have only read one but I will be making my way through each and everyone of the letters. I may post in the future my thoughts on them.

Post a comment if you have anything to say about Joe, the site or the letters.

Best Wishes until next time!

Laura
Marketing Freak
D.Y.B Strategies
'Driving Your Business'
http://www.dybstrategies.com

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Advertising Genius or Foolish Novice, You Decide

A couple of weeks back an interesting ad in a local business directory (similar to the Yellow Pages but localised in nature) was bought to my attention.

The Ad stated “Contract Killings Call Today” of course they had their details as well.

Contract Killings, What The??? But NO it’s OK they were not advertising their services to put a hit out on somebody unless you are a farm animal but merely advertising their abattoir to turn little porky pig into dinner.

The ad caught reader’s attention and certainly caused a conversation point amongst many, because I did not even live in the area and heard about it.

The question I pose is was this marketing genius at work who thought this will get peoples attention OR someone who foolishly put an ad together thinking people will know what a contract killing is?

Plus would it have caught your attention and made you talk about it?

Is it an effective strategy regardless of who or why they did it?

I have my opinion but I would love to get comments and suggestions going so please feel free to leave your comments in the comment section and give me your take on this.

Looking forward to some feedback.

Laura Brooke-Smith
Marketing Freak
D.Y.B Strategies
"Driving Your Business”
http://www.dybstrategies.com/

PS – Remember when you leave a comment you can put a signature file at the end with your website address so it is a great exposure tool for you.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Marketing Copy Mistakes

In my line of work I read and write a lot of marketing material.

I wanted to share 20 mistakes found in ad copy so you can learn from others experiences.

Here is the 20 in no particular order:

1. No compelling headline
2. No believable testimonials
3. No sub headlines
4. No attractive benefits
5. No features
6. No strong guarantees
7. No asking or answering questions
8. No proof of benefits offered
9. No contact information for questions
10. No endorsements
11. No conversational writing
12. Sentences that run to long
13. No deadline or sense of urgency created to order
14. No free trials
15. Spelling mistakes
16. Grammar mistakes
17. Text to light
18. Backgrounds to dark
19. Ad copy does not blend together
20. No breaks in the ad copy

As they say mistakes are a wonderful thing as long as you learn from them.

Do you have others that you have seen or mistakes that really grate on you when reading ad copy? if so post a comment I would love to hear your thoughts.

All the best,

Laura Brooke-Smith
Marketing Freak
D.Y.B Strategies
"Driving Your Business”
http://www.dybstrategies.com/

Copywriting Makeover Article Link

I have posted the links to this great article by Karon Thaxton that was published on the Marketing Professionals website (www.marketingprofs.com).

The Marketing Professionals website is a great resource for the business owner, marketing professional, sales professional or for anyone that has an interest in developing a business.

The article is in 2 parts and looks at 'Knowing where your Customers are in the Buying Process'. Karon explains how the buying process is an integral part of copy development and how it ties in with your target audience. What makes this a great article to learn from is that it is a case study.

Part 1 can be found at http://www.marketingprofs.com/4/thackston1.asp

Part 2 can be found at http://www.marketingprofs.com/4/thackston2.asp

Please feel free to post comments you have on this article.

All the best,

Laura Brooke-Smith
Marketing Freak
D.Y.B Strategies
"Driving Your Business”
www.dybstrategies.com

Sunday, July 31, 2005

7 Explosive Ad Copy Secrets

Next time you are developing your ads or letters keep the following 7 ideas in mind, to make the most of your promotion.

1. Use a hand written letter on your ad copy instead of text. Write the ad on a piece of paper, scan it and publish the ad on your web page. Adding a personal touch will always increase your sales.

2. Show before and after photos for your products/services on your ad copy. Show the problem picture and then beside it, show the picture of the resolution to the problem when they use your product.

3. Include an article or review that has been written about you or your business with your ad copy. This will show people that your business is respected and will increase your credibility.

4. When you offer free bonuses in your ad copy, also list the dollar value beside each bonus. People will feel they're getting a good deal and it will increase the value of your product.

5. Include your own picture on your ad copy. This will show people that you're not hiding behind your ad copy and will increase their trust. Also, include your contact information below the picture and a brief statement or quote.

6. Ask your potential customers plenty of yes and no questions in your ad copy. The questions should remind them of their problem and make them think about what will happen if they don't purchase your product.

7. Tell your potential customers they will receive a free prize if they find the five words in your ad copy that are misspelled or spelled backwards. The longer you can keep someone reading your copy the greater chance of them purchasing.

Remember have fun with your marketing and try and test new ideas.

Laura Brooke-Smith
Marketing Freak
D.Y.B Strategies
"Driving Your Business"
www.dybstrategies.com

Welcome to Copywrite your way to Success

Hello All,

Thank you for viewing our BLOG 'Copywrite your way to Success' and I wish to extend a warm welcome to one and all.

My name is Laura Brooke-Smith and I created this BLOG to share my knowledge and passion for writing and developing successful marketing campaigns by using the power of words.

At age 25 I am a professional copywriter and own D.Y.B Strategies, a marketing consulting company who specialises in business development and copywriting.

Others say I am a bit of a freak because I absolutely LOVE junk mail and receiving a direct mail letter makes my day. I devour them and pick what is great, what is good and what is poor. In doing this I am only improving my knowledge and being able to give my clients an even better experience, if that makes me a freak then I proudly wear this title.

I have learnt that a good product with a great sales letter can pull in hundreds and thousands of dollars and a great product with mediocre copy will bomb.

On this BLOG you will find information such as secrets to create killer copy, defining and finding the right target audience, examples of what works and what does not, reviews on the best tools and teachings in the market and all things marketing that support your copy message plus so much more...

If anyone is looking for professionally written marketing material ranging from sales letters, key word rich homepages and website content we can work with you anywhere in the world just email me direct laura@dybstrategies.com with your contact details and a project brief. I will then contact you with a quote and proposal.

Also if you have an area or a question in this field you would like answered send them to laura@dybstrategies.com and I will answer them for you and post the Q & A on the BLOG.

Plus for those of you who would like to receive a FREE E-Book 'Stuff your Inbox with Cash' email me laura@dybstrategies.com with your details and put 'I want my FREE book' in the subject line.

I am extremely excited about the journey we are about to begin and I look forward to helping you build a successful business online or offline.

Wishing you much Success,

Laura Brooke-Smith
Marketing Freak
D.Y.B Strategies
'Driving Your Business'
www.dybstrategies.com