The answer is to test. Test again. And then test some more. If ad “A” receives a two percent response rate, and ad “B” receives three percent, then we can deduce that ad “B” will continue to outperform ad “A” on a larger scale.
Testing takes time, however, and can
be expensive if not kept in check. Therefore, it’s ideal to start with some
proven tested known ideas and work from there.
For example, if testing has shown for
decades or more that targeted advertising significantly outperforms untargeted
advertising (and it does), then we can start with that assumption and go from
there.
If we know based on test results that
crafting an ad that speaks directly to an individual performs better than
addressing the masses (again, it does), then it makes little sense to start
testing with the assumption that it does not. This is common sense.
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So it stands to reason that knowing some basic rules or techniques about writing effective copy is in order. Test results will always trump everything, but it’s better to have a starting point before you test.
Sometimes a little tweak here or there
is all that is needed to increase response rates dramatically.
When a prospect reads your ad, letter,
brochure, etc., the one thing he will be wondering from the start is: “what’s
in it for me?”
And if your copy doesn’t tell him, it’ll
land in the trash faster than he can read the headline or lead.
A lot of advertisers make this
mistake. They focus on them as a company. How long they’ve been in business,
who their biggest customers are, how they’ve spent ten years of research and
millions of dollars on developing this product, blah, blah.
Actually, those points are important.
But they should be expressed in a way that matters to your potential customer.
Remember, once he’s thrown it in the garbage, the sale is lost!

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