The 3 Basic "hooks" of an Advertising Ad

--> Ok so you are driving in your car, listening to your music, thinking what you have to do once you get to your destination…and then: BAM! Your mind is held hostage by some random ad on a billboard.

The fact is that a successful printed ad is designed in a certain way for a reason and a purpose. To convince YOU! But how do they do this? Well see the following:

1. They get you ATTENTION by:

a. Showing you an unusual setting, you know, something that will stop you and make you say: what the heck is that?

b. They intrude in your personal life by bombarding your mind with phrases like: BIG SALE!! ONLY TODAY! BUY NOW!!! CLICK HERE NOW!!! DON’T LET THIS OFFER PASS YOU BY!! Blah, blah, etc.

2. Once the ad gets your attention, it will try to PERSUADE you by:

a. Showing you the benefits

b. Offering you a solution

c. Use a testimony

d. Show you that you need this product

e. Or it will just show you the product use

I guess we all need to go this fast?

3. The ad must be designed to RECALL the products or services in the ad by using:

a. Gigantism: Making things larger than life!!!

b. Sensations: MMM..that looks Yummi, or cute, or Sexy!

c. They will evoke your feelings.

Well now that I have showed you how advertisers will manipulate your mind to get you to buy their products… I think I have spoiled the whole shopping experience.

Network and be cool.

Fernando.

Top 5 must-do marketing strategies for small businesses

If you own an small business -regardless of your industry or line or work- as an entrepreneur you must take advantage of these 5 basic marketing strategies in order to gain a bit of that competitive edge you have been craving. Now, before you start printing this blog-comment before reading...you must know that the marketplace is moving to a trend where large firms control a big chunk of the market out there, but fall short fulfilling the needs in specialized, trendy, and niche markets. So here it goes:

ONE:
In order to stay competitive, you must find you NICHE, your competitive advantage, your new secret weapon! for instance, if you are a small hardware store and you want to take on the big boys (Lowe's or Home Depot), then you must know that even though they carry a wide range of products...they can't carry everything. If they only sell two brands of cordless drills, then you carry the ones they don't. Find out what they don't offer so you can take it as your niche opportunity.

TWO:
Some say that a picture is worth 1000 words...well, its proven that no matter how good of a service you offer or how great your products are, the truth is that consumers shop with their eyes. Investing in your company's image is as important as paying your electrical bill! Get a new and improved logo, business cards, stationary, slogans etc. You need to show that your company IS worth 1000 or more words.

THREE:
If you don't have one already, GET A WEBSITE! It is relatively easy to do, inexpensive (sometimes free) and a quick way of getting some market exposure. No brainer.

FOUR:
It's not always what you can do for your customers...but what can your customers do for you! Convert your loyal customers into publicity agents for your business by giving them incentives to spread the word with fiends and family about the value of your products or services. Remember, the most effective form of advertising is: word-of-mouth.

FIVE:
Weird and unconventional is...GOOD! Look for some unconventional marketing techniques your competition is overlooking, and you may discover some weird but highly profitable ways to generate sales! For example, place your ad in movie theaters before the previews, sponsor community events, give away "funny" shirts related to our company, etc. some of these methods can drive a high volume of traffic to your website or generate good results for a very small cost.

Remember, they are big and slow, but you are small and agile.

Fernando

Welcome to my marketing blog!! whether you are looking for some trendy marketing advice, or just a review on your ABC's of marketing...this is the place.

Thanks for visiting.

Fernando