Directory Advertising Ideas
"Discover
The 7 Secret And 'Immutable Laws'
Of Directory Advertising"
by Steve
Hackney
=
= = = = = = = = = = = =
When you're
running a service business (any business!), getting a return on your advertising
investment is crucial. The directories and particularly the Yellow Pages
can play a major part in growing your business. But many people get it
wrong - very wrong.
In fact many
people conclude that, "Advertising directories don't work for my
business." But it needn't be so.
The key to
using advertising directories to your advantage is understanding these
"7 Secret And Immutable Laws Of Advertising Directories."
Most people
are so busy they simply don't have time to understand how directories
work.
Think about
it. Do you really understand the concept of advertising directories? Most
people don't.
Having read
these advertising directory laws, you'll be way, way ahead of your competitors
***********************************
Here Are The 7 Secret And Immutable
Laws Of Directory Advertising
***********************************
Immutable
Law One - Directory advertising is vastly different from all other advertising
types, and must be treated as such
Directory
advertising can (and should) be a superb lead generator, but remember
you are competing head to head with dozens of your competitors. There's
no other marketing tool where competition is so fierce!
*****
Immutable
Law Two - Recognise when people find you in the Yellow Pages they're ready
to buy
Fact! People
using directories are immediately excellent prospects for you. Whenever
someone looks in the directory in your category they're interested in
your service. This cannot be said in all other forms of advertising or
marketing (with the possible exception of the classifieds).
When you
advertise in the local newspaper your ad needs to grab the attention of
the reader and convince them they need your service.
With directory
advertising your ad still needs to grab the attention of the reader, however,
your reader is already interested in your service. Therefore your goal
is not to convince them they need your product or service, but to ensure
they choose you over and above your competitors!
*****
Immutable
Law Three - You must prepare in advance
Many people
leave the creation of their advert until the last moment. "Just repeat
last years ad," or "Will you knock something up for me?"
- are things that are said all too often.
Unfortunately
if you want your directory advertising to be successful, you have to spend
time on it. If you do you'll reap the rewards - I guarantee it.
And don't
ever ask the directory people to design your advert. They design about
60% of the ads, and they all look the same. Sameness generally means unsuccessful
and they don't truly understand what makes a successful ad!
*****
Immutable
Law Four - Your ad must be big enough to get your offer and message across
The Owners,
Directors or Partners of many service businesses are simply happy to put
single line entries, semi-display, or in-column ads in the directories,
and then conclude directories don't work.
Here's a
reality check: Single line entries, semi-display ads or in-column ads
don't work. They hardly ever cover their cost. Why? Because you can't
say enough about your business to convince people they should be buying
from you or at least talking to you.
Don't fall
into the same trap. Your ad needs to be big enough for you to tell the
prospect why they should be calling you - and not someone else.
*****
Immutable
Law Five - Understand the 'Rule of 3'
Because directories
group together different businesses in the same product or service category,
people know they are going to have a good selection of companies to choose
from.
It therefore
stands to reason in 95% of cases every person looking in your category
will follow the Rule of 3 (one of three possible options)
·
They'll choose one company to call or visit
OR
·
They'll choose two companies to call or visit
OR
·
They'll choose three or more companies to call or visit
Therefore
your directory advertising MUST ensure your company is chosen in each
of the cases above.
*****
Immutable
Law Six - You must achieve Law 5 or else
If you don't
achieve Immutable Law Five, your directory advertising will flop - it's
as simple as that!
The only
reason why directory advertising flops is because the ads fail to stimulate
the prospect into calling the advertiser - over and above the rest of
the competition. RE-READ THIS AGAIN!
*****
Immutable
Law Seven - You must create your ad with one purpose in mind - to achieve
your primary objective
Law Seven
ties all the previous laws together. It's the "mechanics" of
your directory advertising. Your ad should be created to achieve your
primary objective.
For many,
this is to receive a phone call from the reader. For others it could be
to receive a message on their free 24 hour recorded message. Others may
want people to walk into their premises or store. The key is this. Your
ad should be created to fulfil this ONE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE - and this one
objective only.
Many people
try to achieve several things with their directory advertising (and other
types of advertising). You'll never achieve great success if you take
this approach. One objective means one outcome. The outcome YOU want.
Don't ever forget this.
*****
One last
thing and it's a biggy
Design is
NOT important. That's right you heard me right. Not important. Although
I'll admit that design has some relevance in directory advertising, I've
proven through the results of hundreds of ads, that design actually counts
for as little as 5% to the success of your ad - or at least when you follow
what I'm saying here. And it doesn't matter which part of the world you're
living in.
Understanding
the "7 Immutable Laws" shows why so many people fail with their
directory advertising.
I think I'd
be right in saying now you know these 7 Secret Immutable Laws Of Directory
Advertising you can skyrocket your success.
You know
what to do
You know
what to avoid
Apply what
I've told you in this article and your directory advertising will help
you get more sales, more customers and more profit!
© Hackney
Marketing Ltd
------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Hackney has spent 10 years and over $800,000 to
discover the secrets of how service businesses can generate
5 or 6 figure profits every single month.
Better still
he reveals every closely guarded secret in his
amazing free mini-course titled, "How To Skyrocket The Sales
And Profits Of Your Service Business - Closely Guarded
Secrets Revealed."
You can get
Steve's FREE 5 part mini marketing course by
clicking...
http://www.powermarketingstrategy.com
------------------------------------------------------------