Advertising Basics for Beginners

So many of us who have decided to do business online have no background in marketing or advertising. It can be so frustrating without any kind of guide.

Here is a list of some textbook rules regarding marketing and advertising in general. These are important points that we should all keep in mind when promoting our offers:

1. People don't like ads until they see something they want or need.

2. Headlines should always illustrate the best, specific benefits of one's offer. Cryptic headlines might be fun, but they simply can't compare (in terms of results) to an honest headline that spells out your offer.

3. Tell your prospects exactly what you want them to do. Don't assume that they know what the next step is. Whether you want them to click through to your web site or send you an email for more information, be sure to let them know and don't forget to provide the link or address.

4. Every ad you place is an opportunity to rate your copy. A mediocre ad won't get many responses, but a great ad can clicks almost anywhere. Don't waste your time placing ineffective ads, always check your results.

5. Networking with others is a good way to make sales, but nothing beats good ad copy.

6. Networking is not about making lots of instant sales. It's about getting to know people and letting them know what you have to offer. When they have a need for your product, they will look you up.

Writing effective ad copy takes practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts don't yield a lot of results. Continue to work with it and test it until you find that words that speak to your perfect customers and make them click.

Cathy Wagner, online business expert and owner of http://www.onestopinternetbusiness.com, will help you reach your online business goals faster with hands-on marketing guidance and support, personalized for you own unique business. You can save hundreds of dollars and countless hours of frustration by avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls.

In The News:


CaymanMama.com (press release)

Online advertising up 11 percent from last year
CNET News, CA - 5 hours ago
Internet advertising revenues for the third quarter were nearly $5.9 billion, representing an 11-percent increase over the same period last year, ...
Internet Advertising Revenues in Q3 '08 at Nearly $5.9 Billion MarketWatch
Online Advertising Nearly $5.9 Billion in the Third Quarter Seeking Alpha
Growth In Online Advertising Revenue Slows InformationWeek
PC World - Forbesall 213 news articles

Bristol Herald Courier

TV Ads Contribute to Childhood Obesity, Economists Say
New York Times, United States - 5 hours ago
The researchers used several statistical models to link obesity rates to the amount of time spent viewing fast food advertising, finding that viewing more ...
Researchers: Ban on Fast Food TV Advertising Would Reverse ... MarketWatch
Study: Banning fast-food TV ads could dent obesity The Associated Press
Fast-food ad ban could cut child obesity: US study Reuters
Los Angeles Times - Telegraph.co.ukall 460 news articles

Sport Chalet Teams With TM Advertising
MarketWatch - 11 hours ago
one of the nation's premier specialty sporting retailers, today announced that it has hired TM Advertising as its first advertising agency of record. ...
Precor Selects Sport Chalet for California, Arizona and Nevada Earthtimes (press release)
Precor Names New England, New York Metro Home Fitness Dealer MarketWatch
Precor Selects Sport Chalet for California, Arizona and Nevada MarketWatch
all 28 news articles

Advertising Agency Search Consultant, Hank Blank, Speaks to AAF ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
"I recently had the honor of attending several of Hank's presentations when he spoke at the American Advertising Federation 4th District quarterly ...

WideOrbit Welcomes Angela Bandlow as Chief Marketing Officer
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
WideOrbit drives the business of selling advertising - maximizing advertising profitability and sales efficiencies. Media companies around the globe rely ...

Advertising pioneer George Beach to be honored
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 5 hours ago
By Jane M. Von Bergen The interview was winding down, and longtime advertising executive George Beach had begun to relax a little. ...

Journal Communications Reports October Revenue for Its Publishing ...
MarketWatch - 14 hours ago
For the tenth period 2008, advertising revenues of $32.48 million decreased 3.8% compared to $33.75 million for the 2007 tenth period. ...
Journal revenue down in October The Business Journal of Milwaukee Bizjournals.com
Mixed month for Journal Communications Radio Business Report
Journal Communications October revenue slips Forbes
Streaming Magazineall 15 news articles

A Global Strategic Business Report on the Advertising Industry ...
MarketWatch - Nov 19, 2008
The global outlook series on the Advertising Industry provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research ...

Digital Signage Leaders Give Digital Out of Home (DOOH) Industry ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
"We expect that gross advertising spending in Q1 for digital out of home networks will be light, but we have already seen significant bookings for Q2 and ...

Telegraph.co.uk

Compromise On Search Deal With Microsoft Could Lift Yahoo
CNNMoney.com - 8 hours ago
Microsoft also wants to build a unified search and display advertising platform, a goal that will be hard to achieve without Yahoo's search business. ...
Yahoo! Is the One for You, Microsoft Motley Fool
AP Technology NewsBrief at 7:33 pm EST TMCnet
Analyst upgrades Yahoo, calling stock cheap MarketWatch
Redmond Channel Partner - DailyTechall 82 news articles
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