MAKE YOUR ADVERTISING STAND OUT

May 16th, 2008 at 12:46pm Bill Swick

Open up your favorite newspaper or magazine. Take a quick skim through all the ads. How many do you really take notice of?

Being the bread and butter of media, we can’t blame any publication for wanting to fill its pages with advertisements – but we still want our ads to stand out.

Here are a couple of things to do, and a few don’ts, to help the reader take note of your ad.

DO use a hook or a catch. A headline or slogan that draws the reader’s attention is going to imprint something in their memory.

DON’T fill your ads with clichés. Everyone’s heard them already.

DO organize your thoughts. The reader will miss your message in an overly complicated advertisement.

DON’T try to copy a competitor’s advertisement. Just because it’s working for them doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you. Worse, a similar ad campaign could backfire by reminding the reader of your competitor.

DO use humor or be clever. Obviously, it’s not appropriate for every business out there. But if a little humor can fit into your marketing; putting a smile on the face of your potential costumer isn’t going to hurt.

DON’T settle for any placement in the publication. If you have any say, or the budget, aim your ad to your target market. It beats getting buried in sections that may not attract as many readers.

DO proofread. Enough said.

Just remember to be creative. Your advertising efforts should never be an afterthought. Getting your ad noticed is going to maximize the return on those advertising dollars spent.

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