When you read the newspaper, do you read advertisements as closely as you read news stories? Do you believe advertising as readily as you believe news stories? I don't and neither do most people I know.
Because we have advertising shoved at us from every angle we tend to ignore it, but we pay attention to news or public interest stories. Not only do we pay more attention, we also are more likely to believe news stories than your basic advertisements. When your news is published either online, on the radio, TV or in newspapers people automatically feel that since it's being published it must be worthy information.
I read somewhere that "Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you pray for". This is so true. You can spend a fortune on advertising and yes, it will bring you some traffic but traffic is only part of what you need and it stops when the advertising stops.
What you really need is PUBLICITY - free publicity so that your information reaches your potential customers and people will begin to get to "know" you. When people see and hear your name over and over they will begin to think of you as an expert in your field. They will trust your judgment and buy your products or the products you endorse. They will also recommend you to others which in turn cause a chain reaction and the process starts all over again. One of the best ways to get free publicity is by writing articles and press releases then submitting them to the third party sites and newspapers for publishing. Plus with a price like FREE, why not take full advantage of it?
The most important thing to remember when writing news is to write a STORY not a sales pitch. Don't you hate it when you ask someone about a product and instead of them telling you what it is and how you could benefit from it they go into this "elevator speech" about its features and why it's a good product ("it comes with this and that, plus as an added bonus you get?.") Please! If I wanted to hear a sales pitch I'd turn on the TV.
Sales people call it "selling features instead of benefits" but among news editors this is called, "selling the store, not the story" and it's the WRONG way to get your news published.
You should be trying to sell a STORY connected to the product instead of trying to sell the product itself. Why you ask? Because people love stories! We've been listening to and telling stories for centuries and we will continue to for a long time to come. People will pay attention if they think they're going to hear a good story but will turn away if you give them a sales pitch.
By writing like a storyteller, you will get free publicity which will increase your traffic and your sales.
** Melody Spier is a work at home mom of two teens. She is the owner of Ballyhoo Virtual Services a Virtual Assistant business catering to women in business. She specializes in business marketing and promotion with article and press release submissions, blog maintenance as well as many other services. You can contact Melody by visiting http://www.BallyhooVA.com or by email Mel@BallyhooVA.com
Would you like to know how a car wash chain... Read More
1. Place copies of your circular on bulletin... Read More
Marketing is an important tool for attracting customers. It is... Read More
If you knew these 10 high impact insider's hidden psychological... Read More
Yellow Pages Ads - Buying SecretsOK- let's agree that many... Read More
Solution: You can protect yourself by partnering with other lead... Read More
If you're a typical small business, you've probably been approached... Read More
LED's are becoming more and more popular in all kinds... Read More
I recently completed a Marketing Makeover for an Ad that... Read More
Many of the most memorable ad campaigns around tend to... Read More
Having a quality brochure makes a positive impression on a... Read More
Moms have a very powerful influence on what their families... Read More
If you're a retailer and the only kind of advertising... Read More
Touring is a bands greatest opportunity for success. But, touring... Read More
There are several ways to advertise and get the word... Read More
Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most popular forms... Read More
Every community has 'em. Fast talkers who roll into town... Read More
Most people who have been involved with sales & marketing... Read More
Response rates to Yellow Page advertising are decliningThere's no getting... Read More
The ability to lead, persuade and influence are integral skills... Read More
You can turn your vehicle into a rolling advertisement. Costs... Read More
What's the cheapest, most under-used marketing tool you have?The answer's... Read More
Sure, everyone needs business cards. But why not make your... Read More
If you have a computer and a printer, preferably one... Read More
"There's nothing new under the sun" is probably the... Read More
Many people in business lay-out (design) their own ads. That... Read More
Reach and frequency are terms generally used when planning advertising... Read More
Sometimes, it is not an obvious business idea that will... Read More
Don't use vague generalities in your headlines. Be as specific... Read More
Ask anybody who has been in business for a long... Read More
The most basic answer is the same answer as to... Read More
Scrolling LED signs is type of LED signs that displays... Read More
Critics conclude that entertaining or "creative" commercials sell better than... Read More
Quite a few business out there can't survive without some... Read More
One of the best and easiest ways to advertise without... Read More
Aggressive business card marketing isn't about handing your business cards... Read More
If you have a computer and a printer, preferably one... Read More
Bob is excited about his new business. He secured funding.... Read More
Business cards with nothing on the back are wasted opportunities... Read More
Your website is done, your business cards have been delivered,... Read More
I'm sure while you have seen many tips on advertising,... Read More
When people discover my background in advertising, the questions flow.... Read More
Many believe that when it comes to advertising, it's a... Read More
The SKINNY on NewspapersUsing the paper is considered gospel by... Read More
Your marketing and advertising won't be effective if your potential... Read More
FACT: Most people don't spend anywhere near enough time on... Read More
Ensure everyone in your company sings from the same sheet... Read More
Advertising has truly become a part of all of our... Read More
Today in the Business world whether online or off, it... Read More
1. Make your ad's keywords and phrases standout by enlarging... Read More
Advertising Advertising |