Creating an Effective Ad

Looking to create an effective ad that moves a prospect to action? Follow these top tips:

• Start by writing a strong, compelling headline which appeals to your target audience. Test headlines on your colleagues to check for inappropriate humor, jargon, etc. If applicable, use proven eye-catching words like “free,” “you” and “new.”
• As you write the actual ad, stick with one main message and don’t stray from it if you want to boost your chance of reaching the right audience. Choose one point, product, or offer in your ad, and build your copy and design elements around it.
• To personalize your message, write as if you were speaking to one person rather than a group of people. Write clearly and concisely, and avoid using jargon and clichés to keep your copy fresh and easy-to-understand. 
• If you’re using graphics in your ad, don’t overdo it. (Hint: Just because you have tons of clip art doesn’t mean you have to use lots of it in your ad.) Graphics should enhance your advertising and help draw people into the ad, not overwhelm it.