Writing Effective Sales Copy

 Whether you run a home-based business or Microsoft, one thing is always true: products do not sell themselves. So what makes customers buy? Words.

Marketing gurus learned long ago that it's the words salespeople speak and ads present which are critical to the decision to buy or not to buy. So how can you be sure that they copy on your site, in your sales material, and in your promotions is effective?

You have two choices:

1) Hire a professional copywriter 2) Do It Yourself

In order to keep expenses low, most home-based businesses prefer the second option. If you do as well, you should follow these simple guidelines:

1) AIDA

AIDA is an acronym which stands for Attention, Internet, Desire, and Action. This is essentially an outline for how to effectively write your sales copy. First, you must grab your audience's attention by using exciting headlines, shocking statistics, or surprising facts, such as in the examples below:

"Learn the Secrets of Becoming a Millionaire"

"In less than 5 seconds, your audience has developed its first impression of you."

"Seventy-five percent of people would quit their jobs and work from home if the right opportunity arose."

Next, you need to make them interested in your product. Personal stories of success and lists of benefits can all help you do this. Near the end, you should begin working on building their desire for your product by stressing what specifically your product can do for them.

Finally, you should end all of your copy with a call to action. What this means is that you tell the reader what they need to to do next in order to get your product: click here to order, visit our web site today, call now, etc.

When you apply AIDA, you are carefully luring your audience in and guiding them towards the action you want.

2) Audience Appeals

All sales and marketing writing is meant to be persuasive and to change the minds of potential buyers. Most advertisers today understand this; therefore, they employ Aristotle's three audience appeals.

Aristotle, one of ancient Greece's greatest minds, identified these appeals which were being used by speakers of his time. These three appeals are ethos, logos, and pathos.

Ethos appeals are based on ethics and reputation. For example, using celebrity endorsements, building your credibility, or citing expert testimony.

Logos appeals are based on logic. These types of appeals use facts, statistics, and evidence to persuade audiences.

Pathos appeals are based on emotion. These type of appeals include the faces of starving children, the promise of success, or the lure of acceptance. Any part of your copy designed to make readers feel anger, pity, love, hope, etc. is an example of pathos.

Using one or all of these appeals in your content can boost its persuasive abilities considerably.

3) KISS

This acronym stands for Keep it Short and Simple. Basically, it means that your writing should be concise and to the point not a rambling bunch of metaphors and big words. You want your copy to appeal to as many people as possible so following this guideline is always a good idea.

Whether you decide to write your own copy or hire a professional, these tips will help you develop successful and effective copy every time you need it. Vishal P. Rao is the owner of http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com - One of Internet's leading website dedicated to starting, managing and marketing a home based business.

 Vishal P. Rao

More Articles 

Creating A Web Page That Sells - A Look At Graphics and Copywriting - Patrick Mahoney
This is a response to a client that we have been working with, and a website they are building that will sell an eBook on "Hair Styling Tips". We thought the information was important and relevant enough to include in this months newsletter. ...

8 Tell-Tale Signs That Forecast Writing Success! - Jennifer Brown Banks
‘Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” Stephen King Ever wonder what the hands of fate will deal you in the way of success as a writer? Or why...

Checklist for Writing Articles That Get Read - Abdallah Khamis Abdallah
When writing articles for publication, it is important that you bear certain matters in mind. If you want to write a good article that stands a good chance of publication you need to take the following into consideration before, when you are in...

Three Steps to Writing Your Own Resume - Linda Matias
While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft their own resume. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together a sharp, focused presentation; still, anyone can learn the basic steps to...

Do You Make These 5 Mistakes When Writing Sales Copy? - Gary Glasscock
Writing copy has sometimes been compared to an “art.” While it does take creative skill to write great copy that generates results, there are some mistakes that you should avoid to make sure that your copy is read and acted upon. 1.The copy is...

Great Grant Writing Tips For Small Business Grants - Robert Smethers
          Great grant writing tips for small business grants starts from inside of you. If you want to make a difference in this world and get free grant money from the government to do it. You must know...

Top Ten Tools for Writing Humor - David Leonhardt
Ever want to write a funny book or a humor column? Or add spice to your newsletter editor or web page so that people read beyond the typical drivel that sends otherwise eager-to-spend customers into a boredom-induced coma? Here are my top...

Five Keys To Leaner and Meaner Copywriting - Robert Warren
Grab 'em and don't lose 'em. Every marketer knows that one. Human beings have very short attention spans, so you can't afford to waste your prospect's time - give them the good stuff and then let them go as soon as you can. Writing effective...

Small Business Debt Collection Letter Writing - Joel Walsh
Writing a debt collection letter is one of the most important skills of any small business owner. Do you have what it takes to get the money you’ve earned? I have a confession: I'm a business writer who's let clients get away with not paying me--a...

Copywriting Is Not One-Size-Fits-All - Karon Thackston
I was in shock. Honestly, I shook my head when I read his email. I meant no disrespect; I just couldn’t believe he really felt that way. “Karon, I want you to write the sales letter for my site. How much will it cost me?” read his note. After...

3 Tips For Writing Content That Will Make You Sales - Mike Cheney
Content is king. Without content your website is an empty shell, a skeleton with no flesh, an empty vessel. Content can redeem the worst designed website. The right content can make your phone ring off the hook and flood your inbox with people...

Top 7 Essential "Hot-Selling Points" To Implement Before Writing Chapter One - Judy Cullins
Every part of your book can be a sales tool. When you include the below tips, you will have a roadmap to follow to keep your writing organized and compelling, and you'll sell more books than you ever dreamed of! 1. Write for your one...