Have you ever wondered why your perfectly good classified ad fails to attract the attention you want? There should be dozens, no, hundreds of potential buyers flooding your email inbox with offers. After all, you’re offering a mint baseball card, an old coat, a neat used car, those wholesale-priced sporting goods, and whatever other cool items are in your inventory. Instead, you just have a slow trickle of questions, a handful of sales. What gives? Chances are your sales are slow because you haven’t mastered the three writing techniques of a classic classified ad.

Of course, give yourself credit for recognizing an important facet of today’s sales world. You decided to sell your stuff on an online classifieds site. As anyone in the business knows, online classifieds give you more privacy, a wider selection of buyers, and a host of tools to help you control your transactions. Compared to a newspaper, cyberspace is also a bit more spacious. There are billions of pages on the Web, and only a few dozen in the typical neighborhood magazine. For you, that means a lot more space for your ad, to say the least.

With that space, however, comes great responsibility and great potential. The extra space gives you the freedom to include as much product description and sales copy as you like. However, you can’t put together a lot of information. You must use the three special ad writing techniques that will attract buyers and close the deal: attention, interest, and action.

Attention. Make sure the buyer stops at your ad instead of the thousands and thousands of others out there in cyberspace. The headline of your ad is the first lure that grabs their attention, and the first component of a catchy headline is the item’s best feature, whether it’s the price, the item’s rarity, or its popularity. Next, make sure the title includes keywords or other synonyms for your item that a buyer might use in a search. For example, a shopper might search for “automobile” instead of “car,” “jersey” instead of “jersey.”

Interest. Once you have the buyer’s attention, hook them with details. There is a direct relationship between the amount of information you provide and the number of sales you will make. Therefore, please describe the item as fully as possible (size, color, material, designer, model) and provide a clear digital photo to finish the job where your words leave off. Even offer your prospect the history of the item if possible.

Also, try to list as many benefits as possible that your sale item could offer the buyer. Come up with some that the buyer probably wouldn’t think of on their own. And focus on the specific benefits. Use what you already know about your target. For example, if you were selling a car, you know that whoever is looking at your ad needs a vehicle. If your car is compact, the buyer may be looking for great fuel economy. Or maybe it’s power that he or she wants if their car is a sports model.

Values. Finish your ad strong. Don’t just suggest to the buyer that you offer a great deal. Tell them it’s a fantastic offer they can’t pass up. Use phrases like “Call me now before someone else does” or “Buy now, this opportunity won’t last long.” Be cordial while pressing the issue, of course. Thank them for reading your ad and make sure they know you appreciate their business.

Most importantly, your customers will also value your honesty throughout the ad. So whether it’s the attention, interest, or action you’re after, never lie or exaggerate. Go as far as to include any defects if your product is not in perfect condition. Your honesty will build trust, and trust, above all else, makes an ad work. What’s more, it makes you repeat customers.

Remember, if you use these three elements, or four if you include honesty. When you’re done with it, you should read something like the two examples below.

Example 1:

Discover the beauty of a home at Forest Hill

2500 sf home, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, double garage, upgraded kitchen, 12 ft. ceilings

This open concept home is located in a historic district of Rhode Island. It is a wonderful neighborhood to raise your family, with schools and services nearby.

(Insert your image or photo here.)

Call for an appointment on site. Thanks for watching!

Example 2:

Looking for an affordable used car that drives well? only $4,950.

2003 Honda Civic, Limited Edition, 65,000 miles, manual transmission, CD, AM/FM radio, power steering, low maintenance. Great on Gas – This car will save you $$$ on high gas prices.

(Insert your image or photo here.)

Send me a message now. Thanks for watching!