In the late 1970’s there was a TV game show called “Card Sharks.” In the game, the contestants predicted whether each card was higher or lower than the one that preceded it. Before they could start calling higher or lower on the cards, they had to answer a high/low toss-up question. If you’re old enough to recall this game, you’ll remember the insane monkey behavior of the grown adults as they kept shouting HIGHER! HIGHER! LOWER! LOWER!
I have had numerous opportunities to emulate these primates when it comes to discussing how to write a great business ad to post on networks and forums. “LOWER! LOWER!” I repeatedly shout, yet my thumbs down utterances seem to go unheard. What I’m referring to is the optimum number of words in a sales pitch.
Specifically, if you participate in networks, perhaps Facebook, LinkedIn, Ning, Yahoogroups, WAHM.com, or a plethora of others out there – depending on group rules, you may have an opportunity to promote your own business on certain days. It’s your opportunity to toot your own horn and share specials offers etc. Got the picture? For years, and I mean years, we have talked about what makes a good ad. We’ve talked about what makes a poorly written ad. How do you ensure viewers will even read your ad?
One theme that comes up ad nauseam is word count. Anything more than 50 words is too long. Personally, anything longer than 25 words is too long for me to bother reading. Consider a newspaper classified – many of those are 13 words or less. If people are interested in what you have to offer they’ll click or call for more info. Simple.
Yet week after week I see gianormous, humungous dissertations masquerading as ads; paragraph after paragraph of blah, blah, blah. Who has time to read all that?! I get irritated when I see 800 words of text staring at me, that I have to scroll past just to get to the quick and dirty short, professionally written ads.
Truthfully, I’m amazed you’ve read this far in this article already – it’s 331 words. But still much LOWER! LOWER! in word count than what we continually witness on the networks and forums. So the next time you’re tempted to post an ad with more than 50 words of text – think of me, jumping around like an Orangutan, thumbs pointed downward, shouting “LOWER! LOWER!”
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Short, (‘n) Simple! Use bullets (and I mean text bullets not ammunition), Give them a BRIEF reason to visit your website (i.e. 15% off), perhaps post a photo and be done with it!
Why do I suddenly have a craving for a banana!
About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a Michigan work from home mom and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping men and women start and maintain a home based business in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Germany, Ireland and the UK. To download a FREE Start Up Guide which provides more details about how to start a home business as well as to learn about our compensation plan go to https://www.thrivingcandlebusiness.com/how-to-start-a-candle-business/
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