Tips On How To Create An Effective Solo Ad

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 at 1:32 AM

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What Is A Solo Ad

A Solo Ad is a special mailing to someone’s email list that promotes a single product or service. This is also a great way to build your own list. Solo ads are typically written in the form of a personal recommendation from the owner of the email list. Solo ads can either be paid for with a lump sum, which is open to negotiation between the marketer and the list owner, or (more commonly) by giving the list owner a share of the profits the ad generates.

The Subject Line Of A Solo Ad Is Extremely Important

When creating a solo ad, you MUST HAVE an interesting headline that will catch the reader’s attention because if you don’t its lights out and your ad will fail. If the headline of your solo ad email is long, an email recipient may only see the first four or five words so make sure to put the benefit upfront, in the first 6 to 8 words.

For example, instead of “For a Limited Time Only, Get 75% Off All Solo Ads”, use “75% Off All Solo Ads For A Limited Time Only”.

Here are some suggestions when creating an effective headline for your solo ad.

1. Who else wants…?

It suggests to the reader that there are many people out there who know something he or she doesn’t.

Example: Who else wants to know where to get a solo ad for 2 stinking pennies. (Pennies really do stink!)

2. Are you …?

It causes curiosity and interest.

Example: Are you ashamed of your poor marketing results?

3. How to …?

This also triggers curiosity and interest.

Example: How to write solo ads that force your reader to buy from you?

4. They didn’t believe I could …, but I did!

People are naturally interested to find out how someone succeeded against all odds.

Example: They didn’t believe that I could buy a solo ad for only 2 stinking pennies, but I did!

5. How I …

We are all interested to know how another ordinary person like ourselves has achieved something.

Example: How I’ve succeeded to write effective solo ads that forced my readers to buy from me…

6. How … made me …

A variation of the one above, #5

Example: How solo ads made me wealthy overnight

7. Secrets of/to …

Everybody wants inside information.

Example: Secrets of a successful marketer

8. … ways/secrets/steps to …

A variation of the template no. 3 enhanced by the use of a number.

Example: 12 ways to create a powerful headline

9. WARNING: …

Good to use when your product or service provides a solution to a specific problem.

Example: WARNING: This mistake could be losing you thousands of dollars every month

10. Why …?

Ask a question that everyone wants the answer to.

Example: Why your solo advertising results suck?

Powerful Content Tips To Use In Your Solo Ad

Make sure you pay close attention to the content of the solo ad. The content needs to be interesting and should clearly distinguish your product or service from a competitor. You want to be original and unique. If you follow the tips below you should be a solo ad expert in no time.

• Make the ad copy personal. Give the feeling of personal conversation between you and the reader.

• Don’t sell the product, sell what the reader will benefit from the product.

• Keep your sentences and paragraphs short. They’re easier to read and understand.

• Use simple words.

• Include a bullet pointed list of benefits.

• Use sub-headings. They make your ad copy easier to read.

• Break up your ad copy’s paragraphs with one or two sentence paragraphs.

• Drive readers to act.

• Ask for the order. Tell your readers what they need to do.

• Give your readers multiple opportunities to click on the same link. Provide one link near the top and one near the bottom. You want people to be able to click when the impulse strikes. Don’t make them scroll to find the URL.

• Don’t confuse the readers by providing links to different pages.

• Add “http://” in front of your domain name, otherwise your link may not be clickable when the recipient uses certain email client packages.

• Sign your solo advertisement and provide at least your email address. Disclosing this information assures the recipient that you welcome an open dialogue. If something is not clear for the reader or if he or she needs more information, you don’t want them to delete your solo ad but to contact you.

• Use a P.S. The readers have been trained over the years to open the solo ads, skip everything and read only the P.S. for special offers.

Powerful Words To Use In Your Solo Ad

Verbs that work: create, open, discover, build, find, unleash, throw, push, go, explode, save, reveal.

Powerful words: free, easy, how to, breakthrough, power, secret, results, hidden.

Use a command to make people buy: Act Now!, Take Action Today!, Pick Up the Phone and Order NOW!

Use odd numbers: “7 Great Reasons …” works better than “6 Great Reasons …”, the experienced copywriters recommend.

It doesn’t stop there as I haven’t even talked about testing and tracking your solo ads but that is for another article. You now have some basic concepts that will help you improve on creating solo ads. My suggestion is to just try it. You can literally get a solo ad for as low as $25 and a great place to start is soloaddirectory.com. You can also check out the Warrior Forum to get decent solo ads. Start building your list and your future today.

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To your success,