Classified ads are short and to
the point commercial advertisements that are designed to generate interest in
your product or service. They can be used both online and offline. You are
familiar with the classified section in newspapers, magazines and other printed
materials offline. Classified ads work exactly the same way online. They are
structured very similarly; you write a catchy headline, write a product or
service description and post some contact details so prospects can contact you.
Offline classified ads will
direct prospects to a phone number or provide a mailing address whereas online
classified ads will contain your website link and/or email address. Take a look
at your local newspapers and check out the 'Classifieds' section usually
located towards the end of the publication. The structure is the same although
the lengths and size of the ads may vary. Offline classified ads can be very
expensive. So why do people advertise online? Simple: because it's free for the
most part!
There are literally thousands of
free websites on the Internet that will allow you to post your classified ad
for free. All you have to do is search for 'Free Classified Ads' in Google and
many sites will come up. You can even do a country search and select what
country you wish to place your advertisements in.
Free - Free classified
ad sites will allow you to sell your product or service without spending a
dime. Why pay for something when you can get it for free?
Traffic - If you have a
website, then adding your web address to your classified ad will encourage your
prospects to visit your site and see your full range of what you have to offer.
Time - Placing
classified ads offline is very time consuming. You have to get it approved, pay
the fee and wait for the publication to come out before anybody sees your ad.
Online is instant!
Easy - Most of the
online classified ad sites are very easy to navigate and completely browser
friendly.
Limitless - Advertising
online using classified ads exposes you and your brand to a global marketplace
and does not confine you to a costly small region like offline advertising
does. There are hundreds of millions of people online and some of them are
looking for what you offer! Your potential sales are huge!
What Do Great Classified Ads Look Like?
When you are writing classified ads you must be able to grab the reader’s attention long enough to get your message across. This is entirely your responsibility and with some practice you can be very good at it. A well-written classified ad will grab attention immediately, establish interest, create a desire and will move a person to action. All this should be done in less than 15 words or so for short ads and 50 words for long ones. Writing engaging classified ads essentially is an art form but it can be learned by almost anyone so don't be discouraged; get exited! When writing classified ads the simplest way is to use the A.I.D.A. principle. It stands for:
A = Attention: Grab your readers attention in a way that will make them stop and read.
I = Interest: Create a sense of curiosity, appeal or potential benefit to the reader.
D = Desire: Get the reader to want or desire what you are offering: create a longing.
A = Action: Guide your readers to take action, click on your link, read your article, etc.
Depending on the classified ad site you want to use, you can add colorful graphics banners and logos to spruce up your ad, but make sure to keep it all relative. Ensure that the ad reflects the image and the image reflects the ad.
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