Simple Marketing Advice

My son is a budding entrepreneur by necessity. 

He got in some trouble and has to pay for a replacement of a lost article.  Anyway, he asked me for some marketing help.  Once we finished negotiating the “family rate” that I would charge him (three chocolate eggs and 8 jelly beans from his Easter basket), we talked about what he wanted to do.  We developed a simple flyer to take around the neighborhood, asking for odd job housework or yard work.  I thought the advice that I gave to him would be relevant to any marketer, regardless of whether it’s a neighborhood flyer or a commercial airing on prime time TV.

·         Hook me in-use a headline or creative “hook” to pique my interest

·         Keep it simple-tell me in a straightforward manner what you are offering

·         Make it visually appealing-someone should be able to look at your ad quickly and determine what you are trying to communicate

·         Be benefit-oriented-what’s in it for them?  Why should they do business with you?

·         Inspire them-show them what life would be like if they used your services (or products)

·         Have a call to action-what do you want the customer to do?  Call you? Go to your website?  Have the specific call to action be big and bold

The resultant flyer has already caused one of the neighbors to call.  Hopefully, this simple advice will help you generate business just as quickly!