American Politics  » How To Improve Your Sales Copy To Get More Sales

How To Improve Your Sales Copy To Get More Sales

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SALES COPY TO GET MORE SALES

Copyright 2002 Bob Leduc

A few small changes in your sales copy can produce a big

increase the number of sales you get from your web pages and

sales letters. Here are 12 simple things you can do to

improve the effectiveness of your sales copy -- and increase

your sales.

1. Make sure every part of your message focuses on the

customer. Convert anything about you or your company into a

customer benefit. For example, replace "14 years of

experience" with "pleasing customers just like you for over

14 years".

2. Write your message the way you would write to one person.

Many people will read your sales copy. But each person will

read it individually. Effective sales copy makes each reader

feel like you are writing personally to him or her.

3. Communicate in simple and informal language. Replace

words like "originate" with "start" and "receive" with

"get". Use active words in the present tense to grab your

prospective customer's attention and hold their interest.

People stop reading if they begin to feel bored.

4. Convert technical words and phrases into common words.

Use words every prospective customer will clearly understand

without stopping to think.

5. Replace general words and phrases with specific

customer. Convert anything about you or your company into a...

descriptions. For example, replace a phrase like "get fast

results" with "our new clients average 9 percent more profit

in the first 60 days".

6. Divide long paragraphs into 2 or more short paragraphs.

People read short paragraphs because they look easy to read.

But they skim (or skip) long paragraphs because they look

like a challenge.

7. Include some bulleted or numbered lists to make your

message:

** Visually attractive

** Easier to read

** More clearly understood

8. Don't overdo the attention getters. Too much bold type,

underlining or all upper case letters makes your message

harder to read. Use them sparingly to highlight important

benefits or features.

9. Eliminate anything cute, clever or humorous. It diverts

the reader's attention away from your message.

10. Keep your message positive and upbeat. Positive copy

usually produces better results than negative copy ...except

in politics.

11. Make sure your message flows smoothly. Readers should be

able to visualize what you're saying without noticing the

words you're using to say it. Keep them engrossed in your

message.

12. Avoid sensation and hype. They lower your believability

and cause you to lose sales. Tone down any claims that sound

exaggerated -- even if they are true.

Compare the sales copy you are using on your web pages and

sales letters with the 12 strategies on this list. Revise

your copy to implement those you overlooked. You'll enjoy an

immediate increase in the number of sales they produce for

you. Then save this list and use it as a guideline the next

time you create (or pay someone else to create) new sales

copy.

Bob Leduc is a Sales Consultant with 30 years experience in

generating low-cost leads. He recently wrote a manual for

small business owners, "How to Build Your Small Business

Fast With Simple Postcards", and several other publications

to help small businesses grow and prosper. For more info:

mailto:BobLeduc@aol.com?subject=Postcards

Phone: 702-658-1707 after 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV

About the Author

Bob Leduc is a Sales Consultant with 30 years experience in

generating low-cost leads. He recently wrote a manual for

small business owners, "How to Build Your Small Business

Fast With Simple Postcards", and several other publications

to help small businesses grow and prosper. For more info:

mailto:BobLeduc@aol.com?subject=Postcards

Phone: 702-658-1707 after 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV