This week, I’ve decided to switch gears and knock out a few B2C advertising tips.
These tips are designed mainly with SMBs in mind.
However, anyone — from B2B marketing professionals or freelancers — might find a useful nugget or two.
That being said, let’s get started.
Here are 5 fast-acting B2C advertising tips you can use to get better results, fresh ideas, and new insights…
1. Limited Time Offer! Again. And Again. And Again.
If you’ve ever visited Udemy — an online education website — you may notice something strange.
Udemy’s online courses are always on sale.
Always.
Every single time you visit, they offer a steep, steep discount … with a deadline that always ends in one or two days.
Then, when you come back a few days later, guess what?
Another sale.
Does it work?
Obviously, because they’re still doing it.
If you have the ability and the budget, give this method a few test runs.
Then check the numbers and see if it delivers.
2. Sell Hard, Not Soft
Advertising isn’t cheap.
And it isn’t getting any cheaper.
If you run an ad online, remember that you’re paying money for it.
It’s an investment.
Don’t be wishy-washy when it comes time to close…
Make your offer and sell hard.
3. Double Your Marketing, Double Your Leads
This ridiculously simple, yet powerful idea comes from copywriting and direct response marketing legend, Bob Bly.
If you want more leads, more customers, and more business … simply double your marketing.
Once you’ve found a technique that works, double it.
Perhaps you have decent results from sales letters, Facebook ads, or Google ads.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — double it.
4. Test, Test, Test
Testing is the foundation of marketing.
Small businesses are often hesitant to invest money into marketing, because results aren’t guaranteed.
Unfortunately, that’s just the nature of the marketing beast.
Advertising is an investment and customers cost money.
Marketing master Dan Kennedy once pointed out that most businesses underestimate this cost. As a result, they give up too early and don’t grow.
Another good rule of thumb comes from Grant Cardone.
His 10X Rule says that everything in life — effort, investments, you name it — will cost 10 times what we expect.
The same could be said of marketing costs.
However, test carefully. And increment slowly.
There’s no point in throwing tons of money at an ad funnel that isn’t working.
5. Three Copy-and-Paste Headline Formulas to Try in Your Next Ad
If copywriting isn’t your forte, it can be tough to think up headlines.
Here are three formulas to get you started:
- The Benefit Headline — “Lose 10 Pounds This Week!” Only talk about one major benefit in your headline, then elaborate in your copy.
- The Direct Offer Headline — “50% Off All Backpacks Till Monday!” Best for savvy customers, who know what they want and how they want it.
- The Reason Why Headline — “5 Reasons Why Bleach Will Ruin Your Clothes…” A good segue into differentiating yourself from the competition.
If you’d like more headline tips, check out this article for 10 headline words to instantly jack up response rates.
Final Thoughts: B2C Advertising Tips that Anyone Can Use
These B2C advertising tips are specifically designed for direct response marketers.
As mentioned, though, anyone should be able to apply the ideas to their own job.
Of course, for more advertising tips, marketing insights, and copywriting advice, subscribe to my blog.
And if you’d like help with your copywriting, drop me an email with some details about your project.