How to Write Classified Ads

Classified ads make for one of the biggest ways of selling, from old books to houses. Everyone finds these ads reliable, as long as they are written effectively and attract the attention of a target audience. Even if you can get your audience to contact you after reading the ad, you can consider it a successful venture. Thereon, how you covert this inquiry into a sale is your call. The purpose of your ad should be to create that opportunity to find a potential buyer. So, here's all you need to know about writing classified ads that sell. Take a look.

How to Write Classified Ads that get Results

Classified ads are not cheap and are charged on a per word basis. Most ads do not exceed 20 words. If this is the limit you are provided, you must ensure that you use the limit provided to you wisely. Every time the ad is published, you are going to be charged for it. So, how do you ensure that you do justice to those 20 words and get yourself those buyers? Let's look at these advertising techniques and find out.

Find your Target Audience
Placing your ad in a publication that reaches your target audience is extremely important. If it is a general newspaper, you may find all sorts of buyers, but if you want to place your ad in a niche specific publication or even website, ensure you are aware of the types of readers it attracts. Since you are spending so much money on having your ad published, make sure that it is printed and placed in the right place. For instance, if you are selling a car to a general buyer and placing the ad in a newspaper, you would use layman terms to explain its features. However, when you place an ad in an auto magazine, you have to ensure that it is a little more specific than 'Very Good Condition' or generic phrases like that.

Attract their Attention
Any good classified ad is written to attract the attention of its target audience. So, you have to start your ad with a catchy line or phrase. Go through the ads in the classified section of any publication and see the kind that appeal to you. Ideally, these are the ones that you should be referring to, to write your own ad. If an ad has appealed to you, it is likely to have been effective in starting its purpose. So, how do you attract the attention of your audience? You may start with 'HARLEY DAVIDSON, BARELY USED, IN VGC, AVAILABLE AT REASONABLE PRICE'. First of all, it is the product itself that needs to be mentioned. Then, you mention all the positives that will make the reader want to get up and take action right now. The aforementioned line is such an example, as in a few words it explains that the Harley Davidson is up for grabs at a reasonable and affordable rate.

Generate Further Interest
You attracted their attention, but you have to keep them interested in your ad. What do you do next? Provide a good reason for them to call you. Why should the reader come to you who are selling the Harley Davidson among several others who are trying to get their used bikes sold? Try this: 'PRICE NEGOTIABLE FOR FIRST 5 INQUIRIES'. So, if your reader is among the first five to call you, it is likely that he will be able to negotiate the price to get a better discount and then decide whether the price suits him or not. The discount limit will of course be decided by you.

Get them to Take Action
So, the reader has decided that he simply must get in touch with you. What is his call for action? Give him your contact number and generate urgency about the ad. Use terms like 'HURRY' or 'CALL NOW' or 'OFFER LIMITED' to make him take immediate action. As mentioned earlier, it is the job of your ad to get you that call. Thereon, ensuring the offer is as lucrative as the ad is your job. Just remember to be ready for those calls and keep the product you are trying to sell in a presentable shape.

Testing your ad on a smaller audience before you put it out there is a good idea to find out if it is actually capable of generating a response. This will help you save some big bucks and give you time to write a more lucrative classified ad. Also give the ad some time to generate some response. If you don't get a response within 2 weeks of placing the ad, consider altering it to generate interest. By following the aforementioned tips, you are sure to have several responses coming in to your classified ads and will be able to generate a sale from them too. Good luck!