There are two reasons.
NUMBER 1: The opening is fuzzy.
And how do you know that it is? Perhaps you’re engaging in small talk. Well, your marketing isn’t the place for small talk. Small talk loses readers. Lost readers bring low response.
Or maybe your point is unclear. But get this…you should be persuading people to reply.
Make your reason for reading difficult to miss.
Quickly communicate what you want to say. Your reader has only one thought in mind: “What’s in it for me?”
Get to the point.
NUMBER 2: The ending spurs no action.
Tell your reader how to respond.
When you close, be persuasive and authoritative, and repeat the reasons why your prospect should reply.
If a reader reaches the end of your marketing copy and fails to reply, this is no good. I mean, you did get them to read to the end. It’s time to make the sell.
Don’t end weak.
When you sit down to write your marketing copy, you want to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons—to make a sale or get a response.
So increase your chances of getting the action you want by writing an effective open and close.
To your sales success,
Tanya
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Hi Tanya,
Excellent tips! And if it’s an email you’re writing, the subject line is your “opening”. Mess up on that and your email won’t even be opened, let alone read.
Thanks for sharing!
Deb
(@mywebgal #blog30)
You’re absolutely correct, Deb. Thanks!
Three more reasons a lot of marketing copy stinks:
1. It hasn’t been proofread. I can’t count the number of handouts and e-ads (paid periodical ads seem to do better) I’ve seen that are loaded with typos. NOT good for a conscientious professional image.
2. It’s full of technical jargon. Most potential customers don’t work for your industry, and they’ll toss an ad the second they see a word they don’t recognize.
3. It’s self-centered. No one wants to do business with you simply to help you maintain your high position in the industry–or to save you from bankruptcy.
Heeeeyyy Katherine – Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the addition. And, it’s good to hear from you.