How much creative advertising
does your small business need?

When small businesses consider creative advertising,
it is easy to fall into the trap of getting "too clever" and
NOT COMMUNICATING your basic selling message.

Does your ad pass the test? Scroll down to see.

Creative disciplines include a combination of writing, design, art, layout and anything else that contributes to the making of an advertisement.

(Click here to see more creative advertising tips.)

Many business owners get sidetracked because they've heard that "creative sells".

In fact, the industry mantra actually is "It's not creative UNLESS IT SELLS".

When properly done, the creative will reinforce and echo the strategy.

Over the years, we've seen lots of cute creative ads and logos that have very little to do with communicating the main purpose of the business.

As a small businessperson, you must be able to recognize the difference. Don't get trapped into being creative, just for creative's sake. That's the mark of an amateur.

A professional will start with your strategy and will ask you plenty of questions so they can align their creative thinking with that strategy.

When you recognize that their creative product reinforces and echoes the strategy, you've got something worth testing.

Passing the creative advertising test means that:

1. your customers and future customers can easily identify your business,
2. know what it can do for them and
3. make them want to ACT by making an inquiry or purchase.

Your goal is to create advertising that describes and promotes your business in an easily remembered way, whether you pay a professional or do-it-yourself.

Many of our small business clients already have the beginnings of their breakthrough advertising ideas and look to us to combine it all together into a finished project.

Here are some suggestions to help get your creative mind flowing.

• It takes practice and discipline to be a neutral "fly on the wall" and put yourself in the mindset of your customer as they view your ad, web page or direct mailing.

• You want to be be clever (but not too clever) to attract their attention and get them to act.

• And make sure your ad can be read!

• Go to the Topic/Index Site Map for over 40 original small business advertising articles …

• Click Here to Access Your Free Checklist:
"11 Steps To Focus Your Advertising and Make More Profit"

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