Checklist
1 Clarify your objective, for example, to simply build awareness or to prompt action such as enquiries or sales.
2 Think about your target audience - what problems can you solve for them and how are they likely to get in touch?
3 Look at competing advertisements - notice what works well and consider how you can make your advertisement stand out from the crowd.
4 Include one or two key benefits or USPs which set you apart from your rivals; these could include product features, service levels or price.
5 Decide whether to write the advertisement yourself, or whether to use a copywriter or advertising agency.
6 Devise a short, attention-grabbing headline, highlighting the key issue or benefit. Address your customers directly using ‘you’.
7 Research the best keywords and phrases for your business so that online advertising attracts your target customers and encourages click through.
8 Use a high-quality and relevant image to attract attention and reinforce your message.
9 Build on the headline with the main body copy. Make sure your copy backs up your claims with facts, reflects your brand identity and reinforces your USPs.
10 Use simple, clear and concise language, with paragraphs broken into easily readable points; avoid jargon, clichés, empty claims and weak jokes.
11 Include a call to action to prompt a response; give full contact details including website and social media addresses, postal address and telephone number.
12Reinforce your main message throughout the copy and consider ending with a pay-off line that relates back to the headline.
13 Check that your advertisement grabs attention, maintains interest, stimulates desire and prompts action: AIDA.
14Test your advert by showing it to existing customers and asking for feedback; test different approaches online to find the wording that gets the highest response.