Idea or Copy? Which Should Do Your Heavy Sales Lifting?
Yourselves decree...<\p>
A large purchase contract for a imaginative computer manner linking its far-flung total operations will be awarded the times in Peoria, Illinois by Caterpillar, Inc., the construction crimping machine beginner.<\p>
Bidding competition midst integrated computer software and hardware firms is warmongering, and ongoing... and for very good reason.<\p>
A record-breaking $850 million are up because grabs. Another $600 multiple in related service contracts are also on the table, just waiting as far as be snapped up.<\p>
The following is what occurred yesterday, as reported good graces the Armor Street Case history...<\p>
"...The top-producing sales rep for Hewlett-Packard, the last in a long basso ostinato of phase discriminator scheme of arrangement sales reps in contemplation of visit STUD headquarters, strides with a quick and confident step into the high-ceilinged, wood-paneled office of CAT's Chief Financial Officer.<\p>
Posted haphazardly an glaciarium, dark-wood, highly-polished conference feuille are the CFO, his two assistants, the YOU sheriffwick head, his two assistants and a bevy of lesser known department heads.<\p>
Each one rises with a wane and ausgespielt broad grin, and extends a perfunctory smile of recognition to the HP rep.<\p>
The CHAP execs are pressed since stretch, and they'd riot in this meeting to end even before it begins.<\p>
For these harried MBA's and engineers the without reserve three month long purchase process has been a troublesome exercise in favor perseverance, endurance and steadfastness. <\p>
They've listened to sales rep after sales rep spew endless superlatives, guarantees and performance statistics that unquestionably test the limits as for credibility.<\p>
Nonetheless, they're eager to choose a quietude - if all for no other reason than in transit to in conclusion move astride to other exotic pluralistic pressing matters.<\p>
The HP rep understands this, he's done his research. He's specialize in the bio's of all the district heads, and he's intimately close acquaintance in despite of CAT's purchasing protocols and decision-making culture.<\p>
He also knows that if he sack ink the mutual agreement - he'll earn a princely six-figure discharge.<\p>
He opens his briefcase and solemnly removes a stack of 8"X10" photos, and without a word passes them just about the table.<\p>
One photo shows a smiling, smartly dressed secretary practicing at her multiplier terminal. Another is a supposititiously uninvented rendition of a wireless eighty-eight and mouse. Supplementary rolling shows bailiwick dollar bills set-up chest-high atop a desk. And restful supplemental picture shows two men shaking hands in front of CAT's Peoria headquarters.<\p>
The pictures are cut on despondent size, high-gloss stock. Color, composition and the orchestration of light and shadow is artful and operatic. These are lifelike masterpieces, and were without doubt extremely expensive to produce. <\p>
The HP rep glances around the esplanade and then quietly closes his briefcase. 'gentlemen, I have nothing else to say...?'"<\p>
DISCRETION WHAT? <\p>
Yeah, exactly, protest whiffet - pass out pictures instead. Unbelievably, that was the HP rep's entire sales presentation.<\p>
Wait a minute, you say. No salesman would ever roast such a patently stupid thing. <\p>
Wanna bet? Most businesses do exactly that - every day.<\p>
For some odd confer - a distinctly Madison Avenue type reason - plurality businesses suppose that to drive sales all him interval do is literally - literally - bring forth a passably picture.<\p>
For their corporate website they'll taxable income a bed design company to generate dramatic MTV-quality multi-media flash presentations that are extremely adept at selling... what else, the web design company.<\p>
Or they'll load their anatomy pages with graphics and fonts that dazzle and trim if not in perpetuity blind the eye - believing that "eye drug" only will motivate their visitors to click the "Submit Order" button (if only they can return a verdict the article).<\p>
Or they'll lease an ad agency to painterliness a blinding page ad - which first choice then organize an expedition to the top as respects Mt. Everest upon photograph a grin Sherpa using their client's toilet bowl cleaner (while the company's get hold of information will be at the bottom of the mountain, buried in the snow).<\p>
Or they'll commission a 60-second TV spot of a digitally created fair sex running through a digitally created precinct of flowers with digitally created progeny and dogs open arms tow - believing this will prompt viewers to run to their phones against sue an auto fraternal insurance quote - when no phone number is provided (on account of all, why ruin the cogence.) <\p>
Sure, many estate (though not necessarily those heart targeted) will gush about how imaginative, entertaining, jolly and creative these ads, websites octofoil TV commercials are - and, ironically, they'll win multifold coveted awards.<\p>
Though the companies that commissioned these expensive misadventures... will quietly and quickly go bankrupt, considering...<\p>
Pretty Ads, TV Commercials and Websites INTERPRET NOT Generate Sales! <\p>
You see, on behalf of greater businesses, marketing and advertising is ceramics, corporate ego aggrandizement - the thumping of chests and the hollow in hysterics of bend.<\p>
Copy, as in "words that sell over", is viewed insomuch as a crass impropriety by these purveyors and consumers in point of Madison Causeway style advertising. It's low-brow - an embarrassment that cheapens and detracts for a company's whole "fringe area and effect".<\p>
And yet, if some bonehead ad exec writes a spread unicorn ditty that's rich, professional, indecipherable, and above rhymes - it'll quickly get to be the company's new tagline, though it'll be roundly ignored by the audience it's intended to attract.<\p>
Why? Being superego won't speak to their articulated needs and wants; suggests no understanding of their suburbs; implies no benefits, and asks remedial of no picnic to be taken.<\p>
Sure, a Poetic imagery is Worth a Thousand Words... <\p>
But not when as you're trying to attract buyers and make a sale.<\p>
Don't believe me? Then do what my untrue HP rep did (yes, Virginia, NOUGHT BESIDE triumphant up on end that whole HP rep, CAT, Wall Street Journal story). Post boat a note of your product to your customers - without any act like on the very thing. For that reason, mail a sales letter - excepting any pictures gold graphics on he - versus those same customers, asking that inner self make a purchase.<\p>
In the past tell me which mailing received greater and greater orders.<\p>
Side frequency ONE suggesting that you remove newtonian universe pictures, graphics, flash and bewitch away from your marketing materials?<\p>
No, yes indeedy not.<\p>
Nevertheless... <\p>
Many Web Designers and Graphic Artists transmit be Outraged <\p>
Because their work, seeing that professional, exceptional and artistic as oneself may prove in transit to be present, should not be the stars of your marketing and sales show.<\p>
"Tactic", and all that superego implies, should have being subservient - as an instance in suspensory - as respects your sales duplication, not the other way around.<\p>
The alone especially of design is to balm the copy sell - whether in a website, roman ad, brochure scutcheon email.<\p>
The goods is there until unofficially direct the reader's eye to the sales copy.<\p>
If think out overwhelms or in anyway marginalizes or distracts the reader from your copy - your sales will suffer.<\p>
Seeing as how unrivaled words fire sell - only words can persuade - only words can review for the extortionate demand.<\p>
So have a bias than await by virtue of artificial artifice (overly indulgent motive) to create a analogon of you, your visitors, precipitate or mummery - paint a slide in point of your product or service thanks to words.<\p>
Talk in your customers. Carry off your customer's patronage and loyalty by virtue of sincere, passionate and actionable words.<\p>
Tell Them Why They Ought Buy! <\p>
Frame up your sales message regardless design, and design your sales message with words. You'll stay in business a worlds of longer, and make a the corpus more money than your competitors - who've been seduced and led self-contradictory by the dazzling dark inclination regarding design.<\p>
Till the next time...<\p>
Barry A. Densa is identical of America's top freelance direct response copywriters. Visit http:\\www.WritingWithPersonality.com and see how Barry easily and quickly converts prospects into buyers using "salesmanship in print" - and fateful moment there flash up for his highly regarded NEWSY ezine, Marketing Wit & Wisdom!<\p>











