Write a Service Business Newspaper Ad
Print advertising remains one of the best ways for businesses to reach customers. To write a service business newspaper ad, the copy should include a headline, an interesting image that represents the business, engaging body copy and a call to action. Whether using an ad to promote a special discount on your services or to highlight an upcoming event, a successful service business newspaper ad should focus on the benefits your service provides to customers.
Instructions
1. Determine the advertisement's objective. Take some time to understand what the business wants to accomplish with the advertisement. This will help you determine the focus.
2. Review marketing materials previously produced by the service business. Talk to the business owner and others to gain a good understanding of the services the business provides and the customers they serve. Identify the main benefits of the services provided and the ways the company differentiates itself from similar businesses. Review customer testimonials for additional insight about the service business.
3. Find out the size of the service business newspaper ad. Small ads might only have enough room for a headline and call to action. Full-page ads allow for more body copy and provide enough space to elaborate on the services provided by the business, but at a higher cost. Find out the newspaper's advertising deadline.
4. Write a headline. The headline should attract attention, encourage newspaper readers to stop and read the ad and should focus on the customer benefits the service business provides. As one of the most critical components of an advertisement, take some time to brainstorm and write down several ideas before deciding on the final ad headline.
5. Write the body copy. Keep it short, persuasive and easy to read. Carefully edit the body copy and remove any awkward sentences or unnecessary words. The body copy should focus on the customer, support the headline and address specific customer needs. Consider using bullets for easy reading and strive to make every word count.
6. Write a call to action for the bottom of the advertisement. A call to action instructs the reader on the next action to take. Whether the service business wants a customer to visit its website for more information or give the company a call to receive a free consultation, make sure the newspaper ad clearly tells the customer what to do next.
7. Work with a designer to add a visual that supports the headline and body copy. Have the designer follow the ad design specifications provided by the newspaper you are working with.
8. Ask someone, preferably a good proofreader, to review the advertisement and make any suggestions for changes. A fresh pair of eyes will often catch typos that the writer misses. Verify spelling in the document. Edit the advertisement accordingly.
9. Submit the ad to the service business owner for review and comments. Make any required changes before submitting the final ad to the newspaper.
10. Send the ad to the newspaper as an attached electronic document in the format required by the paper's ad design specifications. For an ad featuring text only, follow the newspaper's ad submission requirements.
Tags: body copy, service business, call action, should focus, business newspaper, business owner, business provides