[BellaMiller]

I have to write a 1/4 page A5 ad ASAP - I have no problem writing news releases but ads completely stump me.

Pls could someone share some tips to help me pull it together? It's a recruitment ad so I'm trying to sell the bizz.

I know I should be trying to elicit a response from the reader but how?
How many words should I be using - it's a small ad!

[Calibre Designs]

Hi,

Just wanted to say that I felt a bit sorry for you. 24 people have read your post but no one has posted. Here I am to the rescue. Well not much help but should be short, sharp and grabbing.

Why don't you post what you have got and we'll get stuck in with our ideas.

Kay

[Indizine]

Hi bella, what exactly are you advertising? what recruitment? Also, have a look at Admagic's posts, he is a star with stuff about Advertising.

Let's see what you've got, as Kay says, and we will help you.

[Carbon Neutral Copy]

Sorry I don’t have the time to write anything other than quick reply but here are some pointers, which I hope will help ease your writer’s block…

Remember that your advert needs to:

• Grab the attention of the sort of job seekers you’re after

• Interest them (by showing how it fits with the search criteria of your ideal candidates)

• Generate desire (make your ideal candidates want to pick up the phone/click on the web link and apply for your job)

• Have a call to action (e.g. for further information or to apply, please contact…).

Think about what makes your company different/special, what makes it interesting and what makes it worth working for and be sure to include this information in the advert. If you don’t tell me why your business is fun/exciting and great to work for, I may overlook you and move on to the next recruiter who does.

Write in the second person (you). It’s a great way of helping your prospective candidates visualise themselves in the role.

You don’t have a lot of space so keep it short and simple. Don’t overcrowd the space with lots of text or you will overwhelm (and possibly lose the interest of) your reader. Use simple, uncomplicated language and short, sharp sentences. Think about whether bullet points will help you to get information across without using too many words or creating great chunks of visually unappealing text.

Remember that a lot of job seekers are often on the move because they crave something new or more exciting – not just a promotion. Keep this in mind as you write your advert and try to play on anything that is new/exciting about the job you are advertising (or your company).

Make sure you include all the things a job seeker would want to know the answers to before deciding whether to respond to the advert, including:

Job title (or succinct description of the role if there is no specific job title)
Location of job
Employer
Indication of essential qualifications/experience
Salary (or at the very least a guide to the remuneration that can be expected)
Profile of your ideal candidate
Brief outline of the job – (role and responsibilities, reporting lines)
How to apply/get more information

You also need to be careful that your advert doesn’t breach any rules around discrimination. This Business Link information might be worth reading.

Just a few thoughts for you - hopefully others will be along soon to share their ideas but I hope this is of some help to you in the meantime.

Vicky

[Calibre Designs]

Originally Posted by Write on Message

Sorry I don’t have the time to write anything other than quick reply .......

OMG

Hate to see what you'll wrote when you do have time

Thanks Vicky. You really know your stuff....

Kay

[BellaMiller]

Originally Posted by Indizine

Hi bella, what exactly are you advertising? what recruitment? Also, have a look at Admagic's posts, he is a star with stuff about Advertising.

Let's see what you've got, as Kay says, and we will help you.

Thanks - and I agree - I'm a fan of admagic

I'm actually advertising an agent scheme - so recruitment is perhaps not quite the right word - this is why I keep getting stuck :sad1:

[BellaMiller]

Thanks for your reply Vicky - that's really helpful - I'm going to have another bash at it !

[Indizine]

Yes I did wonder when you said "trying to sell the bizz", that's why I asked what recruitment.

Whatever kind of 'job' you are offering, the reader will be looking at what's in it for them and does it fit in with what they're looking for, so try to aim it at the target market with regards the benefits. For instance, are the agents people who sell other similar products? Are you aiming it at retailers or party planners or both?

[admagic]

Originally Posted by BellaMiller

I have to write a 1/4 page A5 ad ASAP - I have no problem writing news releases but ads completely stump me.

Pls could someone share some tips to help me pull it together? It's a recruitment ad so I'm trying to sell the bizz.

I know I should be trying to elicit a response from the reader but how?
How many words should I be using - it's a small ad!

Hi.......

The first thing to do...is to try to picture your ideal agent. Who are they? where are they? What are they thinking....why would THEY want to promote YOU?

When you can picture your ideal agent , Try to think out, what you can offer them that makes it a great deal For example If they are all mums with young children, then it may be that offering them clothes could be better for them than offerring money....

In the end , the most important parts of any ad,
are the attention grabber, the offer, the proof of value and reason why now

Anyway, sorry I was busy last week alison - it really is hectic at the mo but call me - I will be in for most of the next 3 days - and lets talk it through.

[BellaMiller]

Thanks admagic - much appreciated