Help with a headline

[BrecklandIT]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone could help me with a headline for a letter that i am hand delivering to local business owners.

I offer PC Support/Repair/Networking and consultancy services - its a new business venture though as i sold my last business and prefer to concentrate back on what I "do" as opposed to build a new business based on technology (previous business with Audio Conferencing / Hosted Telecoms etc)

Ive got a few residential customers, but thats not where 1) my skillset is best used, and 2) Where the money is.

Ive been trying to come up with a headline for ages, and so far, have nothing! So far, I have "Your New Free" ;-)

Any suggestions?

David

[vanfinance]

"Solve all your computer related issues with just one call [tel#]!"

"For computer repair & support there's only one REAL choice in [city name]!"

"For PC repair & support you can count on call [business name]"

Heres a few to start you off

Will

[LOS Design UK]

Your New Free....will a) almost certainly consign most, it not all of your flyers into the bin and b) down value your service before you start.

Let me explain point b. It is about positioning yourself in your key markets eyes. If FREE is banded about in your line of work, you must either be desperate or rubbish. That is the perception it would give me.

Do you have a USP? This will help with an attention grabber.

Regards
Daren

[BrecklandIT]

Your New Free....will a) almost certainly consign most, it not all of your flyers into the bin and b) down value your service before you start.

Hi

my reference was a poor attempt at humour after reading a few of the other threads in the marketing forum. Thanks for the pointers though, ive never put so much thought into one line of text!

As for USP - Well, im trying to position myself as not just an IT professional but also a Business Professional (ie, Not only do i know computers, i know the ins and outs of running a business and therefore understand how IT can be best used to give a real competitive edge).

David

[skeeter]

Well done. Your answer is in the last line.


"Competitive edge through IT"...
...moreover it is assumed you are professional. You know that when they place the order. You may like to look at your "profile" as a means of winning business too. A profile needs putting together properly. I've never had one. lol.

My approach on headlines: Write down the first 20. Reflect write down another 10. Pick the best...do the same for a follow on strapline....it works magic.

If you need someone to go through the process with. PM.


PS...you could go for emotional responce on human behvaiour...various different approaches..

[virtuallysorted]

When do I usually call an IT guy? When my computer melts....

"Computer melted? Call XXX"
"In case of IT emergency call XXX" (make sure you tell them to keep this flyer in a safe place for ease of reference!)
"999 for computers?"

I'm thinking this would work for those one off, urgent, "wow that guy really helped us out - let's call him again" type jobs and give you an in to the companies who need on going support. I think the slightly less threatening approach is a bit wishy washy... After all, if there's no reason to pay out cash, why would you?

[adiaccounting]

"Offer for PC all type of PC hardware and networking solutions"

[Catka]

Hey!

Please don't use "Your New Free" ) Off the top of my head:

1) PC troubles? Call us #
2) "Company Name" - For All Your Computer Needs!
3) PC Support/Repair/Networking - Call the Experts #

Cheers

[LOS Design UK]

"Offer for PC all type of PC hardware and networking solutions"

This is a good example as to why clarity is needed in a headline. This tells me you are going to buy used IT equipment from me at a good price for example and may well say something different to 100 other people.

Keep it short, simple and clear to understand ensuring the content cannot be misunderstood.

Best wishes.

[skeeter]

Headlines are really important.
2nd...make sure it's got a tag line.

You've gotta decide how to create your headline. This is your stumbling block. There are different approaches. Each will have a different effect.

2% repsonse is okay. A little smarter, you'll get it higher.
It's all chaos theory...not clever marketing. But it can do the job.

What to think about:
1. Think about who is most likely to pick it up
2. What their reaction is going to be
3. How that piece of paper is going to make your phone ring.

There is nothing more to it apart from volume. If you repeated the same test Tuesday and Wednesday you would get different results. the only issue is you would annoy most people for "spamming" on two days.

What you are doing sound opportunistic. Increase your performance with a little feature in the local paper and build it up a profile slowly, progressing one step at a time.

That's marketing.