A Guide To Effective Classifieds

Classified advertising has long been an effective medium for communication. Indeed, from those seeking love to people selling items such as their car or sofa, it’s a cost-effective and convenient method of advertising for both individuals and businesses.

Having originated in the back pages of newspapers and magazines, the world of classified advertising has greatly expanded with the introduction of the internet. A huge advantage of placing classifieds on the web is the potential audience it can reach. In fact, with the rise in specialised websites and search engines, it’s possible to attract an unprecedented amount of interest in your cause, whether it be to sell or search for something.

Not only that, but advertising on the internet also offers the benefit of space. Therefore, people now have the opportunity to effectively advertise without having to spend a huge amount of cash. And as opposed to simply having text in your advert, you can now add photos and a longer description of your product or service for a fraction of the cost of the same space in a printed publication.

But, with the plethora of adverts out there, how can you make yours stand out? Take classified adverts that are aiming to sell a car; there are many out there, all hoping to do the same thing. That’s why it’s essential you take the time to understand your audience and design your advert accordingly. In doing so, you stand a much better chance of attracting potential sales and of differentiating your advert from the masses.

First things first, the headline is of vital importance. It must grab the reader’s attention, as well as lure them into reading the rest of the advert. Consequently, it should be short, snappy and relevant — ideally, it should also be in bold or a larger typeface than the rest of the text.

For the main body of the advert, it’s wise to be as concise as possible; too much information will put people off, but not including the right details will be detrimental. Therefore, for a car the most important details will be the make and model, as well as its colour, engine size and mileage. It’s essential to always include the price as well, since this is one of the most important pieces of information for a buyer.

Adding photographs is another great way to differentiate your advert and is ideal for letting people see what they’re getting for their money. Including a few different ones, which show your product off to its best advantage is advisable; however, don’t go overboard and bombard the viewer.

Finally, the effective placement of classifieds is imperative. The internet can prove advantageous because it has a number of specialised websites and companies that are specifically tailored to the sale of cars, for example. And as such will give you access to the most targeted audience possible. Of course, there is much to consider when creating your advert, but from doing so in the right way it can make all the difference when it comes to selling your goods or service.
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Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.