Writing offline marketing copy

web pages are easy for me compared to this!

[dwilson]

I'm working on a leaflet to hand-deliver to the small-business owners in my town. I'm trying to sell them on starter websites.

Where do you get good ideas on designing offline marketing junk like that?

I've got to decide some simple things, like the voice to use. Do I say "Your business needs a website because" or "Why does my business need a website?"

It's stuff like that that's bogging down what's supposed to be a New Year's marketing blitz.

Any ideas?

thanks.

[jimbeetle]

Very tough question.

Offhand, I might phrase the lead as "Why the heck does Bob's Widgets down the street need a website?" Then follow with two or three illustrations of what the competition is doing. Something like "Joe's Barbecue includes his web address in newspaper ads," "All of these businesses include the site addresses in their Yellow Pages listings."

And, of course, the benefits. Smaller newspaper ads with links to more information. Ability to advertise on local web-based publications and guides. Potential customers easily get information -- even when nobody is there to answer the phone. And all the other usual stuff depending on the type of business.

Not much help, but the more ideas you get here the better able you'll be able to put something together.

[rogerd]

For starter websites, I like the idea of comparing a firm's site to a salesperson that works 24/7 to answer customer questions, process inquiries, and take orders... for under $__ a month. This seems to be a concept small business owners can grasp.

Comparing the cost of a web site to yellow pages/phone book advertising may work in some cases, too. Companies think nothing of dumping thousands of dollars per month into phone book ads while dithering about a web presence.

[dwilson]

Thanks for the good ideas!