7 Essential Elements for Profit-Pulling Ads

Advertising will make or break your business. It is crucialto your success that you learn to write great ad copy. Hereare a few simple concepts to get you there.

1. The Headline

This is THE most important part of your ad, especially when using online advertising. The point of theheadline is to grab a potential customer's interest andthen entice the reader to go on and read the rest of yourad. The best headlines tend to be those that emphasize thebenefits to the customer, ie. what your product or servicecan do for them, WHY they MUST have it - right now!

2. Formatting

If your ad is taking the form of a webpage, or any other adthat allows the use of HTML/formatting, take advantage of it. Make sure your headline stands out from the rest of your ad by using a larger font, bolding, italics (careful here:make sure it is readable, some fonts aren't), or a different color. Remember to ensure that the overall look is business-like.

Some ad sites (like AOL) allow you to post a graphic alongwith your ad: definitely do so! It will really make your adstand out compared to the ads of those who haven't botheredand makes you look much more professional.

If you're advertising to safelists or using any other typeof email advertising, use interesting characters to makeyour subject line stand out, some examples: >>

A bigger-than-expected drop in existing home sales and Ford's worst earnings report ever weighed on the market

The club-store chain warns earnings will fall short of estimates because of higher food and energy costs

To lower their overall default risk and protect profits, some card issuers may reduce your credit limit. Here are tips for keeping it steady

One pro believes a deal could be in the cards for casino operator MGM Mirage, whose big investors include Kirk Kerkorian and Dubai World

On deck: consumer confidence, GDP, employment costs, ISM manufacturing index, car sales, construction spending, and the employment report

Analysts' opinions on stocks in the news Thursday

Stocks in the news on Thursday

CEO Steel says he has no plans to issue shares, but analysts say Wachovia may be forced to raise capital as its loan portfolio deteriorates

While healthy banks can benefit from naming rights, some money-losing firms with expensive deals—like Citigroup—could lose out

Despite boffo quarterly earnings and record Mac sales, Apple's announcement that margins will soon shrink had investors reeling

The bank's better-than-expected quarter bolsters arguments that it can manage the credit crisis. But analysts worry about more losses from its Countrywide unit

A reputed stronghold for investors, the drugmaking sector faces increasing risks: fewer prescriptions filled, patent expirations, and FDA rejections of new drugs

Given the biotech's promising pipeline, Roche's CEO may need to raise his $43.7 billion offer to buy out Genentech's minority investors

Price-earnings ratios are one way investors determine whether equity prices are cheap, expensive, or fairly valued. But are they the best way to gauge stocks?

On deck: leading indicators, home prices, home sales, durable goods orders, and a ton of earnings reports

The CPI's 1.1% June climb was higher than expected, but analysts also didn't anticipate the increase in U.S. industrial output

Surveys make it plain that the bad news about Britain's economy will only get worse in coming quarters, and that recession may not be far off

The 62,000 decline in U.S. nonfarm payrolls, along with a pop in weekly initial jobless claims, bolsters the case for recession

In a widely expected move, the European Central Bank raises its benchmark interest rate 25 basis points, citing medium-term inflation risks

Unemployment is rising, housing prices are plunging, and oil prices are sky-high. Yet the Fed has decided to stand pat.

From an economist's point of view, the "core" rate counts more than the "headline." But the Fed will have to pay attention to both

Read about the candidates' stance on the economy, housing, immigration, and more

Nest egg looking a little fragile? Chances are you need to rethink your old investment tactics—and consider a few new approaches. Our Annual Retirement Guide can help

Retirees with plump nest eggs can be targets for unscrupulous financial advisers who rake in hefty fees with promises of huge returns

When planning for retirement, make sure you know how these rules could change your financial picture after age 70

Take these steps to protect your golden years: Cut expenses, consider refinancing, and make yourself indispensable at work

Uncle Sam wants laggard 401(k) account holders to beef up their savings by channeling contributions into diversified default investments

BusinessWeek's Special Report for baby boomers offers investing advice for those who expect to retire in the next 15 years

Unlike last summer, many heating oil companies are not offering prepayment plans. But you can lower your bills this winter if you act now

Investors can profit in a Presidential election year if they learn to read the tea leaves

In a tough economic climate, many Americans are choosing to just walk away from their mortgages. Is that a good idea?

Some insight as to why Rob Arnott, investment guru and chairman of the advisory firm Research Affiliates, is still "The Bear"

Here's a guide to investing in oil no matter which way the price swings

Though rates have dropped dramatically, some online banks are offering as much as 3.5% for savings accounts. It pays to look around

For those trapped in auction-rate securities, a few rays of hope are emerging

Good ways to invest in the makers of dog food, coffee, eggs, gasoline, beer, and other everyday items whose prices are streaking skyward

As a result of the subprime mess, the market is drying up. Here are some tips for finding student loans at banks

The next President could make big changes to the ways Americans invest and save for retirement

Why the worst may be yet to come as forces battering the market gain strength. And the remedy coming from Congress? It's likely to fall short of the mark

Chicago-based Neumann Homes went bankrupt last November, leaving a trail of wreckage in its path. Its worst victims? Homeowners

A high salary goes only so far if the cost of living is even higher. If you want your dollar to go further, maybe it's time to relocate

By April, 2009, hundreds of thousands of option ARM mortgages will begin resetting, bringing on a fresh wave of foreclosures

Many of this year's top U.S. philanthropists are keeping their money close to home

For Enterprise Rent-A-Car, giving back is linked to the primary business. That means planting 50 million trees over 50 years, for starters

Philanthropic outfits increasingly are adopting PR programs to achieve their goals. Here's why some old PR objections are no longer valid

The Tap Project, the agency's first new campaign in 50-plus years, kicks off Mar. 22 to raise funds for clean drinking water in developing countries