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: >>

Student debt snares parents, putting retirement at risk

Sept. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Funding your child's college education is on many parents' mind. With college tuition costs rising each year, there's reason for concern. So, before starting a savings plan, make sure to do your homework and pick the investment option that's right for your family.

Mitt Romney’s statement that the “very poor” don’t concern him comes as the portion of Americans living in deep poverty is the highest in 35 years

Vigorous debate on the value of state backing

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao raised the prospect of contributing to the euro-area’s bailout programs, telling Chancellor Angela Merkel that China may be prepared to assist in resolving its debt crisis.

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Subir Gokarn said the monetary authority will cut borrowing costs once it’s confident inflation will keep slowing.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, which accused a fired Singapore trader of manipulating London interbank offered rates, had condoned such behavior and sought scapegoats in an internal probe, the former employee said.

Japan Inc. is suffering and the supply chain is bearing the cost.

The U.S. labor market recovery is broadening as industries from construction to retail to manufacturing added workers in January and the jobless rate fell to the lowest level in three years.

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Douglas Creutz, analyst at Cowen & Co., and Paul Kedrosky, author of the Infectious Greed Blog and a Bloomberg contributing editor, talk about the relationship between Zynga Inc. and Facebook Inc. They speak with Cory Johnson on Bloomberg Television's "Bloomberg West." (Source: Bloomberg)

Advertising campaigns aren't only being designed for TV anymore, the Super Bowl has gone high-tech

The day's top ten most important stocks include Estee Lauder, Research in Motion and Zynga

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Steen Jakobsen, chief economist at Saxo Bank A/S, discusses the outlook for Europe's sovereign debt crisis and the U.S. economy. He speaks with Susan Li on Bloomberg Television's "Asia Edge." (Source: Bloomberg)

The social network may be valued at $100 billion, or 100 times profit

Buyout funds see profits in turning foreclosed homes into rentals