How to Make Your Claims Believable

When you hear claims like?

?Best Lawnmower in the country

?Absolute Lowest Prices In Existence

?Leaves your hair cleaner than any other shampoo

?do you believe them?

Or is there a certain degree of doubt in your mind about their credibility? Or whether they are 'hyped up'?

Think about it. Everybody expects advertisers to exaggerate their claims. To present them in their best light. Which is the exact reason why general statememts are not as effective as?

SPECIFIC STATEMENTS

So?

Rather than saying "Our prices have been reduced"? instead say? "Our prices have been reduced by 22% to prepare for our end of year stocktake"

Rather than saying "More than 20 varieties of Reebok shoes in stock"? instead say? "More than 23 varieties of Reebok shoes in stock"

Rather than saying "Our staff are very experienced carpet cleaners"? instead say? "Our team of 12 staff have a combined experience of cleaning carpets for 63 years"

Rather than saying "Used all over the world"? instead say? "Used in over 46 countries"

Or rather than a cleaner saying "We clean your house thoroughly" why not list every single thing you do

One more thing... When you give people a specific number, they tend to believe it must be true. So don't use numbers which are a multiple of 5 or 10. Instead say 4 or 9. It makes it more believable.

Even KFC realises this.

No. They don't have 10 herbs and spices on their special chicken. They have 11. That's a heck of a lot more believable than 10? or heaps, isn't it?

So take a moment now and think about how you can apply what you've learnt and be more specific in your advertising.

Warmly,

Scott Bywater Copywriting That SELLS
Level 12 / 418a Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, Australia

Scott Bywater is a professional direct response copywriter and the author of Cash-Flow Advertising. To get a complimentary copy of his special report '7 Ways To Increase Your Turnover... No Matter What The State Of The Economy' (valued at $29.95) and a free subscription to his "Copywriting Selling Secrets" ezine, where you'll discover how to write ads and sales letters that make people line up and practically beg you to do business with them... visit his web site at http://www.copywritingthatsells.com.au

Seeking a cheaper, faster alternative to foreclosure, several lenders are encouraging homeowners to sell short

California, New York, Nevada, Florida and Massachusetts are among the handful of states that haven’t signed a deal with banks over foreclosure abuses, according to state officials and two people familiar with the talks.

Bank of America Corp., facing increased demand for mortgage refinancing amid government efforts to help struggling homeowners, is telling some customers to wait 90 days, said two people with knowledge of the policy.

Democrats are squaring off against Washington heavyweights to determine an appropriate tax rate on carried interest

Under Republican pressure, Senator Baucus is backing off a proposal that would increase federal tax revenue from inherited IRA holders

China’s stocks rallied the most in three weeks on speculation slowing inflation will provide more leeway for the central bank to ease monetary policy and after the government pledged to support first-time homebuyers.

China’s central bank pledged support for first-home buyers as a crackdown on real-estate speculation threatens to trigger a property slump in the world’s second- biggest economy.

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos is set to negotiate with leaders of the political parties supporting his caretaker government after Athens missed another deadline to secure a second aid package.

The numbers are proving Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke’s critics wrong.

Feb. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Laurence D. Fink, chief executive officer of BlackRock Inc., talks about the outlook for global stocks, the U.S. economy and his investment strategy. Fink also discusses the European sovereign debt crisis. He speaks in Hong Kong with Susan Li on Bloomberg Television's "First Up." (Source: Bloomberg)

UBS' stock is down after the Swiss bank reported a plunge in profits in the fourth quarter

Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke speaks about the U.S. economy, labor market and tax policy.¶ Bernanke, testifying before the Senate Budget Committee in Washington, said the job market is still far from healthy after signs of economic improvement over the past year. (Excerpts. Source: Bloomberg)

California and New York’s attorneys general haven’t signed on to a proposed settlement with five banks over foreclosure practices that has won the support of more than 40 states

The California State Teachers' Retirement System, or Calstrs, intends to question in a letter the controlling power amassed by Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg

By trying to help distressed homeowners without appearing to bail them out, the Administration would leave borrowers submerged