Characteristics of Direct Response Marketing – E-Commerce Social Media Solutions

Since we are clear that direct response marketing is the path that you should take, let’s discuss the characteristics of direct response marketing.

Direct response marketing is designed to elicit a response – That response could be a visit to your e-commerce website, a telephone call, the filling out of a form or simply placing an order.

Direct response marketing is traceable – When someone responds to your advertisement, you know immediately which media it came from. For example when I am advertising online using direct response marketing I use a tracking service that allows me to track the clicks and the conversion rate that my banner ads, text ads, and email ads have generated. This allows me to make a great decision based on the results as to what online advertising I should continue to use and which ones I need to eliminate because of their ineffectiveness. The name of the company I use to track my online ads is called Clixtrac.

Direct response marketing is measurable – As mentioned before with direct response marketing you can measure the results.

Direct response marketing targets a specific audience or niche – With direct response marketing you are not trying to market to the entire world because the entire world is not your customer. You are marketing to a specific audience or niches that are more likely to be interested in the products or services that you have to offer.

Direct response marketing has a “call to action” – It instructs the prospect or customer to do something. It demands a response. Here are some examples of call to actions, “visit our website”, “fill out this form”, “call this toll free number now”, “order now and receive a free gift”, “act now because this is a limited time offer”.

Direct response marketing uses compelling headlines and sales copy – Direct response marketing uses powerful headlines that are primarily designed to attract interest from viewers to read the entire body of your sales copy. That’s why newspapers use powerful headlines, to get you to read the rest of the article. Take a look at these two headlines from the Daily Mirror newspaper in England, does it get your attention and entice you to read the rest of the article?

How Can 59,017,382 People Be So Dumb?

This headline perfectly illustrates Britain’s reaction to the re-election of President Bush. Careless Spliffer: George Michael’s Cannabis Arrest

This is really great two-word headline that plays on the George Michael song “Careless Whisper” and a spliff, which is a nickname for a marijuana cigarette.

The headline is usually the biggest typographical element on the page. It’s supposed to be the “entry point” into the ad. It’s an attention-grabber. It should also be simple enough to get your point across in a limited space. You don’t want your headline to be too long or complex. Focus on a core problem or a key benefit of what you are offering. The body of your sales copy should also focus on the benefits and clearly explain to your prospects “what in it for them?” if they take you up on your offer.

After the body of your sales copy, you have to have as mentioned previously a strong “call to action” that persuades and directs the prospect to take the action that you want them to take. This process that I just briefly described is known as copywriting. Copywriting is the art and science of strategically using words to persuade your intended target to take action. Copywriting is formulaic in nature and its elements consist of a headline, a subhead, body copy, testimonials, an irresistible offer, a call to action and a P.S. at the bottom of the page if you are writing a sales letter to reaffirm your offer or the benefits.

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