Learn How Advertise Successfully from Forward Productions Learn How to Advertise Successfully.
Site MapSite Home
Related Sites >Traffic-Reach - Unlimited Quality Traffic - On DemandSmartAuctioning.comForward Productions SitesMapJoin Our Links Directory!


Radio and Television Ads: Clever Vs. Annoying


Ever heard or seen a radio or television commercial that you really liked and actually looked forward to hearing or seeing again only to be assaulted by another one so annoying it made you want to heave your radio or television out the window?

What makes one commercial so enjoyable while others seem to be so abysmal? It's all in the ability to make the listener or viewer remember the ad in a creative, clever way and I'm about to give you some advice on how to do just that so read on!

One of the most successful ways of creating clever ads is to add humor. Unfortunately that's not an easy thing to do as you have probably heard or seen many commercials try and fail. There is a fine line between writing a spot people will laugh and identify with and writing one that falls flat on its face and unfortunately most spots fall into the latter category. The best advice on using humor in ads that I can give you is this: hire a professional who specializes in writing humorous ads. I say this because the majority of advertisers that attempt to write their own funny ads fail miserably. The main reason is because it takes a trained writer to know how to create an ad that includes not only genuinely funny copy, but also perfect timing and the right amount of copy needed to pull it off. Having said this, if you still insist you've written a funny spot for your business the best way to find out is to read it to some unbiased ears which means someone other than your wife, husband, or best friend. Humor in itself is subjective but for the most part if it's funny they'll laugh, and if they don't get it, even if you think it's a real knee slapper, it's time to try another approach. I've written thousands of ads most containing humor but even I don't know for sure how well they will be received once they hit the airwaves. Another tricky part about putting humor in ads is that it takes more time to establish the bit, which means you have less time for the rest of the copy.

The same rule goes for putting voice impersonations in your radio ads. I tend to use voice impressions that I or others do in radio spots from time to time and it can be a real attention getter. However, this can also backfire as I've heard spots where voice impersonations were used just for the sake of putting them in the spot with no real message or tie-in to the product or service. Once again, this is wasted ad dollars.

You may have heard or seen ads you thought were extremely annoying and wondered why the advertiser even bothered. What they've learned is that even bad spots will eventually stick in the mind with enough repetition. The problem here lies with whether what ends up sticking is a negative reinforcement. There's a national jeweler who comes to mind that likes to do his own radio commercials. His nasally voice and dry as sand delivery while quite annoying, have become his trademark. So in essence his annoyance is part of his brand. Successful? Perhaps, but you'd be hard pressed to get me to shop there.

Remember that besides being clever, your ad has to deliver the goods.In other words, ads that are clever just for the sake of being clever won't accomplish much. Have you ever had someone tell you about a funny spot but when you asked who the ad was for, they can't remember? That's a case of the copywriter indulging his or her own cleverness and missing the main point. Your copy must also give the listener or viewer a reason to call or come by and most important, remember your name!

Sometimes a "call to action" works well. This could be in the form of a price point, a special time sensitive sale or a "radio/TV coupon" in which the listener or viewer is told to mention they heard or saw the spot for a special price. It could also involve having the listener or viewer respond immediately as in, "the first 25 people to call now receive..." however, make sure your phone lines can handle the response.

In today's world it takes a clever message to be heard, seen, and remembered above all the mindless advertising banter. And if done right, all the other ads can become "advertising wallpaper" for your clever, stand out, ad campaign!

Hal Eisenberg is an award winning copywriter, voice over talent and producer, as well as owner of The Eisenberg Agency, a full service advertising agency specializing in creative ads that get results.

Visit his web site at http://www.eisenbergagency.com
Mailto: halacious@eisenbergagency.com





Help keep Advertising Advice available by donating any amount.





MORE RESOURCES:

Internet Marketing News

Print Magazine Advertising to Grow in 2010 Despite Popularity of Online
Folio Magazine
Consumer and trade businesses this year are projected to spend approximately $119.6 billion on online and digital advertising strategies while ...
For the First Time Ever Digital Advertising To Earn More Revenue Than Print in ...Domain Name Journal
Digital Advertising 2010Breaking News and Sport
Digital-Ad Spending May Eclipse Print This YearWired News
Radio Ink -The Guardian -ClickZ News
all 80 news articles »


PR Web (press release)

Local students win Advertising Federation awards
Historic City News
Chris Smith, chair of the art department at Flagler College, congratulated graphic design students who won several awards at the 2010 American Advertising ...
PureMatter Honored by American Advertising Federation Silicon Valley With Nine ...PR Newswire (press release)
Roanoke Valley advertising firms win awardsRoanoke Times
Lunar Cow Design Wins 4 Addy Awards From The American Advertising FederationPR Web (press release)
Market Wire (press release) -Suburbanite -UNM Today
all 30 news articles »


Discount retailer Dollar General sues competitor Fred's Inc.
The Tennessean
Dollar General is asking for repayment from the damages caused by the alleged advertising snafu that may have caused confusion among consumers between the ...
Dollar General sues rival chain over colorsThe Associated Press

all 81 news articles »



Business Buys Ads vs. Health Overhaul
Wall Street Journal
Some of the largest US business groups announced a multimillion-dollar television advertising campaign aimed at ...

and more »


Star Tribune names new advertising chief
Minneapolis Star Tribune
The Star Tribune has named Jeff Griffing as its new head of print and digital advertising. Griffing, 45, who currently is sales vice president and publisher ...
Star Tribune hires Sports Illustrated vet as chief revenue officerMinnPost.com (blog)

all 3 news articles »


MyFox Atlanta

US Airways fined for violation of price advertising rules
Trading Markets (press release)
"We will continue to ensure that airlines comply with our price advertising rules." The Department's Aviation Enforcement Office found that when consumers ...
US Airways hit with $40K civil fine for advertising infractionLouisville Business First
US Airways fined for fare price advertising violationCNN International
US Airways fined USD40,000 for violation of US DOT's price advertising rulesTrading Markets (press release)

all 97 news articles »


Global Survey Reveals HR Executives and Professionals Rely on Social Media for ...
CNNMoney.com (press release)
Toolbox.com and PJA Advertising + Marketing Survey finds social media plays an integral role in problem solving, strategy development, ...
New Research Sheds Light on Social Media UsePCT Magazine

all 14 news articles »


New Zealand Herald

Facebook location sharing could impact local advertising
Lost Remote
Bilton writes that Facebook “wants to go head-to-head with Google in the fight for small-business advertising.” Facebook has made a steady push during the ...
Foursquare gets down to businessCNET

all 75 news articles »


Reuters

Is the Future of TV Advertising Dependent on Search?
WebProNews (blog)
What would widespread integration of web search and television mean for TV advertising? In the not-too-distant future, we may start to really see TV ...
Google said to be eyeing TV serviceV3.co.uk
Google Conducting Set Top Android Tests With DishBroadbandReports.com
Google Playing with TV Search Service Via Set-top BoxeseWeek
E-Commerce Times -White Hat News -AFP
all 201 news articles »

Google News

Site MapSite Home
Related Sites >Traffic-Reach - Unlimited Quality Traffic - On DemandSmartAuctioning.comForward Productions SitesMapJoin Our Links Directory!



© 2006 Forward Productions A Quality Host is our favorite web host