"How
To Write Motivational Copy That Sells?"
By Karon Thackston
Who of us hasn't written advertising copy that
we thought was great only to find out it flopped big time? Why?
When you wrote it, it seemed very persuasive. You included lots
of benefits and even gave a money back guarantee. It got YOU up
and moving so why did your customers turn their heads?
The reason is usually quite simple. They are
not you. While one thing might motivate you and excite you enough
to open your wallet and buy, there are other personality types
who respond to different motivational factors. If you know the
factors, you hold the key to copywriting success!
There are several names for the different personality
or behavioral types. Myers-Briggs labels them with letters (E
= extrovert, I = introvert, etc.). Some psychologists label them
with types ("A-type" personality, "B-type"
personality, etc.). The DISC model (which I find the easiest to
follow) labels the different personalities with descriptors (Dominance,
Influence, Steadiness, etc.) Regardless of what they're called,
I encourage you to get to know them. Once you decipher the inner
workings of your customers, you can write copy that will motivate
each and every time.
Let's look at a few of the descriptors used within
the DISC model and I'm sure you'll see what I mean.
Dominance
The Dominance behavioral style is usually described
with the following attributes:
- high egos
- problem-solver
- likes challenges
- drives hard for results
- positive
- loves power and authority
- motivated by direct answers
Influence
The Influence behavioral style can be described
like this:
- socially and verbally aggressive
- optimistic
- can see the big picture
- people-oriented
- fast movers
- motivated by praise and strokes
Steadiness
Those who fall into the Steadiness behavioral
style usually are described as:
- loyal to those they identify with good listener
- patient
- loves security
- wants to see benefits
- oriented towards family activities
- motivated towards traditional procedures
Compliance
The last of the four styles is Compliance. These
people usually have the following attributes:
- critical thinkers
- high standards
- well disciplined
- accurate
- motivated by the right way to proceed
As you can see, these simple hints already open new doors for
copywriting effectiveness. From what's written above, you are
probably getting some good ideas about how to adjust your copy
to fit your target audience.
For example, when writing to people with a Dominant
behavioral style you'll want to be direct and to the point, focus
on the business at hand, show them how this will help them get
results and offer a win/win situation.
Influential people will want to allow time for
socialization (so include some "chit chat" when possible),
to have fun, offer new and innovative ideas, give a way for them
to respond quickly and offer praise and strokes for them making
a good decision. Steadiness types make up the majority of the
population. Over 40% of Americans fall into the Steadiness category.
These people need to see a logical approach to your product or
service, they need time for thinking before buying, they want
to see how your solution will benefit them and they need a sense
of security about buying.
This explains why most copywriters will tell
you to write long copy that is full of benefits and offers a money
back guarantee. However, while this does work for 40% of the population,
the other 60% has an issue with it. This is why I continually
preach that you should know your target audience! If you are marketing
to a group of CEOs (which most definitely fall into the dominance
category) you can't provide long copy... they simply won't read
it. They are looking for the bottom line and may ask for more
details later if they feel they are necessary. If you have lots
of information to provide, you'll have to break it up into sections
to suit a "dominance" type.
It all boils down to giving the customer what
they want. Even in your copywriting techniques. If you don't,
you'll lose the sale - plain and simple. As an example, I'll tell
you about a real estate agent I once worked with. I was looking
for a house and had specific criteria for the exterior and interior.
Rather than scheduling an appointment with the realtor every other
day to view houses, I wanted to be given the addresses and view
the outside at my own pace. If the outside didn't have specific
features, there was no need for me to see the inside.
One Realtor emphatically told me, "Mrs.
Thackston, that's just not the way I sell." To which I responded,
"That's a shame... that's the way I buy!" He wouldn't
give me what I wanted and therefore lost the sale.
I encourage you to learn as much as you can about
your target audience. Their likes, dislikes, personality traits
and behavioral traits. When you do, you'll be able to write motivational
copy that creates a desire to buy.
Learn to put these secrets to work for YOU to
dramatically increase your advertising performance. The Step-by-step
Copywriting Course shows you how AND gives you LIVE feedback!
For more
information, click here.
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