CL Ad..... Let the games begin

[Twinpanther]

I found this bit of helpful info to add some minor CSS to spruce up a Kijiji ad. Not much but font size, Bold and font colors. Might be enough to help make you ad stand out some.

[Biomech]

I actually don't think it was too bad, the first thing I do is thank them for their interest and then congratulate them on their big day - which you've done there.

One high impact image works better than a montage, particularly at that size. I personally would pull out all of the negative words and reframe them (hard part, nerve racking, pain(less), not, etc)

I'd shorten this line to a call to action and have it on its own line:
"Click my contact page, give me a call or drop me a line and together we will build a days photography to meet your needs & budget."
maybe, "Now visit my webpage...something"

I also replace all occurances of possible tense with affirmative tense (if that makes sense?) So would/could/might/may with will, can, etc Kind of assuming that they are going ahead as it were.

And I'd put the last bit as "I look forward to hearing from you soon" - it doesn't work as well on ads but in emails it gives the client a niggle that to not write back - even if it's a no - is somehow rude.

On the whole though, not too bad if I do say so myself

Little bit extra if you want to read it:

There are 3 internal processing systems that people use, we use all 3 but one will dominate. They are Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (emotional/feeling) You don't know what your readers type is so you have to hit them all. And you do so by using words that fit those types, see if you can guess which is which...

1. You have the dress you've always wanted, now get the photographer you deserve.
2. I will use the light to create naturally beautiful, vibrant photos
3. You can be sure that I will be there when the church bells ring, snapping awayas you read your vows.

See? HTH

[RELum]

I only did a cursory look at the page and images, however, 5 out of 100 ain't quite as bad as you think. A 5% click through rate for internet ads (which is basically what Kijiji is) is pretty darn good actually. Most marketers expect that their ads, and I mean even the VERY well targeted ones, will get a click through rate of well less than 1%. I read an article from a year or two ago that said the average click through for a large targeted ad was 0.21%. So don't beat yourself up for ONLY getting 5%

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by Biomech

I actually don't think it was too bad, the first thing I do is thank them for their interest and then congratulate them on their big day - which you've done there.

One high impact image works better than a montage, particularly at that size. I personally would pull out all of the negative words and reframe them (hard part, nerve racking, pain(less), not, etc)

I'd shorten this line to a call to action and have it on its own line:
"Click my contact page, give me a call or drop me a line and together we will build a days photography to meet your needs & budget."
maybe, "Now visit my webpage...something"

I also replace all occurances of possible tense with affirmative tense (if that makes sense?) So would/could/might/may with will, can, etc Kind of assuming that they are going ahead as it were.

And I'd put the last bit as "I look forward to hearing from you soon" - it doesn't work as well on ads but in emails it gives the client a niggle that to not write back - even if it's a no - is somehow rude.

On the whole though, not too bad if I do say so myself

Little bit extra if you want to read it:

There are 3 internal processing systems that people use, we use all 3 but one will dominate. They are Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (emotional/feeling) You don't know what your readers type is so you have to hit them all. And you do so by using words that fit those types, see if you can guess which is which...

1. You have the dress you've always wanted, now get the photographer you deserve.
2. I will use the light to create naturally beautiful, vibrant photos
3. You can be sure that I will be there when the church bells ring, snapping awayas you read your vows.

See? HTH

Jamie, thanks for taking the time to provide all this feedback. I will be looking at this over the weekend, and attempt to incorporate some of your ideas.

Originally Posted by RELum

I only did a cursory look at the page and images, however, 5 out of 100 ain't quite as bad as you think. A 5% click through rate for internet ads (which is basically what Kijiji is) is pretty darn good actually. Most marketers expect that their ads, and I mean even the VERY well targeted ones, will get a click through rate of well less than 1%. I read an article from a year or two ago that said the average click through for a large targeted ad was 0.21%. So don't beat yourself up for ONLY getting 5%

Well, isn't that interesting? Hmmmm, so maybe I don't blow chunks as much as I thought I did

[BuddhaPi]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Jamie, thanks for taking the time to provide all this feedback. I will be looking at this over the weekend, and attempt to incorporate some of your ideas.



Well, isn't that interesting? Hmmmm, so maybe I don't blow chunks as much as I thought I did

no you still blow......chunks! 5% is indeed a good return, I sometimes do postcard mailers and am lucky to get 1% back...granted that 1% does pay for the effort and overhead...

Heres another thought for you, since you can't use html in your ad to add a link, have you considered a qr code??

[NicolaB]

Assuming this is a classified directory (ie you search for a wedding photographer in x area?):

Ask yourself what does my potential customer want/need to know:

1. Scott why should they come to you rather than any other wedding photographer?
eg a headline of 'Natural, Relaxed, Beautiful Wedding Portraits" and or as Jamie said You have the dress you always wanted now get the photographer you deserve or one of those kina tag lines...
Show your fav images that really show who you are as a photographer - no more than 3 - ideally 1.

2. Do you cover their area? Weddings Throughout Oshawa, Durham Region, Toronto, GTA

3. Packages start from $750 (if you are allowed to put in pricing this will stop time waster calls from the cheapies)

3. Put you phone number and email - they may already be sold! For more information call Scott McQuillin on xxxxxxxxx (make sure the calls are always answered ie divert to your mobile. If you miss a call you are likely to miss out on a customer)

4. Make them hungry - give tempting offer
Free engagement session for all Kijiji cutomers * conditions apply call Scott for details (they will tell you where they heard of you to get this info)

5. Link through to wedding portfolio on a link as above.

Keep it very simple, and only give key information. This is their first port of call - your website helps to cement their decision then you do the rest on the 'close call'.

other bits that may be relevant.....no. of years as a photographer, any relevant professional qualifications, think I saw you put somewhere about most of your work comes from wom - very important to show on your 'about me page' - still thinking but my glass of wine is fogging my head - hick!
ps when you have your final version, don't put a link on here as were are throwing off your stats lol

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by Biomech

One high impact image works better than a montage, particularly at that size. I personally would pull out all of the negative words and reframe them (hard part, nerve racking, pain(less), not, etc)

Big ditto. I think your second set of images work a little better and convey a more solid, consistant sense of design and imagery. (I am a graphic designer by the way.)

The negative words caught my eye and gotta agree with Biomech. I know what you are trying to say and all, but those words just remind me of how much tension I would feel at making all those decisions. Maybe you could go at it from more of a I'm here to make your decision about a photographer easier or something like that. I don't know, I'm a designer, not a writer.

Anyway, I have no stats or data to back me up but I would suspect a 5% click through rate was pretty good.

[Biomech]

I put package prices on my website a couple of weeks ago. It had the desired effect, enquiry rate dropped (thus so did my work load) and conversion rate increased. But then I got really bored and missed getting emails so I've taken it back off again :P

As for ads online, typical click through rates (CTR) are often like 0.01 - 0.1% and then you have to turn that click into a sale :P

[katia]

honestly, i like to know pricing up front. i think i am more likely to respond to an ad when the price is laid out flat, rather than waiting for an email response. i know, it's kind of ridiculous, but i'm telling you this from a MAJOR CL/Kijiji users point of view.

i don't use those classified sites for much photography stuff, mind you, but i do use it for other things. seeing the pricing right then and there might help you weed out the cheapies from the get-go.

also, you can link to your website through Kijiji, it just costs $4. worth it? probably!

[Biomech]

I definately agree that advertising prices is worthwhile. And when I get too busy, I'll be putting mine back on the site :P Just gets a bit lonely sitting here everyday with the cat while the mrs is at work :P