This is a 1979 ad for Howard Ruff's best-selling How To Prosper During the Coming Bad Years. Though the specifics of this ad are fairly different from the 2008 Credit Crisis, the tone is a close enough match. A handy ad for marketers to have in … [Continue reading] about How To Prosper During the Coming Bad Years (Gloom and Doom Ad #8)
Howard Ruff Lead Generation (Post 1987 Market Crash)
Whatever unfolds with the financial markets in the next few weeks, marketers need a game plan and be prepared to act quickly. Here's a lead generation ad for Howard Ruff's Crash Course for the Serious Amateur Investor: How You Can Be A Successful … [Continue reading] about Howard Ruff Lead Generation (Post 1987 Market Crash)
Comments from the Financial Crisis of 2008
(Updated October 12. 2008) Last week saw the worldwide rout of the financial markets and squarely placed the current bear market among the worst in history. Here is RON PAUL on the global financial crisis, the potential for economic depression and … [Continue reading] about Comments from the Financial Crisis of 2008
The Chef’s Secret Cook Book (Mel Martin Ad #16)
For people who are almost (but not quite) satisfied with their own cooking -- and can't figure out what's missing. • If your crepes are delicious but too heavy, see page 263. • The gourmet uses of kosher salt? See page 3 and page 22. • If your … [Continue reading] about The Chef’s Secret Cook Book (Mel Martin Ad #16)
Shy Person’s Guide To A Successful Love Life (Dating Market Ad #5)
Everybody's gaga over the dating market today. Of course, it's a giant (and passionate) market, but there's nothing novel about it. It goes all the way back to cuneiform tablets in Ancient Sumeria. More recently, Symphony Press was in the … [Continue reading] about Shy Person’s Guide To A Successful Love Life (Dating Market Ad #5)
Obama Or McCain?
Obama or McCain? If you're a serious entrepreneur, it's time to get off the fence and take a stand. And it doesn't even matter if you live in the United States. In fact, it may be even more vital to those who live in the United Kingdom or … [Continue reading] about Obama Or McCain?
Better Than Botox? (Wrinkle Cream Ad #12)
This has got to be one of the most potent three-word headlines in history. It doesn't make a claim, it doesn't shout out a benefit. It just asks the question, is this better than Botox? Five to seven years ago, Botox was much more in the … [Continue reading] about Better Than Botox? (Wrinkle Cream Ad #12)
Merrill Lynch Remembered
Many marketers may not realize Merrill Lynch was a company built in part on direct response advertising. This is the 6,540 word display ad written by copywriter Louis Engel in the 1940's. The offer is buried deep in the ad, yet it fetched over … [Continue reading] about Merrill Lynch Remembered
Guest Post: “Where the Suckers Moon”
(From Lawrence: the following is guest published by a friend and ingenious marketer who once beat Jay Abraham in a head-to-head direct mail contest. I'm not sure he wants his name published and I couldn't think of a suitable nom de plume. Certainly … [Continue reading] about Guest Post: “Where the Suckers Moon”
Customer Reactivation: The Economist Way
One of the smartest direct response advertisers I know of is far from being a typical direct response publication: The Economist. The Economist is one of those magazines that takes a half-dozen nudges to get me to renew my subscription. And … [Continue reading] about Customer Reactivation: The Economist Way
Google’s New Web Browser: Google Chrome
Even mere hours after its release, there are over 1700 pages in Google News on the new web browser, Chrome. My terse and non-techie take on it is, it's a very intuitive transition from FireFox. I've noticed some pages loading many multiples faster … [Continue reading] about Google’s New Web Browser: Google Chrome
Acne Treatment Ad #8: “Facing Acne As An Adult”
"Most people associate the term "acne" with images from high school and middle school yearbooks. However, even though your teenage years may be behind you, you won't necessarily be pimple free for the rest of your life." Guthy Renker isn't just the … [Continue reading] about Acne Treatment Ad #8: “Facing Acne As An Adult”
Bruce Barton’s 100% Response Rate Sales Letter
In a recent post about Bruce Barton's timeless space ads for the Alexander Hamilton Institute, I mentioned a letter he wrote which achieved an astounding 100% response rate. The letter was mailed to 24 influential executives and requested a $1,000 … [Continue reading] about Bruce Barton’s 100% Response Rate Sales Letter
Almased Synergy Diet: The Bikini Plan
What's in Almased's Daily "Bikini-Emergency-Plan," a.k.a. the Almased Synergy Plan? Soy, honey and yogurt. It's a low glycemic concoction you take three times a day as a meal replacement and has been promoted in Ladies Home Journal under the … [Continue reading] about Almased Synergy Diet: The Bikini Plan
Blackett Pharmacal (Red Weight Loss Adjunct)
This is Blackett Pharmacal's "Fat Loss Breakthrough" spread from the National Enquirer for the Red Weight Loss Adjunct. It's opposite page poses: "Want To Lose Body Fat?" "Q: I've lost about 20 pounds but still look fat...how can that be. A: It … [Continue reading] about Blackett Pharmacal (Red Weight Loss Adjunct)
How To Make A Space Ad Three Times More Responsive
Frank and Gayle Wood of FC&A Publishing are two info marketers you should watch. Their specialty is marketing information in the alternative health field and they use direct mail as well as space advertising. These two are masters at … [Continue reading] about How To Make A Space Ad Three Times More Responsive