A good classified ad will attract unparallel positive response. Yet classified ads are very cheap compared to other online advertising methods like Google Adwords, banner ads, etc. Classified ads brings you back to grassroot advertising that you put in your local papers, daily news, magazines, trade journals, and so on. So how do you write a classified ad that will bring in the money?

1. Grab Their Attention With A Powerful Headline

This is the most important element of every classified ad. This is simply the opener. This is the very first component of your ad that is seen by the prospect. So any scanning reader is going to decide whether or not to read your ad based on the instant appeal of your headline. So every word is critical.

But nothing is quite as important as the first word. The first word needs to be different from all other competing ads that are out there to try to grab attention for readership. Your headlines must be concise and directed at the specific target market that you are going for.

2. Arouse Curiosity and Wonder in the Mind of the Prospect

Your ad will no doubt list lots of benefits for your prospect. However whatever fabulous benefits that you promised needs to be enhanced with a dash of credibility. Avoid general promises like 'Make Millions' or 'Make Unlimited Wealth In Only 3 Months'. Instead, use real numbers that your prospect can actually believe in. For example, say 'Last month, I earned $6,475.84 from my own home based business.' Real figures appear to be more genuine and particularly if the number changes to reflect growth and profitability, it adds to your credibility to mention that as well.

You also need to take your prospect through a mental journey where they can imagine themselves enjoying the benefits you mentioned in your ad. And make them wonder if the benefits can be achieved. So make it very appealing yet realistic. In advertising, perception is everything. Whatever you promised, you have to be sure that it is within the possibilities.

3. Specifically Define What You Have For Your Prospect

You want your prospect to be aware of the exact details concerning your offer. Precisely identify what it is that you have to offer. If your prospect is interested in a home business opportunity, then make it clear in the beginning that that's what you have for them.

4. Capture Your Prospect NOW

Make your offer so attractive that your prospect cannot resist. You want all potential prospect to respond to your ad. Your job is to get as many of your target market to respond to your ad. Your prospects are interested in what you can do for them NOW, not later. You need to think and focus your marketing effort on the people who are going to buy your product or service right now. You want to make it easy for your prospect to follow through the steps and take up the offer.

If you are promoting a product online, make sure that you give them the website and tell them to go the website. Better still, if you are advertising online, make a link where they can click and automatically be brought to the website.

5. Use Prospect Anticipation To Your Advantage

When your prospect respond to your ad, they are eagerly awaiting your reply. So don't delay. You need to answer very promptly. Strike when the iron is hot. You are going to give them what they intensely desire, so you have to be in contact with them quickly, so that they can act on what they need to act on. It is often when they are awaiting your reply, that they make subconscious decisions to buy or not to buy. Even before more details arrive, or before you give them the website or before they make the purchase, you need to promise them that what they are going to buy is everything that they need. And often, the materials you will send them, or the website that you are going to give them becomes the logical justification of their decision to buy. So use prospect anticipation to your advantage.

Remember, never underestimate the power of a good classified ad.