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Hey! IBM’s old ads are a masterclass in B2B advertising. Here are 9 principles I've learned from them: 1. Features FirstBenefits are great, but when comparing their options, clients will list features side by side. Make sure you come out on top. 2. Show Use Cases, Not UIMost software looks the same. So, in your ads, show how the product actually helps your users. Save the product screenshots for the landing page or demo. 3. Leave Room for CuriosityDon’t spell everything out. Let them connect the dots.
4. Address the ElephantDon’t ignore the critics. Turn that tension into a story, and get people on your side. 5. Visualize NumbersStats and figures can be confusing. But when you turn them into visuals, you don’t just make the feature clearer—you grab attention, too. 6. Use AnalogiesExplain the unfamiliar through the familiar. 7. Make It RelatableStep into your customer’s shoes (or office) and see things from their POV. 8. Keep It RealToo many companies overpromise. Say what you can do—and what you can’t. Users will trust you more. 9. Write Like a HumanListen to demo recordings or grab lunch with one of your prospects. They’ll never say “cutting-edge synergy” in a real conversation. You made it! 🕺Talk soon, P.S. Check out my course: Boring Products, Fun Ads. 3.5 hours – and you'll never make a boring B2B ad again. Here's what Donovan, a copywriter at Apple, says:
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Learn how to brainstorm brilliant ads and copy | You’ll get one practical recipe every two weeks | Free bonus: get 25 creative marketing cheatsheets when you sign up.
Read in your browser↗ Hey! This is a Flipped Phrase headline: And another one from an insurance company. See the pattern? Let’s use this technique to write an ad for Sentry (software that helps devs find and fix bugs). Step 1: Find phrases The result should look something like this... Step 2: Flip them I go over the phrases and try to flip just one word to its opposite. I'm not there yet, so I ask AI for help. More examples = better outcome I actually like this one: The Silicon Valley cliché...
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