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.
If GIFs aren't playing, read in your browser ↗ Hey! AI video isn’t good enough yet to replace real production. But here are three ways I’m already using it in my work: Use Case I: Surreal Ads Using AI for emotional or "realistic" ads is cringe. But for more goofy ideas, it can work. Here’s my process: • Product: Zendesk • Promise: Speed up your customer support. 1. Key Frame Animating static images is usually easier than generating videos from scratch. So, I used GPT to create this: 2....
Read in your browser ↗ Hey! Dan Nelken once said, "Great headlines aren't great sentences – they're great ideas expressed in words." So today, I'll show you how a classic ideation method, Osborn’s Checklist, can be used to write headlines. tl;dr Save and print the PDF version here. Now, let's break it down: 1. Adapt 🤔 Ask: • What could I adapt or copy? • Emulate another ad or brand?• Borrow from other industries? • Can I take from the past?• Borrow from pop culture?• Try something else like...
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