Is this call to action outdated?

seven777 · 12-19-2009, 11:06 PM

"Call Today for a FREE Consultation"

Tried and tested, or outdated and overused?

I'm looking for opinions on whether people screen this out due to overuse, or whether it's used so much because it works.

Anybody avoid using this in favor of something different?

Thank you

RickDuris · 12-20-2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seven777

"Call Today for a FREE Consultation"

Tried and tested, or outdated and overused?

Might want to consider adding a short benefit for the consultation and be more specific.

"Call 1(XXX)YYY-ZZZZ Right Now for a FREE Consultation. You'll learn three sure-fire ways to improve your salesletter's calls to action."

If your market is a bit more upscale:

"Call 1(XXX)YYY-ZZZZ Right Now for a Complementary Consultation. You'll learn three sure-fire ways to improve your salesletter's call to action."

I did hear this particular call to action on the radio recently, and they also added a number of callers piece.

"Call 1(XXX)YYY-ZZZZ for a FREE Consultation. You'll learn three sure-fire ways to improve your salesletter's call to action. Plus, if you're also one of the first 5 callers, we'll also include a full copywriting makeover. But you have to CALL NOW."

Good Luck,

- Rick Duris

marciayudkin · 12-20-2009, 05:38 AM

Free consultation on what?

How will you be better off after the free consultation?

It is much more effective to say something more like...

Call now to find out exactly which of the five most important factors for success your company has been ignoring.

OR

Call now to get a free consultation on how to enjoy the clear, acne-free face that so many others seem to have as their birthright.

Marcia Yudkin
Copywriting Mentor

seven777 · 12-20-2009, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the replies. I hear this call to action 2-3 times a day on the radio, in print, on TV. I've been trying to figure out whether it's being used so much because it's been proven to work.

Good ideas on being more specific. I'll definitely be taking that advice.

Any other opinions are much appreciated.

businessmatt · 12-27-2009, 12:31 AM

As long as you give a good reason why they'd want a free consultation, I think it can work quite well. People like free, but they don't want free junk, they want something of value.

RickDuris · 12-27-2009, 01:38 AM

businessmatt brings home a WONDERFUL point.

A lot of times, marketers will try to take a strategy like the "call now for a free consultation" and implement it "right out of the box."

And the strategy may still fall flat.

Usually, it has to do with the execution of the strategy, not with the strategy itself.

Doing something that's been proven to work that: 1. Many other prospects have seen, so the value and differentiation is mooted and even cheapened 2. Previous marketers have bungled up... are just a couple of those reasons for failure.

For instance, how many marketers have taken that same strategy and sent their prospects straight to a phoneroom to be SOLD instead of truly consulted and educated into making the right decision?

The potential prospects now when they see that same offer, "smell a rat."

Obviously, you don't want to be lumped in with THOSE guys. Prospects aren't stupid, they know the difference between a sales pitch and a consult.

So even though the strategy DOES in fact work, you may have to customize the delivery of the offer. One way is to maybe guarantee or personalize the benefits of a free consultation.

Free consultations are POWERFUL. But they must be done so that the prospect understands the value they will be getting beforehand and then once the consultation ends, they appreciate and respect and even revere the value they have gotten.

- Rick Duris

View Poll Results: Tried and Tested or Overused?
Tried and Tested	4	66.67%
Overused	2	33.33%
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll

12-19-2009, 11:06 PM	#1
seven777 Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 32 Thanks: 24 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is this call to action outdated? "Call Today for a FREE Consultation" Tried and tested, or outdated and overused? I'm looking for opinions on whether people screen this out due to overuse, or whether it's used so much because it works. Anybody avoid using this in favor of something different? Thank you

12-20-2009, 05:38 AM	#3
marciayudkin Marketing Mentor War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maui and Massachusetts Posts: 1,226 Thanks: 139 Thanked 645 Times in 305 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is this call to action outdated? Free consultation on what? How will you be better off after the free consultation? It is much more effective to say something more like... Call now to find out exactly which of the five most important factors for success your company has been ignoring. OR Call now to get a free consultation on how to enjoy the clear, acne-free face that so many others seem to have as their birthright. Marcia Yudkin Copywriting Mentor
	Author, Meatier Marketing Copy, available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, Audible audiobook “There are few genuine thought leaders in the field of copywriting. Marcia Yudkin is one of them. The strategies she presents in Meatier Marketing Copy are all easy to understand and implement, yet profoundly insightful. If you want to write marketing copy that sizzles and sells, this book is a must-read.” - Steve Slaunwhite, Author, Start & Run a Copywriting Business, Co-Author, The Wealthy Freelancer

12-20-2009, 11:30 AM	#4
seven777 Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 32 Thanks: 24 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Is this call to action outdated? Thanks for the replies. I hear this call to action 2-3 times a day on the radio, in print, on TV. I've been trying to figure out whether it's being used so much because it's been proven to work. Good ideas on being more specific. I'll definitely be taking that advice. Any other opinions are much appreciated.

12-27-2009, 12:31 AM	#5
businessmatt HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 128 Thanks: 34 Thanked 35 Times in 27 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is this call to action outdated? As long as you give a good reason why they'd want a free consultation, I think it can work quite well. People like free, but they don't want free junk, they want something of value.
	When life gives you lemons, at least you don't get scurvy.

12-27-2009, 01:38 AM	#6
RickDuris Rick Duris CopyRanger.com War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Posts: 1,180 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,431 Times in 518 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Is this call to action outdated? businessmatt brings home a WONDERFUL point. A lot of times, marketers will try to take a strategy like the "call now for a free consultation" and implement it "right out of the box." And the strategy may still fall flat. Usually, it has to do with the execution of the strategy, not with the strategy itself. Doing something that's been proven to work that: 1. Many other prospects have seen, so the value and differentiation is mooted and even cheapened 2. Previous marketers have bungled up... are just a couple of those reasons for failure. For instance, how many marketers have taken that same strategy and sent their prospects straight to a phoneroom to be SOLD instead of truly consulted and educated into making the right decision? The potential prospects now when they see that same offer, "smell a rat." Obviously, you don't want to be lumped in with THOSE guys. Prospects aren't stupid, they know the difference between a sales pitch and a consult. So even though the strategy DOES in fact work, you may have to customize the delivery of the offer. One way is to maybe guarantee or personalize the benefits of a free consultation. Free consultations are POWERFUL. But they must be done so that the prospect understands the value they will be getting beforehand and then once the consultation ends, they appreciate and respect and even revere the value they have gotten. - Rick Duris
	http://www.copyranger.com