In the next few paragraphs, I am going to cover some really simple tactics you can use with CopyDoodles direct marketing software to quickly enhance the readability of your order forms.

Below are two real life examples of forms that, due to the use of direct marketing software such as CopyDoodles, were very successful in capturing the attention of attendees and increasing sales.

The example on the left is an order form I used at a live speaking event and the example on the right is from one of our CopyDoodles direct marketing software customer, Susan Berkley. Susan recently sent this order form to me with the note that this order form performed much better than her typical order form.

As you can see in the above examples, there are several ways you can use handwritten notes to capture attention on your forms:

1. Call attention to your deadline – if you want potential customers to hand their order forms in by the end of the day, make a statement on your form with the use of a stamp!
CopyDoodles direct marketing software allows you to digitally create your own personalized stamps without the mess and hassle of typical stamps.

As you can see in the example on the right, I added a CopyStamp in the top left corner which helped to boost the number of respondents. On Susan’s order form on the right hand side, she used red CopyDoodles to call attention to her deadline by stating, “Today Only!,” “Act Now!,” and “Hurry!” Adding a second color greatly increases attention-grabbing power.

2. Use CopyDoodles direct marketing software to create handwritten bullet points! – Placing bullet points on order forms is a great strategy to use, but makes an even bigger impact when they have a handwritten look and feel.

Both of the above order forms are using handwritten check mark bullet points to describe their offer to potential customers.

3. Create arrows to draw your reader’s eye to important areas – Both order forms above also use arrows created with CopyDoodles direct marketing software to call attention to very important areas of the document.

These are great to use around your offer so readers engage with the benefits of purchasing today. They are also a great way to capture your reader’s eye and direct them down the order form to areas where they can enter their personal information.

The above techniques are very simple to implement on any order forms you are using when speaking or sending out to customers, especially if you are using CopyDoodles direct marketing software.

4. Use CopyDoodles to cross out “normal pricing” – Though not seen on the above examples, crossing out the original price on your order forms to then display a discounted price is a very effective way to get increased attention.

CopyDoodles direct marketing software has numerous different lines, large X’s, and other ways to easily and effectively make a statement to readers you are offering a very special price!

5. Finally, one final tip – NEVER name your order forms – “order forms.” I’m using the term amongst ourselves for this article, but the phrase “order form” is typically translated to “I need to spend money”, which is not what how you want people to think about your offer.

I like using names like “Activation Form”, “Fast Action Form”, etc. Subtle tweaks like this make all the difference in the world.

These techniques can be used both offline and online to boost response, increase readability, and make your forms look more personal and unique.

Do you have any special techniques that work for you on your forms? I’d love to hear any comments you have, including comments regarding the use of CopyDoodles direct marketing software program, in your posts below!

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Apparently there is some nasty, algae-type stuff floating around the North Pole. As the camera panned the ocean, this goo was floating on the water’s surface, leaving a disfiguring wound on an otherwise pristine natural setting.

Being a copy cosmetics geek, I couldn’t help but make the mental connection of how many people add a similar type of nasty goo to their copywriting and marketing design, in an effort to grab attention or even worse, make a half-hearted attempt to copy somebody else’s work.

The copywriting “goo” I am talking about is a misuse of the copy cosmetic techniques I teach and like the Artic goo, it takes away rather than adds to the effort. Whenever I speak or coach a master mind member, I always go back to what I call “functional design.” This means that every copy cosmetic technique used has a specific and functional purpose in mind. Everything is done with intention and careful thought. Nothing is done haphazardly.

Here’s a perfect example of what I am talking about...

Ever since I created CopyDoodles™, people all over the world have grasped the power of how adding handwritten notes and doodles to your marketing materials can boost response. However way too often I see what I consider a misuse of CopyDoodles, which I believe can result in decreased response rather than a boost!

Here’s the three biggest blunders I see:

1) Using too many CopyDoodles! The big benefit of CopyDoodles is to create “eye stops”, grab attention and cause the reader to pause at particular locations within your copy. However when too many CopyDoodles are used, it only confuses the reader. I always say “overuse = abuse” and when everything is emphasized, nothing stands out.

2) Using too many styles of CopyDoodles at one time! Currently there are five different styles of CopyDoodles found on the CopyDoodles membership site. This means, if one so desired, five different looking handwriting styles could be used on one piece or web site. BIG MISTAKE! Again I go back to one of the reasons I created CopyDoodles, which is to help people create their own “handwritten notes and doodles” quickly and easily and most importantly realistically! This is a key point – realism. If you were actually adding your own handwritten notes the old way, you wouldn’t be writing in different styles and handwriting – would you? This would make it appear like multiple people are adding notes, which doesn’t make sense to me, so why do it with CopyDoodles? I highly suggest you use one style of CopyDoodles within a single marketing piece.

3) Using too many colors! Much like mistake #2, using too many colors is often distracting and unnecessary. It creates the false illusion that you picked up different colored pens to make your notes. I don’t know about you, but the thought of picking up different pens to add notes to a letter to a friend doesn’t make sense. And if it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t seem real.

Which brings me to my final point. Effective copywriters understand that one of their main missions is to connect with the reader in a personal, 1:1 way. I often teach it’s like writing to a friend. Might you add a doodle here and there to draw her attention to areas within your copy?

Absolutely!

Would you make your letter look like a wall of graffiti, with different handwriting and different colors and way too much goo? I think not.

Keep these principles in mind when you craft your next marketing piece and watch your response rates soar!

To get your own FREE CopyDoodles and discover the power of boosting your marketing response using handwritten fonts, CopyDoodles, visit http://www.copydoodles.com.

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I did a double-take to see if this was one of my CopyDoodles (it wasn’t, but it sure looked close).  But it was gratifying to see a major magazine use this ultra-effective copywriting design technique to grab attention.  For the last 18 months, I have been teaching people how to use this technique to create instant "eye magnets" that literally force your reader to engage with your piece.

Lately, I have been seeing the use of simulated handwriting more and more.  It’s in the Sunday paper, it’s on television and in magazine ads.  As a matter of fact I have seen a number of book covers that use this technique to stand out, including this one.

In my marketing consulting company, I have done a number of split tests and across the boards the materials that contain handwritten notes and doodles always perform better than those without them.  Of course you have to know how and when to use them appropriately (just slapping a bunch of CopyDoodles on your materials without proper thought can be counter-productive).

The use of simulated handwriting goes back a long way in advertising and I have a theory as to why I think simulated handwriting is being used so effectively today.   The use of computers, word processing and laser printers has created “homogenized marketing.”  95% of everything looks the same.

And when you introduce a handwritten or hand-drawn element to the mix, it becomes very different in a simple, human kind of way.  The effectiveness of a simple red handwritten note and doodle can be huge.  Look at the book cover above.  Its power is in its simplicity and human appeal.

I believe the use of simulated handwriting is one of the easiest and fastest ways you can grab attention in your marketing.   My CopyDoodles makes this fast and easy and you don’t need a graphic designer to do it for you.  Check them out!

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