Today, I’m going to share 10 Sample MLM Classified Ads with you. I’m going to teach you what a classified ad is, tell you why you should consider them and share some of my best success tips.
What is a Classified Ad?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know what a classified ad is. In case you don’t know, here’s how Wikipedia defines it:
Classified advertising is a form of advertising which is particularly common in newspapers, online and other periodicals which may be sold or distributed free of charge. Classified advertisements are much cheaper than larger display advertisements used by businesses, although display advertising is more widespread. ~ Wikipedia
Pick up any local newspaper, magazine or trade journal and you will more than likely see classified ads. They’re typically small ads, about 20 words in length. There are classified ads to buy and sell homes, for dating, for pets, for business opportunities, and hundreds of other things. These ads are cheap, short and simple, and to the point. They are typically designed to sell something.
Why Use Classified Ads?
Here’s just a few quick reasons to consider using classified ads.
# 1: They Are Targeted
Classified ads are targeted. You have the reader’s attention. They are looking at the classified ads because they are looking for something particular.
# 2: They Are Cheap
Compared to other forms of advertising, classified ads are pretty cheap. Depending on the size of the newspaper, most classified ads I’ve purchased cost between $10 and $20.
# 3: Less Competition
Most businesses (and network marketers) are obsessed with online advertising. Many of them have shifted from print media to online media. This created a huge opportunity for someone looking to do print classified ads.
# 4: People Read Newspapers
Believe it or not, many people still read the daily newspaper, especially the Baby Boomers!
# 5: Longer Shelf Life
Compared to internet ads, classified ads have a longer shelf life. They can stick around for several days to several weeks, after someone has purchased a copy of the newspaper. Compare that to an internet ad that is there and gone in a matter of seconds.
# 6: Lots to Choose from
There are thousands of newspapers to choose from. Once you find an ad that works, you have thousands of different publications you can advertise in.
# 7: Easy to Track
Classified ads are easy to track. You can use a simple code with each ad to know which ones are pulling the best.
The Two Step Selling Process
Chances are, if you are like most network marketers you will just advertise your business opportunity or create a work from home ad.
Let me do you a favor and tell you to keep your credit card or checkbook in your pocket. The LAST THING you want to do is spend your hard earned money to advertise a business opportunity in the classified ads (or anywhere else)!
I’ve been there and done that and it doesn’t work like it used too. Yes, it worked really well during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, but in today’s world, it isn’t anywhere near as effective as it used to be.
Fortunately for you, there is a much better way to advertise your network marketing business via classified ads. What is that secret? I call it the two-step selling process.
This is the process of advertising something free, to generate a lead, and then offering your products and/or business opportunity on the back end. Basically, you are giving away a free report, video or book, in exchange for the person’s contact information. In return, your “free information” offers your business opportunity or products.
For example, a funeral home can advertise a free “estate planning kit.” The kit is mailed to the person. It provides value and educates them on estate planning. It also educates the reader on the services offered by the funeral home. Plus, the funeral home can use a sequential follow up process to convert the person into a paying customer.
Following this same approach is a smart way to grow your network marketing business. I’ll share 10 examples below, to give you some ideas.
Sample MLM Classified Ads
Listed below are my top ten MLM Classified Ads using a two-step selling process. You can use any of these MLM Classified Ads as is, combine two or more, or create your own. Here they are, in no particular order.
Ad # 1: Weight Loss
FREE Video! 7 Tips to Lose Weight Without Dieting. Visit our website for details.
Ad # 2: Legal Services MLM Company
FREE CD: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Get Your Will Done! Call 24/7 recorded message.
Ad # 3: Coffee MLM Company
FREE REPORT! 10 Neat Ways to Make Money Selling Coffee. Visit our website for details.
Ad # 4: Utility MLM Company
Save Money On Your Electric Bill. 10 Secret Tips. Free Video. Visit our website for details.
Ad # 5: Cell Phone MLM Company
Free Video! How to Eliminate Your Cell Phone Bill for Good. Visit our website for details.
Ad # 6: Skin Care MLM Company
Free Report! 10 Skin Care Tips for People on a Budget. Call our 24/7 recorded message for details.
Ad # 7: CBD Oil MLM Company
Got CBD? Cash in on the CBD trend! Visit our website to see our video.
Ad # 8: Essential Oils MLM Company
Free DVD: 10 Ways to Reduce Your Stress with Essential Oils! Visit Our Website to Learn More.
Ad # 9: Insurance MLM Company
FREE WEBINAR: 10 Ways to Save Money On Your Insurance. Visit our website for details.
Ad # 10: Beauty & Makeup MLM Company
Free Report: How to Look Beautiful on a Budget! Call our 24/7 message for info.
Aren’t these ads a lot more appealing to you than a standard business opportunity ad? I think so.
Can’t you see how you could arouse your prospect’s attention with an ad like this? Trust me, this is MUCH better than most classified ads that you see in newspapers.
People like free stuff. People love free INFORMATION that will help them solve a problem or achieve something specific.
The beauty of this approach is that you focus on generating a lead, and then you let your free information do the SELLING, SIFTING and SORTING for you. This is EXACTLY how I build my business.
Success Tips
Here are some of my best success tips when placing classified ads.
# 1: Don’t Mislead People
Don’t be deceptive or misleading. Do not promote your opportunity as a job. If the person has to pay shipping and handling to get your free report, make sure you specify that in your ad.
# 2: Don’t be Boring
Find a way to really make your ad stand out from the other ads. Read the newspaper ahead of time and look at the other ads. Find a way to be different and get noticed.
# 3: Use the Two-Step Selling Process
We covered this earlier, but under no circumstances should you lead with your business opportunity. Instead, offer free information and let that information do the selling for you.
# 4: Consider Using a Bold Outline
For a small upgrade, normally just a few dollars, you can get a bold outline around your classified ad. This makes it pop!
# 5: It’s All About the Headline
The most important part of your classified ad is your headline. Put a lot of thought into your headline. It should be no more than 4-5 words. Whatever you do, your headline must get your reader’s attention!
# 6: Tell Your Reader What to Do Next
At the end of your classified ad, make sure you tell your reader what you want them to do next. This is vital! Tell them to call your 24/7 sizzle call or visit your website.
# 7: Don’t be a One Hit Wonder
You must place your ad more than one time. Most readers will need to see an ad several times before they respond. Commit to your ad for at least 6-months. If you aren’t willing to do that, don’t even place an ad.
# 8: Include a 24/7 Sizzle Call
Sizzle call numbers work good. This is a 24/7 recorded message. Your readers can call the number at their convenience, listen to your message, and request additional information if they want it!
# 9: Don’t Say the Name of Your Company
Do not lead with your business opportunity. If you do, do not say the name of your MLM Company. Ever!
# 10: Test, Test, Test
It’s vital that you test and track what you do, especially if you are advertising in more than one publication. Include some type of tracking code so you know which ad each of your leads comes from.
Final Thoughts
In summary, these are 10 sample MLM Classified Ads you can use to promote your network marketing business in newspapers, trade journals, and magazines.
When you write an ad you want to be short and to the point. Use a catchy headline that grabs your prospect’s attention, share a few benefits of what you have to offer and then tell your reader what you want them to do next! It really is that simple.
Even though the internet is gaining popularity, people still read the newspaper, especially weekly publications. Plus, you will have a lot LESS competition if you focus on newspaper ads since so many network marketers are obsessed with the internet. Combine that with a two step selling process and you will be on your way.
What are your thoughts? What are your favorite classified ads to promote your MLM Business in newspapers? What type of results have you experienced? Leave a comment and let us know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.
I recently read an article, I forget exactly where, but the person said that it is much more effective when advertising in printed material such as magazines or newspapers to have 4,5 or 6 small ads placed throughout the publication instead of 1 large one. This makes perfectly good sense, because many people are “skimmers”. They may not see your 1 large ad, but by having multiple small ads, you give yourself better odds.
What are your thoughts on this? I just thought it sounded smarter than using 1 larger advertisement.
I would much rather do that myself, use a few smaller ads. I would also use a tracking code with each ad to see how they perform.
Yes, with online ads, it is wise to use a tracking code, but when it comes to printed items such as magazines and newspapers, you really cannot use a tracking code. How do you suggest determining which of those ads are getting the attention? I know some companies create a system where the person must send the ad in to receive whatever “free” or reduced price item they are offering. That is a good way to see which ads are the best. Do you have any other ideas?
You can use a different phone number with each ad, or you could put a CODE on each ad and have them leave the code in their message.
This is a great list of sample advertisements. One of the first things almost everyone notices is that magical word: FREE. This is where many network marketers make a mistake; they try to sell something on that first advertisement. there is nothing I detest more than reading through an ad that is long and drawn out just to find them wanting me to send them $39.99 to receive an eBook; and usually they had that magical word at the beginning of the ad. Deceptive practices such as that will not work…well maybe it will for a few suckers, but is it really worth it?
Thank you for the help in how to set up proper ads. Hopefully many will learn from this post.
Yes, people love free stuff. The goal should be to generate a lead first and then offer them something to buy once you have provided some value.
So for offline ads, you recommend sending them to a phone number, not a website? Where would you get a number for them to call that isn’t your home number? I’m presuming that this is an 800 number or something similar. Is there a service you recommend?
Thanks. I hadn’t considered offline ads like this before!
Yes, it’s easier to send someone to a website, but typically far less effective than sending them to a toll-free pre-recorded number that you DO NOT answer yourself. You can get a sizzle call number, such as grasshopper.com and you can pre-record a 2-3 minute message that gives your prospect more information. This will help sift and sort them, so only interested people leave a message. And then all you need to do is follow up with people to give them your free information.
Craigslist is also an effective, free (in most cases) venue to place a classified ad in. I have had some successes using Craigslist: the sheer volume of traffic that website enjoys is amazing. It is greater than any of the paper publications in my area. Any of these sample ads will work: thank you so much for sharing them. Sometimes I struggle with the wording of my advertisements. I do not want to sound like everyone else out there, so I would add some more detail to my ads. If nothing else, just putting website name out there builds familiarity.
I’ve done some ads on Craigslist myself in the past, but never with much success. I prefer newspaper ads if anything at all.
Another venue that works are magazine ads. Find a magazine that is geared toward the niche market you are after, and put one of these ads in there. Also many people go after newspapers, but rarely do people consider the “sales fliers and papers” that are everywhere. In the Midwest we had the Thrifty Nickle. These type of items are a great place to put these ads too.
You can do different tests with all of these resources to see which one gives you the best return on your investment. The truth of the matter is you never know which MLM Classified Ad or which publication will pull best. Experiment. Track your results and you are bound to find a winner. Magazines are definitely worth trying.
Classified ads present their users with unlimited source to gain profits. As a simple classified ad is read by thousands or millions of people, the product or service that uses classified ads surly gets high readership and thus enjoys increased returns from a single inexpensive classified advertisement.
Yes, classified ads do work well in certain situations, depending upon your niche, your offer, and the medium you choose to advertise in.
I like the idea of the MLM ads. I think they’ll get people’s attention and puts the ball in their court. I was going to ask what a 24/7 pre-recorded message might sound like, but you answered that in your post (above). It makes sense to have them leave a message. Hopefully, it will create some anticipation on their end, and allow you to call back at your convenience.
It’s always better to be the hunted rather than being the hunter. What’s great about classified ads is that they get people to call you. It takes a fairly serious person to pick up the phone, call you, listen to your message and then leave a message. That helps weed out the tire kickers and put you in a position to succeed.
I’m formulating my own MLM lead-generating classified ad right now! Your examples give us some great ideas to work with. Are you going to write something about how to get the most benefit from the pre-recorded message? That would be quite helpful. Most of us don’t like answering machines…
I can do an add on a pre-recorded message. It would say something like this: “Thanks for calling today. My name is Rick Smith Smith and I’m pleased to be partnered with a leading health and wellness company. If you would like to know how our products and business opportunity can help you meet your financial and/or fitness goals, leave a message and I will call back within 48 hours. Thanks for calling. Have a great day.”
I feel as if I’m missing something here. So they call, leave a message, then you’re stuck chasing them down again. What do you do to avoid that?
No matter what type of advertising you do you are going to have to follow up. Nothing beats following up by phone. Yes, you can use an auto-responder too, but I would prefer the phone follow up over anything else. Hope that helps.
Yes it does, thank you. 🙂
This is an excellent and informative article regarding generating leads and being ahead of the competition in this industry. I really like how word play can be used to reach the audiences of any demographic through this use of classifieds via internet and newspapers. I agree that newspapers are still the way to go in this technology driven society. Since the competition is less, the rewards will be greater for the network marketer.
By all means use the internet to grow a business, but don’t neglect time tested methods like newspaper advertising. They are by no means sexy, but they still work and are very cost effective.
I hadn’t considered newspaper ad placement. The lower level of competition because everyone is obsessed with internet marketing is a good point, I hadn’t thought of that. I guess that means I am online obsessed as well!
It seems that if you approached a classified ad the same way you would an internet marketing piece, namely, having the focus be a call to action (CTA) to drive leads, like you are recommending, a classified ad would be successful.
Thanks for the ideas!
The internet is great, but newspaper ads can pull just as well. And in most cases, your leads are better quality.