Take me away to the Land of Lagniappe

Wow, did you spot this beauty last weekend in the Houston Chronicle? They say any ad has 2 seconds to get your attention. Well this one had me at hello. The photo introduces us to the Lauberge du lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, LA. The designers kept my interest with the headline: Rooms from $149. Extra helping of luxury included. But the clincher came in the body copy that promises golf, shopping and an escape to another world. Not being from Louisiana I had to check the definition for Lagniappe-- a little something extra you get when you make a purchase from a merchant in that part of the country. It all makes you want to call or visit their website to book a reservation.

Wow, W. Dallas Victory

Whatever, whenever. Who could ask for more?

Well, take a look at this striking full page, full color ad for W. Dallas Victory Residences....

Where you will discover the wow factor that comes in living in one of the nation's most dynamic urban neighborhoods. The image instantly sells the warmth and the view. Well written ad copy transforms casual interest to desire for more. With phone and website contact info you know it's time to act. Before they are all gone.

How much is 25% off?

The lady in the ad is screaming for joy because Jetson's in Ft. Pierce, Florida is offering 25% off matching pairs of Whirlpool front loaders.

Style points for the look and layout. The signal is clear. And the big bold benefit headline jumps off the page.

Unfortunately the message is short on proof. 25% off what? Add the regular price and the savings-- provided the specifics prove it's a smoking hot deal-- and response will spike.

Otherwise, it's just another pretty ad.

Sweet Deals on new homes

A scoop of ice cream in the height of summer is bound to get everyone's attention. And the headline-- Sweet Deals-- begs the reader to discover more.

Copy is well written and clever.

You might think this ad should get high marks for effectiveness.

Problem is that serious home buyers, and the number grows each day as the market rebounds, might miss this display ad because it forgets a basic rule: newspaper ads have but 2 seconds to get the reader's attention. And the readers that count are the ones that are warm or hot prospects.

Make the ad larger, add a photo of a happy couple stepping across the threshold of their new home at Alamo Creek and the marketers at Shapell Homes are likely to see higher traffic counts this weekend at their model homes.