Download Advertising Techniques

Common Advertising Strategies
1. Celebrity Sightings
- Movie stars, singers, sports stars and TV actors are all used to sell an idea or a
product.
- Can you think of an TV ad or magazine that uses a celebrity to sell a product?
- Why do you think that this technique works?
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
2. Catchy Slogans
- Are you “lovin’ it”? Does it “melt in your mouth and not in your hands”?
- How many advertising slogans can you think of? Can you come up with over 25!
- A catchy slogan helps people remember the product or store.
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
3. Music / Theme song
- How many of you sing along to ads on the radio or TV?
- How many hit songs have you heard used to advertise a product?
- When people hear that song on the radio, it makes them think of the product.
- Music can also add excitement or drama to an ad.
- Why do you think this is an effective advertising strategy?
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
4. Beautiful People
- Everyone and everything in an ad is perfect! Nobody has a hair out of place, a
pimple, frizzy hair or even a messy house.
- The message being sent is “If you buy our product, you can look this beautiful and
fabulous.” Or “If you use this product your house will look perfect.”
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
5. Cute Mascots
- Mascots are mostly used to target kids and create a sense of fun.
- Just think of all the mascots used to sell breakfast cereal!
- How many can you come up with?
- Companies hope that children will encourage their parents to buy food / toys that
look fun and have a friendly cartoon character associated with them.
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
Advertising Techniques Con’t
6. Heart Strings
- We’ve all seen ads that bring a smile to our face or even make us cry.
- By appealing to our emotions, companies hope we’ll remember the good
feelings, happy reunions, wedding proposals, family fun and more, that
happened with their product.
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
7. Humor
- Everyone likes to laugh and humor is a sure-fire way to grab people’s attention.
- Why does humor sell products?
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
8. Statistics / Testimonials
- “4 out of 5 dentists recommend this toothpaste”
- “Johnny Smith says his back pain was cured by Magic Pill after only 3 weeks!!”
- Statistics and testimonials give a product or company credibility.
- Why do people listen to statistics or testimonials?
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
9. Wahoo! Excitement!
- Take a sip of this drink and your whole life turns upside down… you’re
whisked away to a colorful world of fun and excitement!
- Companies use bright colors and enthusiasm to sell their product. Not only are
they selling a product, but they are selling the idea of FUN!!
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
10. Put Downs
- “Better than the other leading brand!”
- “Teenagers love Koca Kola more than Bebsi!”
- Companies often compare themselves to their competitors and put down or
insult their competition.
- Does this technique work? Why or why not?
EXAMPLE: __________________________________________________
11. Can you think of any more techniques advertisers use?