TOP TEN TIPS
Corporate Advertisement Design
1 Double check contact details
If there is a typing error anywhere on your advert, you really don't want it in your phone number or address. Triple check the contact details and then triple check them again.
2 Research the advertising space in advance
Get as much information about the position of the advert and the publication as possible before starting the design. Check out what the competition's adverts are like and strive to stand out from them.
3 Get a complete spec from publication immediately
If designing an advert for a publication or other advertising situation, remember to get a complete specification of size, screen, colours and how to supply the advert. Do it before starting to design the advert. Mistakes can be costly to fix at the last minute
4 Bleed or insert
When booking advertising space find out if it is a bleed-off or insert advert. If it is Bleed-off then allow about 5mm of bleed (unless otherwise specified by the advertising seller) to avoid the possibility of thin white lines at the edge of your advert.
5 Don't stray from the text area
Bleed-off adverts usually have a text area specified, smaller than the size of the advert itself. It is risky to print text or important imagery outside of the text area since it may be cropped off when the publication is produced and cropped.
6 Reference all adverts
Always include a unique reference number on your advertisements. By asking people to quote this number when contacting you in your advert you can keep track of which adverts in which areas are working for you.
7 Features Tell, Benefits Sell
If selling a product or service, highlight the benefits to the customer of buying your goods rather than just listing the features. Don't just tell them what you or your product do, tell them what they stand to gain by buying from you.
8 Keep it consistent
If you are running a large campaign, don't mix your messages or slogans. Hammer you message home so that it will be remembered. We all know that you can't get better than a particular tyre and exhaust fitter. We've had it drilled into us.
9

Play by the Rules
There are very specific regulations to advertising. Be aware of what you can and cannot do within the law. For details on current regulations contact the Advertising Standards Association (ASA). You will find a link to their web site on our Links Page.
10 Get Feedback
  Get feedback from all of your advertising and act upon the comments received. As with any form of marketing, feedback is the best way to measure the success of your campaign.
Page URL: http://www.adscreative.com/topten/adverts/
Date created: 4th October 1999
Date last modified: 22nd February 2000
Webmaster: Bruce Wilkie
Inquiries: studio@adscreative.com