No matter what product you sell or service you provide you must think about customer education.

Maybe once upon a time there was a sucker born every minute, but not anymore. Twenty-first century prospects are more educated and have more information and research available to them at their fingertips than ever before. This is in large part due to the Internet’s information superhighway. But it is also a result of the bright light that media commentators shine on marketing, alerting consumers to manipulative techniques.

Fear is the greatest roadblock to many purchases, especially high- ticket products or services. It is an emotion that takes many shapes:

• Fear of overpaying

• Fear of looking stupid

• Fear of buying a lemon

• Fear of not buying the best

• Fear of buying it when they really didn’t need it

• Fear that they won’t get the benefits that were promised

• Fear that you won’t stand behind your product

• Fear that they won’t be able to obtain a refund if they made a wrong choice

Your customers want information and credible advice. What they DON’T want is a sales pitch. The best way to overcome the fears that keeps consumers from buying is to educate them. When you focus your marketing efforts on educating, the customer it’s called Education-Based Marketing (EBM).

EBM is a way to sell without selling.

Highly educated consumers have the ability to differentiate the benefits of products or services in their own minds, which gives them a sense of comfort and security. Comfort and security help a consumer hurdle their fears which, in turn, it gives them the green light to buy your product.

How much education is required? Good question! It varies from product to product. The amount of education you need to give to a prospect is based on the value of your products or services and the customer’s awareness of your products or services.

But make no mistake about it: the more informed a consumer feels, the more likely he/she is to buy now. And that’s exactly what you need to make your business (and your profits) grow.

The following 21-point copywriter’s checklist will help you inform, engage, and ultimately SELL:

The ‘21 Club’ of Copywriting

1. Don't talk about yourself; it's not about you!

2. Keep it AIDA simple ─ create Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action.

3. Test your headlines ─ you only have one chance to get it right.

4. Determine the unique selling proposition for your product and from that, create your headline in a clear, short phrase.

5. Remember people are asking, "What is in it for me?"

Talk to them about their feelings, values, and the benefits of your product.

6. Be honest with your prospect.

7. Write as much copy as you need and no more.

8. Don't be boring, but don't be flippant.

9. State your biggest benefits right away, don’t hold them back for the big finish, many people will never read your big finish.

10. Sub-headlines can be questions that the customer is asking.

11. Use bullets and underlines as well as bold face type, but sparingly.

12. Detail your offer and summarise the offer throughout the copy.

13. Repeat your headlines and summarise your offers again.

14. Ask for action.

15. Make it easy to order. "All you have to do is..."

16. Don't trust ad agencies or do image advertising.

17. Test on a small basis before rolling out on a large scale.

18. Be 100% believable.

19. Hit all the hot buttons you can.

20. Make your offer personal and exciting.

21. Use the many devices available such as sweepstakes, free gifts, new and improved, guarantees and money-back, limited time offers, etc.

I can’t stress this enough: great copy sells products and services. It’s worth all the blood, sweat, tears, and time you take to craft a marketing message that is appealing, engaging, and moves the reader to take action.