How Sexy is Your Marketing?

‐ September 16, 2014

What is “Sexy” Marketing?

The term sex appeal has been used in marketing since the mid 1960’s. Typically it means using a scantily dressed model to sell some product. Marketers found out that using these models attracted attention. Early on, it worked. Then over the years the art of using sex appeal has degraded to the point that most of the ads you see today are only selling sex and fall far short of getting a product sold.

The 3 things all advertising has to accomplish are: 1) attract attention, 2) impinge a message on the viewer and 3) get someone to buy something. (You can do that without using a half naked body.)

How can you use sex appeal to create more business? It is probably not how you think!

To understand exactly what your ad needs to do to have “sex appeal” and be effective, we need to start by defining some terms:

  • Attention – The concentration of the mental powers upon an object; a close or careful observing or listening. 2. Observant consideration; notice.
  • Impinge – to have an effect; make an impression.
  • Sex appeal – n. desirability, attractiveness, allure, glamour, sensuality, magnetism, sexiness, oomph.

How Sexy is Your MarketingYou will notice in the definition of “Sex Appeal” that only two of the descriptive definitions are about sex or bodies. Most of the descriptions have to do with appeal and creating an attraction to something. For marketing purposes any advertising that creates interest and desire for a product could be considered to have “Sex Appeal.”

How you use sex appeal depends on who the target audience is for the advertising. The target audience would also determine what type of medium you would use; postcard, direct mailer, full color self mailing brochure, billboard, TV or radio advertising. Even your business cards, stationery and pocket folders should be designed so they appeal and impinge on your target audience.

Look at your company’s marketing materials, do they attract and demand attention?

Lets talk about impingement. Have you ever seen a billboard with a compelling message that made you look twice? Or how about an intriguing direct mail piece that you just had to open? Do you remember what the ad said? If not, the ad did a good job of getting attention but fell short of impinging a message to you.

There are ways to build a message so that it attracts attention. The use of color, a bold headline and a photo are important elements. The use of eye trail is also very important. Eye trail is the design technique of catching the attention of the viewer with some element in the ad and then directing their eye (and attention) through the ad and ending up at the call-to-action section of ad. But impingement comes from how you put these things together.

Need Help Designing a Sexy Postcard? Click Here.

The overall ad has to communicate to your target audience. A large part of the reason a piece of advertising impinges is that it contains information on what your prospects and customers need and want. To get that information you need to survey your customers and prospects to find out what they need and what problem they are trying to solve by buying your product. With this information you have the basic building materials to create effective marketing and advertising.

After the advertising is created the next step is to do a flash test survey of the completed ad. Simply take the ad and show it to a customer for about 10 seconds and then ask them what they got from the ad. NOTE: It is best to show the ad to a customer not an employee. Showing your advertising to your employees or sales people is usually a bad idea because you will get invalid feedback on the ad. Your employees are definitely more educated about your product or service than your customers and they will have a different viewpoint about your product or service than your customers. Your customers and prospects, the people whom you are trying to influence and sell something to, are generally uneducated about your company and your products and services. Since you are trying to sell to the uneducated only their viewpoint matters. You want to find out if the ad gets the attention of your customers and if the message impinges on them.

You want to find out:

1. What did the ad communicate to them?

2. What did they remember from the ad?

We have put together a 10-point checklist to help you build an effective ad whether you decide to use our company or not. Our graphic artists can help you design effective postcards and direct mail pieces. We design and print other materials as well. At some point, if you don’t already have it, you need a total image package to tie together all of your marketing so that everything is going in one direction.

Do you want effective marketing that creates customers for you business? As you can see marketing your company is a full time job. Our company acts as a marketing arm for many of our clients saving them time and money.

I hope this information helped you. If we can do anything to help your company to be more successful please give us a call.

©2005-2014 Mark Hale, All Rights Reserved

High Quality
Printing And Design

Our Services

  • Postcard Printing
  • Business Brochures
  • Booklet Printing
  • Flyers
  • Signs and Banners
  • Customer Thank You Cards
  • Websites
  • Custom Pocket Folders

    Join 1,000s of
    happy customers

    Amanda Septimo
    2020-07-02
    My business is located in Wisconsin and I have been a bit frustrated with my local design/print options. I was searching on youtube and came found the Wilson Print Marketing youtube page and I was impressed. I gave them a call and they assisted me in designing a remodeling dream book that I could send to interior designers and general contractors. I am so happy I reached out. The design is AMAZING and the print quality is top of the line. I am so impressed and they will be my go to company for all of my design/print needs.
    Vicki Gailzaid
    2020-05-19
    I just had a book of poems printed by Wilson Printing and they did more then a fine job! They did it fast and competitively prices as well. Their service is friendly and truly unbeatable. The Owner Mark Hale is top notch also-He listens to what you need and want-Is not robotic but genuinely interested in you and your requirements. I highly recommend this company.
    Jomgg B
    2020-01-20
    Wow, how refreshing. I saw the YouTube they put out on brochures and liked the information so well I looked up their phone number. I talked to Kelsi and she was so helpful and professional. Real professional company that I plan to align with.
    Alan Holmes
    2019-10-10
    I have found Wilson Printing to be comprised of friendly, punctual, and dedicated team members. We have utilized them for several projects over the years and will continue to do so in the future. Thank you!
    Roei Azoviv
    2019-10-03
    Great service
    Jennifer Stepanek
    2019-09-26
    We have been very happy with Wilson printing. They have been helpful, professional and easy to work with getting our mailers out quickly at a good price. Highly recommend this company.
    Fabrizio Beltran
    2019-09-24
    Amazing team; I haven’t seen a company with such great customer service in years; from the office front desk to production to delivery. Reliable, organized, and high quality.
    Ulan Nutritional Systems, Inc.
    2019-09-23
    LOVE this place! They always print everything perfectly, onetime (usually faster) and they are very friendly. Don't go anywhere else for printing!!
    Marcy Sargeant
    2019-08-26
    Wilson Printing staff are professionals who are easy to work with, fast, friendly and competent. I'm so pleased our promotional products. I highly recommend them.
    Jennie Polson
    2019-05-28
    We recently were looking for an alternative for our printing needs. The staff at Wilson Printing helped me from design concept, pricing to fit our budget, difficultly with addresses, and etc. I could go on and on. Every question I had was researched and answered. They will walk you through the process and help you determine exactly what you need and work within your budget. You can not go wrong with them. It is family owned and operated and their customer service is 10 stars not just 5!!
    testimonials