By Duy Huynh 
Alright, let me tell you how I totally fumbled around learning this advertisement writing thing today. Seriously, I thought it would be easier. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
It all started because my buddy Dave asked me to help with some flyers for his new car wash spot opening next month. He said “just make it sound good!” Easy for him to say. I opened up a blank doc and just stared at it. Like, where do you even begin? Headline? Picture? Special offer? Pure panic.
So, I grabbed my laptop this morning and typed “what is advertisement writing format” into the search bar. Figured I needed some kind of structure. Loads of articles popped up, most sounded like rocket science – way too complicated. Dave doesn’t need rocket science, he needs people lining up to get their cars washed. I needed basics, clear and simple.
I found this one page that broke it down into what seemed like pieces I could handle. They kept it really basic, calling them like “must-have parts” for any ad. Here’s what stuck:
- Get Attention (The Big Hook): First thing folks see. Could be a question, something shocking, or just plain interesting. Gotta grab ’em quick.
- Explain the Deal (What’s In It For Me?): Okay, you got their eyeballs. Now tell them why they should care. What problem do you solve for them? What do they get?
- Build Some Trust (Why Should I Believe You?): Right? Anyone can say their car wash is the best. Maybe show customer reviews, talk about years in business, mention any guarantees.
- Tell Them What To Do (The Nudge): Don’t leave them hanging! Say “Call now,” “Visit our website,” “Stop by today,” “Offer ends Friday!” Clear instructions.
- Offer Something Sweet (The Cherry on Top): Discounts, freebies, limited-time bonuses. Everyone loves a deal.
Made sense in theory. Time to test it on Dave’s car wash disaster zone (my mind, not his actual place… yet!). Here’s my first awful try:
BIG HEADLINE: Car Wash Now Open!
Explanation/Deal: We wash cars.
Trust Builder: We are good.
Action Nudge: Come in.
Offer: None.
Yeah, that was terrible. Looked boring, sounded boring. Dave would kill me. Zero hook. No “what’s in it for them.” “We are good” – ugh. And “come in”? Weak!
The examples on that page saved me. They showed ads for burgers, gyms, and software. Simple, punchy language. Focusing on the customer, not the business. So I had another go:
Get Attention: Tired of Bird Poop & Dust? Get Your Gleam Back!
Explain the Deal: Sparkling Diamond Car Wash gives your car a showroom shine in under 10 minutes. Protect your paint, save yourself time!
Build Some Trust: Voted “Best Shine in Town” 2023 by City Gazette readers!
Tell Them What To Do: Swing by Grand Opening Week, May 15-21!
Offer Something Sweet: FIRST WASH ONLY $5! (Regular $15)
Okay, way better! Still feels rough around the edges, but it hits all the points. The headline actually sounds like a problem people have. Explains quickly what they do and what the customer gets (shine, protection, time saved). Throws in a trust thing with the “Voted Best” bit. Specific action (Swing by Grand Opening Week) and a sweet, clear deal ($5 first wash).
Took me writing maybe four or five versions, just playing with words, shortening things, trying to make the offer pop more. I kept saying the headlines out loud. “Bird poop & dust”? Sounds messy, but people get it. “Gleam Back”? Sounds nice. “Under 10 minutes”? Appeals to busy folks.
End of the day, I feel like I actually got somewhere concrete. It’s not about fancy words; it’s about having this basic skeleton to hang your message on. Know what pieces you need, throw away the jargon, and just talk straight to people about what they want. Dave owes me a massively discounted car wash, that’s for sure. Probably several.
yadanarbon 