Garnering Maximum Sales and Attracting Affiliates: The Use of Obscenities in Sales Letters

Most smart internet marketers recognize the importance of a powerful sales letter to both compel readers to buy and to attract affiliates, which are an invisible, voluntary, independent sales force who spread the word about their product.

Many of them go out of their way to provide tools and support for their affiliates. The last thing they want to do is do something to drive them away, however, one major error that a marketer hoping to attract serious marketers should not make is using obscenities that actually discourage interest.

While it is considered a good practice to use a shocking headline to get readers' attention, it's not enough to just shock the reader. The headline must be relevant and it must make the reader want to keep reading. Shock value alone is not enough.

It is true that even some direct mail marketing greats have resorted to using obscenities or near-obscenities in an effort to shock readers and grab their attention. Of course, any ethical tactic that works to bring you maximum sales is essentially a good one. But, the use of obscenities in sales copy carries inherent risks.

While there is nothing really wrong with the practice of using obscenities in sales, it should be done advisedly - if at all. More than likely, there is a more effective way to word your statement to create genuine impact and arouse interest.

By using obscenities in your sales letter, not only do you run the risk of turning off a pool of prospective buyers, but, a large pool of affiliates, as well. These affiliates would be linking their web sites and their name with your sales letter. Many affiliates will not promote products with offensive language because they don't want to offend their own readers with whom they have spent a lot of time building a rapport and trust.

If your sales copy hits viewers in the face with obscene language, it is likely to be passed over by many affiliates who will promote your competitors' products that do not contain offensive language. You risk losing a lot of sales both from your immediate buyers and from affiliate sales.

This is a case where you might want to consider the advice of your parents or your old elementary school teachers who probably told you that swearing is crutch and a poor substitute for an intelligent statement.