Scientific Advertising
By Claude C. Hopkins
table of contents
Chapter 17 - Individuality
A person who desires to make an impression must stand out in some way.
Being eccentric, being abnormal is not distinction to covet. But doing
admirable things in a different way gives one a great advantage. So with
salesmen, in person or in print. There is uniqueness which belittles and
arouses resentment. There is refreshing uniqueness which enhances, which
we welcome and remember. Fortunate is the salesman who has it.
We try to give each advertiser a becoming style. We make him distinctive,
perhaps not in appearance, but in manner and in tone. He is given an individuality
best suited to the people he addresses.
One man appears rugged and honest in a line where rugged honesty counts.
One may be a good fellow where choice is a matter of favor. In other lines
the man stands out by impressing himself as an authority.
We have already cited a case where a woman made a great success in selling
clothing to girls, solely through a created personality which won.
That's why we have signed ads sometimes - to give them a personal authority.
A man is talking - a man who takes pride in his accomplishments - not a
"soulless corporation." Whenever possible we introduce a personality into
our ads. By making a man famous we make his product famous. When we claim
an improvement, naming the man who made it adds effect.
Then we take care not to change an individuality which has proved appealing.
Before a man writes a new ad on that line, he gets into the spirit adopted
by the advertiser. He plays a part as an actor plays it.
In successful advertising great pains are taken to never change our
tone. That which won so many is probably the best way to win others. Then
people come to know us. We build on that acquaintance rather than introduce
a stranger in guise. People do not know us by name alone, but by looks
and mannerisms. Appearing different every time we meet never builds up
confidence.
Then we don't want people to think that salesmanship is made to order.
That our appeals are created, studied, artificial. They must seem to come
from the heart, and the same heart always, save where a wrong tack forces
a complete change.
There are winning personalities in ads as well as people. To some we
are glad to listen, others bore us. Some are refreshing, some commonplace.
Some inspire confidence, some caution. To create the right individuality
is a supreme accomplishment. Then an advertisers growing reputation on
that line brings him ever-increasing prestige. Never weary of that part.
Remember that a change in our characteristics would compel our best friends
to get acquainted all over.
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