Turning Useless Facts Into Moolah

I was sitting here doing a meditation this morning, wondering what I would write about today, when I saw a little book on my desk.

I picked it up last year. It was a publication from Zoo Magazine entitled PUB AMMO: 1001 guaranteed useless facts.

However, I am not so sure they are useless.

Let’s open the page and take a look inside at some of the facts…

At weddings in part of North India, groups of women sing abusive songs directed at the family of the groom.

A Tupperware party starts somewhere in the world every 23 seconds

The soft drink 7-Up got its name from the inventor, who had already rejected six other names for the product

In a feeding frenzy, a shark may eat parts of its own body

It is a criminal offense to drive around in a dirty car in Russia

Polar bears are so perfectly insulated against the cold, they actually spend most of the time trying to cool down.

Nine out of 10 people believe Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Joseph Swan did.

Ok, I am sure you found these ideas interesting.

But how can you use them in your copy to boost sales?

Let me have a crack at a few of them for a few businesses…

A Conflict Management Seminar…

Did you know at weddings in part of North India, groups of women sing abusive songs directed at the family of the groom?

Thankfully, this probably won’t happen at your wedding, but if you’re like many customer service people I know you’ve certainly had your fair share of abuse hurled at you over the years.

And in this letter, I am going to show you how to put a stop to it.

Here’s what it’s all about… etc

A Clothing Shop

Did you know Polar bears are so perfectly insulated against the cold, they actually spend most of the time trying to cool down.

Unfortunately, you’re not going to have the same problem over winter.

However it really doesn’t matter, because with our special winter sale, it’s the next best thing to turning yourself into a polar bear for the next 6 months.

Here’s the deal… etc.

A car cleaning company

Did you know it is a criminal offense to drive around in a dirty car in Russia?

Thankfully, you’re not going to be locked up for driving around without cleaning your car in Australia. But you’ll certainly cause a crime against yourself because when your car is dirty, you are exposed to germs which can cause illnesses within your family. What’s more, it just doesn’t make you feel good to drive around in a dirty car now does it?

Can you see how you can use so called ‘useless facts’ to get your readers attention in virtually any industry.

The reality is it doesn’t matter how good your product is, it’s catching people’s attention so you can get the message across and position your product well.

Think about it: Rightly or wrongly, Thomas Edison got the credit for inventing the light bulb because he was better at promoting himself and getting the attention of the public.

That made him famous and no doubt made him a fortune.

The message: You need to know how to promote yourself to get the attention of your target market or you’re dead in the water.