Before a person can read what an advertisement says, they are immediately caught by the visual elements of it. They see the graphics, the photos and the overall layout. Just like ad copy, the goal of ad design is to get the audience to take some sort of action. Not only the visuals you use, but also how you place them on the ad can help you achieve that goal.

The following are layouts to follow to effectively design your ad:

1. Ogilvy Layout (Five Step Process by David Ogilvy)

• Visual – Place your photos and/or graphics at the top of the page
• Caption – If you are using a photo, place a short caption underneath.
• Headline – The headline of your ad goes next.
• Copy – Follow your headline with effective ad copy
• Signature – Place your company’s name and contact information at the bottom right of your ad. This is the last place the reader’s eye will go.

2. Z Layout

• Place all the contents of you ad in the form of a “Z”. Put the most important elements on the top of the “Z”. The eye will naturally follow the pattern. Place your “call to action” or your signature at the very end of the “Z”.

3. Single Visual Layout

• The principle of this layout is “less is more”. This is a simplistic, yet powerful ad. There is only one visual element followed by a simple headline and short ad copy.

4. Illustrated Layout

• There is not much room for audience interpretation with this layout. This ad shows the actual product or service offered. It demonstrates what it does, how it works and what it accomplishes.

5. Top Heavy Layout

• This layout puts strong emphasis on the visual element of the ad. The photo or graphic design is placed in the top half or the left side of the ad. It is then followed with the headline and copy.

6. Upside Down Layout

• This layout is as simply as it sounds: turn your ad upside down. After you finish designing your ad, you may find it is even more powerful in its opposite layout.

With about 10,000 videos uploaded each day to YouTube, it takes strategic planning to produce a viral video. Here are come tips to create a viral video that will be an excellent marketing tool for your company:

Work On Your Content

Judging by the existing viral videos, we all know that content is not everything. However, you cannot expect to gain popularity by doing nothing. Think of what you want to say and how to say it creatively. A shocking video will gain attention; don’t give them something they have already seen.

In terms of marketing and content, make sure your company, product or service fits into a large concept and not vice versa. Do not make it an obvious advertisement or the audience will lose its interest.

Remember to keep your video short (around 30 seconds). You are on your audience’s time, they’re not on yours.

“Most Viewed Page”

The only way your video will stand out and go viral is if it is on the “Most View Page”. The best way to get your video out is to share, share, share! Embed your videos on blogs, forums and Myspace. Share it constantly on Facebook. Send the video to your entire E-Mail list and encourage them to forward it.

Choosing a Title

Your title needs to catch a viewer’s attention enough to even click on it. It must be different (i.e. “behind the scenes”). Throughout your videos existence, try different headlines: use shocking fake ones, add drama, etc. Check your views and ratings to see what works best.

Thumbnail Optimization

YouTube automatically uses a frame from the middle of your video for its thumbnail picture. Even if you do get to the “Most Viewed Page,” when your thumbnail is sitting in the middle of 20 others, it needs to grab the viewer’s attention. YouTube also gives you two other choices for thumbnail pictures. You can also consider the middle of the video when editing your film.

Control Your Comments

You and your team should post comments that will evoke controversy, however, be careful not to have a conversation with yourself. Just as you have the power to post comments, you have the power to delete comments by viewers that may possibly be detrimental to your popularity.

Video Release

Unlike traditional blogging, if you have a number of videos to release, do it all at once. Do not try to keep your viewers on their toes for the next video, because it will not work. If the viewer is so intrigued that they watch all five of your videos at once, chances are, they will be interested in your product or service.

Tagging

Tagging is a simple way to lure viewers to your video. However, be strategic about your tags. Use tags that are unique, but not strange. Choose about four tags and use them for all of your videos. If your views decrease, you can always change your tags to a more generic term.

Submit your blog into blog directories
It is a great way to get one-way links to your blog and to your site.

• http://www.blogcatalog.com/
• http://www.blogarama.com/
• http://www.bloggapedia.com/
• http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/

How to use keywords
One of the biggest mistakes is using high traffic keywords. High traffic keywords do not rank well and, in return, receive little traffic. There is no direct correlation between high traffic and high sales.

Instead, use keywords that receive a moderate level of traffic. Many of the most lucrative sites only have a moderate level of traffic because their profitable keywords. This results in more subscribers and more profit.

Know where to place your keywords:

• Use your primary key phrase in the title of your blog or blogposts.
• Use secondary keywords throughout the body of your post. Be careful not to use these too frequently to avoid sound unnatural.
• Use your primary keyword in your blog domain.
• Use your primary keywords in the anchor text of links.

Search Query
The length of your search query is extremely important. Four word queries form the highest conversion rates from search engine traffic. Because blogs are so well indexed, it has the potential to appear in any number of four word phrases relevant to your industry.

Also use two and three word phrases that target your industry. Try to use a phrase that will attract high traffic, yet with little competition. With constant new trends, developments, products and services, this should not be difficult to do.

Update Frequently
The more frequently content is updated, the more your site will be spidered. After consistent and habitual updating, the spider will eventually add you to a frequent schedule of returns. Your new pages will then show up faster in searches. This will be extremely advantageous to your new product or service.

Posting
You do not have to worry all day everyday about updating your blog. The best way to frequent new content is to write a number of blogs in advance and set up your blog software to post one each day. This will give your site new information each day, and you only set aside one day for blogging.