But there is plenty of evidence that people like traditional ways of doing things.

There is a place for cliche. I find it year after year, decade after decade. People actually want to feel the security of familiar words and phrases.

I have seen and even personally written guideline booklets  on writing copy that listed rules like this: ‘Never use old cliche phrases. Always find a new way to word an old thought’.

But that simply does not hold up in real world writing. I have seen the pattern so many times that I now think it is misguided for a teacher to instruct students to always find a new twist.

Yesterday, I heard a radio DJ announce an ad that started,

“Mothers Day is just around the corner.”

Yes. Every holiday and celebration is ‘just around the corner’.

What an old, tired, stale phrase.  But people want to hear it.

For many, there is a certain security in the familiar. I have come to understand that audiences are in a highly focused mindset.

For my own clarity I think of it as a trance.

People want their values reflected back to them.

They demand it. They will fight for that sense of security.

If their values are predictable, and they all are, then using those values, objectively, gets results.

Values keep people in a happy, secure trance.

Think about it. Most of us feel comfortable with our first language. There is a security and sense of home base in it. The reflex to return to it is a natural gravitation. It feels right.

Same thing with cliche. Sure, it’s old and worn out but that’s what makes it so dependable. It has value and value gives us meaning.

Meaning gives us identity. To take away cliche is to threaten personal identity.

Examples:

• It’s back to school time
• you’ll be glad you did
• drive a little save a lot
• open nightly till nine
• while supplies last
• void where prohibited
• Christmas is just around the corner
• pass the savings on to you
• for the whole family
• that new car smell
• kids 12 and under in free
• dear old dad
• for more information.

Everything is old at some point. Like the old familiar songs. Still people want to learn blues guitar and sing the old way. It’s a release.

When a phrase has been observed long enough, it is no longer a subject. It becomes object.  Like practicing slowly

until you get fast on speed guitar. (OK, enough guitar analogies–hey, at least they are not sports analogies.)

That makes it obvious except to those who still see it as subjective, personally identified with it.

It is amazing, the invisible glue that holds cultures, families, couples, businesses, individuals together.

Values.

Some of the copy samples on this site contain cliches.

Yes, a writer should be able to find new words for an old idea.

But, be aware that it’s not always best.

One- Stage a live broadcast. It builds excitement, a sense of urgency in a one-time event. A live ‘remote’ can get results like nothing else.  A radio personality on the air, in person, at a store is out of the ordinary. Getting attention is important to building a relationship.

Two- Give your client a unique, memorable on air feeling with a jingle.
This is a tried and true method of delivering a special signature sound . It creates association, familiarity, and sales. Jingles cost a little extra up front but the long lasting benefits can be the best advertising investment.

Three- Develop a series of radio ads with a recurring theme. A fun soap opera dialog between a man and a woman could be a vehicle to carry your clients message week after week. There are endless themes to choose from. Police officer to stopped driver, two ridiculous roommates, bartender-patron, and child to parent. Jingles also fall in this category and when you have one it adds to the familiarity and identity of the message.

Four- Build a campaign that will last over a longer period of time, giving your client a chance to build momentum. A series is a good way to accomplish this. A real estate office could feature a different home or community each week. A restaurant could highlight a certain favorite dish. Series’ can be stretched out over a year and recycled
Giving you repeat sales that a one shot ad just won’t do.

Five- Use the clients voice on the radio. This can give a distinctive sound signature to each ad plus it uses an authentic spokesperson for the ad. I suggest breaking it up with an announcer’s voice or other for contrast. Never use a character voice for the entire spot. It can become old fast and takes away from the attraction.

Six- Produce a shorter version of the spot and run it as an additional schedule. Even a little extra is added exposure for the client and added sales for you.

Seven- Bonus tip! Use a local celebrity as the spokesperson for the product or service. This is similar to number five but with the added benefit of versatility. You can change ‘spokespersons’ to freshen things up. You might even try a combination of client voice and spokesperson.

For even more ideas on how to make this happen today contact me.

Remember, when you listen to good radio production there’s more to ads than meets the ear.