Growing up in the South, I used the phrase "big ol'" a lot. Big ol' truck. Big ol' house. Big ol' party. The phrase was one we used when the word "big" just wasn't descriptive enough.

I think the following suggestions qualify as Big Ol' Tips. Look around the Web and you'll find plenty of good sales letter writing tips. But "big" just doesn't do these justice.

Here are three big ol' tips for better sales letters.

Big Ol' Tip #1)

Be redundant. Then, say the same thing over again.

Just because you state your most powerful benefit in the headline doesn't mean you shouldn't say it over again. If you are writing a long sales letter (especially one made for quick scanning), you should repeat the main benefits to make sure you get your point across. After all, many readers need to read the same thing several times before they catch on.

Big Ol' Tip #2)

Focus on the guarantee. I promise you won't regret it.

Your readers are reading for one very simple reason: they're looking for a reason to buy. Give them the best reason possible. One good reason for buying is the assurance that customers will be protected against making a bad decision. If they're interested in your product, and making a purchase has no negative consequences, then you've got a sale. A guarantee removes negative consequences.

Big Ol' Tip #3)

Conceal the price. How? I'll tell you in a minute.

Don't state the price up-front. Reveal the price only after the customer calls a number, sends in a reply card, makes contact by e-mail, or reads (or scans) all the way to the end of your sales letter. By not revealing the price immediately, you have a chance to demonstrate to readers the value of what's behind the price before they have a chance to set their mind against it. (Note: If low price is your product's primary selling point, this tip might not apply. Test and see.)

These tips will improve your sales letter by making it more readable, more persuasive, and less intimidating to your audience. Use them in a well written piece and you'll see a big ol' increase in your response rates.