It probably wouldn't change my answer. It is very difficult to translate someone else's results to a project you're working on.

Online, offline... it really doesn't matter. You see one slight change from another person's marketing foray can drastically alter the results you receive. That's right just one change. A different product... a different day the ad appears... a different media the ad appears in... a different way the prospect has to contact you for more info... a different headline for the ad--all can and will change the results you receive.

If this test you're thinking of costs less than a couple hundred bucks, why not just run the test?

If you are talking about an online advertisement and you're selling an online product then a phone number may not affect your results. However I caution against using Internet based classifieds, generally speaking (very generally) I don't think they work very well. They haven't worked well for me and they haven't worked well for others I know that have used them. Which shifts this discussion to off-line classifieds. Anything done off-line should probably have a phone number along with it. I think just having an autoresponder would drop response.

But again, someone else's success or failure using any type of marketing tool has very little bearing on your ultimate success or failure.

Take care,

Mike Winicki

> Hi all,

> I'm a daily lurker but infrequent
> poster...thanks for the excellent forum!

> I've been thinking about trying a 2 step
> program where a classifed ad encourages a
> request for more info (or magic floppy,
> etc). Rather than include a phone # though,
> I was thinking about using an autoresponder
> e-mail address...

> Has anyone out there tried this with
> success?

> Thanks!

> Richie Carey