Advertising

[DBusby]

What are the advantages of advertising a small business in a local newspaper? Why is it better than other forms of advertising such as television and radio?

[brawburd]

As a consumer I would say the advantages are you can keep or return to something written, where you may hear or see an advert and not write the info down from it. For an advertiser I would imagine price!

[Moog]

It really depends what the small business is offering and who it's target customer is. There are many arguments over the relative merits of print/radio/tv adverts but what it all boils down to is how closely the audience matches the target audience of the advertisers. Once you have found the best medium with least wastage it's then a matter of tailoring an advert to that medium and audience.

[Moog]

The advent of the Internet in particular has very much removed the idea that a "small" business need be a "local" business, there are countless one man bands and small family run business which now have access to a much wider market than their local area. I read the other day of a family run fishmongers in Cornwall which set up a website and now delivers orders all across the UK and even to Europe and yet would still be classified as a small business {though I would guess growing rapidly!].

[nykkieberry]

Radio and TV advertising a far more expensive than newspaper adverts. Have you thought about direct mail, bus advertising, cinema, etc? As stated before, it all depends on your target audience. Having a quality website and promoting that is an extremely good way of maximising the information you supply to customers in the most economical way - such as including the address in a print advert. Of course, this depends on the nature of your business and targetted market. All media have press packs - give them a ring and you can weigh up customer profile, circulation and exposure to your market - then your decision can be an informed one. Of course, the best way of advertising is word of mouth - a reputation for exemplary customer service, value for money, efficiency and quality will always promote your business far better than an advert! And news releases are another great way of gaining publicity in the local rag - sponsor a charity, let them know of any 'decent' news and build a relationship with local journos. People are much more likely to absorb messages in news stories than a small advert at the back of the paper. Good luck ! .

[Moog]

Not sure I did imply that actually, and certainly didn't intend to I merely pointed out that the assumption that a small business is a local business is not necessarily true. Even if a company does have a website and is looking to target an audience nationwide I'm not sure I would suggest online advertising... how often have you clicked on the banners on this site for instance!

[christydeman]

the advantages are that if you post in a local newspaper people in that area thhat read newspapers will know your little buisiness and if they need what you do like if you sell cars and the want a car then they know you can buy them from you and on the internet it would be hard to find your website