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Diverse Local Advertising Methods Reach Wider Audience

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by Liz Jones

For small business, advertising is the key to drawing in customers. There are several different ways to go about it. Using only one form of advertising is not always effective. Using multiple types of advertising venues reaches a broader audience, and therefore, more potential customers.

Demographics

Knowing some demographics about clientele is helpful in discovering what types of advertising will reach the. There are several ways to find out preference and background on present customers.

Conduct surveys with cards at cashiers counter or send them out with the mail on delivery orders. There are several online programs that can calculate demographics of those visiting a business’ website. These statistics can be used to streamline marketing and advertising strategies.

A business can cater marketing strategies towards its clients. If most of them are married adults without children, for example, a buy-one-get- one free coupon online might be successful. A local radio spot might also be efficient. Radio stations know their demographics, so, statistics can be mated to certain stations and commercial air times.

Format

Where and how a customer conducts business is key to reaching them in marketing strategies. If they rarely go online, the best pay-per-click advertising campaign is not going to reach them. If they never read the newspaper, classified ads will not help. Using both methods of advertising, however, will reach both clientele.

Methods

The type of online advertising used affects how a potential customer discovers a business, especially a small local one. If a business does not have a website it will be difficult for people to find them online. These businesses must use advertising online though social media websites or piggyback off of other websites such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a review site. Small businesses that are offline may also need to cater to an audience that is offline. Strategies might include flyer distribution, newspaper advertising, radio and television campaigns, direct mail and outdoor billboards.

Cost

The least expensive advertising with the greatest return on investment is always the best strategy. Some forms of local advertising cost very little. For example, writing a company blog is one way to advertise online at a cost of paying a professional or doing it in-house. Running coupons and flyers costs little and the method of distribution could also be low. However, if no one pays attention the cost won’t matter. If spending $3,000 on advertising online or through a radio campaign brings in $6,000 in customer sales, it is probably worth the investment.

About the Author

Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about local advertising, visit http://www.local-advertising.com/.

Offline Promotions

Making Your Postcards Work Harder for Your Business

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by Kaitlyn Miller

Postcards are good at what they do. When sent by mail, they are easy-to-read marketing materials. As magazine inserts, they serve as an ultra easy order form. But it is only when designed well that postcards are great at what they do. Here are some ways that you can easily optimize the effectiveness of your postcard printing, making this marketing tool work harder for you.

Send your postcards to the right people. Find out who your target audience is and build a mailing list full of them. If you send out your postcards only to those who are likely to do business with you, then you will have a much higher return on investment than if you send out a general mailing.

Past or current customers should receive postcards. You can send them out when you have news to deliver, when you have a new product to introduce, and for special holiday offers or promotions.

Be direct with your message. Because your space is limited with postcard printing, your reader should understand your message immediately. Take care to write a headline that is short and full of information, and make sure your graphics reinforce your message.

Make response easy. For postcards used as order forms, always self address and stamp. Another option is to make check boxes so that ordering is fast and easy. If your customers have to wait until they can look up your address or stop by the post office, they may never get around to ordering from you.

Don’t try to sell with postcard printing but do include a call to action. There is not enough space on a postcard to close a sale. The idea is to make prospects interested in finding out more. Include direct orders to “call our toll free number,” check out my website today,” and “send a request for more information now” on your postcards. Don’t leave your customers wondering what to do next.

Mail your postcards on Tuesday or Wednesday. Mail traffic is lighter in the middle of the week, so your postcards will have less to compete with on these days. They will get more attention and you will get more responses.

The harder your postcard printing works for you, the more responses you will receive. If you are going to send them out, make sure to get the most out of them by using some smart marketing and design techniques.

About the Author

For more information, you can visit this page on postcard printing