The first and most important thing you must remember is that there are several different types of advertising. No two types of media are the same; therefore, not all types of advertising are recommended for all businesses. This article will tell you what kind of advertising is best for you and your business.
Billboards
Billboard advertising is a great way to remind consumers about your product right before they arrive at a shopping center. This is usually the last chance you have to get them to buy your product. Billboard advertising is also a great way to direct people to your business. Please do not underestimate the importance of including directional information in your advertisements. Have you ever seen a sign that caught your attention, but after twenty minutes of driving, you forgot where to turn? Billboards can help you stop losing customers this way. Billboards are a great type of advertising for any national or local company. They have the lowest exposure cost and the highest reach. Billboards are highly recommended for restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, shopping centers, adventure parks, and any type of business that deals with traveling customers.
Direct Mail
Direct mail advertising includes postcards, catalogs, brochures, e-mail, and single letters. This technique works great when introducing new products. It allows you can give as much or as little information as you feel necessary. Direct mail advertising is also a great idea for sales and or special discounts. Direct mail advertising is recommended for all companies with a wide selection of products like office products, furniture, music, clothes, shoes, etc. It is a great way to keep your current customers aware of new products, services, or sales. It can also be used as a buying tool for new customers.
Unfortunately, direct mail costs more than any other type of advertising. However, advertisers have had very good results with direct mail advertising and they do not mind paying these high prices.
Internet
The internet is constantly growing. More and more companies are building their own web sites every day. The internet is a great way to reach people all over the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can put information about your products and services on-line, and your customers will come to you when they are ready. Internet advertising includes banner advertising, pay per click search engines, classified internet ads, and standard internet ads. This type of advertising is recommended for companies on-line that are able to ship products to a wide variety of people. On line advertising works best when you choose sites that are related to yours. Advertise on web sites you think your potential client will visit. Don’t forget to advertise on local web sites.
Magazines
Magazines are a great way to target your audience. For example, if you sell baby products, you could put an ad in “Parenting.” If you sell flowers, put an advertisements is “Better Homes and Gardens.” Due to the large reach of magazines, this type of advertising is recommended for large national companies. Don’t forget about local magazine. You can get cheaper rates than national magazines.
Newspapers
The main goal of all newspapers is to inform the public. This is why you see so many articles, weather forecasts, sporting event scores, calendars of important local events, crime reports, and even wedding announcements. Newspaper advertisements are great ways to announce things to local customers. You can tell them all about your upcoming sales, your brand new product, mergers of several companies, the opening dates of your new restaurant, and so on. Newspapers are also good for seasonal products or services. For example if you own a lawn care service, you will probably want to advertise more during the summer.
Radio
Radio advertising can be fun. You can make up special songs, slogans, or jingles to get your message out. If you do a real good job with your radio ad, maybe people will walk down the street humming your song. Radio ads are recommended for local businesses. Just like billboards, radio commercials can be the final chance you have to get people to buy your product or service, so choose your words carefully. The possibilities of your radio ad are almost endless.
Television
The music, graphics, and motions of television commercials have helped television advertising become the most popular type of advertising. These commercials also build brand image, and create emotions. Television advertising reaches a very large audience. It is also great because you have the choice of running a national or local campaign. Television advertising is highly recommended when your business has a sale or special deal. It is also a great way to get your company’s name and brief information out to the public. Television commercials usually last for 15, 30, or 60 seconds. Since time is limited with this type of advertising, we recommend using television ads for products that are widely known. This type of advertising works best for products that are understood easily like automobiles, food, clothing, furniture, jewelry, and office products.
Yellow Pages (print & online)
This is a very important type of advertising because when you use the yellow pages book or online, you already know exactly what you are looking for. A majority of the times you use the yellow pages, you are ready to buy a product or service. How many times have you searched the yellow pages to find a tires for your car, a lawyer, day care centers, or a television repairman? Which company did you call first? Was it the one with the big colorful ad or the plain typed name listed directly under Tires? My point is that most people are going to look at the yellow page advertisements first. Don’t give a potential customer a chance to miss out on your product or service.