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| | The Minding Your Own Business Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | Views: 1151 | | Jul 11, 2006 5:49 pm | | Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
GiGi Gaggero | | With todays high tech way of doing things and living in an area of "Cutting edge everything"... I think I am diversifying my advertising dollars accordingly based on my local market and demographics.. However, I have spent a bulk of my funds in a newspaper ad....4x3- B& W that will change/can change in style or text weekly. It covers the bulk of my market and run 4X's per week. Negotiated a great deal. That seems to reach all my peeps..I will need to track it of course to find the real answer to my question however... am I missing something.? I feel like I should be doing something more, uh... "grand"..? Do people really read the paper anymore????????? Any suggestion from you marketing gurus out there would be greatly accepted...( Keep in mind, I am in the San Francisco Bay Area.. close to Stanford University, in "Silicon Valley" (the paper-less world)I have aligned myself with other biz that share in the children's market by leaving marketing materials at their check stands. Hve press releases and SEO working
( meaning- being worked up) on site... I am sponcering a Mothers Club 15 year reunion, and posted with local Homeschooler sites. We have gifted classes to local schools auctins for advertising. I have also considered duel advertising with a co. that services the adult counter part of my market. A meal replacement store Is there something else I could do to gear up for Fall classes, I have rented a space and want to make sure it fills. Have I done it properly and it is time to see what happens......??? -Nervious in S.F.
Kids Culinary Adventures...Where Math, Reading, Science and Art mix with kids!
Love Food? Listen to talk radio? Come and get” In the Mix with me!!” Love what you eat... and eat what you love!
Read what the San Francisco Chronicle had to say about Kids Culinary Adventures!
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 11, 2006 6:29 pm | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Shari Thomas | | GiGi,
Have you considered using Craigslist?
It's free. While it can be a bit of a pain to figure out, your ad gets indexed by the search engines very rapidly. Tie it in with some highly targeted Google Ads and you'll have very cost effective advertising.
In answer to your question about does anyone read the newspaper anymore, the answer is "fewer and fewer".
If you must use print advertising, consider the "Penny Saver" type weekly advertiser. Those have very long shelf lives and are often saved and read by many more people than the person who originally got it out of the box.
Hope this helps,
Shari Thomas
Professional web copywriter and e-book author
http://askshari.com/index.phpPrivate Reply to Shari Thomas | | Jul 11, 2006 7:48 pm | | re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | | Thank you Shari, I wonder if my market reads Penny - saver.. ? They must.. that's how they have been able to save their billions.. hee hee..
Love the idea of Craigs List. great IDEA!! Can you or someone expond on the paid Google advertising..? I did get into "Ad words" but really confused about it so I never use it.
gg Kids Culinary Adventures...Where Math, Reading, Science and Art mix with kids!
Love Food? Listen to talk radio? Come and get” In the Mix with me!!” Love what you eat... and eat what you love!
Read what the San Francisco Chronicle had to say about Kids Culinary Adventures!
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 11, 2006 9:08 pm | | re: re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Laura Wheeler | | AdWords IS Google paid advertising. And it is not right, nor effective for all businesses. It works great for some, horrid for others.
Laura
Mom to Eight
Owner, Bad Marketing Ideas
http://www.badmarketingideas.com/Private Reply to Laura Wheeler | | Jul 11, 2006 9:26 pm | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Colleen Connery | | I think you're doing it right...but the people you aught to be directing this question to is your clients. Do any of them read that paper? What radio stations do they listen to? What networking organizations/groups do they belong to? What TV stations do they watch? Only they can answer this question for you in an accurate way. You may want to consider sending out some surveys to find out the answers to these questions.
Being a Bay Area Native (Silicon Valley and SF), I can safely say that most of my constituents still read the paper. Ride BART if you want to find out if folks are reading the paper...I can’t remember a time that I didn’t see the cars lined with papers. But they all read different papers depending on what they’re “in to”. Again, you’ll only know if you survey folks to find out.
And you’ll never really know if you got a good deal on your advertising dollar until after you track your ROI. Keep in mind we don’t have an example of your ad, so none of us could say for sure if your ad is targeted, has the correct structure and will really pull in the calls you need to generate sales. But if you played your cards right, I’m sure it’ll generate some interest. Unless it’s just not in a media that your direct market looks at.
It looks like you have a great service from what I read. It’s definitely needed too! So, special promotions will help (like you said you are sponsoring an event). Also talk to schools (probably private schools would be better hits than public ones). Get some press going...do something unique and get a press release written and out there (that’s “FREE” advertising). Once you have your target market tapped, the word will spread like wild fire.
Good luck! And I’ll be sure to pass on to some of my friends who have kids and still live in the Bay Area your info! I’m sure they’d be interested in your services!!
Cheers, Colleen
President/Creative Director
CoCo & Associates, Inc., Abiz®
http://www.cocoassociates.comPrivate Reply to Colleen Connery | | Jul 13, 2006 7:12 am | | re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | | Colleen,
Thanks so much that is really great advice. We do a few socially responsible things . Today, I took the kids to a senior center and they did a class there. (We had so much fun.) Looks like our next class there is attracting the local paper. The director said they wanted to contact Entrep. Mag for a story on how our biz began...it's a long story, but if your interested see link below!
Thanks again.. jumping on Bart first thing!!!!! ( Bay Area Rapid Transit ) For Andy.. that's our tube! Great Idea!!!
gg
Kids Culinary Adventures...Where Math, Reading, Science and Art mix with kids!
Read what the San Francisco Chronicle had to say about Kids Culinary Adventures!
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 14, 2006 10:55 am | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Denise O'Berry | | Gigi --
Indeed many people do still read the paper. The question is "Does your target market still read the paper?" You'll find out with your advertising campaigns. Make sure you track them very closely to ensure you are getting a return on your investment. Paper advertising has a very short shelf life and you will know right away whether your ads are hitting the spot or not.
You also want to make sure your ad has the right structure to appeal to your audience. Hop on over and read One Ad Is Not a Marketing Campaign for some pointers.
Best regards,
Denise O'Berry
MYOB Network Leader
P.S. Got the cash flow blues? Here's your solution - "Small Business Cash Flow:
Strategies for Making Your Business A Financial Success" (Wiley, Oct 2006)
Find out more at http://www.cashflowtruth.comPrivate Reply to Denise O'Berry | | Jul 15, 2006 1:27 am | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Brandy Kruger | | Gigi,
I don't know that these suggestion will help much with your fall classes, but for future "semesters" I'd suggest contacting area schools. I know my daughter has come home with information on a variety of educational and enjoyable extracurricular activities. The information is sent home with their weekly school newsletter. We also have a quarterly district newspaper that accepts advertising for similar programs, and as cheesy as it may sound I've actually found several interesting opportunites looking at the school bulletin board while waiting to pick my daughter up. School PTA's would "eat this up" and prove to be another great market opportunity if you were active in a few of their sponsored events.
Hope these suggestions help!!
Brandy Kruger
Alternative Administration
Obtain Work Life Balance
www.alternative-administration.com
Private Reply to Brandy Kruger | | Jul 15, 2006 8:43 am | | re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | | Hey girls! Thanks for the great advice! I am not sure how much of my market reads the paper.*ahhhhhhhhhh!Duh why didn't I think of that???????? So grateful for the second, and third, and fouth...and so on set of eyes..
Reg suggested I place a call to action or code in the ad. to assist in tracking .. on many I will code a call to action in a slightly different email account such as:
www.sawthedumbad@kidsculinaryadventures.com this will bring them to a offshoot page of my site... where other marketing things things will happen... Sounds interesting eh? I think I am going to go with this. It's so...so, mad scientist feeling... hee hee... Moooaaahhhhhh! All kidding aside... it does really feel worthy.... lol
Denise, I will go see that article, you always have good and extremely informative reads...! Thank you for the input!
Brandy, you are so on it! Again, great suggestions!Check this out....I think I am going crazy maybe cause of my demographic location??? I don't know.. But the school districts will not allow any business that do not have a State CA 503c filed as non profit; utilize them for distribution of information. I wanted to strangle myself after I heard that. rrrrrrrrrrrr... So now I am out in a chef hat, walking around outside every school handing our fliers at 3 pm LOLOLOL Oh, and yes, do I feel dumb.. in case you were wondering... the police have not shown up yet...loony lady with chef hat on...LOL I am now going to hire a gourp of studnets. I am done with that.
Check this out...the private schools ... well, they will not hand them out unless you are within the school family.I have even tried affiliate programs.. giving monaey.. nope can't do that.......surprising.... but no. I have even tried friends that pay tuition.... Chruch parishes that run the kitchens will not even rent them out to non parish members.
I am starting to think it is a catch 22 out here... Sorta like.. well.. ya can't get a job without a reference from a previous job....but you are too young to have ever had a job.. but no one will hire you cause you never have had a job before... rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr A long term goal always has been to
someday file a non profit off shoot of KCA because I work with less fortunate kids all the time, and one thing I have a hankering to do is to go into youth group homes as well as jailed youth and teach them a life skill a Culinary series classes during the time they are housed.If I and my staff do this, maybe these kids could actually learn a trade , assumming when they are emancipated they can get a paying jobs and possibly work towards a better future. If I didn't need to feed, cloth and house my own family that is all I would be doing right now; that is how strongly I feel about it.. But until that happens...........
My evil plan is to saturate the market eventually....while I am still laughing!
You girls rock! Thanks so much for all the advice!
gg It's almost 2 am and I am eatin' frosted flakes right outta the darn box.. its time for a break!
Kids Culinary Adventures...Where Math, Reading, Science and Art mix with kids!
Love Food? Listen to talk radio? Come and get” In the Mix with me!!” Love what you eat... and eat what you love!
Read what the San Francisco Chronicle had to say about Kids Culinary Adventures!
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 15, 2006 5:42 pm | | re: re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
Shari Thomas | | Gigi,
I used to be in the food business, so have somewhat of an "insiders" view.
If I get you correctly, you're wanting to teach cooking to kids, but are running into all kinds of high hurdles.
May I suggest you look into your local "Chefs di Cuisine" chapter... if they're not listed online, most high quality restaurant chefs are members.
The reason I recommend them is that amongst their membership will be at least one very grateful chef who would love to work with kids, but doesn't have time. He/she will have the right kitchen and tools, you'll have the expertise, and the two of you will have an incredible joint venture.
If you want to pm me for more details and some help with the research, go for it.
Shari Thomas
AskShari.com
http://askshari.com/index.php
Your Internet Business Mentor!Private Reply to Shari Thomas | | Jul 15, 2006 7:13 pm | | re: re: re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | |
Hi Shari.. How helpful.. thank you for that .. My challanges just lay in marketing... ( at the moment, I am sure something is lurking around the cornor....) I need to find which way to go, who reads what .. where MY market is, lives, breaths, and spends..etc. you know the drill. I actually am a professional chef, and used to be the Dean at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco... so I am dialed into the local world here, and have an incredible database full of big time professionals.. but I could always use another chef in my toque........ would love more informaition on him. Yippee! Thanks a Bunch...thats a raddish bunch! G P.S.Tell me more about the "Chef di Cusine" group.. I could also invite him for an interview on my radio show....... that would be awesome.... and what about you? PM me and tell me your past roll ( no pun intended) in the food industry....... !!!
Kids Culinary Adventures...Where Math, Reading, Science and Art mix with kids!
Love Food? Listen to talk radio? Come and get” In the Mix with me!!” Love what you eat... and eat what you love!
Read what the San Francisco Chronicle had to say about Kids Culinary Adventures!
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 17, 2006 3:51 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
Brandy Kruger | | Well it was worth a shot, California really has soooooooo many rules and regulations in place that make marketing difficult for a number of businesses.
Here come some more suggestions...
How about daycare centers?
Online regional parenting groups
Booths at community events
Cross promotion with groups like the San Fransico Children's Art Center for example
listing your classes with the Children's Council of San Francisco
contacting area parenting groups, there's a list of some at http://www.gocitykids.com/browse/subcat.jsp?area=199&category=790
Offer to be a guest chef for a local restaurant / news program / cooking show
Hope at least one of these will help, and the you've had a little more time to yourself so you're not networking over a box of cornflakes at 3 am *smile*
Brandy Kruger
Alternative Administration
http://www.alternative-administration.comPrivate Reply to Brandy Kruger | | Jul 17, 2006 10:13 pm | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Michele Borowsky - Spread the News | | Hi GiGi,
Bravo for investing money into your marketing as well as time.
When buying space in any newspaper the paid for circulation is the only thing that matters. Are you using a major daily newspaper? Do you know the circulation? Are you running your ads full run? And if so, will the entire geography of the circulation area apply to your offering? Your target market is included in this circulation and to what extent depends upon the makeup of the market you're in.
We won't get into the actual content of your ad here, but suffice it say, it needs to contain a call to action. Too often advertisers neglect to tell the reader or listener or watcher what it is exactly that they want them to do.
While you're running your campaign is a great time to also be sending out your press releases to all the major daily newspapers in your area. Even though it's always denied, editorial content is affected by ad content. The more people who know about your business, the better off you'll be. And always remember, that editors and reporters are part of the readership as well as everyone else.
Remember to make sure that your press release is not just another form of advertising but contains news and information that the readership of the paper wants and needs to know.
Best regards,
Michele Borowsky
http://SpreadtheNews.net
Affordable Daily Newspaper Email Contact Lists for Your Press Release Submissions Private Reply to Michele Borowsky - Spread the News | | Jul 18, 2006 2:37 am | | re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | | Michele- Thank you !!!! That was a wealth of information. Good thing I read it in time. I have been sitting on a newly written press release cause I am not sure how to use the news wire yet.. a matter of training myself.. rrrrrr AGAIN! We just completed a release on Childhood Obesity and four more other newsworthy items are coming back to back ... I feel like I am building a fortress.. LOLOL Thanks again!
gg
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 18, 2006 2:58 am | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | |
Brandy..... great idea... I do a few but will get more in action... I checked into Go city kids.com.. eh? It was really, really expensive...but getting there.And going to do two guest chef kids classes at Dreagers marketplace ( a high end market in the area) I will receive some catalog coverage. Glad to see I am on the right track.. Thanks! I wasn't sure if that was just ego driven.. hee hee hey at least I admit it...
Brandy... I know you don't live locally, and I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to actually research "my area" to make these suggestions....that was really kewl of you! As always....I'm impressed! I love all these local ideas... do it for me paleasssssssssssssse! LOLOL
Face in keyboard.. lolol
gg
Kids Culinary Adventures...Where Math, Reading, Science and Art mix with kids!
Love Food? Listen to talk radio? Come and get” In the Mix with me!!” Love what you eat... and eat what you love!
Read what the San Francisco Chronicle had to say about Kids Culinary Adventures!
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 19, 2006 5:51 am | | re: re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
Brandy Kruger | | Gigi,
There are a number of services available to aid you in distributing your press release, including mine (shameless I know). If you're doing so yourself I suggest you make your first submission to http://www.prweb.com .
Feel free to send me a private message if you'd like some additional submission sites I'd recommend both online and locally.
Brandy Kruger
Alternative Administration, LLC
http://www.alternative-administration.com Private Reply to Brandy Kruger | | Jul 19, 2006 2:16 pm | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
JoJo Tabares | | Sounds like you have a handle on your market. Good job! I read through everyone's suggestions as well. Great advice. I agree totally with knowing where YOUR market looks for things. My market is primarily Christian homeschoolers. I don't find that marketing to the general public helps me much as I can't afford the kind of exposure it would take to really make it worth my while. I have a niche market. So I find the following works best for me:
* Christian homeschool magazines, websites, newsletters, ezines. I write articles for publication as well as run ads.
* Email marketing to my past customers
* My own newsletter where I give away a product of their choice to one lucky subscriber each month.
* Hosting an event for my target market. I host an annual Say WHat You Mean Online Convention each year. Ok so this was my first year! LOL But I had a wonderful response and we are building more into it next year.
* Press releases to PRWeb and major Christian homeschool mags, websites etc.
* Blogging in the homeschcool community. I blog daily and provide free tips, jokes and articles all relating to communication skills. My blog is hosted by Homeschool Blogger which is a huge blogosphere for homeschoolers. I have had a lot of exposure there just because I am in the community and also have been spotlighted by them and by their various newsletters they have. They are owned by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine which is one of the largest homeschool magazines. They have picked me up for several cross promotions they are doing since I began blogging with them so it has networking advantages too.
* I often ask internet radio shows to be a guest. Have had several interviews this way. I usually approach Christian shows, homeschooling shows. Even did one on Army Wife Talk Radio.
In His Service,
JoJo Tabares
Kids CAN have FUN learning effective communication the Christian way!
Subscribe to my e-Zine for monthly specials and contests!
http://www.ArtofEloquence.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Come get your daily dose of communication humor
and tune in to the Misadventures of Foot in Mouth Man!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CommunicationFUNdamentals/
Private Reply to JoJo Tabares | | Jul 19, 2006 3:37 pm | | re: re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # |
GiGi Gaggero | | Wow JoJo, Sound like your dialed in too! Way to go.. I am startig a blog...............we will see how things go.. it was more for me to post whats going on so I don't have to talk so much. lol
g
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Jul 23, 2006 9:40 pm | | Gi Gi (re: Newspaper advertising) | # | 
T.E.A.M. Mom! | | Hi GiGi, I didn't even know you were still here on ryze, glad to see things are coming along for you!
Now I read thru what great advice these fabulous ladies shared and I learned a few things myself. Super big thanks to JoJo and Denise for always coming back with the best of the best, I always gain so much from what you gals share!
Classified Advertising -
In re to advertising thru the classifieds, I know that Craigslist was mentioned? Are you interested in any other forms of classified advertising? If so, I have a long list of both Free/Paid Advertising, as well as many other list's from Yahoo to Messge boards, will be more than happy to share :)
Search Engines -
You said you also are working the SE market? How is this going? I also have a long list of compiled links, tools and more on this if you would like that too, just ask. I am interested in seeing exactly how well this form of marketing really does work, as from what I have come across thru many different groups it is 50/50, so I am wondering if it is just preferance. I have heard many mention that the pay per click is not really worth the effort unless you have the funds, budget to encompass this medium and that unless you have good key words, you will get lost in the search.
I will be more than happy to share any and all of what I have been working and researching on with all of you, either drop me a PM or just post here! Enjoy your day, Success to you always! PatriciaPrivate Reply to T.E.A.M. Mom! | | Jul 23, 2006 10:57 pm | | Marketing thru Filler or Advertising Packs (was Newspaper advertising) | # |
T.E.A.M. Mom! | | Ok, now I know the original post that GiGi made was in re to her newspaper advertising, but she shared that she was open to other form's and suggestion's so I thought I would touch base on this often under utilized approach: Filler, Advertising, Goody Bags, Packs so on....
* What is a filler or advertising pack?
Simple. It is a bag, packet, envelope, anything basically that you fill up with flyers, samples, biz cards, coupons, pens, etc. that you can give out to your customers, in order's, at craft shows, flea markets, events, parties, the list goes on and on.
* What is the costs involved?
Varies. The cost can range from a couple of dollars to whatever you choose???? Depending on where, how you begin your distribution of your packs will depend on what sort of budget you need. Most people just join groups that per to this sort of marketing/advertising, which leaves the person requesting fillers with the bulk of the money to be spent.
* What do I use?
Most people who generally use this form of Free Marketing/Advertising use medium to large clear sized bags similiar to storage bags that can fold, zip or flap shut. There are many places to get these bags from, I use cheap inexpensive clear storage bags (size varies per campaign, products used), recycle gift bags, even make my own out of party favor bags, discounted-clearance gift/holiday bags.
Part 1 - Creative Filler Ideas
http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=688219&confid=1022
Part 2 - Creative Filler Ideas
http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=688220&confid=1022
FREE Printable Filler Ideas and Templates!
http://www.mompack.com/fillertemplates
* Where do you put out or leave them?
Well... bascially anywhere, everywhere there are people, especially keeping in mind those who are specifically targeted or geared to the sort of product, service, business you offer and that which will compliment them as well.
EX --> you sell home made specialty bibs... why not target small baby shops, daycare center's, pediatrician offices, middle class neighborhoods with lots of children
* How do you keep track -
When I send out information on my own (to other's seeking fillers for their packs), I always assign a special code (track my materials) so that if I get any sort of feedback, calls, order's, I can [A]Thank the person whom I got the referral thru via their pack [B]Follow up again with this person on future packs [C]Track my progress via sales, calls, inquiries [D]Further my marketing expenses in those areas where the business is and so on.
Now when doing my own F or A packs, I assign a: name to it, special tracking code, give a date of distribution, place, quantity, etc and send this to each participant so that they can check the progress as well. This helps those gals swapping with me or just sending their info to me with the same sort of A-D format I use myself and hopefully gives them sort of idea of whether or not they can provide or reach a specific market in my area.
What are some groups?
Ok, now here are some Yahoo groups I know of, believe me there are many many out there and I am sure some WAH/MOM message forums-boards swap this sort of information too....
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/advertisingfillerpacks
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AZMomsHBBP
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianWAHMPacks
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/CouponPackSwap
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSPromoPacks
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Filler_Connection
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/HPMoms_Flyer_Trades
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itsjust4ufillers
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Momsinbusinessbunch
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/momoutlet_momspromotingmoms
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/one_stop_filler_swap
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wahmfillers
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/WahmGoodieBags
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/WAHMbusinesscardexchange
Rhonda Warren of "The Mom Outlet" http://momoutlet-network.ryze.com and Patty Lynch of "Advertising Fillers Pack" http://advertisingfillerpacks-network.ryze.com are 2 boards that I am a member of. I suggest stopping by to find out more on this subject, as there are some good resources, especially on TMO for you to read thru.
Another great place to learn alot more about this sort of marketing is thru The Mompack main site here http://www.themompack.com There are several yahoo groups that also are spun from here, but you have to first be accepted by the main one here
Well I hope that this will help alittle bit in re to this form of marketing/advertising and I wish you luck in all you endeavor GiGi! Patricia
Private Reply to T.E.A.M. Mom! | | Jul 24, 2006 1:21 pm | | re: Newspaper advertising- Have i done it right???? | # | 
Nancy Houle TrainingBusinessPros.com | |
Hi GiGi,
Congrats on a great business concept. If you are in a small community vs. big city, the best advertising you can get is word of mouth (I'll get back to newspaper in a bit).
There is a lady who owns the local ice-cream shops. She sponsors the local music schools, in a very small and effective way. Every kid that graduates at the end of the year gets a free cone...which drives tons of families to the ice-cream shop. (who is not going to drive to the shop to give their child their free merited cone?)
She also sponsors the tshirts for the local soccer team...which as you could imagine, works.
Those TShirts cost less than newspaper adverts, and gets in front of her target market.
Have a look at your non-for-profits in your community. Do any of them have large mailing lists targeted to your demographic. Ask them to insert your promo in their mailing, and you'll give them $5.00 for every one that registers as a result of your mailing. It helps the charity, and it helps you. It only works if it targets your demographic.
Go to your local tourism centre if you have one, and ask them what events are coming up where you can cross-promote your wares. They are usually great and "including" fun and different programs.
Go to your local school board, and ask to come in to do a seminar/activity that engages and involves kids...and teaches the benefits of science, food and art. Every kid goes home with a promo sheet (don't forget your call to action i.e. sign up before oct. 1 and $5.00 goes to this charity...
Newspapers are great...but the advertiser must realize that it takes "repetition" to garner the long-term effects you want. And lots of people forget to put a "call to action" in their ad. For example. go to our website to redeem a $5.00 discount on our next class. Or call before August 1st to recieve your free "apron". I have no idea what that call of action is for you, but you need one in order to monitor how many calls its generating.
Having said that, in my experience, advertisers advertise in the newspaper so that when the need arises for that particular product or service, the customer remembers where to go to buy it from. IN otherwords, it's difficult to get short term results from newspaper and/or ads.
However, if you could get your paper to do a write up about you, that would go a long way. And your story sounds great enough to interest the local paper.
good luck!
Nancy
Private Reply to Nancy Houle TrainingBusinessPros.com | | |
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