Purchased Online Ads
Posting ads on websites that receive heavy traffic is one way to get the word out about your business. Social networking sites such as Facebook have advertising programs that allow advertisers to target very specific demographics. These ads show up only next to profiles that meet the specifications of your product’s target market.
For the internet in general you’ll have plenty of options for ad placement. The best known service is Google’s AdWords, but hundreds of other companies can help you position your ads on suitable sites.
Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms are an attractive marketing tool for new businesses, because promoting yourself there has little or no monetary cost. The catch is that you’ll need to invest significant time in building a presence, and making your content engaging enough to be worth following. Frequent premiums for your followers, in the form of discounts, giveaways or “flash sales,” can help a lot. If you have a tangible product, you can also generate solid word of mouth by providing evaluation units to influential bloggers with lots of followers.
Traditional Newspaper Ads
A traditional form of advertising, daily and weekly newspaper ads allow you to target specific geographic neighborhoods. Attaching an incentive, such as a coupon, to the ad can help you judge its effectiveness. Purchasing an ad in a section relevant to your business – for example, a home improvement business ad in the home and garden section – can also help you to reach target clients.
Targeted Radio Advertising
A catchy jingle and quick tag line can enhance a radio ad’s effectiveness. Matching the station you choose with your target demographic is key. If you want to reach adults aged 35 to 64, an adult contemporary station is a good bet.
An alternative or urban station is good to reach youth aged 18 to 24. At the time of publication, Neilsen reports that radio reaches around 59 percent of the population daily with a 45 percent trust rating.
Local or National Television Advertising
Television ads on local stations might require time and effort to produce, but can be especially effective if you sell a product or service with a high price point. A national TV ad can cost as little as $63,000, though this price can vary widely based on market and programming. You can certainly justify the difference in price if a TV ad can reach customers who would not respond to radio.
Public Speaking Events
If the product you sell relates to your own expertise, public speaking can be a great advertisement. Offer your services to organizations that could benefit from one of your workshops or lectures. Bring business cards and promotional materials to the event to encourage your audience to spread the word about your services.
