Ads in local paper

[deckrock]

We decided to do a 8" ad in our local paper along with inserts, full color, 2 sided, 8 1/2 x 11.

Anyone have suggestions on what to put in the ad? What would work best... photos, our logo, pictures, detailed info on us, etc???????

 

[Larry B]

If you have before and after photos I would dedicate a large portion to them. That is more impressive than saying I have 78 years experience etc.. Most peope expect a discouunt or freebie for responding to an ad. Free driveway with deck refinish or whatever you think will work.
Definitely your logo, you want customers to identify with you when they look in the yellow pages months later.

 

[johnmurrell]

what's the point of an advert?

G'day Larry

Don't just write/show what you can do; try and make it personal, use some emotional language to help your prospective customer "feel good" about you and your services, as opposed to thinking "that's interesting, now I'll bin it".

Emphasise the good feelings -satisfaction, pride etc- of improved looks, improved value, longer life to paint etc that come from a clean home, while using negative terms -like ugly, slippery, uncared for, deteriorate, embarrassed, over-run with spiders/mould.... to make them feel bad. Which is OK because can make them feel good again.

While some people will put you advert away until they need it, you want them to call now, not later but NOW! and to do this you need more than facts - you need emotion.

And there ends todays lesson. Please turn your hymn book...

John