newspaper ad

[Kevin7022]

Dear abby...

Ran an ad for one week in one paper in one city, a small 3 liner. only calls was one looking for a job as a washer. Yea I asked him if he had any buisness to bring with em.

Running another ad in another city, smaller town but higher income area. This time 8 lines co. name, what I do, and the old 10% spring discount.. three days.... nothing!

Is it to early or does I just need more time.

Last three years did not have to advertise much. referrals and a some commercial keep us buisy.

 

[AquaMan]

Kevin,
I have an ad in local paper too. It is too early to get many calls.
I get more than half my business from the local paper ad. I start my ad in March and let it go every day until mid Nov.

I never expect any calls from it until first 2 weeks of April.
It is 28 degrees here right now not to mention the rain we have had. I stopped my Yellow Pages ad last month. After 2 years and 3 or 4 calls from the YP a year I just could not see spending the money for it.
Local paper ad's work good for me here. See ya! Bill

 

[Beth]

Dear Reader,

While we are all itching to get out and make money, unless the temperatures trigger the frame of mind, expect Harry and Harriet Homeowner to remain tucked away indoors.

Look for Harry and Harriet to head out to the garden supply store to load the back of that new SUV and plant in their front yard, soon. Let this cornerstone event be your guide to advertising.

Just remember one thing... Readers may pull the paper, circle people to call, and set it aside untill the day they go to purchase said petunias. Just because the phone is not ringing, doesn't mean the advertising isn't working. Anyone looking through the paper that sees you now is getting used to seeing you there, and you are building name recognition. Very, very, important.

So advertise or not as the budget allows, but if you must wait then look for those days when the temps are warm and the people work in their yards. Perfect weekend for flyers....


Beth

 

[CSL Ent.]

I wholeheartedly agree with Beth, as I can relate to your situation Kevin. Three years in a row now, I've run ads in local publications and at first expected the phone to ring off the hook, and when it didn't, I was getting worried. However, after a couple months, when I least expected it, the phone was ringing from those ads, and after talking with people, they had cut my ad out, and saved it, and when they were ready, they called. Like Beth said, name recognition is so important, so hang in there and the calls will come. Good luck to you!

Chris

 

[Kevin7022]

Thanks everyone for the warm encouragement and support. Well, last couple of weeks untill today, it's been in the 70's and a couple of days went to 80. Pear trees got leaves and I got buck fever I guess. I'll continue the ad just cut it down to 2 or 3 of the good days. Still beating the commercial bushes as well. Found some interesting from the downtown development commesion. They promote a city facade grant which provides matching funds for the business owner who spruces up the front of their buildings. I got this from a response from an email I sent. Yet to get anyone on the phone to find out the details on this grant.

I never knew something like this existed. Might call around and see if your city's offer anything like this.

Kevin