Newspaper Ads and Editorials

[myportraitdrawing]

Hi

Could anyone tell me how they how found the response to newspaper ads and/or editorials? imagine it could depend on timing, the contents of the ad and many other factors.

The reason I ask is I have had a quote for an ad with a half page editorial but the cost is quite large (Whatever happened to free editorials?!). I recall reading somewhere that the response to newspaper ads was often quite low, but maybe it would be worth taking out the ad just to getmy name out there....

Josh

 

[michael c]

Hu JJUK,
if you are talking about your local newspaper, mine has circulation 250,000 and I live in rural setting. The chances of achieving my target market is very slim, I am however reaching my potential market, but of my potential market, how many buy the paper to read front to back? not many I bet, the births deaths and car ads will be followed by telepages and front and back page. I do however use the local rag but I always ring them up and ask them if they want an editorial about an area of expertise, I have to really sell it to them, when they agree I usually ask if they mind if I could include a web address or phone number, but I rarely pay for advertising. I try to get an interesting line on a story, ie a client who has just completed a 10k run ,or training for one after loosing 9 stone, that kind of thing usually gets in, I once had a change of career that coincided with my40th birthday so rang up and said that life begins at 40 so does my new business. I still get mentions of that one when I havent seen someone for a while and they saw it.
Bottom line is in my experience paid advertising in these doesnt offer value for money but it will get your name known by a few potential clients.
one of the forum users Pete Dickson gives some good marketing advice so search for him.
All the best
Gaz

 

[Tinky Winky]

I have had several 'free' editorials in the past but that was at the expense of having to do a treatment on the writer.
In the end it seemed that I was just getting calls from the press because they wanted a freebie. Even centre page spreads in the local only gained 2-3 calls.
There was almost nothing in it for me other than the picture and editorial I could take with me to exhibitions. That bit did seem to attract customer's interest.
But you can write your own editorial/poster for nothing as long as it looks good (try lamination).
Evenan invitationto go on a TV chat show meant bringing rent a crowd with you. I didn't go.
The best way of getting customers (apart from recommendation) is to do talks at local groups (for which you must always charge) or local exhibitions.
Yellow pages is good if you can afford it.
Good luck.

 

[zaewuuelifvifceir]

Thanks Gaz and mysterious me,

I think I prefer the idea of doing talks at groups as you get full control of what is said and you also get the opportunity to answer questions.

I might try a yellow pages ad - actually I could get a small YP ad for around the price they want for this editorial!

I do have a small ad appearing in a different paper for a mothers day special, along with other things planned to promote myself.

I appreciate your input

Josh