What the Newspaper Ad Person Won?t Tell You

Newspapers are considered the PRIMARY advertising medium by 99.4% of all retailers. Newspapers have been there in every step of the typical store owner's life from the very beginning. Newspapers covered his birth, his high school graduation, his engagement, his marriage, the death of his parents and everything else.

Despite declining circulation figures and increasing ad rates, newspapers still reach large audiences, daily.

Many, if not most, retailers, lay out their own ads. It is said that over the years, merchants have come to believe the only way to get it right is to do it themselves. This thinking has given rise to the new breed of newspaper salesperson. No training, just a list of customers and the daily question "Gotchyur ad ready yet?"

You should understand the newspaper's weaknesses and learn to avoid them whenever possible. The Skinny for and against newspapers.

There is no proof full page or double-truck ads are more effective than half page ads. The savings can be spent on a concurrent radio campaign or billboards.

The same with color. It looks great, but the increased cost many times does not justify the small increase in readership. Forget the color and go with more frequency.

The paper is delivered daily, but there is no need for an ad every day as the paper reaches the same readers. 3 times a week works just fine. Spend the difference in the shopper or on a supporting radio campaign.

Newspaper coupons will have a better rate of redemption with a radio chaser. Especially if the coupons are NOT in a Sunday paper competing with 85% of all coupons weekly. Think about a coupons on Tuesday with siupportiung radio to drive them to it.

What the newspaper ad person won't tell you: Less than half of newspaper readers read the entire paper. Most are skimmers. How many times through the paper does it take for you to find your own ad?

Over half of every paper is ads. Almost as bad as TV. More than two-thirds of the Sunday brick is ads.

Newspaper rates are climbing faster than the space shuttle. The smallest of ads in the smallest papers can cost over $100. One time, one shot and POW!, its at the bottom of the bird cage.

Newsstand and subscriptions prices are rising, too. 75 cents an issue is rapidly losing to 4 quarters.

Most papers offer no competitive protection. Your ad can be placed side-by-side with the competition. Get the salesperson to guarantee you separation.

Daily newspaper numbers are dwindling. There are only a few more than 1000 daily papers. Smaller communities must rely on weeklies or papers from another area with a "local" section.

Newspapers are still a formidable advertising force. Find ways to continue to use the paper to increase store traffic, but do it with other advertising so the media mix is efficient. Don't let anyone tell you NOT to advertise in the paper.

For more about advertising, get my article "Do Your Radio Ads Work?" MailTo:RadioAds@BigIdeasGroup.com

©2005 BIG Mike McDaniel All Rights Reserved BIG Mike is a Professional Speaker and Small Business Consultant with over 30 years experience,

Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

In The News:


Kenya Advertising Spend to Rise as Competition Grows, TBWA Says
Bloomberg
Kenya's advertising market, which grew more than 30 percent last year, is set for further expansion because of intense competition among consumer goods companies, according to TBWA Worldwide's local unit. “International companies are now facing stiffer ...

and more »

Technology Review

Advertisers and Consumers Embrace New Facebook Social Ad Format
MarketWatch (press release)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, May 21, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Facebook's investment in social advertising is paying off according to research findings released today by Marin Software, the leading online advertising management platform.
Why GM And Others Fail With Facebook AdsBusinessWeek
The Facebook FallacyTechnology Review
Is There a Problem with Facebook Advertising?The FINANCIAL
AccuraCast
all 17 news articles »

Sponsormob Launches New Service to Help Mobile Advertisers Convert Impressions ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Mobile advertising provider Sponsormob implements its new Call-Back feature, further connecting mobile advertisers to targeted mobile users Austin, TX (PRWEB) May 22, 2012 Berlin-based Sponsormob announced it is launching a new service aimed at ...
Sponsormob offers Call-Back to convert impression into leadsTelecompaper (subscription)

all 5 news articles »

Los Angeles Times

Judge Says Pom Wonderful's Advertising Is Misleading
New York Times
It was issued after an Federal Trade Commission complaint two years ago, contending that Pom Wonderful had engaged in false and misleading advertising, “The greater weight of the persuasive expert testimony demonstrates that there is insufficient ...
Judge Rules POM Deceptively Marketed Pomegranate JuiceWall Street Journal

all 134 news articles »

Interviews and Insights from Advertising's Best! Check out Advertisers at Work
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Meet and learn from top advertising professionals and world class ad agencies. New York, NY (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 Mad Men brought it to the forefront and now we all want to dig deep into the exotic, fancy, cut-throat world of advertising.

and more »

SeaWell Networks & BlackArrow Partner to Enable Monetization of Multiscreen TV ...
MarketWatch (press release)
TORONTO, May 22, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SeaWell Networks Inc., leader in multi-platform video delivery software for network operators, today announced successful integration with BlackArrow, a worldwide provider of advanced advertising solutions for ...
RGB Networks teams up with BlackArrow for targeted advertisingDigitalTVEurope.net

all 8 news articles »

iMedia Connection

7 things GM doesn't understand about Facebook advertising
iMedia Connection
It's hard to believe there wasn't some sort of agenda in telling the Wall Street Journal, three days in advance of what's slated to be the biggest IPO in US history, that advertising on Facebook isn't working for GM, but that's what the automaker did.
Can Individuals Profit From Internet Advertising?Benzinga
Facebook Piggies Went To Market But Retail Piggies Stayed HomeForbes
Facebook Droops and a Bubble BurstsThe Atlantic Wire
Kansas City Star -MarketWatch -Reuters
all 2,101 news articles »

Advertising spending sees sluggish growth
China Daily
By Meng Fanbin ( China Daily) China's advertising expenditure in traditional media, including newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and outdoor, increased just 1.4 percent in the first quarter, the lowest in nearly five years, according to a report released ...

and more »

The Drum

London Taxi Advertising Showcases the Company's Great British Patriotism with ...
MarketWatch (press release)
LONDON, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- London Taxi Advertising today announces their re-vamped and re-energized brand identity celebrating its British heritage and ten years in the business. The rebrand has been launched in time to mark the ...
London Taxi Advertising offers free taxi wrap for company which predicts ...The Drum

all 14 news articles »

Nitrobahn

GM: Super Bowl Spots Not Worth The Cost
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By WSJ Staff Even though it has touted the value of Super Bowl advertising and spent heavily on it in the last two years, General Motors Co. said it will skip the big game in 2013, in part because running television spots costs too much.
General Motors Skips Advertising in Upcoming Super BowlNitrobahn
GM pulls ads for next year's Super BowlDigitaltrends.com
GM says no to the Super BowlMSN Money
DailyFinance -Washington Post -Forbes
all 296 news articles »
Google News

Juice - Scam of the Decade or Opportunity of the Century

If you are an ardent web surfer and MLMer like... Read More

How To Write Really Good Ads

All sales begin with some form of advertising. To build... Read More

The Art Of Fear Free Advertising

Is fear of failure an issue when you commit valuable... Read More

Harness the Power of Direct Marketing - More Small Business Power Tools

One of the most powerful tools available to small businesses... Read More

What are Text Adverts?

Not everyone is aware of what are text adverts? Text... Read More

Too Much Build-Up: Over-Zealous Ad Copy Can Break The Sale

How many times has this happened to you?A friend recommends... Read More

Tips for Using Paid Advertising

Quite a few business out there can't survive without some... Read More

The Principle Of Advertising Online

Advertising online is very similar to advertising in any environment.... Read More

Good Design Makes Good Sense

Organized your pencils and pens lately? Sorted your clothes into... Read More

How You Can Create Advertising That Sells

A well-planned and properly executed marketing program should include a... Read More

Design Your Own Newspaper Ads

Many people in business lay-out (design) their own ads. That... Read More

Do You Really Need a Brochure?

Traditional brochures typically tell the story of your company, i.e.... Read More

Localized Advertising ? Door-to-Door Ad Distribution on the Fly!

Have you ever had to distribute door-hanger advertisements for your... Read More

How To Create Instantly Compelling Ads Every Time

Use This Quick 3-Question Evaluation Process, So You Can Be... Read More

How To Make A Fortune With FREE Advertising!

How To Gain FREE Advertising That Will Make You Rich!Okay-Just... Read More

Advertainment is Sneaking Into Music, Movies, TV and More

The very name "advertainment" sends thrilling vibrations up the spine... Read More

9 Tips for Better Billboards

It is a given that billboard advertising "outdoor" is not... Read More

CD Business Cards- Why Use Them?

CD Business cards are the electronic version of the now... Read More

10 Reasons Why Your Company Needs Custom Invitations

I am always amazed when I hear about companies who... Read More

How To Create A Better Brochure

Having a quality brochure makes a positive impression on a... Read More

The Internet and Beyond - 12 Tips on Writing Better Brochures

Every year thousands of online businesses fail. None of them... Read More

Radio Interview 101

Different Types of Station ContactReaching radio hosts (for the purpose... Read More

Business Cards: Why Waste Valuable Space?

So many business people neglect this valuable asset that may... Read More

Power Headlines for Promotion Success

Do you send email to your Online audience to let... Read More

Advertising Primer for Fast Learners

Advertising, when done well is a very effective way to... Read More