You’ve worked hard to build your business and now it’s time to spread the word. Whether you are launching a new product or preparing for a bull sale, advertising plays a significant role in reaching your potential customers. Planning an effective advertising campaign will be worth your time. Here are five tips to get you started.
1. Know who your potential customers are. Knowing and understanding your target audience is one of the most important factors to consider when advertising. A clear idea of who you want to reach with your advertising will help you craft and target your message to potential customers, while avoiding the expense of reaching out to those outside your audience spectrum. It will also aid you in deciding where to advertise, making the dollars you spend on advertising more effective.
2. Make a budget. Advertising is an investment. Budgeting allows you to plan the size and scope of your ad campaign, determine advertising frequency and what media vehicles you will use to deliver your message. When budgeting, keep your timeframe in mind. Are you advertising an event? Are you promoting a new or existing product? These factors determine when and how often you should advertise.
3. Plan ahead. Creating an ad and getting it in front of your audience will take a little time. Don’t let this scare you off! With a plan in place, the process will run smoothly and pay off. Contact your ad designer to chat about design time. Contact those you want to place your ad with to determine deadlines. Keep in mind that print publications have deadlines ahead of print dates. A monthly magazine will often need your ad the month prior to the issue date, weekly publications the week ahead and so on. Digital advertising is more instantaneous; however, it is important to make a plan to ensure your target audience sees your ad at the right time.
4. Details, details, details. When creating your ad, don’t forget the important details. The ad should align with your brand image and include a clear, simple message to catch the attention of your potential customers. If you are advertising an event, such as a bull sale, make the date, time and location clear and readable. Don’t forget to include contact information. Make it easy for potential customers to reach you.
5. Consistency and diversification. The marketing “rule of seven” suggests that potential customers need to see your advertisement seven times before they will be ready to take action. While the exact number of exposures to an ad to create an effective response is debatable, with today’s access to information, there is value in potential customers being exposed to your ad repeatedly. Explore different media types to understand where your target audience is and get your brand in front of them frequently. Print, digital, television, radio, direct mail – these are a few of the options to consider when advertising. Using a variety of these options simultaneously to deliver a cohesive message will help your brand be seen and remembered.
Need help along the way? BluePrint Media is an expert in developing effective advertising campaigns and offers a vast selection of services – from ad design all the way to full ad campaign management. Let us help you develop a successful advertising strategy for your business.
Megan grew up in Castle Rock, Colo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and minors in global business and non-profit from the University of Northern Colorado. Megan is BluePrint’s materials coordinator and social media manager. She works on website updates for clients and manages their social media platforms, as well as gathers materials for publications. Learn more about Megan.
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