What to know about advertising

Businesses that sell day to day items such as grocery store, conveince stores, bars, and resturants will find greater success advertising products, specials, and coupons. Businesses of this nature need to use creative promotions to attract new customers. Keep in mind that you are more likely to find success advertising with-in a closer distance to your place of business. Knowing we are creatures of habit and convience, you have to appeal to new customers in order to raise profits. If you chose to run a special/coupon run one that is worth using. Remember you want to attract new business. Due to your type of business your customer service and convience is what will gain you repeat business. (unless you provide poor customer serice)

Businesses that provide services such as machinics, construction, salons and businesses that sell high-end merchandise should find greater success by advertising their products, services, and reputation. Businesses of this nature should keep in mind that advertising for them will be more about getting your name out there. So when people do need your type of services or merchandise they know where to find you. Remember they are also buying “you” outstanding customer service is a must for repeat business.

Always keep your budget in mind. The point of your business is to turn a profit so you don't want to over spend. on advertising. Remember, you have to spend money to make money and advertising is a perfect example of that. All businesses need to do some sort of advertising so find what suits your needs and your budget. If you are a seasonal business then you should promote 3-6 months in advance and heavy during your busy season. For those that are year round types of business, you should manage a budget that allows you to produce and maintain steady forms of advertising all year around. This will help in “keeping you in mind” to your potential customers. The human brain should retain images to memory after seeing them 8-10 times.

Local businesses: Don't get lost in the pages. With your type of business exclusive advertising is so important. When you are an ad in a paper with numerous other businesses of the same nature people usually go with either the one that they have heard about before (see your ad elsewhere) or one of the first few listed. Don't be just another listing. Phonebooks are great ways for people to find you when they need but most people will usualy only call the first few businesses listed until they find a business that suits their needs.

(facts produce from survey/response studies and college business theisis studies)

What to know about advertising...

How advertising works

Lets us show you what we can do for your image

GREAT LAKES PROMOTIONS

Whether a business is a multimillion dollar national chain store or a small "mom and pop" shop, all businesses should know 10 important benefits of advertising. Every time you pick up a news paper, turn on a radio, or watch television, you'll be exposed to adverting by businesses who understand the importance of marketing.

Identify Advertising lets people know you’re in business. It conveys your business name and the type of products or services you offer.

Reach out A big example of the benefits of advertising is bringing potential customers to your store who might otherwise never know you exist. A storefront is only seen by people who walk past your door, but advertising can reach out to others in the surrounding towns and counties.
Special sales and promotions can be advertised that get people’s attention. Perhaps someone has been thinking about getting a new mattress, and when they learn about your store having a sale, it could be just the incentive they need to make a purchase.
Hours of operation. Nothing is more frustrating than going to a store to buy something you need and realizing they are closed. The potential customer may just go somewhere else to make their purchase. One of the benefits of advertising the days and hours a store is open is to help prevent a loss of sales.
"Word of mouth" is said to be one of the best forms of advertising, and it’s true. A satisfied customer will often tell others of their experience, which can result in future sales. Media advertising in newspapers, on radio and TV will help get new customers who will then increase business by their spreading the word to their friends.
Seasonal Promotions There are great benefits of advertising for specialty items or seasonal products. Perhaps you sell products that only your store has locally, such as musical instruments. Advertising special seasonal items, such as selling Christmas trees, can bring additional sales at certain times of the year.
Confidence Business owners often don’t realize that one of the benefits of advertising is making potential customers feel more confident in a business they see advertised. It gives them the sense that the business is professional, stable and reputable.
Blitz Every time you watch a football game on TV, you’ll see beer advertisements. These companies are huge, and they have plenty of customers, but their goal is to keep their products’ names in front of consumers. If you see a commercial for a certain candy bar dozens of times, the next time you’re in a convenience store and see that candy bar, you’re more likely to buy one.
Consistency A business that stops advertising may give the impression that the business is out of business. When people see a business advertise for a long period of time and then stop, they may get the false impression that the business is no longer there, even though it is still open. Consistent advertising yields the best results.
Invest Another of the benefits of advertising that many businesses don’t realize is that it takes money to make money. An old saying in the marketing industry is "Advertising doesn’t cost, it pays." Sometimes you have to invest money to make money, and advertising should be an investment that is included in a business’s annual budget.