This article is the first in a series that will showcase the different low cost marketing options available to businesses who are looking to increase their leads and brand awareness.

1. Local Newspaper Ad
Yes it could be considered a bit old school but depending on your type of business and where your customers are this could be very effective.

The secrets to getting results for local newspaper ads are:
a). Creative – Using a unique visual that stands out
b). A Simple but catchy headline – that talks to your target audience.
People buy on emotion and justify their purchase with logic. So your aim is to find the unique triggers in your product or service that will cause your customers to purchase from you.
c). Position in the paper – Consider where your customers spend the most time consuming the local paper. A hint. the reason papers charge more for being in the first 10 pages is the top stories are also there. So if you cant afford what they call “early general news” then find a place in the paper that you can dominate.
d) Size does count – If you cant afford one third of a page as a minimum then don’t waste your money. No one will see it and all you will be doing is lining the pockets of the media company with cash.
d). Consistency & Frequency – The cardinal sin of most business is they see marketing as a quick fix. Truth is that you have to build a relationship with your potential customer and like any relationship, it takes time. By being there consistently you develop trust. That could be that when your potential customer is ready to purchase, they trust they can find you in the same place in the paper they have always been used to seeing you. Because you have been there consistently they can trust that you are a reputable business that will be around for the long term.  A Final note on consistency. don’t assume the average consumer goes out seeking your product or service. So don’t be surprised if it takes some four or five times before they take notice of you. A trick to this is to run two or three ads in a paper a few pages apart in the same position. This is called frequency. What happens is the brain does a bit of a rewind when it sees the ad again, often thinking its a mistake by the paper. Its a good way of standing out but not one if you don’t have the budget.

For more ideas on print ads click here and look for the drop down “view by …print”

More detailed tips to follow in my next post on:
2. School Newsletter Ad
3. Insert
4. Press Release
5. Letterbox Drops
6. Direct Mail
7. Piggy Back Invoicing
8. Fax Outs
9. Direct Email Campaign
10. In Store Signage
11. Window Displays
12. Shopping Centre Promotion
13. Create an Industry Newsletter
14 Networking Functions
15. Telemarketing
16. Competitions
17 Host Beneficiary
18 Open Days
19. Strategic Alliances
20. Party Plan
21. Trade Longer Hours
22. Referrals
23. Facebook
24. Blog Pages
25. Google Adwords
26. Google Places

Outsource My Marketing is a full service marketing agency that specialises in Strategy, Creative, Production and Marketing Management.

If you would like help with your marketing in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin or Hobart then contact Jeremy Hope today on 1300 131 377 Mobile 0418 564 685
jeremy@outsourcemm.com.au