Advantages and Disadvantages to a Few Advertising Mediums
In our bustling consumer society, we are absolutely surrounded by advertising--some effective and helpful, others superfluous and obstructive.But what business owners want to know is what types of advertising can really tap into their market base without crossing into the realm of propaganda or worse, obnoxiousness?
As we all know, there are countless ways to reach an audience.Let's go over some advantages and disadvantages of a few of them.
First, we have the inevitable advertising method that arose with the advent of cars and highways: the billboard.Depending on the location, renting a billboard for advertisements may either be very cost effective or extremely expensive.In the heart of Los Angeles, it may cost you up to ten thousand dollars a month, while in a rural location or a small town, it may be as little as three-hundred dollars a month.
The main reason why advertisers choose to use billboards is because they are huge and eye-catching.It is very hard for passersby to miss a huge, brightly colored sign.They are particularly advantageous on long stretches of open highway, where there is little else to look at!
Furthermore, there are now electronic billboards which are able to shift between advertisements.This has been a great technological advancement for advertising on billboards, making them more brightly lit and striking.
However, a billboard can say little, as any important information must be written in large enough print to be read from afar.This means that meaning is often conveyed through pictures, which also help to keep the advertisement interesting.But the more "artwork," that is included, the more costly the billboard becomes.
Another very large ad comes in the form of pre-movie showing commercials which are featured before the upcoming movie trailers.Like billboards, they have the advantage of being difficult to miss, as they are directly in front of potential consumers.
But one major disadvantage is that as movie-goers shuffle into the theatre, get settled, or get up again because they realize they really do want popcorn, it is unlikely that many people will absorb and remember anything advertised.Before a movie begins, many people are also unlikely to fix their attention to the screen.
On a smaller scale, a common method used for local advertising is the distribution of printed fliers.They are cheap and require no maintenance after they leave your hands.But the issue with this is that they so often get discarded.
One way to rectify this problem is to place a flier in hallways or public restrooms, with tear-off contact information for any interested parties.This wastes significantly less paper, which saves you money in the long run.
Another popular route is that of the advertising refrigerator magnet.Even in mass production, they end up being fairly reasonably priced, but do be mindful that if they are discarded, it would cost you more than a simple sheet of paper.Also, they take longer to produce, so if you are in dire need of an immediate advertisement, this may not be the solution for you.
But the great advantage is that many people do end up saving magnets due to their sheer usefulness.Even if they do not act upon the advertisement right away, they will have plenty of time to see it on their refrigerator day after day, and constant exposure is a great tactic in advertising.
About the Author
If you are interested in ordering a customized advertising magnet for your business, be sure to check out American Printing & Promotions (http://postcardmagnet. com/), the leaders in professional but cost-effective magnet making.
Relaited Links:
- E-Book Marketing: Best Information about any Question
- Easy Money for Teens: Or Is It?
- Book Marketing: The Benefits of Giving Your Book Away
Labels: harvard business review, marketing strategy, small businesses, trader
posted by Kevin @ 7:26 PM
