Getting more for your ad dollars
Advertising can be costly, but it is the life force of your business, as it is what brings in new customers and drives sales. The following are a few simple ways to make your advertising dollars go further:
Make your product literature easy to adapt:
One of the biggest costs of advertising is that of designing different ads, pieces, and brochures for each market sector, but the fact is, you don't have to. In fact, most section of a marketing piece remain the same no matter who you are marketing to. So, things like technical specifications, info about your company, etc. can be the same, and info such as benefits will change by the market you are trying to attract. Just create a modular form, and change the sections that need changing for your different target markets.
Use ads beyond space advertising:
Instead of only using your ads for space advertising, make that money go further by ordering a large supply of reprints. Then you can use these reprints to distribute to your customers and prospective customers. It will cost less than new ads, and reinforce the message you wanted to get across in the first place.
Make ads more than ads:
One way to get more bang for your buck is to turn an ad into a product data sheet, not just an ad. You can do this by including technical specifications and additional product information. If you reprint an ad, add it to the back, if you are putting out a new ad, you can include it. It saves you design money, and gives you a great layout and exposure.
Use ads as direct mail pieces:
If you create a print ad, then do not just use it for a space ad, but use it again as a direct mail piece. The more use you get out of each piece you pay to have designed and created, the more you get for your money.
Don't scrap an idea jut because it is old:
If you are using an ad and it is working, do not scrap it just because you have been using it for a while. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. If it is still accurate and effective, and it is still attracting customers, then use it until it is not. Why pay someone to create a new ad campaign for you, when the one you have is working perfectly well? It does not make sense, and you wouldn't want to waste your time and money doing it. If it needs updating, do it, but don't reinvent the wheel if the wheel works.
Marketing is a critical part of a business's success, but you have to be smart about how you use your marketing dollar. Never waste a dollar that doesn't need to be wasted. Always get the most milage out of every piece you design.