|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertising on the radio can be an effective lead generation strategy. But like all marketing tactics, success or failure lies in its implementation. Here are 15 important tips to help make your radio advertising more profitable.
1. Make sure you match the station to your intended target market. For instance, if most of your projects are sold to an affluent middle-aged clientele, it's best to advertise on a station who's audience is comprised of this same demographic. To pick the right radio station, poll your best clients and ask them what station(s) they listen to. If you begin to see a consistent station pop up in your survey, there's a good chance that you'll find more clients amongst that station's listeners.
2. Use a first sentence that grabs the listener and demands attention, preferably by leading with a benefit or asking a curiosity-provoking question. Example: Would you like to have the nicest home in your neighborhood?
3. Make your spot easy to understand. Be straightforward (not clever or funny).
4. Use a compelling voice. Having a popular radio personality deliver your spot, if possible in a loose, conversational way, often works best. This works even better on a talk format, or call-in style program. The transition between "show" and "commercial" is often seamless, making the spot seem like "news" from the radio personality.
5. Authenticity ?If you can, offer to do some small job for the radio personality as a way to demonstrate the quality of your work. This way, when the radio host endorses your company, he/she can say "they've worked on my home and they did an outstanding job. Showed up on time, did the job right the first time, stayed on budget and they were clean". This type of first-hand endorsement can be powerful, especially if the radio host is popular with his/her listeners.
6. Test your spot on a small scale before committing to an extensive advertising schedule.
7. Make your phone number easy to remember and repeat it often.
8. Include specific, compelling, reasons why your company is unique and the best choice. If you have a good company story, use it.
9. Have a strong offer. Few advertisers using radio understand the importance of an offer. An offer answers the question in the prospects mind, "why should I call now"? This also makes your advertising measurable and provides a list for follow-up marketing. Avoid weak offers like "free estimate".
10. Ask for action. Have a strong call to action ? "Call now".
11. Negotiate ad rates. Oftentimes advertising rates are negotiable. Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal.
12. Consider off-peak times. Morning and afternoon drive-times are often the most expensive time slots to advertise on. Test your spot just before or after these peak times. Example: if morning drive-time is 6:00 ? 9:00 AM try advertising at 5:30 AM and see if the reduced ad rates are worth it.
13. Don't try to reach too many people all at once. It is better to reach 10% of your prospects 100% of the way than to reach 100% of your prospects only 10% of the way.
14. Don't select radio programs or formats for your own personal likes or dislikes, but rather for the audience you want to reach.
15. Distinction is an effective tool for attracting people. That sound effect, theme music or "sound signature" will help your ads make an impression.
Tyrell MacGregor is Managing Director of FootBridge Media, a Referral Marketing Company that specializes in client newsletter templates and home improvement marketing solutions for home improvement contractors. Visit them at http://www.footbridgemedia.com
Advertisement: Honest Riches - Click Here!
Advertisement: Lost AdWords - Click Here!
Advertisement: Get $1 Million A Month In Google Pay-Per-Click Ads Free! - Click Here!
Advertisement: Who Loves Money? - Click Here!
Advertisement: SEO Elite, the GrandDaddy of SEO Software - Click Here!

You've probably heard the slogan, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." It may be a sales pitch, but in the world of... Read More
When commercials come on the television do you get up and head for the kitchen to get a snack? Do you tune out the radio when commercials... Read More
You are an expert. You have lots of content - even more than you deliver from the presentation platform or in your consulting engagements. But how do... Read More
A recent issue of Entrepreneur magazine included a marketing story with five important questions all business owners should be able to answer about themselves and their competition.Understanding... Read More
Grant Businesses have a love-hate relationship with the Yellow Page directory On the one hand, business owners know they need to be there - even though everyone... Read More
If you have been in business any length of time, I can assure you that habits, not conscious thought, are guiding your marketing actions. Many business people... Read More
1. Do the moneymaking things first.For an entrepreneur, generating income is the most important job. Without income, your business will cease to exist.2. Develop a sales and... Read More
There are other names given to "Back-End Selling". You may think of it as follow through, or maybe VALUE added. Both are good terms. Let's take a... Read More
One of the basics of all marketing and advertising training is a teaching of "Maslow's needs pyramid". This pyramid shows the different motivators and needs in a... Read More
I opened the registered letter and was shocked. My best clients were joining together in a class-action suit against me. The letter stated that I had promulgated... Read More
Today's constant bombardment of marketing messages means your materials must grab your prospects attention in the first few seconds, or your efforts are wasted.How do you know... Read More
We could learn a thing or two from pro sports.Baseball players use stats to tell the story of their season and their career. Scorekeepers keep track of... Read More
As a massage therapist, your income is usually limited by your stamina and the amount of hours there are in a day. Have you considered that there... Read More
With its association to an affluent, sophisticated lifestyle, wine can make a good accompaniment when marketing to an affluent audience. However, I am not talking here about... Read More
Want to learn how to lose a billion dollars?Just follow the marketing strategies used by GM, Ford and Daimler Chrysler. Yes, some of the largest corporations in... Read More
Three seconds. That's what you have to convey your message. Creativity is the strategic weapon that allows us to capture those few precious moments of attention from... Read More
Life provides your business with enough opportunities for failure. Don't help it along by creating sinkholes to consume your limited financial resources. There are seven key mistakes... Read More
Guerrilla Marketing is using time, energy and imagination to market a product, business or person without spending massive amounts of hard earned profit dollars. It also has... Read More
What do the following things have in common: brushing your teeth, regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, paying your bills on time, cleaning your gutters, spending quality... Read More
Lots of people get confounded when attempting to exchange links, you're not alone. The people who have the spot you want are competitors. The people who don't... Read More
In Part 1, I discussed how traditional marketing is no longer working the way it used to. This is happening for a variety of reasons -- people... Read More
It's a great concept, - and it has a 'cool factor' of 300%!Many people will pop these into their drive just because of image appeal alone. What's... Read More
For generations people have been saying that laughter is good medicine. And now the scientists have taken an interest it turns out great-grandma was right. The boffins... Read More
Positioning is a powerful concept in marketing. To illustrate, have you ever visited a fast food restaurant, and, in a rush to complete your order asked for... Read More
1. Determine the goals of your promotional products program. Do you want to create awareness? To attract new customers? To reward or provide incentives to existing customers?... Read More
NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about the big 5 P's of marketing everyone's familiar with.Here I'm NOT referring to Product, Price, Place, Promotion... Read More
Marketing message x Credibility x Visibility = Marketing SuccessThese three variables, when working positively together, create success. Period. But determining how to get those variables to work... Read More
1. Determine the goals of your promotional products program. Do you want to create awareness? To attract new customers? To reward or provide incentives to existing customers?... Read More
If you want your marketing to be effective, you absolutely must connect emotionally with your prospects. And one of the best ways to do that is by... Read More
In a world economy that is in constant flux and undergoing turbulence, more companies are realizing that their most precious asset is their customer base. An even... Read More
If you are a therapist, counselor, or an alternative or complementary health practitioner (naturopath, homeopathetic doctor, massage therapist, body worker, etc.), in all likelihood, you are not... Read More
"Brochure" is French, and it comes from brocher, meaning to stitch. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, a brochure is "a small booklet or pamphlet, often containing... Read More
The customer is king/queen. We have all heard this mantra. It's up to you, the supplier, to prove it so. With these ten tips you will be... Read More
1) Word of mouth is the most cost-effective, powerful form of promotion. Write a list of 50 people you know but don't see regularly ? relatives, friends,... Read More
Business marketing is essential for professional services, such as consultants, coaches, speakers and trainers.Creating trust with prospects and clients is essential. How do you do that?A Reader's... Read More
Have you created a marketing plan for your Website? If not, it is time to think about developing one. An Internet marketing plan helps you make the... Read More
In a crowded marketplace of ideas, it is important for non-profit organizations to establish a well-defined niche. While most non-profits are not selling products, they are selling... Read More
"When I walked into the grocery store last Saturday, I was just 'browsing.' But... their MWR was obvious. Because,... I could smell the 'hot fresh baked bread'... Read More
As a self-employed professional, you have two basic strategies for your marketing efforts: Writing or Speaking.No matter whether or not you do both of these activities or... Read More
You can use great design and copy to get a better response.When you send a mailing to your customers or prospective customers you are counting on making... Read More
The Mail Order business is not a business of itself, but is another way of doing business. Mail Order is nothing more nor less than selling a... Read More
Marketing as we know it is over. Done. Finito.People the world over are bored and spammed to the brink of tears. But there is good news: There's... Read More
When asked "what business are you in" many business owners often identify an industry, for example, "I'm an accountant" or "I run a beauty salon " or... Read More
Last month we looked at what you need to do before you spend money on marketing brochures, a website, advertising or even go out to network. During... Read More
Listing names of Big Mail Requestors, and sending out packages ofBig Mail is an easy way to get your start in the business ofselling by mail. There... Read More
Your business success depends on your ability to promote your services, your products, and yourself. Fortunately, promotion is simple. I know...you hate selling. "But, I'm not a... Read More
Recently I wrote an article on the benefits of joining your local Chamber of Commerce as a way of getting exposure for your business. See "Marketing on... Read More
Before you ever get on the telephone, send a marketing piece or set up an appointment with a potential customer, you must first identify whom that customer... Read More
Being a master of your craft, skill, or talent doesn't ensure the success of your business. You can be the greatest at what you do, and if... Read More
Dear Friend:Don't do it.Don't start your fundraising letters with "Dear Friend."After all, when was the last time you received a letter from someone dear to you, addressing... Read More
Whether it is for is a real estate listing, a trade show handout, a data sheet, or another application, brochures can be a great promotional tool. They... Read More
I met a lady who said she received a notice in the mail from a company offering plaques of various animals. She knew her daughter would love... Read More