Thread: Trying a Newspaper Ad for the First Time-Update

I am trying to increase class size, so I am running radio ads for two weeks on 2 stations that appeal to women ages 16 to 60. They are very short catchy music driven spots...I'll let you all know how that works.

Sorry to hear the newspaper ads didn't do the trick. It can be hard to reach the right people with a mass medium (even if the vehicle is a smaller, suburban publication). I don't think the downturn in the economy helps either :/

Have you tried leaving business cards at entertainment venues (e.g., catering halls or community centers)? You can also try targeted mailings. Companies usually have their holiday parties in early-mid December. A targeted mailing - a flier with a fancy/glossy business card - in November might do the trick. Sending stuff out for Halloween may also help.

Originally Posted by laura 2

Well, it went over like a lead balloon. I ran the ad weekly from Thanksgiving through New Years, and it resulted in zero bookings. ..cr.: I don't regret trying it, because sometimes you gotta gamble a little with advertising. Unfortunately, this time I rolled snake eyes.

I think I might just have to resign myself to the fact that in my area, November - February will forever be a sucking black hole for gigs. *sigh*

So sorry to hear it. Seriously, at my former studio...we ran weekly ads for months before we saw any returns. And now they get bookings on a regular basis from those ads...but consistancy is key. Not sure Thanksgiving till the end of the year is enough time to build your "brand" to the point of recognition.

Originally Posted by Malena

Sorry to hear the newspaper ads didn't do the trick. It can be hard to reach the right people with a mass medium (even if the vehicle is a smaller, suburban publication). I don't think the downturn in the economy helps either :/

Have you tried leaving business cards at entertainment venues (e.g., catering halls or community centers)? You can also try targeted mailings. Companies usually have their holiday parties in early-mid December. A targeted mailing - a flier with a fancy/glossy business card - in November might do the trick. Sending stuff out for Halloween may also help.

I'm not interested in promoting myself right now, but if I was, I would focus on the event planning community in town, probably starting with those who work for the big hotels.