Promotional advertising has been around for a long time. Still, when many people think of this type of advertising, they believe that it is going to cost a lot of money. That’s not necessarily the case. If you have a small business, or just want to promote a local cause or charity while still staying within a strict budget, here are some ideas you can try.
Contests have always been a good way to grab attention. They catch the eye of people who would like to win the prize and motivate them to enter in the running. Along the way, you have the chance to introduce them to specifics about the products or services you sell, or about the needs of the charity you represent. You can opt to go with a grand prize, plus several prizes of lesser value that can go to a selected number of contest participants. There is also the option of staying with one grand prize, an approach that is often the case with non-profit organizations that want to raise their public profile.
When it comes to the nature of the prize itself, know your target audience. For example, a sewing machine is a nice prize, but not likely to draw in anyone but people who like to sew. Focus on prizes that appeal to a broad spectrum of potential customers or supporters if you want the contest to grab a lot of attention.
Another approach to promotional advertising ideas is the use of handy give-away items. Many companies employ this approach when attending conventions, or even as something to pass along to prospective customers during sales calls. While you can always fall back on simple items like note pads and pens sporting your company logo, it is a good idea to look for items that are a little outside the box. For example, if you suspect that many of the decision makers you will talk with like to play golf, invest in ball markers or even a set of golf balls that feature your company name and contact information.
Free demonstrations are also a great way to advertise your products and services. For example, a teleconferencing company can capture attention by offering a free tutorial of their conference call options, along with a voucher for a free conference call of some size. Anyone who attends the demonstration can claim a voucher, then try the service on their own. This approach often leads to securing a few new customers, and can pay for itself in a month or even less.
Don’t forget the power of the Internet when it comes to promotional advertising. Make use of such resources as article sites that allow you to include links back to your business web site. Put together simple videos that can be placed on different sites that allow short clips. Make sure to use keywords and keyword phrases that will help your articles and videos show up high on search engine results. While this approach can take some time to master, the return potential is extremely high. In addition, you provide loyal customers with an easy way to share your company with others, since all they have to do is email a link.
Promotional advertising can take many different forms. The trick is to know your target audience, and have a good idea of what strategies will grab and keep their attention long enough to make a sale. Even new businesses with little to no advertising budgets can use these simple ideas, and make a significant difference in the size and scope of their client bases.
