When advertising for the newspaper, there are several benefits when trying to get your name and business out there. All of these are to ensure smooth and effortless marketing at a very affordable price.

In the first installment, eight benefits were highlighted on why advertising with local newspapers can boost your reception.

Newspaper advertisements can offer flexibility to marketers who want to incorporate this strategy into their campaigns. There are many options for newspaper advertisements, ranging from digital ads to half - or full page - spreads, inserts cards, and booklets. You can decide how you want to design and position your ad to help you capture readers’ attention. Most newspapers allow you to run your ad repeatedly over several days or weeks if you want to extend the longevity of the advertisement. This flexibility can help you reach a wide audience with your advertisement in a local newspaper. 

Flexibility also allows you to alter your advertisement and still stay within budget. Maybe you need a larger or smaller size, maybe you need to change the font, or maybe you have a whole new ad design in mind. All of these are possible with local newspapers as they will work with you continuously in designing and sizing your ad. You will also receive updates on your new design to ensure you are getting what you asked for. If you have a specific spot or location in the newspaper that you feel would benefit your ad best, let the staff know. Ads are placed all over the newspaper and usually are categorized so readers will know which section to look for.  

The cost is flexible as many standard-sized ads are very low in cost. Now, while you pay more as the ad gets bigger, many local newspapers offer deals or certain prices should you plan to be a long-term advertiser or if you are brand new. This cost is the same for all newspaper editions, so you know what price you’re getting each week, and the flexibility allows you to monitor the views of your advertisement. 

Most newspapers print daily or weekly editions, which means your advertisements in these publications can convey a timely message. For example, if your company is having a sale that begins over the weekend, you can run a newspaper advertisement in the days leading up to the sale to generate interest. Typically, advertising departments can help you create a new ad quickly to make sure you meet the deadline for the print edition. The timeliness of newspapers can help you promote your company’s products or services in a current, relevant manner. 

If the newspaper happens to miss a publication date, don’t stress! Nowadays, local newspapers have both social media platforms and a digital edition. Your ad will be placed in either of these so that you are still generating interest and gaining views on your ad. Also, the social media platforms and digital copies will most likely double your views, so timeliness is on your side. When you consider large scale events, to even small business openings, knowing when to advertise to get the best results can be stressful. Therefore, local newspapers will take all of the information you have, run through your edition options, and give you the best publication options to draw attention to your advertisement.  

Worried about your advertisement possibly not getting enough views? Remember, you can start advertising with a local newspaper at any time. There isn’t a required wait or start time, so you have all the time you need or want to start getting your name or business out there.  

Newspaper ads can be an affordable marketing option for many businesses, both large and small. Newspapers typically charge an advertising rate, which can vary based on the size and location of your advertisement. For example, a half-page ad typically costs less than a full-page ad. Other factors, such as circulation of the paper, can also affect the rate of these advertisements. Often, newspapers may offer discounts for businesses that choose to run over an extended period, such as one week. These varying rates can help you find an option to align with your marketing budget. 

Affordability is your best friend with advertising in local newspapers. Consider how you want to advertise - small/medium/large ad, insert, card, story? All of these, as mentioned, come with a pretty set rate, which can be worked with at a local newspaper. There is no worry about going out of your budget when marketing your new or existing business, as the employees are willing to work out a price and the flexibility mentioned previously of starting and stopping at your own leisure. You can also pre-pay for a certain number of weeks as well, and there is no harm in cancelling that ad earlier.  

Usually, new advertisers will get a discount. This is beneficial as you get a feel for your audience, understand how large the viewer base is, and can work around the ad while you get your business’ name out there. Mentioned previously, those who run ads for an extended amount of time, such as service ads, will get a discount as they are running weeks to months at a time. Essentially, local newspapers will market you for an affordable cost as opposed to self-marketing. 

Many people choose to subscribe to newspapers because they want to receive helpful information that’s relevant to their lives. Some subscribers may spend considerable time reading newspaper articles, which can increase the chances of exposure to your advertisement. Other readers may use newspapers to search for sales and offers in their area. For example, they may subscribe to the Sunday newspaper because it contains weekly coupons. Advertising in a local newspaper can help you reach an engaged audience of people who may be more likely to make a purchase or connect with your business because they’re actively seeking this information.  

If you consider the large base of viewers local newspapers have, you will see that they service more than just your own county. Typically, they send newspapers out to surrounding counties as well, which means your audience doubles in size. Placing an ad in the local newspaper not only reaches your target audience, but potentially customers who may be looking for your set services that are not an option near them.  

Having a positive relationship with your local newspaper as you get your ad out there and start marketing your business benefits business owner and community relationships. Some would not know about your ad unless they saw it in the paper. Or, say you were gaining clientele and needed to expand? Marketing in the local newspaper can boost your traffic if you can add in customer reviews. This further shows new viewers what kind of owner you are and what kind of establishment you have if you are new.  

There are dozens of aspects to advertising in the local newspaper and these four alone are just the beginning. If you want to advertise your ongoing business, your new business, maybe you have something to sell, and maybe you need a job, then head straight to your local newspaper. They will get you advertised at your pace, to your target audience, and everyone in between!