Home Based Business Advertising

Advertising costs for your home based business depends on the media you use. Make sure you select the appropriate media to reach your target customers.

Advertising media include:

• Radio
• Television Newspapers
• Magazines
• Internet
• Yellow Pages
• Billboards/Signs
• Direct Mail

Radio

If you have a strong geographic or demographic target for your home based business, radio may be effective. Your ads have to run frequently. An effective use of radio is for press releases and community service announcements. Before advertising, contact the station and get the audience profile. Use it to determine the prime listening time of your target audience.

Television

Cable television can be an affordable media. Cable companies sell ads on hundreds of channels. You will need to find out from the company on which channels your ads will run, at what time, and in which areas.

In certain time slots, national broadcast television can be affordable. You need to work with your local station to determine the best time for the best price to reach the target audience for your home based business.

Newspapers

Small ads can be affordable and effective if you write a good headline and create an eye-catching graphic. Classified ads are very affordable. Many home based opportunities can be found in classified ads. Make sure your ad is positioned in the correct category.

Magazines

A number of magazines have regional editions. You may be able to target your audience better in the regional editions. Ads in these editions will cost less.

Internet

There are a number of ways to advertise on the Internet. The main way is to have your own home based business Web site which describes your product or service and provides valuable information to site visitors. Other methods of Internet advertising include banner ads, classified ads, targeted opt-in e-mail, and exchanging links with other sites.

The information on your Web site should be of interest to your target audience. It should be more than a sales site. Articles which describe the visitor's problem or answers their questions will get visitors to return and may induce the first sale. Up-to-date content may get the repeat sale for your home based business service or product.

You can also purchase ads from national magazines and newspapers that have an online presence.

Yellow Pages

Listing your home based business in the Yellow Pages is still an effective advertising tool. Make sure your listing is under the correct and most appropriate heading for your product or service.

Billboards/Signs

Billboards grab attention and they reach a large number of people. Prices vary.

Outdoor advertising also includes posters, flyers, ads on buses and bus shelters, and aerial banners, some are costly. You also have to be aware of your local ordinances regarding the posting of signs.

If you are trying to reach a local target, printing and handing out your own flyers will be cost effective.

Direct Mail

With direct mail you can reach your target audience. The effectiveness of the campaign depends on the list and the design of your mailing pieces.

Households receive many mail pieces daily and yours must stand-out from the rest.

Advertising is important to gaining and retaining customers for your home based business opportunity. Make sure you use the most effective advertising your budget will allow.