Month: June 2011

I watch more TV with my DVR

/ Duane Christensen

Yes…I watch more TV with my DVR.

DVRs are great for someone like me.  Probably for you too.  We’re busy, right?  When I’m not working, I’m busy with family, camping, yard work, family, movies, playing with my daughter, honey-do lists, and family.  So, when I get an hour or so each night to unwind, I can play one of my favorite TV shows whenever I want.  And my DVR allows me to fast-forward the commercials.

Before DVR, I would have to watch my favorite shows when they were scheduled to air.  But I’m busy…so that didn’t happen very often.  Yes, DVR does help me watch more TV programs – but NOT more commercials.

How many other people are the same?  How would a business owner effectively reach a TV viewer with a TV commercial?

I’m 37 years old, I don’t watch the news, I don’t read the newspaper very consistently, and I’m on the go quite a bit.  I don’t see many TV commercials or newspaper ads.  How do you, as a business owner, plan to advertise to me?

Two ad mediums come to mind: Direct Mail and Radio.

The average radio listener logs in about 23 hours of radio per week.  It’s a heck of a lot more affordable to reach that person with radio than with TV or newspaper.  AND you reach them more times, consistently.  Which is KEY.

What can you get with $1000 in a week on TV?  Not much.  Especially, after you’ve paid for the production of the commercial.  Newspaper?  1 or 2 ads maybe.  If that.

Direct mail could be a good combination with radio, if it’s done right.  You can’t just put your name, phone number, and a pretty picture on a postcard, and pray for your phone to ring.  So, how would you get my attention with a direct mail piece?

Make the headline the most noticeable part of it.  And make sure your headline is solving a problem I have.  Solve the problem of your prospect.  Your headline can also be a “teaser” with the notion that you can solve a problem.  It should give HOPE and open the door of POSSIBILITY to solving a problem or making your prospect’s life better.

If you’re looking for advertising that works well…ask an advertising rep for some references.  Talk to 5 or 10 business owners that use the ad medium you’re thinking about trying.  Ask them if it’s working.  Most advertising reps probably won’t get back to you because they won’t be able to find enough happy clients for you to talk to.

If you run a business in the Sioux Falls area…call me.  I can help you take you from where you are…to where you want to be.  Or at least discuss a game plan or strategy.  And I’ve got plenty of references for you.

Thanks!  Have a prosperous day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media – Sioux Falls

605-940-7984

My work website: http://duanechristensen.townsquareinteractive.com/

If you have questions about the cost of radio advertising, which radio stations would be a good fit, or how to get started attracting more customers, don’t be afraid to ask. I like to help good businesses take a bigger slice of the Sioux Falls market.

The Best Golf Ball Whackers in the World Still Have Swing Coaches

/ Duane Christensen

The best golfers in the world still have swing coaches.

The best opera singers? Voice coaches.

And, when you start a small business, you’re advised to get coaches, too: retain a lawyer and an accountant immediately, right?

But your marketing? Your strategic planning? You can handle that on your own, right?

Maybe you can even get your spouse to help. He’s pretty creative.

I see it quite a bit. Either a Sioux Falls business owner handles the marketing, or even the spouse is often given that role. They think, “It can’t be that hard to get our name out there.” Sometimes the Office Manager is in charge of “marketing”. Or they hire a “marketing person” that has a bachelor’s in communication that was never taught how to make local advertising actually work for a small business.

If this seems at all familiar to you, then I may have touched a nerve.

So, what is a good marketing person? A “marketer” for a business is supposed to take a product or service to the public in the attempt to make a few bucks. But often, the marketing person knows nothing about advertising. They try this and try that. And in the end, they might figure out that some things work better than others, but they still haven’t found what REALLY works.

TELL ME if this sounds attractive to you or not –  What if people REMEMBERED you in their time of need for what you offer? What if you didn’t need to offer discounts and coupons in order to attract new customers?

Well…that’s what I do for local businesses in and around Sioux Falls. It’s not something that’s done overnight. It takes a lot of thought and research and “digging” to create the right message to attract new, profitable customers, consistently. But it doesn’t seem like work…because it’s what I love to do.

The next time you say to yourself, “I wish advertising worked better,” I’d like you to call me. There are businesses that are struggling all over the area. They’re trying anything and everything to attract one new customer who is probably the wrong customer that doesn’t give them any repeat business.

The radio group I work for has a different philosophy on advertising than what you’re used to hearing. And it’s a difference that tends to be working out pretty dang well for our small business clients.

A small business owner told me this the other day…

“I’m tired of being flat or down or barely squeaking out a profit year after year. You’re telling me that you can help me grow to where I want to be?”

I said, “Absolutely.”

IT MAY TAKE MORE than just advertising, but I’m here to help and advise and offer honest feedback in your quest for the growth and success you’re looking for.

Have a great day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media – Sioux Falls

605-940-7984

My work website: http://duanechristensen.townsquareinteractive.com/

If you have questions about the cost of radio advertising, which radio stations would be a good fit, or how to get started attracting more customers, don’t be afraid to ask. I like to help good businesses take a bigger slice of the Sioux Falls market.