Sioux Falls

I’m Seeing This Mistake – A Lot!

/ Duane Christensen
Digital Advertising

“You HAVE to advertise on the Internet.”

We spend a lot of time online.  We also ignore the crap out of 99.9% of ads we see on the internet.  Tell me I’m wrong. I’m assuming you might be told that “You have to TARGET TARGET TARGET the right person.  You need to figure out who your best customers are and then target those same demographics and behaviors with a laser-scoped rifle.” I’m talking about “Display Advertising” online.  The images with text on them.  How many do you ignore in a day?  How many do you EVER click on? How about Pay Per Click advertising?  Like Google Adwords? (which is changing to just “Google Ads” I guess).  I actually think there is some value with Google PPC ads for the right type of product or service.  It’s easy to test, too, without spending a fortune.  Then, when you find something that works, you can increase your budget a bit or your territory.  Sometimes they work, sometimes they bomb. But it’s all about the product or service you’re advertising and the wording you use in the ad.  If you have questions about using Google Ads… give me a shout and we can discuss. Ok, the same is probably true for display advertising… but there are local businesses spending thousands upon thousands each month on display advertising.  Personally, I bet their ROI doesn’t even pay for the ads.  Sure, they see that they’re getting ad impressions or clicks… but most aren’t measuring things correctly to know if it’s actually bringing them new business. Because that’s what matters, right? Bottom line… you’re spending too much on display advertising. Guess what?  I actually SELL display advertising once in a while.  Townsquare Media is really good at it.  Like REALLY good.  So, if I find the right client with the right product / service / offer… then I might recommend it… because I know that Townsquare will give them more bang for their buck than any other digital ad agency that I know about. BUT BUT BUT… if I have the choice of adding $1500 to $2500 per month onto either 1) more radio stations or 2) display ads………………….. I’m picking the extra radio station(s) every time.  EVERY. TIME. WHY, you say?  Because given the choice of playing an engaging and entertaining radio commercial to 100,000 people per week versus flashing an internet display ad to 100,000 people, which one do you think has more impact?  Which one do you think is more memorable?  And if you’re not thinking about the same kind of radio ads that I’m thinking about, then click HERE to play a few samples. The HUGE NET you cast with a great radio marketing campaign will target 3 groups of people: 
  1. The teeny-tiny group that needs your product or service now (which is what most online, print, and “sale” advertising ONLY targets)
  2. The considerably bigger group who doesn’t need you now, but will need your product or service within 1 to 12 months. And you can start telling them why you frickin’ rock, and how you’ll be the best damn choice for them when they DO need you (while most of your competitors are only advertising to the teeny-tiny group of low-hanging fruit).
  3. The much much bigger group of people who have no intention or inkling of using your product or service within the next year or two or three.  Your engaging and entertaining radio campaign will start forming a relationship with these people. They’ll feel like they know you before they even meet you! They’ll come to TRUST you before they even meet you (if the ads are done right)!  And what happens then? When they actually NEED the product or service you sell… who do you think they THINK OF FIRST?  Yup.  You.

Recent Radio Advertising Client Story

I have a radio client that’s been on the radio for 1 year and about 4 months with me.  The phase of RESULTS (or ROI) he’s knee-deep into right now from his Results Radio campaign… is impressive.  He went from doing NO RADIO, to radio ads on 2 big radio stations, 4 weeks each month… and his business is kind of exploding.  He went from ONE front desk / administrative professionals to THREE in this short time.  And I don’t know how many other service employees he has hired.  ANYWAY… here’s what happened… He recently asked me to put his radio ads on hold… so they can CATCH UP! He is also in a category that nobody had ever tried to lay claim as “the leader” in Sioux Falls.  Meaning, the competitors in his category didn’t advertise much…. or very effectively anyway.  That makes it prime pickins’ for snagging a huge share of market.  But that only comes when you snag a huge share of the minds within that market.  If you’re one of those categories where nobody is really “running away with it”… and you’d like to make your mark… give me a holler! If you’re wondering who the client or the category is, just shoot me an email, and I will happily share some of the details of the campaign, and why I feel it’s working so well. I did tell him, “I’ll pull the ads for a bit, but I don’t think you’ll slow down much because you’ve ‘duct-taped’ your brand onto the brains of a big chunk of the public.” Oh, and guess what.  He doesn’t do digital advertising. Or much social media at all. Or pay per click. Just a little bit of TV on ESPN I believe.  And he’s killing it – with his long-term, 4 weeks per month, radio advertising.  And that makes me really happy.  : )
Duane Christensen 9 Yards Marketing duane@9yards-marketing.com

Learning the Hard Way

/ Duane Christensen

We’ve all learned lessons the hard way, right?  But we’re better people for it.  It makes that lesson sink in just a little bit farther.  Let me share a quick story about how it seemed like “back to school” for me recently.

radio advertising sioux falls

It was “back to school” for me recently. Image by “digitalart” / freedigitalphotos.net

I had a client who I began a “radio relationship” with late last year.  Everything seemed to be going fine… and out of left field I get a call from them saying that they are canceling their radio advertising… and going with some “other” radio people just to try it out.

They weren’t firing me… it was just a temporary thing they said.  They were curious.  They also had multiple people trying to make marketing decisions, which didn’t help.  But that’s not my point here.

My point is that I screwed up somewhere.  Me.  I didn’t blame anyone.  I didn’t get upset.  (please don’t get all mad and whiny if someone decides to not do business with you – if you do, you just guarantee that they’ll never ever come back to you – be the bigger person)

It had to be something that I could have avoided, right?

I dug a bit deeper.  I waited a couple days and then called and asked, “So, what really was the reason you’re taking a detour from what you were doing?”

They told me that the “other radio people” presented them with a really creative and funny ad that they couldn’t pass up.

Oh, shit.  The other guys.  Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.

How did this happen?!

My lesson here is that I forgot to tell them that they were going to be called on by every advertising platform in town when they started advertising aggressively on the radio with me.

I forgot to tell them that they’re going to be swooned over and given the world because people will heavily desire their business.

No, let me re-phrase that, I should have told them that their phones would ring off the hook with desperate advertising people begging for their business, showering them with empty promises.

My lesson is that I didn’t get face-to-face with them enough.  Why?  Because they were busy.  They are mile-a-minute type of people.  So, I didn’t want to bug them too much.  But I could have got around that.  I could have tried harder.  Heck, everyone has to eat, right?  I should have bought them a few lunches here and there.

My other lesson is that I should have continued to educate them on what a good radio ad really consists of.  I was just assuming that they loved me enough to stick with me no matter what.  I assumed.  Whoops.  Dumbass.

But these lessons help me.  They make me better all around.  Hard lessons teach everyone (sometimes painfully) how to avoid similar situations in the future.  So, don’t get down or feel beat up.  Get back on your horse and do it better.

Now, I’m working harder to get the business back.  I’m making it a challenge to get the business back.  And when I do… I’ll make sure I don’t take it for granted.

Maybe you’ve neglected your own customers here and there without realizing it.  It’s not that you want to.  Sometimes we’re just so busy.  Sometimes we have things going on in our lives in which the word “monkey wrench” isn’t even close to describing the chaos we’ve been through.  It’s ok.  Sometimes you just have to steer the ship back on course!  : )

Have a groovy day!

-Duane

Results Radio Townsquare Media

Sioux Falls, SD

605-940-7984

The “local” part of Radio

/ Duane Christensen

Why local radio advertising can work so well.  And will continue to…

I asked the finance guy at Papik Motors in Luverne a while back if he thought Radio was going to be extinct in 10 or 20 years.

He said, “No way! There will always be a big group of people who want to hear their local stuff.”

Which is how I feel as well.

radio advertising

Chad McKenzie

A lot of people listen to local radio. Satellite and online radio account for a very small percentage. Actually, AM/FM radio is listened to about 4 and half times MORE than online radio.  There are many reasons why people love local radio. Here are MY reasons….

  • To keep up on new songs that are heard on the radio first.
  • Local news and different perspectives of local news.
  • Witty commentary on local sports and local sports issues.

    Radio Advertising

    “Crash”

  • It’s easily accessible to me. When I hop in my car…it’s ON. When I’m at home on the weekends and want a “mood lifter”…I just push a button.
  • Variety. I have an iPod. I have access to iTunes on my phone. I listen to Pandora once in a while. But the radio plays music that I haven’t heard in a while…but still like a lot. Songs that I’ve forgotten about. Plus all the new stuff, too. Unless you’re one of those weirdos who ONLY listens to 80s music. Ewwwwwww.  I kid. But not really.   : )

Radio Advertising

Ben & Patty

So, anyway, if you’re wondering whether people still listen, the answer is Yes. And they will for a very long time. As long as radio station owners adapt and invest and understand that a LIVE and LOCAL, entertaining DJ is a powerful thing (like mine at Townsquare Media do!), then Local Radio will continue to keep its listeners.

Sorry that I didn’t add pics of all of our live and local radio talent. But you can find them and other station info HERE.

Have a great day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media – Sioux Falls

Home

Radio Ad Writing – The Search For Perfection

/ Duane Christensen / 1 Comment

Radio Ad Writing – The Search For Perfection

I put too much pressure on myself when it comes to writing radio ads. I have needed to write a couple scripts for two clients for about a week. I’ve been stressing. I’ve been waiting for some inspiration and spark. It hasn’t come yet.

In a perfect world, my clients would give me access to their brains whenever I wanted. But business owners are busy. They’re running a business! So, I need to take the info I’ve gathered from them in the past and look at it again. Look at it from someone else’s point of view maybe. Turn it upside down, I don’t know.

Or maybe it’s time for another 30 or 60-minute session with my clients…to gather and record new information. Sometimes I feel like I’m bugging them. Sometimes I feel like they don’t feel that their advertising is as important as I think it is. Of course, my worry is probably unwarranted.

Radio Ad Writing

The thing about “quality”…is that it’s not good enough. Anybody can be quality. It’s when you rise above quality that allows you to shine. I always want the ads I write to kick quality’s butt.

All of my worries are because I have a tendency to push towards perfection. Which I think is a good thing for my radio clients. It just tends to give me extra anxiety that I’m not sure I’ve learned how to deal with. So, maybe I should pull the reins back a bit and not get so crazy.

Good Radio Ad Writing Doesn’t Come With The Snap of Your Fingers

Instead of waiting for the perfect idea to pop in my head, I need to just start writing. Write, damn you! And it’s amazing once I start writing…better ideas follow. The only problem is that I forget to just start writing sometimes. Or maybe I’m not in the mood to write. I’m going to make a sign to hang in my office cubicle. It will say, “Just start writing, man!”

If my Sales Manager, Rick reads this…I’m sure he’ll be curious about whether I follow through. Oh, and Rick…sorry I’ve been sick recently. My viral illness spiraled into a painful case of pleurisy. But when the pain meds kick in…I’m fine. So, I’ll be writing today. Writing and helping out with laundry. The cool thing about being sick and “laid up” for a while is that it’s like a vacation for the brain. Once you start feeling better…you get a burst of energy and ambition. I’m hoping that time is today for me.

I know my radio ads help a lot of businesses grow and increase sales. I just want them to know that because I care and respect their investment so much…it turns me into the anxiety-ridden perfectionist sometimes. My radio ad writing comes and goes in flurries. Not sure if that’s the best way to “do this” though. So, the advice I’m giving myself today is, “Just start writing, man!”

As a business owner…if you feel your advertising people may not have conflicts like mine at all…or if you feel they may not be putting as much care and thought into your Sioux Falls advertising efforts, I hope you’ll reach out to me. I’d love to create something great for you. It’s not about the radio station or wherever you decide to advertise. It’s about the word in those ads. It’s about the emotions and pictures you can paint for people with radio ads. Great radio ad writing can make wonderful things happen for your business.

That’s all for now. Have a great day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media

Sioux Falls

605-940-7984

Window Company Might Need A New Radio Ad Strategy

/ Duane Christensen

Image courtesy of "domdeen" / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of “domdeen” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Listening to the radio the other morning, a window Ad caught my attention. That’s good. That’s what it’s supposed to do. Well, it’s the first thing it’s supposed to do, but that’s not the ONLY thing it should do.

The ad started out giving reasons why someone might need new windows. Drafty, fogged up, condensation, etc. I immediately thought of a few of my older windows. Then, I also thought replacing my windows is not something I needed to do right away. They’re not that bad. Maybe my heat bill is a few bucks higher…oh well.

But here’s the thing that the advertiser failed to do. They failed to make me feel good about THEIR company. They didn’t give me any reason to trust them more than any other window company. All they did was educate me on the signs that I don’t have a perfectly efficient window. I don’t even remember the name of the company (because they failed to give me a reason to remember them).

Here’s the thing about windows. It’s not like buying groceries. People will take a lot of time to consider their options. And people also don’t need to replace their windows very often…or ever. So, the number of people who are in the market right now for new windows is very very small.

The window company radio ads should either be branding themselves to the public. Or they should have had a whopper of an offer, call to action, or added value mentioned in their ad…in order to make the people who really need new windows ACT NOW.

The best kind of advertising would be of the branding sort. The kind of ad strategy that glues a business name in the public’s mind. That series of ads would make me trust THAT company above all others. That company would cause me to feel good about their company. And they would tell me their stories in their ads consistently and repetitively over time on the Radio. That way…I’ll remember them and feel best about them when the time comes for me to replace my windows.

You might say, why not just always have a great offer or a discount of some kind and only attract the people who need your product or service at this very moment?

It’s because that percentage of the population is really small. And you’d be fighting against all the other window companies making offers as well. And then you mostly attract the people looking for the best deal. And you have to make one heck of an offer or discount available…decreasing your profits. Over and over and over and over. It’s an endless cycle of PANIC and a “what kind of deal can we offer this week or month to drum up some business?” kind of situation.

But when you get people to basically love you and trust you and REMEMBER you for wonderful reasons BEFORE they ever have a need for your product or service…then you attract a better kind of customer who is on the lookout for a trustworthy and high-quality business to buy from. That buyer is far more profitable. That buyer won’t get quotes from 17 different window companies (or whatever industry you’re in). They’ll start with you. You’ll either be on the TOP of their list of who to call, or you’ll at least be the top 1, 2, or 3. And that’s WAY better than being the 11th option…or not an option at all.

See what I mean?

Radio can work wonders for you…when you have the right strategy and the right kind of branding message that causes people to remember you for the right things.

You might not even know that Radio Advertising can work really well. You might be considering a “mobile” ad campaign because everyone has mobile phones, right? That’s gotta be the best way to find a new customer, right?

And all that time you were wondering what new technology you could dive into to capture new customers…Radio was always there. And always with the huge potential to help grow your business. But you just weren’t using it correctly.

I hope this example from the window company radio ad helped shed some light on things for you. It’s not that the radio ads can’t help them. They can. Especially if there aren’t a lot of other window companies advertising. You can win a little just by default if your competition isn’t doing much advertising. But it’s just my opinion…this ad campaign can be much much better.

If you have any specific questions about radio advertising or about any other kind of advertising (digital, text campaigns, TV, print, etc.), all you have to do is ask. Either email me or call me. Let’s sit down and figure out the best things we can say to your potential, profitable new customers. Let’s talk over your options.

I want your advertising to work for you. I want you to see business growth and prosperity year after year. Let me know if you’d like some help.

Thanks. Have a groovy day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media (8 radio station group)

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

605-940-7984

duane.christensen@results-radio.com

I write this blog on behalf of my sales and marketing career at Results Radio Townsquare Media. My goal: Help more local business owners get more for their advertising buck…and be thrilled with the results.

Fixing a 30-second Radio Spot and Strengthening a Client Relationship

/ Duane Christensen / 2 Comments

Image courtesy of "digitalart" / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of “digitalart” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s not their fault. They didn’t know it was BAD.

I recently received a radio script from new client. It was 30 seconds worth of words that sounded like every other ad that their industry cranks out. It was going to be ignored. It was going to blend in with every other craptacular 30-second radio spot that talked all about the business, but not about the listener.

So, I had a dilemma. I already knew they were going to spend some money to air the radio spot. I’m assuming most advertising people would have just let’r rip! “Let’s take their money and run for the hills!” But I didn’t do that. I called the client and started to explain myself. I gave the biggest reasons why it wouldn’t work. And then I said, there are a few things in the radio ad I’d like to keep…but I want to re-write it and see what you think.

A few hours later I sent a 60-second radio spot. I added some flair and “likeability” to the ad…but I focused the entire spot on that one main point that the business was trying to get across. I shined a light on it…instead of just mentioning once or twice. I made it impossible for listeners to ignore the message. Because the point of the ad had a good chance of attracting the right new customer. It had some merit.

Now, the radio spot was actually easy to listen to and keep someone’s attention. I added humor to it. I added unpredictability. I added a few production elements that added to the point we were trying to make.

They loved it. I don’t think anyone had ever explained how advertising works to them. They only dealt with order takers in the past…not marketers. They told me straight up that they appreciated my honesty up front and my experience that turned a mediocre ad at best into one that actually WORKED! They ended up making another buy and I think we’re on our way to a beautiful friendship.

And I felt better about myself because I did the right thing. I ran the risk of losing a potential new client because I told them their ad wasn’t going to work. Even if I did take their money initially…it would have been very short-term. They would have moved on to the next advertising medium or rep…and tried the same thing.

Now the business understands that it’s not only about WHERE you’re advertising…most importantly, it’s WHAT YOU SAY to the people that will make all the difference. Victory!

If you’d like to talk about how to NOT let your advertising blend in with all the background noise, just give me a shout. I’d love to discuss real options and different ideas.

Thanks for reading. Have a groovy day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

605-940-7984

duane.christensen@results-radio.com

I write this blog on behalf of my own sales and marketing career at Results Radio Townsquare Media in Sioux Falls. (8-station radio group + ad writing + strategy). This is not the company website. This is my own personal radio advertising blog. I hope to educate future radio clients as well as share some extra insight to my current radio clients.

“And More!” Advertising (Resist the Temptation)

/ Duane Christensen

radio advertising bad habits

Image courtesy of “khunaspix” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Ad writing tip: Try handwriting first, then type out your script. I’d even wait a day before typing it out. You’ll find more improvements to make the next day.

I caught myself typing “and more!” in a recent radio script I was writing for a special event. I slapped myself silly and then deleted that ugly, meaningless phrase. There was a small amount of blood, but I’m OK.

Why does “and more!” make it into WAY too many radio ads? Couple of reasons I suspect.

1) Lack of information. You’re trying to list a few things about the business or about a special event…and you really only have about two things to list but it doesn’t feel like that’s enough…so you type “and more!” thinking that the public will want to check out all the “and more” that there is to offer.

2) The client wants you to insert “and more!” into the ad copy. Probably because they’re terrified of leaving anything out…and they feel they’re safe if they add “and more!” They also probably feel that everyone hearing the ad will say, “And more?! Oh, boy! I can’t wait to find out what the ‘and more’ is!!!”  

Whether you’re a radio advertising copy writer or a business owner writing your own ad copy…I beg of you to resist the temptation to put “and more” into your copy. Let me explain why…

People don’t hear those two words in your ad. And even if they do, they won’t even have a clue what they would entail. And they won’t be excited about those words, pondering what exciting and mysterious things could be waiting for them at your business or special event.

So, the words “and more” in your ad…are DEAD WORDS. They mean nothing. People want to know specifics. They want the juicy facts! But if you’re insistent on using “and more” because you’re pig-headed or don’t believe me…at least say “and a whole wagon-load of whatchamacallits!” in your radio spot instead. You might as well get some attention with your vagueness, right?

Maybe you’re a retail store and you’re having a huge sale. You decide to mention a bunch of name brands that you carry. After listing about 5 brands you say, “and more!” Sorry, but people aren’t going to fill in the blank. All they possibly heard are the brands they’re familiar with. Two out of the five if you’re lucky.

Fill your radio spots with something better. Get people’s attention. Tug at their emotional strings. Get them to FEEL what you can do for them. Make them want to experience what you can offer them. That won’t happen with laundry lists of unremarkable items and a whole bunch of “and mores” snapped onto the ends.

When you and I work together on your radio advertising campaign…or your special event advertising…I’m going to dig deeper. I’m going to make YOU dig deeper. Let’s give people some information they might actually care about. Let’s entertain them. Let’s make them LIKE you before they even become a customer. And when they do…then YOU can make them LOVE you. Sound like a plan?

Have a kick-butt-take-names kind of day!

Duane Christensen

605-940-7984

I write this blog on behalf of my own sales and marketing career at Results Radio Townsquare Media in Sioux Falls. (8-station radio group + ad writing + strategy). This is not the company website. This is my own personal radio advertising blog. I hope to educate future radio clients as well as share some extra insight to my current radio clients. I’ve been doing this long enough where I know what works and I know what doesn’t in the world of radio. When you want to make a splash and grow your business in the Sioux Falls and surrounding market, please get in touch with me. I’d be happy to talk about the options you have and share my ideas with you.

Better Ads = More Buying Power

/ Duane Christensen

You want to advertise, but you also want to invest WISELY.

Let me help you spend your money. Just kidding. Let’s help you get MORE for your advertising investment, eh?

Here’s how this works.

Let’s say you were going to hire an AVERAGE or below average advertising person. They’ll gladly take your money…and then sloppily put together some ad with no idea about whether that ad might work or not. OR they’ll tell you that you have to air 42 ads a week regardless of your type of business or your local competitive situation. You’ll end up spending more money…and getting less in return if you go with this option.

What’s the other way to go? You can have better ads (or commercials – whatever you want to call them) When you have better ads and a better overall strategy fueling your ads, then you don’t have to BUY as many ads to air each week. Seriously. I’m not makin’ this crap up!

When you’re actual advertising message “hits the mark” with your targeted prospects better…then they have more impact. Here’s a totally made up scenario…

You’re told that you have to buy a lot of ads to make it work. So, you buy 45 ads a week. The ad itself is nothing special. But you’re “getting your name out there”, right? You’re disappointed with the results.

Then, you decide to do it better. You call me. We talk. You understand how advertising works a lot more just because we had a 20-minute conversation. You’re a bit more optimistic, hopeful, or maybe even excited now. I put a plan together for you. Instead of 45 ads a week on the radio per radio station, I suggest 24 to 30. Then, I come up with a better ad. Or series of ads. And then those ads start working. They’ll start working when a lot of thought is put into the plan in the beginning. There’s a foundation at the heart of it that will allow everything to work better, faster, and just plain WORK!

So, I’m not only going to be able to save you money initially, but you should be MAKING more because the advertising you’re doing with me and Results Radio will be pulling in more profitable customers to you. Then, all you have to do is make those customers happy and tell a few people about you…and Boom things start really crankin’ for you. Life is good!

With the money you’re saving initially on fewer ads each week…you could probably advertise on a 2nd radio station for the same money that the “average” ad person would have proposed!

Image courtesy of "stockimages" / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of “stockimages” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
MORE BUYING POWER!

Do you understand now that BETTER ADS WILL GIVE YOU MORE BUYING POWER?

BUT…none of that has a chance to become reality until you call me for an initial 20-minute conversation. Maybe it’s over coffee. Maybe it’s in our cozy little library at Results Radio. Maybe it’s in our top-secret brainstorming room with cushy, colorful chairs.

I’m a nerd about this stuff. I’m YOUR nerd…if you’ll have me. Let’s chat. I’d love to help out! I’d like to help you reach your business goals. What? You don’t have any? You should get some, because then you can get excited when you reach them. What’s your Sioux Falls or surrounding area market potential? Can you double your revenues? Triple them? Set some goals. I want to help you reach them.

Thanks for reading. Have a groovy day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media (8-station radio group)

Sioux Falls

605-940-7984

Let me add a little disclaimer here. Not every situation is the same, but this is a pretty frequent scenario I just talked about. And no, not every ad person will help waste your money faster. But I’ve seen too many who do not have your best interest at heart…or not have the knowledge to make your advertising work for you.

It’s All About You. Wait…No It’s Not

/ Duane Christensen

If you and I meet some day for the first time, I’ll be completely honest with you. I’m going to tell you that your radio advertising isn’t about YOU. I’m going to be honest with you because I actually care that your advertising works. I really really care. I’d rather you be happy with me…than upset that your ads don’t work. I’m addicted to the feeling that I’m doing good for my radio clients.

Image courtesy of "Stuart Miles" / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of “Stuart Miles” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You may say that you want certain words and phrases in your ads. I may agree…and I may not agree. If your ad is mostly customer-focused and talks about how you help your customers avoid frustration or make them happy, we’re on the right track. If your ad (and ad campaign) talks mostly about YOU. I’m going to tell you WHY that won’t work. And I’ll help you understand the basic psychology behind effective advertising.

Once we figure out what a good strategy will be to set you apart from your competition, and figure out some things to say in every ad that will help cause people to subconsciously say, “Duh. I’d be pretty dumb to do business with someone else,” then it’s pretty smooth sailing from then on. Then, we won’t have to start from scratch every time you need a new, fresh radio spot to hit the airwaves.

Please don’t “try” radio to see if it works. It works. The only reason it would ever NOT work, is if the ads were scheduled too sparsely, or if you’re saying things in your ads that nobody cares about. If you do that, your ads will be “invisible”. And invisible radio ads are a big waste of money, and you’ll be disappointed.

That’s why you WANT me to be honest with you from the start. Not just take your money and run for the hills. You want me to share things with you that you might not see “from the inside”. It happens to the best of business owners. They forget to look at things from the consumer’s point of view. What may seem significant to you and your business, might not matter much to the average joe or jane and their families.

The only ways that your advertising is about YOU are that 1) You’re the one paying for the advertising and 2) we have to tell the listeners which business to contact (YOU!) when they want those wonderful things that you offer – less frustration, better life, headache relief, money savings, etc.

When you want to attract a consistent flow of profitable, new customers, I have what you need. It’s not a pill, it doesn’t come from a magic wand; it comes from putting some serious thought into what it is you want to accomplish and what your customers really love about what you offer. Let me know if you’d like to discuss your future and your new radio advertising plan.

Have a great day!

Duane Christensen

Results Radio Townsquare Media

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

605-940-7984

I work for Results Radio Townsquare Media. I write this blog on behalf of my own sales career within the company. I’m passionate about what I do. Making advertising work for you IS the most important thing that I do. It’s what fires me up. What do I do? I write ads, think strategically with your best interests in mind, create ad schedules so your message can be heard, and I become very familiar with your business and what your customers care about.

Blech! Advertising is So Confusing!

/ Duane Christensen

Advertising is Confusing

Image courtesy of “Stuart Miles” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Advertising is Confusing!

What if you decided to finally do it right…and make an impact with your local advertising efforts?

What would you do? Where would you start?

If you look online, you have a ton of choices. Choices that provide no help in “un-confusing” you. Yuck! How could you ever get a feel for one of those advertising companies? You really couldn’t from their online presence. Their websites seem to be full of fluff and “creativity”. I never see any real proof from them that they know how to make local advertising work.

Now, if you stumble across my blog, you may be able to look at a few posts I’ve written…and make an informed decision. You could even listen to some of my sample radio spots. You would either think I’m a crackpot, or you’d be given enough confidence to contact me. But you’d have more than enough information to make that decision. Now let’s get started un-confusing you regarding your advertising.

Radio advertising works…

But first it depends on whether you’re committed to a genuine marketing effort. If you’re looking for the magic potion of advertising results, keep looking. And good luck. If you’re interested in finally figuring out what works and WHY it works, I think you’re in the right spot.

I recently met with a fairly new radio client. There were 3 people from the company ready to answer my questions. I was digging for some new info for future radio ads. One question I asked was, “Is there anything you DO that surprises your customers?” They gave me some great information. Then, we talked for a few more minutes…and the store manager said, “Sorry to go back to that ‘what surprises our customers’ question, but I just thought of something else.” I told him that we could spend the whole meeting on that topic because in your radio ads we need to surprise the listening audience. We need to tell them things they don’t expect to hear. Because otherwise, they’ll tune out. Don’t use advertising to tell people things they already know, surprise them. That’s what will make your radio work better. I heard a few of  them say out loud, “That makes sense.”

THAT was something they had never heard before. In the past, they had been puked on with words, phrases, and industry jargon like, Top of Mind, Branding, Awareness, Demographics, Reach, Targeting, Cost per Thousand, Cume, Dayparts, Circulation, Impressions, etc. etc. Nobody had ever told them that what you actually SAY in your advertising matters. Nobody had ever told them about what kinds of things their “target” might want to hear. Nobody had ever told them that it wasn’t about THEM…it was about how they can surprise, delight, and help someone else – their future customer.

Everyone walked away from the meeting feeling extra confident that we were on the right track. That their ad dollars were being invested wisely.

The only reason advertising might be confusing to you is because nobody has ever really explained it right (or maybe most ad people don’t know).

I don’t sell my clients; I lead them to discover the truth in advertising. I want you to understand what we’re going to do and why it’s going to work before you ever invest a dime.

Give me a shout and let’s talk. Afterwards, advertising won’t be so confusing for you.

Have a great day!

Duane Christensen

Marketing guy for: Results Radio Townsquare Media in Sioux Falls

605-940-7984

duane.christensen@results-radio.com