Should I advertise?
If you need to ward off increased competition or generate additional customers, then advertising is a necessity. Because you can’t yell loud enough to let everyone hear why they should do business with you, you need to select an advertising platform (radio, television, print, etc.).
When you advertise, you are buying an audience. We provide unique audiences so your advertising dollars are not wasted reaching people who are unlikely to do business with you, while focusing on those that will!
Is radio right for me?
If people who listen to radio do business with you, then radio is an option to explore… and 96% of us listen to radio every week*. (*Radio Advertising Bureau)
Radio can expand your market reach
Radio can target your best prospects
Radio can generate sufficient message frequency
Radio can reach mobile consumers
Radio can motivate people to shop
Radio can establish a relationship with customers
Radio can break through competitive clutter
Radio can make a lasting impression
Radio can maximize your advertising investment
If radio were invented today, it would be all the marketing rage. Why? Because we live in an on-the-go society, and unlike newspaper or television, radio is with us everywhere… in the car, in the office, and all over the house. Radio’s mobility, intrusiveness and target ability makes it a cost-effective marketing platform for nearly any type of business.
How do I get started?
Research our Web site to answer your basic questions. Then, contact us so we can perform a custom marketing analysis for you. After answering a series of questions and telling us what you want to accomplish, we can inform you of appropriate promotions or provide you with a custom marketing plan and demo commercial.
How much does advertising cost?
We’re often asked “how much does it cost to advertise on the Radio?” That’s like asking “how much does it cost to build a house?” The answer is – “it depends.” How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want a fireplace? Tile floors or carpet? A carport or a 2-car garage?
Like building a house, many factors go into determining the cost of radio advertising. How many ads per day? 30-second or 60-second ads? How many times per day do you want to run them? For how long? And most importantly, how much of an impact you want to make.
In reality, a properly done Radio ad campaign does not cost you money – it makes you money! Call us for a free no-obligation consultation and let’s talk about how to increase your sales and profits with Radio advertising! Finding the budget you’re comfortable with while providing a sufficient Return On Investment can be developed through a marketing analysis.
What are the most frequent mistakes advertisers make?
1) Not filling up one cup before moving to the next. Many business owners think they need to do a little of everything instead of doing one thing well. It’s been said, “I throw my advertising dollars against the wall and hope some of it sticks.” Almost any business can get all the customers they need by simply attacking and owning a radio stations audience.
2) Quitting before the advertising can work. Advertising is like trying to get in shape. The beginning is the hardest part and the benefits truly begin when you think you’ve given your all. In order to get your desired body shape when working out, you must earn it by sticking to your plan. Successful advertising is no different.
I want to build my business, what do you suggest?
Be honest with your expectations and investment you’re willing to make. Then call us to do an in-person marketing analysis interview. We can then provide you a demo tape and custom marketing plan that matches your goals and targeted demographics.
What’s the best way to advertise?
Unless you’re having a special event, continuous advertising yields the greatest long-term benefits. Not everyone needs your products or services today, so advertising for a month is a crap shoot. Reminding a large group of consumers who are most likely to do business with you about your unique selling position over and over is most beneficial. When any of our listeners need your product, our goal is to have your business in their top-of-mind recall.
How long does it take for advertising to begin working?
This depends on what you are selling and the offer you’re making. Tell people to visit you for a free $20.00 bill, and you’ll have a traffic jam outside your business. Otherwise, advertising is similar to pushing a car – it’s tough at first, but the more you push, the easier it gets. Soon enough you can move the car along with minimum effort. We tell our large custom marketing plan clients, “In three months you’ll hate me, in six months you’ll talk to me and in ten months you’ll be inviting me to your house for dinner.” Stick with your plan and you’ll be provided a healthy return on investment.
What is TOMA?
TOMA (top-of-mind awareness) advertising yields great long-term benefits. Not everyone needs your products or services today, so advertising for a month is a crapshoot. Reminding a large group of consumers, who are most likely to do business with you, about your unique selling position over and over is most beneficial.
Which station(s) are best for me?
Ask yourself, “What is the profile of the person most likely to do business with you?” Be specific. Now, match up that consumer by reviewing individual stations. Once you’ve discovered the right stations/audiences that are most likely to do business with you, contact us for a complete marketing analysis.
Who makes my commercial?
We can produce your commercial, or we can suggest an outside production house. Production is free for all our advertisers.
Our custom marketing plan advertisers receive agency quality production from our Creative Services Department, and our sales/event/occasional advertisers receive professional standard production.
Our mission is to create top quality advertising that works for our client’s custom marketing plan. How? By Listening to the client to find out what their true needs and goals are. Spending the time required to develop the right message to serve the client’s needs.
Crafting creative ads that will make an impression in the mind of the listener. Employing the highest quality voice talent and producers to turn words on paper into magic!
Our company is very aware that better tools make a better product. Five Forty Broadcasting Company uses only state-of-the-art digital production facilities. Is this overkill? We don’t think so. We believe our clients deserve the best that we can give them, and it shows in our work.
What should I say in my commercial?
Ask yourself, “Why should someone do business with me?” Be specific. “What truly makes me a better choice than my competitors?” “What makes us special?” “What is our Unique Selling Position?” Take a look at your strengths versus your competitor’s weaknesses that can result in taking business from them. Our goal is to grow your business by getting you your unfair share of the market’s dollars from your competition. A completed marketing analysis can help us fine-tune your message to the right audience(s).
How much is commercial production?
At Five Forty Broadcasting Company, both writing your ad and producing it are free. We provide standard voiceover production for all occasional advertisers and complete agency quality production via our Creative Services Department for all Custom Marketing Plan clients.
How can I guarantee success?
After ensuring your business is in fine operating order, stick to a well-constructed advertising theme month after month. If you deliver your message consistently to the right people, your advertising will yield rewarding results.
I’m a small business with a small budget – can I still advertise effectively?
The bare minimum recommended spending can be as low as $300 per month based upon some specific goals and limitations. That would perhaps get you one newspaper ad, but we can develop a plan that delivers consistent advertising throughout the month. Contact us so we can suggest a plan of attack.
Do you have sales or specials?
You betcha! Your Business Development Specialist will be happy to explain all the details.
I’m a retailer, what’s best for me?
Do you live and die by sales events or do you want more consistency for your business? Sales event advertising can drive customers, but it’s the “caffeine of marketing.” The more sales you have, the more advertising you need. However, if you want a steady, non-fickle customer base, we recommend the more consistent approach.
I’m NOT a retailer, what’s best for me?
Consistency, consistency, consistency! Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer or carpet cleaner, a well-developed commercial stating your unique selling position will keep you in the consumers mind when the day comes form them to need your services. We firmly believe the best approach is Long Term Consistency, with a minimum of 3 ads a day.
I’m having an event, how should I advertise?
Heavy. We recommend ten to fifteen a day for a minimum of three days prior to an event or major sale. For Short Term Impact we recommend determining a budget and scheduling a minimum of 1 or 2 ads per hour from the time an event or sale starts scheduled backwards until you run out of money.
How does a buying cycle affect my business?
We all have needs that create buying cycles. As a business owner, you want the consumer to think of you when they need your goods or services. A specific listener may not need an attorney, dishwasher, new sidewalk, or retirement plan today. But, what about those who need these items next month … or next year?
Create your business as a point-of-destination in the mind of the consumer. When they have forgotten about your competitor’s ad minutes after they pass over it in print, you’ll be there to TELL them your story, with consistency, day after day. That’s how you create Top-of-Mind-Awareness and that’s how to fight through a consumers buying cycle.
Should I do a “Live Remote Broadcast”
Live broadcasts are great for grabbing attention for a major event or sale. Our radio stations provide talent, engineering and great visibility. In most cases, weekend broadcasts are booked a month, or more, in advance. Contact us to check on available dates and times.
What is reach and frequency?
An advertising term that calculates how many people you’ll touch with your commercial (reach) and how often they’ll hear that message (frequency). Research shows if you can reach two-thirds of a radio stations audience 3.5 times each; your ad will break through and be heard. Contact us and we’ll provide you the number of ads needed to achieve exceptional reach and frequency.
What’s a radio demographic?
It’s a group or cell of the population who listens to one or more of our stations. Our goal is to match your targeted demographic (target prospects/customers) to one or more of our matching stations.
I tried radio once and it didn’t work, why would it work this time?
Because we go through a regimented process including a marketing analysis, custom marketing plan and creative demo commercial. This process puts all the odds for success in your favor. Our Business Development Specialists are trained not to be good salespeople, but intelligent marketers. Suggesting a campaign that does not work is as unacceptable to us as it is to you.
What is co-op advertising?
It’s advertising paid partially by you and partially by one of your vendors. For instance, you may carry a new widget from Acme Company. Acme would pay 50% or more of your advertising bill for sharing time in your ads. Contact your vendors and ask if you have co-op dollars available.
What is drive time?
Morning drive is 6am to 10am, and afternoon drive is 3pm to 7pm. The other primary radio “day parts” are mid-day, 10am to 3pm and evenings, 7pm to midnight. Though drive-time rates are available, the most cost-effective rates are ROS (Run Of Station); where your commercial is heard equally in all four primary day parts, including drive times.
Should I advertise with your stations on-air or online?
Ideally, both. Everyone listens to the radio and everyone is online in one form or another. We promote the content on our radio station websites heavily. When we do that we’re bringing listeners to see the banner ads located there as well. While your radio ads inform and maintain “Top of Mind Awareness”, our online display ads point listeners to your website for additional information, to print a coupon and/or direct online purchasing opportunities.