How much ad space to buy?

Smaller ad for more weeks or larger ad for less weeks?

[ggmike]

Hello guys,

I'm getting ready to advertise my webdesign firm in a local business magazine. I know that results will probably vary from person to person, but I'd just like to know what results you guys have had with purchasing bigger (rather than smaller) advertisements.

My options are to either purchase a 3.75" x 2" ad space for 1 or 2 weeks (the magazine comes out weekly) or to purchase a 1.75" x 1" ad for 4 or 5 weeks.

My advertisement wouldn't be in competition with any of the other advertisements in the paper, but most of the advertisements are of the larger size.

What has worked better for you guys? Big ad that gets lots of attention or small text-only advertisement but displays for longer?

[netguy]

Personally, I have found that a long-term, consistent advertising program works better than a short-term hit.

Weekly business periodicals are often refered to sporatically. People may read your ad, think about your services weeks later, then go back to try to find your phone number in a current issue.

If you elect to go with the longer-term program, even though it is only a text ad, I would try to make it stand out with a color/bold, compelling headline, crisp & concise description of what you're offering, and your address, local phone number, and URL.

Steve

[EileenC]

Rule of thumb on advertising or marketing of any kind: consistent, repeated market exposure almost always beats one-time super-duper-flashy big stuff. Definitely go for the smaller, more frequent ad.

[netguy]

>>always beats one-time super-duper-flashy big stuff

Eileen's comment kind of reminds me of the many 'one time wonders' who dumped $millions-per-minute during the Super Bowl - just before the technology bubble burst.