Hi everyone! I was thinking about putting a display ad in the newspaper. It would be a little smaller than the size of a business card so I could fit a good bit of information. I was just curious as to whether anyone else has gotten clients this way? It costs $229 to run for 30 consecutive days... is it worth it? Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks,
Tarah

I ran a one time ad in our very small local paper. It cost $20 for the run and it brought in one client. I help her several times per year with bookkeeping so it paid for itself.

Hi Tarah,
We ran an ad once, it was about $100 for an ad that was included each weekend [Saturday and Sunday] for a month. It did not bring any results but it was very small and even with the yellow highlighting we paid extra for I just don't think the market we're after really reads the section of the paper we were in.

Were I to do it again I would take out a much larger ad in the actual Business section - but that would be quite costly.

For $229 you can get some really nice marketing materials made up - postcards, brochures, or similar... based on my experience I might choose to spend my money in another direction, but it sounds like the concept worked for at least one other VA so it may be worth a shot where you live!

I'd love to know what you end up doing, and if you do go for the ad, if it brings any results for you

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I've found that traditional newspaper ads just don't cut it anymore. What I would encourage is using that money to drive to local networking events and meet business owners in person. They want to know who you are. Once they get to know you and come to trust you, then they will be willing to spend money using your services.

I understand we live in a virtual world. However, face to face networking still beats any other form of marketing. It's worked for me and my husband and the people we network with.

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Sue L Canfield
AwesomeAssistant.info
My Blog

I have not placed a newspaper ad. When I started, I was lucky enough to start with a client and have had calls from referrals. But, 200+ dollars does seem really high for a 30 day ad. But, maybe that is just me lol

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Newspaper advertising has always been expensive. I'm not sure, with circulation dropping, etc. that it's the best place to put your advertising dollars.

I'd probably choose to do PPC over newspaper advertising. Just my 2 cents

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Vivi Gonzalez
www.VirtualBusinessPartners.com

Thanks so much for all of your replies! I'm glad I asked, I think I am going to make better use of my limited marketing funds.

My other thought was to invest in a chamber membership. That is $375/yr but I feel like I'd be able to get in front of a lot more people that way. In person. Thoughts? Thanks again!

Tarah

I ran a few ads in the newspaper back when I first started out and it didn't work well for me.

Our Chamber's cost is around the same here. I opted out a few years ago, but plan to get back in there. You get out of the Chamber what you put into it here. If you make yourself seen and able to attend some of their events, that is a whole lot better than paying the dues and then sitting and waiting for someone to find you. Thank about joining. I think it gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of people.

Good luck!

I also feel that newspaper ads don't generate clients. If you have already set aside the $$ then use them to hire an SEO and/or marketing expert to market your website or advertise in print or electronic media that your niche reads or subscribes to.

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

Even thought I am just starting out in this business, my experience has shown me that Newspaper Ads do not pay for themselves because typically the cost is so high. I have found that "word of mouth" advertising is better and of course, more cost effective. Personally, I would rather join a Network Marketing Group, such as BNI, or a local Chamber so that you can meet folks who might have a need for your services or know of someone else who could benefit also.

Laura

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Laura Kelly-Pifer