Open Source Content Management

Is marketing your products and services using traditional advertising methods such as ads in newspapers and handing out flyers an effective method of marketing?
What are the best marketing methods to attract new customers?
Hope someone can help.

Its best in my opinion to do as much as possible. There are some places online you can advertise for free. Gumtree being a prime example.

I'm no expert but any advertising you get will help no matter what. Its more about where the advert can be found and seen. There is no point handing out flyers about your car wash to people walking around. If they had a car they would not be walking.

You will need to seriously look at what you trying to advertise and work around that to come up with what the best solution is.

I fully agree, I wonder how many readers actually notice ads in newspapers.

If you design an ad to attrack immediate attention, it works. They say that if you take a flyer from someone and just look at it and throw it away, what your mind read will be in your sub-consious mind.

Attracking attention is the key.

Thanks Bracye

It has to be more than Attracting Attention. I can do that by strolling naked down the High Street - but who and how many will stop me and buy? The Offer is what must attract the attention of a specific audience. We used to write ads to a simple formula A.I.D.A which might be helpful to consider. It stands for (A)Attract Attention (I) Stimulate Interest (D) Demand Action (A) Ask for the order. If your ad does these things, it can be a winner.
Phil Sinclair
www.leadersedge.co.za

I use newspaper ads and online classifieds, but none seems to work. The best response I have had with a previous business was Adwords and referrals. Newspaper ads seems to attract many time wasters, they curious not serious.

Bulktextads wrote:
I've seldom seen a good ROI from print ads. I would however recommend them when it comes to the trades: Plumbers, Mechanics etc

I do find their ads useful when placed an a LOCAL newspaper - especially in small towns.

In my experience, flyers are a way to get your name known. If you are not offering a great special, generally you get a 1% feedback. Most South African prefer the internet. It is the best way to market, if you are not prepared to go from place to place and talk to people who will use your services. Newspapers do get response, again only if you are offering a service or special that most people can not do without. Word of mouth is still your best advertiser. Email and sms marketing also work if you keep it short and to the point. All marketing is 50/50 deal. Try advertising at schools. Also contact people who are in a similar market, but do not give the extact same service: ie if you are selling pool chemicals you would contact people who build pools. Hope this helps.

One on One and referrals tend to bring home the bacon for me.