SoKy Local Business or "SoKybiz"

Small business owners would do well to look at what the big companies are doing to reach their market. The national brands invest heavily into survey's, polls, studies and market sampling before they invest in expensive national advertising. They also hire large graphics and marketing firms for the presentation and message. I believe small business owners can use the strategies of the big guys to create, modify and adapt their much smaller advertising efforts.

You can look at any major brand for ideas and strategies. Looking at those brands that are trying to reach your customers can be even more revealing. Looking at their ads as well as what media they are spending heavily on can help small business owners choose their methods and message.

Know what to look for! Small business owners should have some nagging questions in minds when looking at national advertising as it relates to their own marketing and advertising.

1. Who are they reaching? Are the customers they are trying to reach the same as yours? Age, income, location?
2. What are they selling? Is their product or service similar to yours?
3. Where are they spending their money? More importantly, what methods do they seem to be using more of? Print, Radio, Outdoor, Direct, Television?
4. When are they reaching out the most? Do their ads play at certain times? On particular days? In select locations?
5. Why are they using the methods? Is it because of reach? Budgets? Strategy? Market? Effectiveness?

This may sound like you need to be an "expert" in order to analyze all of the variables, but it doesn't take rocket scientist to just take notice. Most small business owners are always thinking about their business in one way or another, taking note of the advertising methods used by big budget advertisers as you go through your day takes just a little effort and can reveal opportunities never considered before.

Labels: Advertising, small business

This was posted by SoKy : 11:00 AM