Is TV and Radio advertising worth the cost?

I get asked all the time, “should I run commercials on local TV or Radio, or should I just focus on all kinds of online marketing?”

My answer always changes depending on where the client is located. TV and Radio ads still work, that is why the big companies spend more than a million dollars for a 30 second spot in the Super Bowl. But will that work for you, in your market?

If you are in a big TV/Radio Market and you are a small business I say avoid most TV and Radio unless you have about $50,000 to throw at the first campaign. If you have the money, you can still get a lot of bang for your buck with TV and Radio. Most small business owners cannot afford to do enough TV and Radio for it to work really well for them.

I have heard so many times…”we did TV commercials and got nothing out of it.” That tells me the company owner did not spend enough money, did not put the commercials on the right station at the right time, and was not prepared to stick with it until it worked. 

TV and Radio will work but be ready to spend. Get on the number one station. Get connected to your biggest sports team in your market.

Call a business owner in your market who you see on TV or hear on Radio a lot. Ask that person for some advice. Those people know how to use traditional media, or they would not be doing it.

Call me if you have questions and remember the time for great marketing is when you are busy, not when you slow down.