Best Place To Advertise For Business

maguim

This is just a general query to any MSE members who own their own businesses regarding advertising locally. I'm trying to get an idea of what local papers, journals and magazines might be best to advertise a new business in. Having been involved with a couple of relatively new or expanding businesses in recent years and spoken to a few marketing experts, I am still somewhat confused as to the best approach. Also, does anyone know how much radio ads with Cool FM or Citybeat cost?

gibbyni

What type of business is it?

maguim

Sorry gibbyni. Its a claims management company which assists people through their claims process with Insurers. Based in Belfast but seeking to advertise throughout the Province.

mumoffour77

Downtown/citybeat will speak to you about advertising costs....just give them a ring......
MIS seem to have the majority share in Antrim and Down, they run a good show, advertising on their hire cars etc...
Speak to some of the insurance companies, hughes and abbey use MIS....they started off in a shed in their garden;) and really worked hard at getting meetings sorted with the big insurance companies!!
Have you had someone look over your business plan? sometimes people go into business thinking they will make money and have no business plan whatsoever.....have you checked out who your competition are what they are offering ect.....ie hire cars/garage services/recovery/solicitors!!?? Its a massive market out there and your competitors are good (not great....there are still some improvments to be made) at what they do!

Advertising would be probably best based in local independant brokers, ask them to put a flyer in with all new insurance policies, door to door flyers are good as your taking the service to them, word of mouth, local papers, Free papers ect!!

Or Flogitni...............

maguim

Thanks mumoffour77. We are well aware of competition from the likes of MIS. Agree with your views though that there is certainly room for improvement in the service offered to the claimants and, yes, we can offer everything that the competition can. However, I appreciate that this forum is not for advertising purposes and we genuinely are looking for feedback from local business owners re advertising avenues. Thanks again for your advice.

chunter

leaflets on cars in carparks. (especially this time of year)
giveaways - smelly things for cars..
what you want is to give people they'll keep in their cars!

website? subscriber lists

bonjovi99

Google addwords (pay per click) can be very effective providing you have a good website.
You can target an area like NI.
Pick specific keywords or phrases that people may search for on google
"Insurance claim"
"car accident"
Your add will appear under sponsored links and you will only get charged pennys if someone clicks on it. But its important to understand how it all works to make the most of it.

maguim

Thanks folks. Adwords looks like a good proposition bonjovi99 which I am looking into at the mo. Anyone have any experience of using the likes of Community Tele, Southside Advertiser, Local Shopper, BT? Focus or any of the other "free" publications?

Snoozle

chunter wrote: »

leaflets on cars in carparks. (especially this time of year)

Maybe I'm too cynical for my own good, but I must admit that as soon as I get something stuck under my windscreen wiper I automatically think its a scam. I would just be afraid that whilst you might get some leads, you might also scare other people off instead of drawing them in.....

maguim

Tend to agree with that Snoozle. In any case, aren't most of the cars in car parks from down South anyway?

djkaizen

I am best friends with a guy who advises businesses on how to cost effectively market their business on Facebook. He's working with small businesses and the only cost is his time.

Do you want me to pass on his details?