Is local advertising right for my business?
By Angie Lane
Editor and publisher of the Boundary Magazine,
Serving Chipping Sodbury and Yate
The Boundary started on 1 August 2008 when I bought publishing
software and two months later the first edition was in print. That was just as the last big recession kicked in! It’s not the best time to start but businesses always need to get the word out about their offer. Luckily my target area (Chipping Sodbury and later Yate, BS 37) did not have already have free colour community magazine.
Perhaps you have recently taken the decision to start your own
business or you run an established business and you need to
increase local customer enquiries?
What are my options?
Word of mouth is always the best way but it’s a chicken and egg scenario — how do I get the leads in the first place so that those customers can recommend me?
You could try online adverts. I suggest you talk to someone with special knowledge so as not to waste your marketing budget.
Flyer print and distribution — rather costly and very time consuming. The average
suburban area delivery rate is 100 homes per hour. You might have to budget £40 per
thousand to a delivery company. If you printed 7000 A5 flyers (I found a price in Bristol of £108) - you then have to have 70 hours to deliver them or pay someone else £280. Or you could check out the Royal Mail Door to Door delivery service cost and lead times.
Local advertising
The beauty of the local free magazine is that we provide such a cost effective way to get your company offer in front of potential
customers. We print 7000 or 7500 magazines every month. For example a full page in the Boundary is £138 per month- compare that to the flyer option totally £388.
The other advantage of using a quality local magazine is that it is designed to encourage readers to retain it - I always include an
attractive ad-free cover to it will sit on the coffee table for
several weeks. Imagine your advert being seen several times rather than just once?
I always recommend a smaller ad and longer booking as people need to get to recognise the ad and then know where to find you! If you have a new service/offer/company news, an editorial is even more cost
effective — a half page ad and half page editorial is £118 per month. Your artwork can be changed month to month if needed. We have
professional ad design available at low cost, starting from £10.
Call me or email for full info and help with any queries ...
Angie 07731 998 950
E theboundaryonline@gmail.com
Old and new photos of Chipping Sodbury
Sodbury Tales Volume 2 This collection of Jim’s Boundary articles is in stock at the Card Boutique in Chipping Sodbury. It includes pages of tributes to Jim who was a stalwart supporter of the town. In accordance with Jim’s wishes, the book is raising funds for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Volume 1 is also available (price £10)
By Angie Editor and publisher of The Boundary Magazine We live in a world of words. Who shapes those words in print or online? Copywriters are becoming even more essential as print and online information grows. To convey the right information and brand message is to help sell the product or service. In 2021 I was lucky enough to be offered help by WECA, the West of England Combined Authority, to study copywriting and proofreading. These new skills were to help my business recover from the effects of the pandemic. I chose a very highly rated and respected body called the College of Media and Publishing. I am nearing the end of my studies and have really enjoyed learning and practising the techniques that help create good copy. I have also already completed the proofreading course but copywriting has definitely proved to be my main interest. Would it help my business? Yes is the short answer. Who would not want their business represented and presented in the best possible way? Potential customers gain their first impressions from your print or online advert, email message, social media post or website. Hiring a professional copywriter can save you valuable time to spend on your own business. As the business owner you set the brief so that the copywriter can use the information, language and tone you wish to convey. I will keep all my advertisers posted as soon as I have completed my studies but if this is of interest to you please feel free to get in touch meanwhile. Angie 07731 998 950 E theboundaryonline@gmail.com
