WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Using Radio to Advertise?

Posts

Using Radio to Advertise?

#1

Using Radio to Advertise?

Tim McGill

>Hi everyone,

I just returned from a lunch and learn seminar on using radio commercials to promote your business and services. I turn pens and sell them at shows and also through consignment with local shops. I am considering using the radio to advertise my product and point the consumer to the shops that carry my pens.

Does anyone have any advise or experience to share? If interested, I can post (or email) my notes from the seminar.

Thanks

Tim McGill 7/15/04

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

#2

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

John Lucas

>Tim

Radio works for some business's and not for others. I would ask around a lot (which your doing) and then work out some way to track the responses when and if you try it. I had one boss who would advertise with anyone that walked in the door. That's what her dad did. I got her to start polling the customers to see how they heard about us and we very quickly narrowed it down to 2 sources. Radio was one for this business.

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

#3

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

Fred in NC

>I have used radio twice in my life: It worked for real estate in the 60's. I did not work for book sales in the 80's.

My understanding is that highly specialized items need to be advertised in highly specialized media.

Also, the radio listener is often driving and cannot write down names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Just my experience ...

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

#4

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

Ron in Drums PA

>Waste of money, so is the newspaper.

Start collecting names and address of your buyers and occasionally mail them a post card about an upcoming event or for a holiday sale.

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

#5

Re: Using Radio to Advertise?

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Tim, I sold pens and pencils in my own boxes and nothing but for years. We marketed them by word of mouth, through our local chamber of commerce, and business to business trade shows. All of it was cost effective with the possible exception of the trade shows, which were very pricy to enter. They did pay off, but not right away.

Our target market was the business community, executive gifts and such. Don't even try to compete in the giveaway market. Wood pens are literally a dime a dozen imported from China, and laser engraving has dropped in price to be dirt cheap in mass quantities. I was one of the very first to offer laser engraving and one of the first five pen makers on the internet. Things are a lot different now, but most of what I did would still be successful today. I would not waste money on radio. I think it is valuable for consumable items like food, or big ticket items - real big ticket - but for things like we do, it is a big hole for money. I am sure the radio people would tell you different, but then that is how they make their money.

Bill

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.