Got free radio advertising - can't think of anything to say

Submitted by amanda j on Tue, 2008-01-29 16:08. Member's Forum

Hi folks, Managed to get myself some free radio advertising - 15 second spots. I am wasting way too much time trying to think of what to say. I can do the elevator speech "what I do", but just can't come up with anything along the lines of "why you (a client) would need my services".

Every time I sit down and try to write something I sound like I swallowed a book of marketing cliches.

Any one here advertise on the radio? Any one here able to get my brain going in the right direction? Don't want any one to write this for me - just looking for some pointers. My market is very small businesses, 1 and 2 owner/employees - usually working from home who use word to design their own marketing material or vista print for free business cards.

I get quite a bit of work by word-of-mouth but since the advertising is free I think I would be daft not to take advantage of it.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

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Can't resist the face of a

Submitted by 3dogmama on Tue, 2008-01-29 16:39.

Can't resist the face of a pooch!

Past radio-- jingles and testimonials.

What I've learned via these projects are to have contact info at the beginning and repeated again at the end. Repetition, no matter how brief, is paramount in a radio ad. Also keep in mind that many people are driving while listening to the radio so you'll want to make your info easy to remember just in case they can't jot it down. If possible, try to make it easy to remember--for example, if the digits in your telephone number spell something that is linked to your line of work use it.

I kind of have a feel for what you do so maybe try:
SOUND F/X: heavy tapping on keyboard, crumpling paper; and then cue through to V/O: This isn't working! Who you going to call? WORD BUSTERS! --you won't be using a Ghost Busters theme, but you get the picture.

ttfn!
3dogmama

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Have fun with it.

Submitted by thornysarus on Tue, 2008-01-29 16:54.

There's a reason that designers generally don't advertise on the radio, so maybe use that to your advantage. I'd create a spot that at the very least, shows that you're a creative thinker.

Maybe 10 seconds of silence, "brought you by Amanda J." You don't hear that much on the radio. :)

Find out who does the ads for clients at the station. Take them to lunch and pick their brain.

Terry Thornhill

e-zign Design Group

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Find out who does the ads

Submitted by natobasso on Tue, 2008-01-29 21:13.

Find out who does the ads for clients at the station. Take them to lunch and pick their brain.

Good idea! And listen to ads on the radio, pick ones you like and analyze what makes them good. If they are memorable and make you want to call the vendor, that's success.

Whatever you do, make sure you get your ad professionally voiced. Nothing is worse than a poorly voiced ad with good copy. :)

----
Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work

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"Nothing is worse than a poorly voiced ad with good copy...."

Submitted by RodSchwartz on Thu, 2008-04-03 23:55.

...except, perhaps, a mellifluous voice reading cliché-ridden drivel. :>)

Great copy trumps a great voice, but there's no reason one can't have both, right?

Best,

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Prov. 3:27)

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I believe good copy and a

Submitted by natobasso on Fri, 2008-04-04 14:59.

I believe good copy and a good voice are both necessary.

----
Powerpoint is not a design application

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So...what did you come up with?

Submitted by RodSchwartz on Thu, 2008-04-03 21:59.

Hi, Amanda -
Just discovered your post today (4/3/08)...too late to offer assistance, one supposes. But am curious as to what you came up with for an ad?

-RS

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Prov. 3:27)

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My other idea on this is

Submitted by natobasso on Thu, 2008-04-03 22:07.

My other idea on this is very simple:

Tagline
Your business name
Your phone number and website

Make it easy for commuters without pens and paper to remember your number!

----
Powerpoint is not a design application

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If you're at all like me,

Submitted by mara06 on Fri, 2008-04-04 00:46.

If you're at all like me, you find it pretty easy top tell other people how to market themselves, but freeze when it comes to doing the same for yourself. How about using that? The ad copy could be: "What if you had 15 seconds of radio airtime to promote yourself, but didn't know what to say? Sounds like you need some help with your marketing. Ask around. You'll find out I'm good at that. I'm Amanda Jay. Check me out online at blah blah blah and get in touch to get started on a whole new marketing plan." Or words to that effect.

Good luck!

Mara

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