How to Use Newspaper Classified Ads to Advertise Your Business

Q: Why should I use newspapers for advertising?

A: There are many people who don't look through online marketing sites of any kind, so placing an ad in your local newspapers about your products, business and services can open you up to a whole new marketing group.

Q: What size newspaper ad should I place?

A: There are two kinds of newspaper advertisements: Display and Classified. Display ads are sold by the column inch and usually have a box or frame around them. They can be very expensive, so unless you have a large advertising budget, you should probably start by advertising in the Classified section of your paper in the appropriate category.

I would suggest you keep your ads to a minimum of about 65 words or 5 to 6 lines. This should also include your ad title, ad body and contact information. People usually won't take the time to read a long ad.

Q: Where should I place my ad?

A: You should place them in your local or nearest metropolitan area newspapers to start.

Q: How much will newspaper ads cost me?

A: The cost of newspaper ads will vary from one paper to another. Smaller newspapers may have cheaper ad rates than the larger papers. This is why earlier I suggested keeping your ads small. Some charge by the letter, some by word, and some by line. Classified rates are usually posted at the beginning of the Classified section of the paper. You may have to call for Display rates.

Q: How often should I run my ads and for how long each time?

A: The sales person at the newspaper can work with you to help you decide what frequency will give you the most exposure for your ad within your budget. Regardless of whether you use display or classified ads, there is usually a price break if you run your ad more frequently. Depending on the type of business or product you are selling, the sales rep can also advise you about which days of the week might be the most effective. Ask them to let you know when there is a special circular or supplement that is appropriate to your business (e.g., holiday or special event).

Q: How would I track an ad in a newspaper?