Anybody try commericals?

[HotHolly]

We were thinking about running TV commercials. We are trying to reach the moms during soaps, but didn't want a hokey looking ad - which seem to pop up a lot around here.

Come to think of it, Im not sure I've seen a photography studios ad on the TV. Is there a reason for that which I'm not thinking of?

Anyone seen any photography ads on the TV or have any ideas about this?

Thanks!

[Wil_Bloodworth]

IN GENERAL, radio tends to work better and is A LOT cheaper.

- Wil

[dreemes]

I saw one in Tyler advertising awhile back but don't remember how the ad went.

[HotHolly]

IN GENERAL, radio tends to work better and is A LOT cheaper.

Do you speak from personal experience? More details please. Would like to avoid stupid blunders.

I saw one in Tyler advertising awhile back but don't remember how the ad went.

I'm guessing it went okay if you remembered it. What was it like?

[t-mark]

I have been think about the movie theaters. The one here in Lake Jackson has adds on it before the previews start. You would get a lot of exsposre to high school srs. and parents.
Haven't gone as far as calling to check on prices yet. Just a thought.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by t-mark

I have been think about the movie theaters. The one here in Lake Jackson has adds on it before the previews start. You would get a lot of exsposre to high school srs. and parents.
Haven't gone as far as calling to check on prices yet. Just a thought.

I priced them...you'll choke when they tell you. TV is actually one of the cheapest options here.

[t-mark]

Who would have thunk it?

[HotHolly]

I know, right?

[kachina]

People still watch TV?

[DeLeon]

I did speak with an ad salesman here that works for a company that owns several radio stations as well as three of the local TV affiliates and the local news paper. He told me that radio usually works best because people rarely watch commercials anymore due to TiVo and the like, and people don't usually take time to read news ads unless they are looking for a coupon.

[HotHolly]

Thanks Chris...forgot about TiVo. Love it and hate it. No more commercials, but I also have no idea whats going on.

Hmmm...I'll have to have the radio and TV guys duke it out. There just seemed to be something weird, being in a business that sells images and the images not selling the business - like would happen on radio. Maybe have them read customer testimonies???

[kachina]

Holly, I wonder if there is a way to get your hands on a mailing list of brides to be? Perhaps you could send them a DVD with a slideshow. You are probably correct on the visual angle. Maybe through wedding planners, churches, bridal shows, www.experianb2b.com, premarital counselors, or something. Seems like there must be some common place all brides to be leave their contact information. It is probably too late by the time they get their marriage license at the county. Then again, you've probably considered all of the above.

Anyone ever tried a billboard?

[HotHolly]

We looked into billboards. In this town they were beyond choke-a-ble...like $20K for a year. We have done direct mailings, but they are expensive and response rates (when they are good) are only around 1%. Dollar for dollar, the TV seemed to be in the same price range, around here anyway. I'd just never seen a photography commercial before and was wondering why. Of course the TV studios are more than happy to make me a commercial and all...I was just wondering if there was something I was missing?