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7 Replies Last post: Jan 20, 2009 10:41 PM by AzTouristNews

Co-op Advertising in the local market?

Jan 16, 2009 4:55 AM

Click to view mch423's profile Authority mch423 10 posts since
Nov 13, 2008
I've been kicking this idea around for a while about how to leverage
other local businesses in the neighborhood to advertise together. Does
anyone have any tools or process that they currently use? Since the customers are shopping in the same area anyways, there should be some way to provide them incentive to come to my shop as well as my customer going to other nearby (non-competiting) businesses. Thoughts?
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Click to view caffeinated's profile Mogul caffeinated 176 posts since
Apr 29, 2008
1. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 16, 2009 10:52 AM
Some towns provide a welcome package for new residents. They usually contain a coupon book for use with local businesses. Not sure who would be coordinating such an effort but I'm sure a couple phone calls to the town hall or checking out their website could reveal some answers. You yourself could approach other business owners in your area and ask about some sort of alliance.

I also came across an article titled "Partner Up." Haven't had a chance to read it yet.
http://smallbusinessonlinecommunity.bankofamerica.com/blogs/SalesAndMarketing/2009/01/12/partner-up

Best of luck
caffeinated
Click to view g_graphics's profile Authority g_graphics 15 posts since
Dec 6, 2008
2. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 17, 2009 12:54 PM
Co-op vs referral networking, is something to consider. There are many applications of both but referral networking is building the rapport between the non-competing businesses to refer prospects to one another. Co-op advertising should take into account the demographics of the target market. Many of the best Co-op arrangements are competing businesses; an example is the "Auto Mall" concept; locating competing dealerships together and having common sale events co-op'd to the benefit of all.

Start your co-op thoughts by deciding who you are trying to reach and talk to a few of the businesses to see if there is a common target. I hate assuming but if you are trying to use more expensive advertising i.e. media campaign than you want to do on your own then the media rep may be a great source to help set up the arrangements. If you approach a media rep or ad agency with the idea and the fact that you've already recruited 2-3 others I would think they would jump at the opportunity. I know I would.

Hope this helps
Click to view sdanil's profile Mogul sdanil 93 posts since
Jan 11, 2009
3. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 17, 2009 1:00 PM
So far I've tried a few things and no one want to play with me...they don't want to give me any exposure on their site...I think they're afraid i'll cut into their business...the AARP is a prime example...I was wanting to host a party in Las Vegas for folks over 50 so I posted my profile along with my website info and they pulled it...I have better deals than they could ever offer...they just want to make money off the 50+ year olds...I'm really ticked off at them...they're rude...I offered to pay them to advertise and their head honcho has indicated he would have someone call me but he never did..they have lousy follow up too..
Click to view dclgraphics's profile Authority dclgraphics 13 posts since
Aug 26, 2008
4. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 17, 2009 5:46 PM
mch423,

We publish Red Book Savings booklet that fearture only local merchants, each edition is hand deliver to 10,000 local homes directly to their front doors,
is a fraction of the price cost of bulk mail, is perfect for business with a small advertising budget, Red Book Savings is deliver six time a year and is great for any business that offers a product or a service.

If you interested in publishing Red Book Savings in your town you can reach me at dclopez@dclgraphics.com


David C. Lopez
www.dclgraphics.com

Click to view dclgraphics's profile Authority dclgraphics 13 posts since
Aug 26, 2008
5. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 20, 2009 3:49 PM
in response to: dclgraphics

I forgot to mention that Red Book Savings is a great Business Opportunity,
for someone that what to start their own business.


There is no start-up cost, is a 40/60 split on the net profit,
you get 60% for sales and distribution and we get 40% for design and printing.

If you know anybody that's interested, I can e-mail a potential profit sheet for our system.


David C. Lopez
dclopez@dclgraphics.com

Click to view instantv's profile Mogul instantv 59 posts since
Jan 20, 2009
6. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 20, 2009 4:02 PM
Have you considered providing cupons/certs etc and providing earned points when purchases are made form active merchants? Remember to old Green Stamp book days?
Click to view AzTouristNews's profile Professional AzTouristNews 6 posts since
Jan 20, 2009
7. Re: Co-op Advertising in the local market? Jan 20, 2009 10:41 PM
I started publishing via this route. How about a discount card. Inexpensive to produce. Sell the card, via free discounted "ads" from merchants, make sure they are great offers...

OR

Have the merchants pay up front, market bears no more than $300 for a card that might have as few as 1,000 distribution to maximum of 5k distribution. Discounts, such as something free with purchase, percentage off discount, or something free with purchase. This is not difficult to do. It is all about your audience, demographically define, or geographically defined, or psycholocially defined. The greater perceived value your market has the more demand you will be able to create (you will have to sell directly, no one "buys" advertising, unless you are tall blond, built to take on George Patton, if you get my drift. Good luck.

Tony