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How soon or how close are you to starting this newspaper. Where are you located??
Marktingcoach has some good answers. Each of us think independently, so you could get a great
assortment of answers. Have you developed a BUSINESS and MARKETING PLAN??.
Instead of asking what a text ad is worth. you should do a CASH FLOW and see how much income
you need to cover expenses.
To answer your second question, How should you approach businesses for advertising?
That is part of the Business Plan. You can get additional business help from SCORE.
You can visit SCORE in person or online and it is FREE.
Hope this helps, LUCKIEST

Thank you for your answer! You are very right about changing the
perspective I was asking the question from. I see what you mean and
it makes good sense. This is not the Coffee News, but, I have had a
few people say that it is a lot like it. I took a look at that paper
just the other day and its nice, but, the format and stories were not
captivating to me. I actually didn't know about that publication
before I started this project and I was a little setback when i first
looked at it, but, our news letter will have a totally different flair,
presentation and content. So,hopefully we will not be stepping on each
others toes to much.
In regards to your answer about aquiring new customers, I think you
really hit the nail on the head. I have been in business for many
years, but, this is a totally different industry then I am familiar
with. Thanks for your help.

~g

SEOGodfather -

Boy, are you asking the right guy. LOL!

We started something just as you described but in newspaper format over 1.5 years ago. It has been okay, but didn't get us rich quick. We have at least broken even every month and made some other months. We publish 10,000 copies every month and distribute it to over 100 places.

While it looks sweet on the outside, it is tougher than you can imagine. Everyone has an excuse NOT to advertise in your paper. We were even giving everyone full color ads for the same price of b/w and 75% cheaper than our competitor and they still whine. They will want to know specific demographics, how you plan to distribute, what it will look like, how many of them, can you guarantee that number, etc. They will advertise with you then 2 months later will tell you that it doesn't work and will want out of any contract. If you don't let them out of their contract then you are the bad guy and word travels. The list goes on and on.

When we started out, we were publishing twice a month. It was a chore. Now we are monthly and it is very manageable with a staff of 3. The worst thing you could do is start weekly then move it to bi-monthly or monthly. It will kill your business. You are better off starting bi-monthly or monthly and then increasing frequency. It will show that people like your publication. Also, with weekly...you never have any time off because you are always getting the next issue ready.

Also, a word of warning. If you have anything remotely close to CoffeeNews, you will be sued. It's a fact. They go after anyone and everyone. I would hate to see you build up a business only to lose it later or spend all of your profits on an attorney.

Best of luck!

Aaron

Dear seogodfather:

You Asked

The first question I have for you all, is, how much would a 1.5 x 2" image/text ad be worth to you as business owners. Advertisers will be given exclusivity, so no other business in the same industry will be listed in the same publication.

The advertising value would depend upon the location (neighborhood, city, state) and the types of businesses in which the advertisements would be placed.

Also, because our news letter is small it is sure to be read cover to cover.

True, narrow focus is motivational, if attractively packaged.

Second question: How should I approach businesses for advertising?
Any input you can give me would be very helpful. Thank you.

You narrowly focus on just one type of advertising: direct marketing: flyers.
Multiple contact would increase retention and motivation ... for example: flyers (1) in SUNDAY newspapers (2) distributed in office buildings (3) in church bulletins (4) in PTA bulletins, etc.

Hi Smallbizcoach;

How is your enterprise doing? I too want to publish a small paper, somewhere between a Coffee News and a Tidbits. I had planned to start with 1 sheet tabloid 4/4. The cost, while not great, still scared me. I then decided I would do something along the lines of Coffee News- that is 11 x 17 high speed copied. Build interest, readers and advertisers then move to the larger full color publication.

You state that it is a fact that Coffee News will sue anyone who tries to publish something similar. Do you personally know of this happening somewhere? I ask this respectfully and hope I don't come off the wrong way. I read a post on some forum somewhere stating that they bragged of this on thier website. But that was back in 06. I am thinking maybe they toned it down some one thier site. I found one instance of them suing someone. I read the court papers and it sure seemed like the guy deserved it. I am a bit nervous of this happening. There are several Coffee News publishers near me. My understanding is that you cannot copyright an idea and my publication will look very different but I still wonder if they might try something. Its not that I feel i am stealing anything but like some one else said "anyone can sue anyone for anything"
IP litigation is costly.

Anyway if anyone is publishing these types of papers I would sincerely appreciate any thoughts you would care to share.