Hello,

I am looking for advice on ways to advertise. I have attempted many forms of advertising, however, it seems as if I am throwing away money, because I am not getting customers in return.

Would anyone here be interested in helping me advertise? We would not be opposed to hiring someone to help us with advertising.

What have everyone else been using that you have found useful? I would appreciate any help that you can offer.

in advertising you have to define the objective.

I know something about tv advertising so I'll give you some points there.

1) the market that you have to target is the "geeks" so there is only a few channels.
a) sci-fi
b) teck-talk
c) Tnn durring sci-fi movies

2) tv ad's are best when they detail the product. so for hosting you would cover the service aspect and the reliability of the hosting.

3) local cable purchase is the best for you, what ever rate they give you, you tell them half is what your willing to pay. and that you want specific time block ( like from 6 to 7 or 9 to 10 )

4) repeat the ad for about 2 weeks, you'll know if it works or not

Sqposter / Michael

If you are advertising a web host, you should try web hosting directories and targeted opt-in e-mail ads. These kind of ads tend to work better than banners, which I am going to assume you've not had the best of luck with :)

Also, TV ads may be a bit expensive...

Originally posted by Refsoft
Also, TV ads may be a bit expensive...

here are some quick guild lines for cable

for about 500,000 cable boxes ( non digital where you have 100+ channels ). you should be able to get away with the following rates:

1) run of cable network, any time broadcast of ad, any station : 200 30 second ad's for $1000

2) a specific channel, any time, 30 second ad about $16

3) specific channel, specific 1 hour time frame about $25

you can safely use these numbers. this is for a commitment of about $ 1000 to the cable system

now digital cable system is different.
most people don't surf the above the first 90 channels. so that's real direct target marketing.

you should haggle the rates real hard till you are about 25% to 50% of the above values.

Producing the commercial, that's what's going to cost you. Since you are a "tech firm" the ad must have high quality, not that garbage that the cable companies produce. I'm not talking that you have to have alot of splash, fancy stuff, stunts and special effects. No, just very clean and well designed advertising that shows your product.

Heck, does anybody have a location in NJ that I can shoot some stock footage, like a hosting center that has alot of guards and look's real tech, alot of glass and stuff, maybe I can create an General Advertisement for our Industry. that would be fun.

-Sqposter / Michael

Anyone seen rackspaces tv ad?

I have.

I don't think that TV ads will be very effective for an Internet company. It just brings memories of network consulting firms buying ad space during the super bowl...

Like a bunch of guys crowded around a TV screen drinking and watching a football game are going to need network consulting any time soon :)

Internet companies should stick to Internet advertising :)

Forgot to add:

The only real advantage to a TV ad would be a lot of people being branded. Then again, a majority of them wont need your services...

See I slightly disagree,

if you were to blast the ad, then I think it's worthless, that's only if your a national company ( tide, budweiser ...) that needs branding.

but a very tight, narrow time, and 2 twice per day, local market, then I think it will produce. It's just the cost factor. 40 bucks per day ( 2 ads ) might be better spent in something else.

-Sqposter / Michael