I am considering advertising in various magazines, but don't know where to start. Can anyone recommend a good company or resources to look at?

I need to know about having the design created, what's neccasary?

Haven't heard much in this forum about advertising with offline magazines ... you'll definitely have to reach the magazines targeted at webmasters. Run down to a major bookstore or library and see what titles appeal to webmasters.

Avoid the personal technology mags as they probably won't have enough webmasters so your response there may be poor.

Hello brn2h8

Just to let you know, we dabbled in magazine advertisng and spent quite an amount on it with no extra income generated.

Good luck though, if you do decide to go for it.
Regards
James

Yeah- unless you really have something to offer, or unless you target newbs no one is going to say "WoW! These guys offer web hosting!"

Hi brn2h8

Check this

http://win2000mag.com/AboutUs/Index.cfm?Action=OurPubs

Magazines are VERY expensive and just basically brand your image. You won't see lots of sales from them, but they are for branding and building your credentials.

When you get large, you need to advertsise in them because that's your playing field - when you have large ad-budgets.

If you're going to advertise in magazines,
Advertise in business magazines and offer lots of user friendly services for free

(Like uploading the clients webpage, free transfer from old provider to new, etc. etc.)

Maybe start with an affiliate program instead / or online ads.

What country are you in brn2h8?

I need to know about having the design created, what's neccasary?

To be able to have a professional presence, I would recommend hiring a professional firm that specializes in print solutions-- That is, if you're design skills are poor. ;)

For print, you need a copywriter, graphic artist - basically an ad agency who can write the copy, design the pics, produce the Freehand files, liase with the publisher, etc.

Originally posted by HostAZ
For print, you need a copywriter, graphic artist - basically an ad agency who can write the copy, design the pics, produce the Freehand files, liase with the publisher, etc.

Why can't you do it inhouse? MANY small businesses do...

In house? I did some print/newsletter publishing before for a large organization using Freehand and PhotoShop. But unless you've the technical expertise to design the print ad + the knowhow on working with publishers for the best rates & response (not their usual published rates) ... it may be best to outsource to an ad agency.

Okay I am not sure about the returns on magazine advertising but advertising on some of the bigger or even smaller portals will cost you just as much...

For instance Cnet cost a minimum of $5k/mo and your not even going to be on the first page in the directory unless you spend closer to $25K! Dan Dell one of the top hosts spends somewhere near $100k I believe, this is from my rep at cnet....

It's all a matter of who your targeting and what your budget it is.

I have not spent that kind of money with the big boys yet ... there are plenty of other quality online spots which are way cheaper than what the big boys charge ... shop around ;)

Originally posted by HostAZ
I have not spent that kind of money with the big boys yet ... there are plenty of other quality online spots which are way cheaper than what the big boys charge ... shop around ;)

Yeah that is key there are so many webmaster sites out there all with very reasonable rates. Also, don't forget to target the types of webmasters you are looking for. IE: You have Windows servers so target ASP, MS SQL, and ColdFusion developers....

There are also some pretty incredible opportunities to advertise in high-profile industry magazines at dirt cheap prices.

Hostpath ... What are titles to some of these mags?

I must say though. I went to COMDEX here in Vegas and I picked up the current issue of HostingTech magazine and what did I see on the second page? A full page ad from WHT! :o

Impressive, Most Impressive!!

Cyber-Dock

Originally posted by Cyber-Dock
I must say though. I went to COMDEX here in Vegas and I picked up the current issue of HostingTech magazine and what did I see on the second page? A full page ad from WHT! :o

Impressive, Most Impressive!!
*GASP!!!!*.....*falls on floor*.....:D

Cool .... haven't seen that issue ... anyone got a scan of that page? :stickout:

Hey just checked their site ... the mag's free for USA addresses ... go to http://hostingtech.com/subscribe/

And if you turn to page 79 of the December issue you'll find a page full of ads that was done as a cooperative advertising effort by your fellow members of WHT.

Wow WHT is spreading their wings ....