Where does it pay to Advertise a Business?

[Kanewpadle]

To add; we buy personalized pens but primarily because we go through so many. We tried other promo items that just didn't work. We also bought a huge supply of calendars every year for our customers. It became a tradition. But we stopped when customers only came in to get a free calendar and never spent any money. Those calendars weren't cheap!

 

[pawngal]

Kanewpadle,

Thank you for your reply. Armslist was another I was trying to remember and couldn't. I wish Craigslist would work better here but I'm about 100 miles from any of the listing areas there. We do have several local sites that are similar but they don't allow business ads.

I do the pens for the same reason. I do small magnetic calendars with my business card on the top.

Too tired to think any more right now.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

This is a very impressive thread!

In the many years that I have been providing support and assistance to small business owners I can count on one hand the number of business owners who have made this same critically important, self-assessment. Please accept my congratulations. This also harkens back to my days as an instructor for the Motorola "Six Steps to Six Sigma". I believe that they call it "Lean Manufacturing" today.

pawngal KNOWS her own operations, location, contact information, etc. . If she is angry and frustrated about the problems, I can guarantee that potential (and first-time) customers are too. With all of these existing "barriers" in place (actual location, address not available in a GPS, mailing address problems, etc.) you'd need a local guide just to find her business.

Secondly, she has presented her business situation and goals to many (potential) customers on this forum. The feedback and comments thus far are impressive to me. The price is also reasonable - $0.00. Through the auspices of the Internet all of us could become one of her new Customers.

Keep on truckin'!!

Model70hunter,
Thank you, lots of good information.

There is SO much wrong info on the current website I could just scream.
My actual location gets confusing, technically, I am in West Okoboji, IA, but there is no post office there so no zip code and the address doesn't come up on a GPS. So physical address is Milford, IA. The business mailing address is a P.O. Box at Spirit Lake, IA. Are you confused yet?
I'll add a little more. In Spencer, IA, 15 miles away, is a gaming store by the name of The Pawn Shop.

Even the email address on the website is not right, I called them some time ago and it has not been corrected. And I don't do cash advances.

The site developer was Hibu formerly Yellowbook. Part of the problem would be my fault. The email they were sending the beta test site to was an old account that I wasn't checking so I didn't know what was going on until it was all done and they called me.

Getting reviews as a pawnshop is a bit dicey, people are happy to leave bad reviews cause I don't want their junk or they think I should pay new price for it.

 

[chaparrito]

Coupons or specials in local papers can be good. The winery I am associated with uses Groupon to great effect. It has increased our sales enormously and generated lots of repeat visits.
Phone books? Who uses phone books? Total waste.
Social media, Facebook and maybe Twitter. We offer Facebook only specials on non-wine merchandise and sometimes two for one tastings. Social media is free, Groupon is very cheap.

 

[walkinghorse]

Pawngal, Have you investigated an ad in one or more of the tractor, truck or trailer advertising papers that are seen in Iowa feed stores, auto parts stores, or farm implement dealers? Another possible idea would be one of the auction services that dot the Iowa landscape. Perhaps they would allow posters or something similar at an indoor auction for collectibles etc.? Of course they may be concerned with competition, but maybe want to place there ad or poster in your shop.
I also see ads for a lot of businesses, auctions, cars, etc in Caseys or other convience stores. They usually have a bulletin board near the rest room, or even a rack with the farm and collectable auctions.
Sort of appeal to the typical Iowa, southern Minnesota rural market !

Our local used car place, speaks very well of their business increase using ICAN, Iowa Cable Advertising Network. They like their ads being during sports events, especially during the winter. You know how Iowa is about local sports teams at all levels. No idea about your budget, and ICAN costs though.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Pawngal, about online reviews.

My pawn shop buddy and another close friend that owns a gun shop completely ignore online reviews. They don't read or respond to them at all. I'm not sure if this is good or bad but it doesn't seem to hurt their business.

Places like Yelp are terrible because you don't have much recourse. We are members of Angies List which isn't too bad but it hasn't generated as many customers as we would like.

The problem with online reviews is that the stupid idiot customer has the last word. You know, like the people that get mad cause you won't loan money on their junk?

Our website really helped. We did our own at first but you could tell we did it ourselves. We noticed a difference when we had it done professionally.

We also were extremely lucky and got a million dollars in free advertising. See our website and watch the video at the bottom.

Bill's Locksmith Service Inc > Kent Locksmith > Serving Kent, Auburn, Renton, Tacoma, & Seattle areas

 

[pawngal]

Pawngal, Have you investigated an ad in one or more of the tractor, truck or trailer advertising papers that are seen in Iowa feed stores, auto parts stores, or farm implement dealers? Another possible idea would be one of the auction services that dot the Iowa landscape. Perhaps they would allow posters or something similar at an indoor auction for collectibles etc.? Of course they may be concerned with competition, but maybe want to place there ad or poster in your shop.
I also see ads for a lot of businesses, auctions, cars, etc in Caseys or other convience stores. They usually have a bulletin board near the rest room, or even a rack with the farm and collectable auctions.
Sort of appeal to the typical Iowa, southern Minnesota rural market !

Our local used car place, speaks very well of their business increase using ICAN, Iowa Cable Advertising Network. They like their ads being during sports events, especially during the winter. You know how Iowa is about local sports teams at all levels. No idea about your budget, and ICAN costs though.

Good reminder about the various bulletin boards! I have done that in the past but kinda forgot it recently. And, Yes, I have one in my shop for others to post their cards & notices.

I checked ICAN's website and they don't offer service on the local TV cable systems. I still may give then a call. Thanks!

 

[mtgianni]

Growing up dad had a sewer and drain business. His best advertising was a sticker on the troublesome drain pipe with his business name.
I would start asking every seller and buyer how they found out about you and rebating them $5 on a $100 pawn or purchase. Tell them it is cheaper than paying for advertising, then write it down. You should be able to determine trends and tailor advertising to buyers and sellers.

 

[pawngal]

I visited the local indoor shooting range today and had a chance to talk to the owners. Perfect timing! They are wanting to do some youth shooting classes and be able to keep the classes free, Yes!, I'll help sponsor that either by by cash donation or ammo. And a couple of weeks ago they did the "First Shots" program from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the cost of First Shots is mostly covered by the NSSF but to continue into the 2nd Shots there is more expense to the range and they were looking for some sponsorship to do that program in a month or so. This is the kind of stuff I like to get involved with, it really isn't advertising but it is getting your name out there and the general good community involvement.

 

[rwsmith]

My Bro in Law....

My Bro in Law managed/owned several very successful pawn shops. He said they didn't really advertise as much as tried to play to the demographics with a good reputation and word of mouth.