Advertising is one of the most important parts of a business's operation. Making sure its brand is known by potential customers and the nature of its products or services is clear can be done any number of ways. Methods of advertising depend on financial flexibility, the type of product being offered and the desired customer.
Print advertising includes advertising in magazines, newspapers, journals and fliers. One major advantage of print advertising is the ability to choose the publications in which the ad appears to best reach a business's potential customers. For example, special-interest magazines are dominated by ads for specialty products that appeal to a small portion of the readership of most general-interest periodicals.
Signage
Billboards and posters are among the most common forms of signage-based advertising. Placing ads on the building where the business itself is located is another option, and is important for businesses such as retailers that wish to attract customers to their locations. Signage also may be placed on the vehicles used by the business, providing a moving billboard.
Branding and Product Placement
Putting a business's logo or products in the public eye is a growing trend in advertising. Product placement is when specific products are used in a conspicuous way, such as in a film or on television. This method helps customers see not only the product itself but how and by whom it is used. Swag, or merchandise branded with a business's name or logo, is another way to inject brand identity. This applies to everything from T-shirts or shopping bags to bumper stickers and the tags on brand-name clothing.
Internet Advertising
Internet advertising is growing exponentially, and all but the smallest businesses have a brand presence online. Advertising online allows businesses to reach their potential customers more efficiently by advertising on websites where possible consumers spend time. Internet advertising allows businesses to track their ads by determining the number of customers who view or click on the ads. Viral marketing, in which individual Internet users disseminate advertisements, is one way in which advertising online is different from more traditional advertising forms.
