First Person: The Hidden Benefits of Advertising in a School Paper

As a business consultant, I was often asked about advertising opportunities for small businesses. One of my favorite aspects of small business advertising is advertising in a local school newspaper. For those companies whose target market might be teens and parents, there are few better small business advertising options out there.

Who This Applies To

If you own a small business whose target market includes teens, pre-teens, or parents, you have a great opportunity in school papers. Companies like real estate companies, most business to businesses companies, and any lingerie shop. Small businesses that this would work for would include (but not be limited to) local pop shops or restaurants, clothing stores, comic book stores or gaming stores, or even auto dealerships.

Cost

In most cases, small business advertising in a school paper costs less than advertising in a local newspaper. Many school papers can even beat some of the online adverting opportunities that you might find in your community.

Direct Marketing

If students and their parents are part of your clientele, you are getting a direct marketing approach through a school newspaper for your small business advertising. You have the opportunity to go right into your target market and remind them that you are there, or even show them some of the great deals that you have.

Potential Workers

Many of the clients that I have worked with in the past have told me that they gained more applicants from particular schools after advertising in the school paper. There are very few small business advertising tools that work as well as advertising in a school paper that also turn into a recruiting tool without any extra cost or effort.

Tax Deduction?

Did you know that you might be able to get an extra tax deduction for advertising in a school paper? Now, this is not always the case. Some school districts offer tax deduction paperwork as an extra incentive for small business advertising. Your school contact will be able to tell you if the district or school participates in this kind of program.

How to Get On Board

The best way to find out about advertising your small business in a school paper is to visit the school's website. Most of the information that you will need to know, including your contact, will be listed on most school's websites.

Keep this idea in mind when looking into small business advertising. You might be surprised at the money that you will save, the increased traffic you will gain, and the increased applicants that you will have very soon after beginning an advertising campaign in a school paper.

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