How to Create an Attractive Display Ad for Your Business

Choose Your Size

Bigger is not always better. Readers tend to skim right over the whole page ads that big businesses use. Some readers will assume that if a business has enough money to purchase a whole page ad, then they are most likely too expensive to shop. Going too small could be a detriment, too, because readers may not even have the chance to see your ad. The purpose of your business, and how large your business actually is, will have bearing on how big your display ad should be. Keep in mind, you can change the size at different times of the year. For instance, during a time of the year that you know you will have slow traffic, you may want to increase the size.

Black & White or Color

Most newspapers publish in black & white, but some are starting to add simple colors as well. Adding one color can make your ad 'pop' off the page, but adding too much can make the ad the look disorderly and unattractive. The read shouldn't have to sift through the smoke and mirrors to find your information. Publishing your ad in a magazine should be simple as well, but can be more intricate because magazines are more detailed in their printing process.

Content of the Ad

How do you know what to put in the ad? Sit down at your desk with a cup of coffee and ask yourself these questions:

~What do I want the reader to learn from the ad?

~What type of reader am I trying to reach?

The answer to the first question will tell you what written information to put in the ad. This will most likely consist of any sale that you want to promote and your contact information-name, location, phone and e-mail. The second question will tell you how to design your ad.

The Look

If you are targeting an age group of 50 to 60 year olds, you don't want to put a picture of kids in the ad, and vice versa. For this age group, you might place a picture of a distinguished gentleman or lady in your ad. You want to design the ad so that it will interest the reader you are trying to reach. As the reader skims the page, you want the ad to jump out and say, 'Read me! I have information for you!'

If All Else Fails

Don't despair. There are other options. If you simply cannot come up with a display ad that you are happy with, or don't want to, you can hire someone to do this for you. Advertising executives will speak with you about what you are looking for and, with some time, design a couple of choices for you to consider. If you don't want to pay the advertising executive, another option would be to have a local contest. Create a very simple ad and a flyer for your business' door, announcing that you are having a contest for the best advertisement. Offer a nice prize to the winner, such as 20% off their next purchase. It has to be something worthwhile, or you will not get any submissions that are acceptable.

The Purpose

Display ads are sort of like interviews. They are meant to give you a chance at making a sale. The ad gets your customer in the door, but you still have to sell them on your product or service in order to complete a transaction. Create a display ad that honestly represents your business, and you should have no trouble completing a sale.

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