We all know how important advertising is. Well, without advertising where would we be? Advertising is one of the best ways to reach potential clients. Without advertising, no one would even know we existed. It's really the best way method to reach the largest number of people.

How Can I Advertise?

Television
Direct Mail
Word Of Mouth
Website
Publications
Catalogs
Magazines
Newspapers
Coupons
Yellow Pages
Brochures
Flyers
Newsletters
E-Mail
Fax
On-Line
Door Hangers
Promotional Items
Radio
Articles
Columns
Telephones
Postcards
Voice Mail Message
Directories
Blogs
Forums
Social Networks

These days, there are so many different roads to take when choosing an advertising plan. There are many pros and cons to each method you choose for advertising. Did you also know that there are several myths to advertising? Before you decide to go down that road, maybe you should research and learn a few myths about advertising.

Myth 1: All It Takes Is One Time

Boy, if this were true we'd all be in happy-ville. Many people believe this myth, that all it takes is one shot to have potential consumers beating at your door. Imagine all the money we would save if all it took was one letter, one postcard or one phone call. The most important thing to remember about advertising is that it requires repitition. Think of all the promotional items that one consumer gets in a week. At some point, all of these items probably start to run together, making it difficult and confusing for the consumer to separate.

Did you know that it takes at least seven times for the consumer to even notice your promotional item? Yes, seven times. This is just to get noticed. It might possible take at least 49 times before they are more likely to call. Yes, I know, 49 is a big number and a lot of postcards. Advertising can sometimes be a hit -and-miss situation.

It's good to spend your money wisely when advertising. It's better to purchase a small ad that will run several weeks in a row than to purchase a huge, glamouros ad that will only run twice. If you are working on a small budget it's very important that you research and do the math.

Advertising takes more than once, it's at least seven times to catch the consumer's attention.

Myth 2: Advertising Gets The Job Done By Itself

It would be a perfect world if we could just sit back and let adverstising do the work for us. The worst thing you can do is to sit back and expect your advertising to do all the work for you. You can't just put ads in the paper and think that it's going to show you the money. If this were the case, we could all sit on our booties and answer the door when consumers come knocking.

You must remain active. You can't lolly gag around. You must be dedicated and productive. You need to get out and network, you must get out and meet people. If you are doing this plus advertising, this would be a good double wammy. While newspapers and the Internet will be promoting you, you must do what it takes to promote yourself. Doing this, it will increase your chances of having consumers calling you and bringing you the money.

    You can't sit on your booty and expect advertising to do all the work for you.

Myth 3: There's only one way to advertise

All you have to do is send in that one ad for advertising and that's it. NOT! In life it's all about balance and the same goes for advertising. You don't want to put all of your eggs in one basket do you? How will you know what works best for you if you are only using one avenue of advertising? Remember just because John got several leads from the newspaper doesn't mean it's going to work for you. All advertising will be an experiment for you. You need to seek out all avenues and do your research to see what will work best for you. It's all about trial and error.

Go down several avenues of advertising, it's all about trial and error.

Myth 4: Advertising is too expensive for little ole me

Depending on what road you take, advertising can be very expensive. If you are a budget they are still things you can do to advertise without going broke. One of the cheapest ways to advertise is on your voice mail message. All you have to say is who you are and where you work and maybe even mention a website. See, how cheap was that? Research several different efficient ways for you to advertise.

Advertising doesn't have to make your pocket book bleed.

Myth 5: Advertising is what gets you business

Advertising is not the only way to get business. There are a zillion other ways to get business but it's still a good idea to advertise. Letting people know that you are in business by word-of-mouth is a great way to advertise. Treating your clients with respect and giving them superb service is another fabulous way to advertise.