Choosing a broadcast company for my commercial

T

TheMusician

Well-known member
Hey guys. I am starting my own business this year and am really excited about it. I will be shooting my own commercial to market my business. I need to find a station and a time that would be the best-bang-for-the-buck to show it. I am trying to get things started on a pretty small budget, so I need to reach the most eyes for the least amount of money in my market. I really can't afford a big marketing company, so wondered if there are any internet resources or published reports that show the channels and times that my audience would be tuning into. Any suggested resources or suggestions for how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.

(Unfortunately, I am in the patent process so can't tell you yet the exact nature of my business. But right now I am only searching for resources of information)
 
man, your local stations are your most affordable choice. I can't call this bang for the buck as you'll be spending money here, not making money.
You are best off advertising for free with press releases, mailers and the old faithful cold call. Join your chamber of Commerce. Network at every opportunity and send people to your website to see what you can do.
People watching tv who may be interested in your services get those services for free by that very station you would be advertising on. You just would not get business this way.
 
Thanks for the advice grinner, I really do appreciate you taking the time to post. But remember that I did not disclose the nature of my business. Just because I am shooting the commercial myself does not mean that I am advertising for video business. My business is going to grow very rapidly and will need to reach millions of viewers because millions of people will be wanting this product.

I will be starting in my state to build enough captial to take it national and eventually world wide. Television is going to be the most advantageous type of advertising for me. So in the end, I need to determine which stations have the most viewers and at what times.

Anyone else with any knowledgeable resources for choosing the best broadcast station? Thanks.
 
With all due respect, the millions of people wanting a product thing is typically a fallacy.

But that said, we can't really help you until you let us know the demographic. It doesn't really matter what station you put it on, if it doesn't reach a demographic, it won't generate any clients, buyers, or whatever you are looking for.

A condom advert wouldn't fly on a Disney affiliate. Nationwide commercials are very expensive. You might get a local advert to play on a local affiliate channel. Akin to your car dealerships and stuff. But I would forget nationwide coverage.

And selling a product equates to an infomercial, which most people skip over anyways. I for one leave the room during commercials. Really, how many times did you buy a specific product you saw with a 30second advert, "As Seen On TV" for twenty-seven and a half payments of 11.95.
 
Radio advertising is very affordable and depending on the time (commute) you have a trapped targeted audience for the most part. And you will also reach thousands, hundreds of thousands, etc.

Michael
 
Good points, I may dabble a little with radio, but my product is very visual and will need to be seen to be easily understood.

I am not asking here for people to tell me what channel I should put my commercial on, I am asking if there are any internet resources or published reports that I can read through to get potential number of viewers at various time slots and channels or demographic breakdowns? Does anyone know where I can get channel traffic reports?
 
TheMusician said:
Good points, I may dabble a little with radio, but my product is very visual and will need to be seen to be easily understood.

I am not asking here for people to tell me what channel I should put my commercial on, I am asking if there are any internet resources or published reports that I can read through to get potential number of viewers at various time slots and channels or demographic breakdowns? Does anyone know where I can get channel traffic reports?
Click to expand...

I don't have the answer and there may not be one - AC Neilsen and Arbitron make tidy sums providing exactly that information for broadcasters and ad agencies and I doubt you're going to find much of it also available for free on the 'net. Of course I'm sure they'll be happy to provide you with exactly what you need .... for a price.
 
Thanks Steve, that is exactly the kind of information that I am looking for. I really appreciate your direction. I am trying to learn as much as I can. You can make a great product, but if it never gets in the eyes of your potential customers, it may as well not even exist. Does anyone know of any other resources that I can add to the list? Much appreciated.
 
I'm just curious, if your product is really a killer, I mean it's really something that people would be interested in and don't have, can you approach local investors / venture capitalists and try to raise the funds to give you a more national advertising campaign or at least some more resources with which to work? I know that path isn't easy but there are investors out there.
 
Musician, don't forget when you make a few million with this product, I've got a great movie project for you to invest in :-)

By the way, if you need real valuable info on advertising on TV, just call your local cable provider and ask for the sales department. Then all you have to tell him is, "I'm looking to advertise on TV."

He'll tell you enough that you'll be thinking of giving up everything you're doing and going into advertising. ... And if you do, I got this great movie project, man .... LOL
 
Jonathan, you are exactly right. I am in the process of obtaining a patent and putting together a proof-of-concept so that I will have a visual working model to show investors. This is for the purpose of getting other large companies involved in my product, but will also be used to try and secure some loans for advertising. I would just like to educate myself as thoroughly as possible so that when I hear what marketing companies have to say, I will know whether their argument holds water or if they are blowing smoke up my bu*t. I will call my cable company and appreciate that lead as well filmman. Any others resources that you think I should know about?
 
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