Four States Small Business Blog

Great advertising doesn't happen accidentally - it's created by a combination of factors that includes reach, exceptional messaging and content that is specifically created to appeal to your target audience. Ad content can take a variety of forms across media channels: text, audio, images and video. But regardless of the medium, it's the quality of the content that will drive people to your product or service. See first-hand why data-driven, relevant, informative and engaging content can make the difference between advertising that is simply good or truly great.

Are you looking to build awareness, spark engagement or even drive sales for your brand? If so, an integrated advertising approach that pairs radio and digital can work well in helping you achieve your goal.

Radio personalities have a ton of influence among their listeners, which can be leveraged beyond radio to help businesses reach and engage their target audience. To date, 56% of all radio listeners state that the on-air talent is the main reason they tune in. Additionally, 8 out of 10 listeners say they would consider trying something their favorite radio personality recommended.

After almost 100 years, radio remains an effective channel for marketers looking to advertise their product or service. There are a number of benefits to using radio as an advertising tool, including increased brand awareness, improved brand recognition and recall, boosted sales and more qualified leads. What’s more, sound - like music, voice and effects - can be a powerful tool that influences customer behavior, while helping to define the identity of a brand.

Did you know that only 2% of website traffic converts on the first visit? Retargeting can effectively help local businesses re-engage potential customers that visited their website but did not take action. And… it works. Retargeting can result in a 147% increase in average conversion rates when properly integrated. Additionally, retargeting has been found to increase branded search results by at least 500%.

It’s no secret that many auto shops have trouble attracting women to their business. And although they also need car maintenance, you’ll find that not too many shops really cater to women on their level. Done right, marketing to women can create a huge opportunity for auto repair shops, as 85% of people bringing in their vehicles to be serviced is women. Here are 4 strategies auto shop owners can use to better market to women:

Great branding is key in attracting clients, developing brand equity and fostering top-of-mind awareness. For small business owners, branding can be one of their biggest challenges. Attending a BrandsFormation workshop, however, can help businesses develop their brand and discover what sets them apart from the competition.

We live in a world where individuals crave convenience – especially when looking for services. And they often look to reviews for simple guidance that help them make smarter buying decisions. In fact, 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as recommendations from a friend or family member, while 73% of them have more trust in a local business with positive reviews. Negative reviews are just as impactful, as 94% of customers say an online review has convinced them to avoid a business.

Advertising jingles are short pieces of music that are associated with a specific brand, product, or company. The best ones are as memorable as good logos, and people can recall them for years - or even decades - after a campaign that features them. Coming up with a good one, however, can be hard for those who don't have the skills or practice to do it. To help with this challenge, we offer Jingle Workshops.

Shopping local provides far more benefits than a unique, personal experience. It supports the creation of local jobs, which in turn improves the local economy. It also helps promote a sense of community, as well as preserve the community itself. When customers shop local, they not only support the business, but also the people around it.

Today, we are highlighting one of the area's top local businesses: Henkle’s ACE Hardware. Even though ACE is a national brand, each branch is owned locally and provides all of the benefits of being a company that's right in town.