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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> New print ad. Opinions? Advice?
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10/18/2006 11:24:18 PM · #1


this is a new ad i'm thinking of taking in the local paper. i'm getting more community exposure now, and want to capitlise on it. any opinions?
10/18/2006 11:36:44 PM · #2
i like it, and the photo you chose works perfectly for drawing in potential customers :)

-Dan
10/18/2006 11:39:57 PM · #3
I think it is a great photo. The only thing I would ask is how much retouching did you do? For headshots, it works, but for fun family photos, it might be a little too crisp.
Ruth Dudley-Carr
10/18/2006 11:41:11 PM · #4
Originally posted by ruthdudleycarr:

I think it is a great photo. The only thing I would ask is how much retouching did you do? For headshots, it works, but for fun family photos, it might be a little too crisp.
Ruth Dudley-Carr


sharpened the eyes, removed a scab on his forehead. that's it.
10/18/2006 11:56:58 PM · #5
What size will it run?
Newsprint absorbs ink, so you should lighten the image.
the studio name at the bottom...is supposed to be one word? Looks like you tried to cram too much into the space. Lots of text on the left there - i'm not sure folks will read all of it.

Advertising should have a purpose, and generally an invitation to act NOW. Give them a reason to call today. This is an example of a general ad - it's not targeted to a group, a season, a sale or anything and you're not asking the reader to do anything, like 'Call now for Christmas Card specials! Limited time!'

I've run this one the past few weeks in the HS football section on weekends


My wedding ad is on page 9 of the BCTimes site. It worked very well in the spring and got me one booking this fall (the special section ran about 3 weeks ago) //www.adquest3d.com/da/?brd=2305&pag=779&ssid=9549
10/19/2006 12:01:10 AM · #6
the local paper runs a special on running 6 ads, the 6th is free. so i was thinking of this for the first one, then ones focusing on different aspects of the services for the others.

and yeah, i know i need to lighten the pic.

i guess i'm looking at this one as introducing the studio (and yes, it is CSPStudio), as i've only lived in the area for a year.

this is in a small local paper - not a whole lot of advertising or pages, actually, so there's not a great deal of visual competition. i think i can afford to have the text-iness.

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 00:03:41.
10/19/2006 12:08:13 AM · #7
I think you need to tighten up the language a bit. Something like, "Professional Natural Light Photography - home or business" for a lead in. Then mix up the rest a bit because the way it reads now you end with business but there are several items listed imediately after that one would not likely photograph in a business .... Maybe bullet them:
- Artisan Portfolios
- Families and Children
- Maternity and Newborns
- Glamour
- Pets (dogs, cats, birds and lizards)
- Real Estate <<note both should be capitalized, i think
then...HOLIDAY SPECIALS (ditch the "available")
Call 123 4567 today!

or some such

edited to clean up my punctuation :)

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 00:09:40.
10/19/2006 12:09:11 AM · #8
that's much better kadi. thanks!
10/19/2006 12:10:55 AM · #9
Originally posted by xianart:

that's much better kadi. thanks!


admit it, you posted to distract me from that other thread, didn't you?
10/19/2006 12:13:47 AM · #10
thinking about it a minute, i decided "call xxx-xxxx today" sounds too much like a used car salesman...you need the word "appointment" too
10/19/2006 12:14:52 AM · #11
yeah, i was going to keep the appointment bit.
10/19/2006 07:19:46 AM · #12
ok, i've revamped the ad re. kadi's advice. what does anyone think now?



Message edited by author 2006-10-19 07:21:40.
10/19/2006 08:49:12 AM · #13
bump?
10/19/2006 10:16:54 AM · #14
re bump??
10/19/2006 10:42:50 AM · #15
You can talk to your newspaper folks - they want your ad to work too, cause if it works you'll advertise more!

One other reason for putting an "ACT NOW!" and a specific offer is you'll know that ad generated the call, as opposed to the website or a referral, etc.
10/19/2006 12:20:37 PM · #16
I work in classifieds at a large daily paper. I run ads like this all the time for car dealers and realestate agents.

Ad looks great, but the eyes will not pop the way they do in your example. this ad is going to go to a designer who is going to tone it for the paper.

Also the size, call teh paper and get exact dimensions, the last thing you want is a designer at the paper resizing it for you.

Negotiate with the paper. Most of the time, prices are high but you can negotiate because someone needs your renvenue to make their goals for the month. Ask for free days, free small ads in conjunction w/ this large one. We wheel and deal all the time.

ASK FOR A PROOF. Once you send it to the paper, make them fax or email you a proof before it goes to print.

just some thoughts for newspaper advertising. I do this all day, and the smoother the process on both ends, the more an advertising rep will want to deal w/ you and help you out. Just remember, be nice to the rep at the paper, they have a lot of power when it comes to what rate to charge. Our rates can run as high as $5K for a full page ad to less than a grand for the same thing.
10/19/2006 12:31:47 PM · #17
thanks,some good advice. i'll try all that. i already have a relationship with the paper, they've published 3 of my photos, and have just requested an image i sent them last year, for use on the cover for their rememberance day issue. (woohoo!) this is the proportion, it's a 1/12 tabloid size.

i'll give them a call, find out if they can do a deal (they're already giving me 10% off) for the rememberance day thingy.

i do have to be a little careful - this is a small town - i want to get a good eal, but don't want to alienate anyone...
10/19/2006 02:34:21 PM · #18
don't worry about annoying anyone. all they will do is say no. Besides, if they are asking for pictures from you, its more of a benefit to them than you. They don't need to pay for the photo.

I run a ad for my photography, cost is $300/month. I get it for free because every month I take the cover photo for the real estate publication we do.

Always ask for discounts. 10% is nothing, they can do much much better. They want your ad as much as you need it. Just be nice and come up with a solution that gives you a large discount, but also gives the sales person something to claim as a possitive for their meetings.
10/19/2006 02:37:36 PM · #19
Man, who did you have to kill to get the phone # 123-4567? ;0)
10/19/2006 03:11:18 PM · #20
Jumping in here late..
Questions/Thoughts:
Should Child and Maternity be capitalized as they are items of their own...

How about "Call today for your appointment"

And my own opinion and not one shared by others it appears....but while the photo of the boy IS a great photo....I personally wouldn't glance at a shot of a kid sticking his tongue out and would miss the ad. I wouldn't pay to have a shot of my kid appearing to be misbehaving.

sorry, if everyone disagrees with me, don't flame me just disregard.
10/19/2006 03:36:10 PM · #21
Cute photo... but I wouldnt use it for an ad...
I also think the opening line is too broken up and should be on one to two lines.... maybe across the top of the ad and over the photo...
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