Nine Ways to Increase the Value of Your Ads Without Writing Brand New Ones

Once you've been in business for a while it begins to seem like you're using the same old tired ads again and again, but coming up with new ideas can be taxing on your brain, especially if you've spent the day working hard at running your company. Here are some suggestions for freshening up old ads so they seem almost new again and will capture the attention of new customers, and recapture the attention of old ones:

1. Notify your potential customers and regulars of special events your business has sponsored or taken part in or you have attended as a business owner; perhaps seminars or conferences for example. Make a point of discussing those designed to help the local community. Such as charity drives, fund raisers, fairs, luncheons, award ceremonies, etc. Be sure to recount any positive mention of your business in the local newspapers. Above all, never underestimate the importance of cultivating good will in the community.
2. Keep the public informed about any joint ventures with other businesses, particularly if the business is local, as they are probably familiar with it. This will increase interest in your company. Don't make the mistake of concealing information on mergers or major financial deals, because this will only arouse suspicions even if your actions are perfectly innocent.
3. Share useful information with your customers and potential customers. This is an effective and inexpensive way to gain their trust and begin a relationship with them. Everyone likes a helping hand now and then. It could be a heads up on where to locate a hard to find product, a few suggestions for running your own business, even a special column with advice on how to perform a difficult task associated with your company's line of business.
4. Stress to your customers and potential customers alike that you consider it of primary importance to provide excellent customer service. Highlight steps you have taken to improve this part of your business.
5. Encourage your employees to be friendly and open with customers and potential customers as well. Letting people see that you cultivate a harmonious working environment will impress them, and they will be pleased to have the opportunity to interact with your employees and get to know them on a more personal basis.
6. Share milestones and accomplishments with your customers. If your business is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its opening or it's first $10,000 sold, whatever the occasion, always let your customers be a part of these events. It will help create a feeling of warmth and familiarity that will make you and your business seem like part of their family.
7. Don't be afraid to boast about successful changes your business has instituted or recently discovered innovations relating to your product. Perhaps you or one of your employees has taken a look at the product you promote from an entirely new angle and re-invented it, or maybe you have decided to make use of some new technologies available to improve your business, etc.
8. Make sure the public is aware of improvements you have made in your product. Regardless of how small a change may seem, it's always worthwhile letting the public know that you are working to make your product better for them.
9. Especially if you own a website, share your company's history with potential customers and customers alike. Tell them how you got started in the business, show them that you have endured the same struggles and doubts they are undergoing, yet managed to come out on top. Let them know that it is possible to succeed with your own business, and that even though you have "made it" you still have the same financial worries, the same concerns, etc, that everyone else does.