Marketing Ideas... radio?

[malkin]

Craigslist?

[Onix]

I have an advertising major from a while back...

You can definitely turn radio around that fast.

The bad thing about radio is that it is REALLLLY hard to make a good radio ad. And, really easy for people to change the channel. (Tv has the second problem, but it is easier to make a better TV ad, or really any ad besides radio).

But, for a small business, radio is often a cost-effective method.

Besides a traditional ad, you can do a different type of radio ad through local radio DJs... you have probably heard them. Where the DJ or morning show people, or whoever talk up the product...almost as if they are really talking from their own experience. People who listen to morning shows and such are sometimes more likely to tolerate listening to ads/talk-ups from the DJs that they love listening to than a traditional ad.

So you might want to look into that option as well!

Or other types of online ads?

Good luck!

EDIT: second thought.

I re-read your top part. Additional online advertising (besides what you have) may not be effective for your target market, considering that they are in the older-range. Hard to say without knowing more details. Radio may work well for them. Also, since you said you have a reliable following already of the same re-occuring customers...maybe offering a promotion of some sorts that lets them invite a friend to a lesson once free or something??? (Hoping that the other person would want to join themselves again).

Or some kind of promo event "open house"?

There are also all kinds of databases that have information about where people live/how they respond to diff. types of advertising. BUt, you would need an advertising firm to access those. Without them, if you are just doing it on your own---that may be tricky.

But, your older generation may respond to mailers (especially retired age people, often). But, the trick is getting data from somewhere about where to mail them.

Sorry for the rambling Good luck!

[Zen]

I like the facebook idea, I wonder how they target that?
Or Google search targeted ads.

For clarity, Google is a noun in this case.

[VeloVT]

I have done very local, targeted radio for political fundraisers before (I know, that sounds weird). It was actually quite effective, and in our very small-time market, pretty cheap too. And we turned it around from concept to air in 24 hours.

Do you do direct mail?

And I know this sounds evil, but have you considered telemarketing? For political fundraising at least, it has a very high return rate. There are specific companies that handle political clients, I would bet that you would be able to find companies that handle your type of business too. You write the script (with help from the company if you want it), and you can schedule sessions in which you get to listen in and do quality control (even with a good company, this will leave you uncomfortable and cringing sometimes). But really, it's worth looking into.

[krisl6]

I'd try social media avenues like Facebook, Twitter, etc. They're excellent marketing tools.

[Ritamarie]

Really good ideas!!! I'm talking to radio stations now, but yikes.... expensive!

Some of these ideas are really good for the long term. I think working on them now would benefit our season here come spring/summer. I think some direct mail would indeed be appropriate for some of our client base. Not everyone opens their e-mails. Maybe a post card or something. Hmmmm. Facebook... on it. My daughter is helping.

Our Maryland base is on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. If anyone knows the area (Kent County) it's really good cycling. Flat to rolling, wide shoulders. A couple of friends and I did a "Surf and Turf" one weekend last summer. We went down and stayed on one of the boats, did a century on Friday, went sailing on Saturday (had an instructor along who did a day of introductory sailing for my friends) and then did a 3/4 century Sunday. It was a blast!! I thought I might organize a few of them next summer. We only could only accommodate 8-10 people at a time sleeping/sailing on two boats, but what fun! We could have races.

[Zen]

Be sure to sign up for the Goose Chase this year.