Help from some creative minds, please...?

Question

I own a Christian lifestyle magazine that deals with all areas of daily life from faith to politics to health and nutrition to travel. We circulate in Baton Rouge, LA and Houston, Texas. I sell ad space to business owners, but I'm trying to approach my cold calls from another angle. One thing I want to answer for prospects is what potential problem for them I could be solving. If anyone can think of a problem that a company could have that advertising in a Christian lifestyle (emphasis, lifestyle) mag would solve, please help me out. Thanks.

Answer 1

Reword your question so people who are not business oriented can give you an honest opinion.

I would have to say try reaching all kinds of demographics. I would also say that the majority of your paper should target the people who are most likely to buy your paper. Do some research online and find out which mags sell the best. Try going to a book store. And looking at the magazines. Buy some if you need to and see what they have that you are lacking.

How are they wording their papers. Next look at your mags that are similar to your style and see what is selling and what isn't. Try to pintpino what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

Your customers are the only ones who can answer this. Ask your advertisers what their biggest challenges are; don't guess. Until you know what they need, you can't be part of the solution. Once you know then you can create a value solution for them, and you'll also have a good insight to what your potential customers also need... and you can use that knowledge to expand your market and grow your business.

Answer 3

Since Christians don't have a particular set of shopping habits, it's the articles that will draw in your readership. Create a theme for each issue, then target your advertising efforts around your articles. For example, if you have an article reporting on Christian retreats, focus on travel companies, resort wear companies or local boutiques, luggage companies, etc for that issue.

Create an online survey that your current customers can respond to, asking why they chose your magazine to advertise in, what business problems you solve for them, maybe even how your rates compare. Make it short - 4-6 questions is best. Do a drawing for a free/discounted ad among the respondents to entice them to participate.