WHO GETS IT RIGHT?
by David Margolis, President
When a local news story breaks, Internet tweeters may beat traditional print reporters to the punch, but how reliable is their information? The fact is that many of the breaking stories posted by amateur reporters would never get beyond the editor’s desk of a local newspaper. Without access to local official channels, amateur Internet providers often rely on unconfirmed reports, unidentified sources and their own ability to piece the story together. On the other hand, local newspapers must adhere to strict journalistic rules when it comes to investigating a story. As a result, the local newspaper and its website are far more likely to get the story right. Which one therefore is more trustworthy?
There is little question that various media battle one another “to get the story first.” However, accuracy should not be sacrificed in the name of speed. In this very important respect, local newspapers wait until they can confirm a news story from its source or through official channels before being put out for consumption. As a result, readers know where to turn for verifiable information. This is why it is so important for advertisers to associate with local print media. Syndicated Ad Features works with its clients to place their advertising where it will be noticed, read, and trusted—in the local newspaper, along with all the other news and information that is too important to get wrong.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE EXPERT?
Sometimes, as I watch the myriad of talking heads populating the TV screen from the studios of various news media, I wonder just who these people are. It seems that their mere appearance on television programs with ambiguous titles posted beneath their shoulders provides them with instant credibility. The fact is, viewers are all too willing to unquestioningly believe what they see and hear. As far as I (and many others) am concerned, they best be able to back up what they say.
The same may be said for the type of newspaper advertising we offer. Our advertising is designed with our clients’ pictures and bylines to appear as though they are guest columnists in their local newspapers. As such, readers accept them at face value (pun intended) to be experts in their particular fields. On this basis, they garner reader interest and trust with the goal of cultivating future business. We also back our clients by providing them with verifiable content that assures them that they can be taken at their word.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING, by David Margolis, President
It is often said that “timing is everything,” and, indeed, it is sometimes the case that chance, desire, and opportunity converge in a single moment. However, it is more often the case that “persistence pays off.” This quote linking success to steadfast effort is likely to have more resonance with professionals and business people because it reflects the reality they know to be true. Sure, it is possible that the driver of a car with an overheating engine will spot a billboard for an auto mechanic at the next exit. But, it is far more probable that vehicle owner will already have an ongoing relationship with an auto technician locally, based upon the technician having established a reputable business and advertising it consistently.
According to the report “How America Shops and Spends,” very few consumers have a need for a particular piece of merchandise (or service) on any given day. Thus, the likelihood that an advertiser is going to appeal to their needs with spot advertisements is very low. Advertising needs to be regular and consistent so that it directly appeals to consumers when they are ready to buy, not just when advertisers are ready to sell. With this in mind, Syndicated Ad Features enlists clients to participate in weekly advertising in local newspapers in a format that is designed to promote trust and familiarity. That way, consumers, patients, and those in need of specific services know where to turn when their needs arise.