The fact is: radio advertising is an underused, yet effective marketing strategy when done correctly. The majority of homes and cars across the U.S. have radios, which means radio stations have an enormous reach. You can even tune into the radio via your computer or cell phone, so the power of radio is real. Just like any other marketing plan or promotional campaign, a national radio advertising campaign takes planning and preparation. Through planning, you’ll build a targeted, goal-oriented, and impactful campaign.
Before you begin mapping out your strategy, here are some of the first steps to take when designing your advertising campaign.
Determine Your Target Market
Your product or service attracts a certain population or demographic of people. Learn who those consumers are because they will make up your target market. You’ll need to know their gender, age, income level, educational level, geographic location, profession, marital status, interests, and shopping habits. This consumer profile will help you determine how you will market to your demographic.
Conduct a Competitive Analysis
Prior to launching your national radio advertising campaign, see what your competitors are doing. Identify any trends, strengths, weaknesses, areas of opportunities, or areas of market saturation. Pay attention to what’s happening in your industry, the news, and monitor trends. By researching your industry and all the key players, you can strategically position yourself to stand out through your radio advertising campaign.
Identify the Purpose of Your National Radio Advertising Campaign
Before you even start planning, what is the purpose of your advertising campaign? It is important to understand why you are implementing the strategy and what you hope to accomplish with it. If you are launching a new product, running a special promotion, targeting a new market, or highlighting a new feature or benefit, these factors will shape your campaign and determine your ad copy and brand messaging. Make sure that you and your team work together to clearly define the purpose and goals for your radio advertising campaign before the real planning begins.
Create a Timeline for the Launch
It is a necessity to figure out the timeline for your launch. Do you want to launch your radio advertising campaign during peak season or when consumer spending is low? If your product or service is a hit during a particular season like the summer or during the holidays, this is the best time to launch your campaign.
Coordinating an effective radio advertising campaign is a process. Do your research. Analyze your position in the market. Also keep in mind your company values, benefits, and unique characteristics that make you stand out. All of these factors will determine the direction of your radio advertising campaign.
