Cooperative Advertising

 Advertising is expensive. As a result, successful businesses are looking for
more and more ways to save money on their marketing packages.

Co-operative advertising is taking on many shapes and faces. It can be
online or offline. It can be in multi-piece packages or multi-message single
page flyers or fillers.

The concept of co-operative advertising is not new. It is a great way to
stretch your advertising dollar and to reach additional pockets of your
target market.

When multiple people pool their advertising dollar they can reach more
people. Its like the choice between sending 1000 color brochures or 10,000
black and white ones. Your message may be watered down a bit by the
additional material but it also has the potential to reach so many more
people. The power of co-operative advertising is the opportunity to reach so
many more people. Every advertiser participating broadcasts their message to
their primary markets. And your advertising message gets to piggy back along
for the ride.

Speaking of piggies, one of the most interesting co-operative advertising
efforts, The Mom Pack, was founded by piggy bank artist Lynn Korff of
http://www.korfforiginals.com Lynn has spearheaded a group of work at home
moms who share co-operative advertising distribution. At
http://www.mompack.com work at home mothers send their samples, business
cards, flyers and fillers to one another. When each participant ships an
order or attends a craft fair, festival, or event they hand out packets
(MomPacks) of information from other members.

MomPack has evolved quite a bit from its beginnings. The site bosts a
membership directory, text links, contest listings, and resources for moms
who run home based businesses.

http://www.MomPack.com has become a great way for women to network and
co-operatively advertise to people who already shop from work at home moms.

Shopping With Women is also a great way for advertisers to co-operatively
get your marketing message in front of targeted groups of people. When
someone needs a booklet to distribute at their event, they request it from
http://www.ShoppingWithWomen.com and then advertisers purchase spots in the
upcoming booklet. These booklets are going to specific groups,
organizations, and locations so that they offer advertisers inexpensive yet
targeted advertising opportunities.

Shopping With Women is unique in that its advertising opportunities are ever
changing. Bookmark their upcoming events page and check back often for ways
that you can reach very targeted markets in a co-operative advertising
venue.

Another brand new advertising co-operative, and really neat women's group is
located online at http://www.mywoman2woman.com These ladies are producing
joint mailings and catalogs that you can participate in.

There are also many ways that you can develop your own co-operative
advertising efforts.

If you participate in home party sales, you might wish to coordinate with
several other people representing different home party plan companies. You
could each supply a few items to be used in your own show displays and keep
business cards handy for any guests who are interested in your co-op's
products. You know that your samples will be seen by people who already
attend, host, and shop at home parties.

You might want to get co-ops together for booths at craft fairs, business
opportunity seminars, or demonstration meetings. You can share the cost of
the booth and share the leads obtained. This is especially helpful with
multiple day events as no one has to man the event around the clock. With
multi day events, you can even put together a co-op of people representing
the same company.

Another co-operative advertising effort that has grown steadily over the
years is the WAHMfest events. These are held nationwide throughout the year
and target women who are considering starting a work at home business. Visit
them online at http://www.wahmfest.org. You can participate in currently
scheduled events or sign up to host an event of your own. This is an
especially effective co-op because many people are participating who reach
varied segments of a geographic population. Since all participants help to
promote the event, you are likely to reach people you would not otherwise
come into contact with in your own hometown.

A finaly way that I would like to suggest co-operative advertising
initiatives isn't really my idea at all. It is a part of the efforts of
Shopping With Women. But the concept can be spun and utilized in many
different venues.

Have 15-30 people come together and print tote bags, book bags, shopping
bags, or even three ring binders for a specific event or venue. Examples
could be Christmas Shows or Festivals, Church Sponsored Events, Training
Seminars, Open Houses, etc. Each participant pays the same amount towards
the printing of the bag or binder. Ads are printed on the final product for
each participant. Then the bags or binders are given away for free at the
open house, show, party, or farmers market. These are just sample ideas. But
it is a great way to be sure that event attendees take home something with
your marketing message. Advertising co-op participants might also include
samples, coupons, flyers, or business cards in all the printed bags.

Co-operative advertising is a good way to stretch your advertising budget
and reach more people with your marketing message. Always be on the look out
for people that you can participate in advertising co-ops with. You'll get a
bigger bang for your advertising dollar and continue to build your network
of influence.

About the Author

Shannan Hearne-Fortner is the President and Wizard of
http://www.SuccessPromotions.com
Marketing Your e-Business Better through creative marketing and knowledge.
Guerrilla Marketing. One-to-One Marketing. Relationship Marketing. Your
Marketing.

 Shannan Hearne-Fortner

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