Newspapers

If you have the budget, contact your local newspaper and see about placing ads for outreach. Research non-profit papers in your area and contact them about placing ads.

If you are running a special ad campaign, watch the timing of your campaign. For example Youngstown ran their campaign in the paper the same time as the November election campaigns were in full swing and it cost them twice as much.

There are also ways to receive free press. Contact your local paper about an event, program or special service that you are adding. Many times they will want to do a small article on something like this, so you get free coverage.

Radio and Television

Again budgets come into play, if you have the budget go for it, if not look for other ways to get on the radio. Check with your local radio stations and see what they charge for a small spot.

Radio stations do remote broadcasts at many of the events we attend, make sure to stop by. They are usually glad to interview someone about the event. Some radio stations have talk programs that feature local guests, give that a try.

Radio reading services are available for some parts of Ohio. Please see the link below for more information.

Television and Cable advertising are another way to go again if you have the budget.

There are freebies with television too. Here in Zanesville WHIZ, has a community program on every day at noon called Live At Noon. It features a different guest from the community everyday and gives them a way to inform the public of anything that they have going on. We take advantage of this as much as possible, I’d say the library is on at least twice a month. We also have channel 3 as a community calendar, where you can feature your local events. Youngstown has several local cable channels, one of which is totally dedicated to seniors. They are able to tell about their Outreach services on the senior channel’s morning talk show.

Here’s another idea that was new to me. Movie Theater ads. You know the ads before the movie starts. Some libraries have bought time from the movie theatre to run an ad. Check with your local theatre to see if they give special prices to non-profit groups.

 Radio Reading Service