I am in the boonies. Conventional advertising media (radio-TV) are not available to us locally. I have used direct mail here, though. In the past I have produced a mailer and sent direct mail letters. Both worked very well for me. Last year I produced a local business directory and am in the process of publishing the second edition -- due out July 1st. This works because of our location and the fact that our "local"(?) phone book includes most of the tiny towns in a 75-mi (as the crow flies-real distance varies according to which mountain is in the way) semi-circle from us, but only 2 prefix numbers are local calls for the residents of the valley in which I live. My directory focuses on the local community. With only a couple of exceptions, the businesses listed are locally owned, and most of the owners also live in the area. The directory is mailed to all the postal patrons in the valley, with the entire cost being paid for by other businesses that purchase display ads in the directory. I do also advertise in the local newspaper and brochure racks in the valley and on local bulletin boards. Having my truck professionally lettered was some of the best money I ever spent. I did have magnetic signs, but one day I went to the city and while I was there they disappeared (prankster or mean-spirited competitor? .... dont know which). They were getting old and I was planning to replace them anyway.. so I did the lettering instead. Surprisingly, the lettering was not much more than the new signs would have been.


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