National Co-Op Advertising Program

Appointment Letters/Cards Client Retention Postcards - Self Send Pennants and Flags
Balloons and Blimps Discount Coupons - Tax Bucks Post Cards
Banners Door Hangers Posters
Billboards Greeting Cards - Self Send Radio
Bulletin Boards Greeting Cards - Turnkey Referrals
Bus Benches Magnetic Car Door Signs Referral Cards
Cabbie Top Signs Money Mailer Television
Client Newsletters - Email Neon Window Signs Valpak
Client Retention Mailings - SBBT Newspaper Ads Yellow Pages
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All of our co-op advertising materials are protected by U.S. Copyright Law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of these materials, or any portion of them, is not permitted, and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties.
Discussion/Considerations: Appointment letters and cards are sent to last year's clients inviting them back to have their tax return prepared again this year. The letter or card includes a date and time for their appointment - which you have already filled in WITHOUT speaking to the client first. Ordinarily, you'll want to use the same day and time as last season. The letter or card says "If this time is not convenient for you, please call us at... to reschedule your appointment." 

Appointment letters and cards are a great compliment to our Client Organizers, which 1040 ValuePak automatically generates for you to send to last tax season's clients. We also have special window envelopes available. The Slip Sheet with address information that prints with the Client Organizer shows through the envelope window.

Appointment Cards are 3 1/2" X 5 1/2". The back of card is left blank for the return address, mailing address and postage if sent separately.

Overall Rating: Appointment letters and cards get a four (4) star rating because of their relatively low cost and because it is imperative that you have a high "client return" rate to be successful in the tax preparation business. You should shoot for a target client return rate of 85-90%. Count your numbers. How many taxpayers returned to you last season from the season before?
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: Printing/Cards  Per Card or Letter  $0.10-$0.12
Additional Costs: Postage Per Card or Letter $0.26
Total Cost:  Per Card or Letter $0.38
Potential Return/Results: It is imperative that you have a high "client return" rate. It's extremely expensive to find new clients every year. High
Discussion/Considerations: High visibility means high impact! Imagine the attention a giant advertising balloon standing three stories tall will generate! Advertising balloons are great for grand openings and are constant reminders about sales events, new products, promotions, etc. Advertising balloons bring traffic which results in more sales! You can customize your balloon with your company logo, graphics or message on a detachable banner that can be mounted on the balloon with Velcro. Many inflatables may be illuminated at night so you can get 24 hours of exposure. Many balloons are available in 10 ft, 15 ft, 20 ft, 25 ft, and 30 ft sizes. See the samples below.
 
Overall Rating: Balloons and blimps get a three (3) star rating because of their high cost
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost:
25' Uncle Sam Balloon - 30 day rental - $775 first 3 days. $75 per day after that.
Blimps - purchase pricing varies.
Air Dancers - Purchase only - 15' - $175, 25' - $224, 35' - $274, 50' - $324 plus S&H		 $2,800
Additional Costs: There is a trip charge, which varies by location, for delivery and pick-up of the balloon.
Total Cost: $2,800
Potential Return/Results: If you are in a high traffic area balloons and blimps can have a high return. High
(available in sizes up to 50 feet wide)
(available in sizes up to 50 feet wide)
Discussion/Considerations: Say more in a matter of seconds and set yourself apart from the competition with full color, high impact, affordable banners! Banners are highly visible and, if designed correctly, attract customer attention even at great distances. Tax preparation businesses across the country have been using attention-getting banners for over 30 years. Everyone agrees that they are one of the most cost-efficient and attractive forms of advertising available. Banners are very effective as semi-permanent signage.
(6 feet by 3 feet only)

SBBT's banners are available in 6 feet by 3 feet. The SBBT banner is shown at the above right. Our banners are available in sizes up to 50 feet wide. You should get the maximum size banner that your space will allow. Measure it. The larger the banner, the more people will see it, and the more customers you'll get. It's that simple! If you're going to fly a banner why not fly the one that will bring the most business through your front door?
Overall Rating: Because of their low one time cost and high potential return banners get a solid five (5) star rating.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: Depends on size. Available in sizes up to 50 feet wide. $90 and up
Additional Costs: Shipping - Depends on size.   
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: The potential return from banners is extremely high. Extreme
Discussion/Considerations: Generally, billboards are not a practical way for tax preparation businesses to advertise, but there is one exception. If your tax preparation business is located near a billboard, then this may prove to be an incredible advertising opportunity. You can put your advertising message on the billboard (if you don't have one let us know, we do) and also on the billboard in bold type put "500 feet on the right". 
Overall Rating: Billboards only get a two (2) star rating because of their limited applicability and high cost. But remember, if your tax preparation business is located near a billboard this may prove to be an incredible advertising opportunity.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: 14' by 48' - average cost $2500 - $8000 per month. However, in certain metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and New York City billboards can cost up to $50,000 per month.  $4,750.00
Additional Costs: $1,200 one-time charge for design and production. $1,200.00
Total Cost: $5,950.00
Potential Return/Results: The potential return from billboards is high if you are in the right location. High
Discussion/Considerations: Believe it or not, bulletin boards actually work as customer builders for any small business. People use these ?business provided? bulletin boards to advertise things they want to sell, home-based businesses, and whatever they might want to trade for or buy. Everyone has seen bulletin boards. Instead of tacking your business card on the bulletin board have you ever considered tacking a package of tear off discount coupons. Like "$10 Off" your tax preparation fee. If you going to place bulletin board advertising coupons in a commercial location, such as a supermarket, there are several thing to consider. First, you'll need permission of the supermarket. Second, "vandalism" is an issue as these coupons tend to get taken off the bulletin board and thrown away - probably by competitors. Third is maintenance, as you, or a person that you hire, will need to check the bulletin board regularly (possibly daily) to make sure your coupons are still there and to replace any dwindling stock. There may be a business that offers this service in your area. But beware of locked bulletin boards, as potential customers will not be able to tear off a discount coupon.

Under the proper conditions (like you have a special relationship with the supermarket or place where the bulletin board is located), bulletin board advertising may be just right for you.

Overall Rating: Because of the aforementioned difficulties of bulleting board advertising, it only get three (3) stars. 
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: We do not currently have pricing information for bulletin board coupons. But if you are interested select the box on the registration form and we can get you additional information.
Additional Costs:  
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: We do not currently have performance information for bulletin board coupons.
Discussion/Considerations: What is a bus bench? A bus bench is the seat that people sit on while waiting for the bus. Ever notice that the front of the seats, the part where you lean your back up against, has an advertising billboard on it? That's where your ad will go if you advertise on bus benches. 
Overall Rating: Bus bench advertising gets five (5) stars for it's ability to "hyper-target" your market.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: The pricing depends on the local market. As such, we do not have advertising cost figures.
Additional Costs: Most bus benches are 24" by 84" long. The printing charge is $18.00 for each bench. $75.00 per hour for graphic and design work. The printed advertisement can be shipped anywhere.
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Turn your car into a moving lighted billboard in a matter of seconds! What's a "cabbie top sign"? The term "cabbie top" is kind of a misnomer because of the way this form of advertising is used. You've seen the tops of taxi cabs. On the top there is a small lighted sign indicating whether or not the cab driver is on duty, ready to pick up passengers, or off duty. You may recall there is nowhere to place an advertisement on that small lighted sign. A "cabbie top" is a larger lighted sign that goes on the top of the automobile. 
 
Overall Rating: Cabbie Top Signs get a five (5) star rating because of their low one time cost and their high potential return.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: $120.95
Additional Costs: Setup & Shipping $80.00
Total Cost: $200.95
Potential Return/Results: The potential return from "cabbie tops" is extremely high. Extreme
Discussion/Considerations: Client Retention Postcards are sent to last year's clients offering them a $10 discount and inviting them back to have their tax return prepared again this year. Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBBT) sends Client Retention Postcards which are basically the same thing. However SBBT only sends the postcards to bank product clients, not all clients. See "Client Retention Mailings - SBBT" below. You'll send these Client Retention Postcards to all of your clients from last tax season, or just the ones that SBBT didn't send a postcard to. We can't emphasize enough how important it is to get last season's tax clients to return this season.

 

The "Please Come Back" client retention card shown at the right is part of the Greeting Cards - Turnkey program discussed below and they cost $1.25 each, postage included.
Item: CRPC
Overall Rating: Self send Client Retention Postcards get a four (4) star rating because there is some expense involved for the cards and postage. It'll also take some time (labor) to send them. But they're well worth it.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: 4" by 6", 14pt. card stock, 4 color (4/4), UV coated $0.15
Additional Costs: Postage $0.26
Total Cost: $0.41
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: The Client Retention Mailer (CRM) and Preferred Client Letter (PCL) programs are aimed at helping you retain clients. Postcards and letters are mailed by Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBBT) on your behalf to your prior year BANK PRODUCT customers. SBBT covers all costs of the mailer (only postage cost applies to you). SBBT DOES NOT send mailings to clients that did not use a bank product last season.
Overall Rating: The SBBT Client Retention Mailings get a five (5) star rating because their ability to bring back last season's clients is high and you only pay for the postage.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: $0.00
Additional Costs: Postage $0.26
Total Cost: $0.26
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Coupons have proven themselves to be a highly effective sales tool for businesses. Coupons are a popular component of marketing among local businesses wanting to promote themselves successfully. Coupons are one of the most commonly used forms of saving money. Many businesses offer coupons as a way to drive customer traffic into the establishment. Regular use of a good coupon strategy will provide a steady flow of new customers and referrals.

What are Tax Bucks? Tax Bucks are discount coupons offering prospects $5 or $10 off tax preparation or electronic filing. They come three (3) to an 8 1/2" by 11" page. We provide you with an Acrobat .pdf and you simply print multiple pages from it, print one page and photo copy it, or take it to a printer. You'll stamp your contact information on them with a rubber stamp.

Overall Rating: Because of their extremely low cost and high potential Tax Bucks get a five (5) star rating.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: Because they come three to a page Tax Bucks only cost about $0.01-$0.02 cents each. $0.02
Additional Costs: None, unless you hire a kid to place them on car windshields.
Total Cost: $0.02
Potential Return/Results: Unlimited
Discussion/Considerations: Want to get your foot in the door? Meet and greet your customers at their front door with full-color door hangers! Conquer that valuable doorknob real estate! Door hangers offer a high impact and low cost marketing solution to any business. Door Hangers are a simple marketing tool that many companies do not use to their full potential. Door hanger advertising can help announce to everyone in your area that you're looking for business. Think of all the great promotional possibilities that door hanger advertising can offer tax preparation businesses. The potential benefits of door hanger advertising cannot be overstated.

By hand-delivering your company's message from door to door, door hanger advertising eliminates postage and mailing costs. You get to skip out on the costs and middlemen involved in mailing lists, stamping, addressing, and shipping conventional direct mail. Incredibly, door hangers are one of the most under utilized forms of advertising. Which is odd, since door hangers are one of the cheapest, most effective forms of direct marketing you can hope to take advantage of. 
Overall Rating: Door hangars get a four (4) star rating because of their low cost and high potential.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: 100 lb. gloss cover / 4.25" x 11" / 4/4 Full color both sides $0.25
Additional Costs: Shipping & Distribution (estimate - you must secure distribution locally) / a rubber stamp. $0.30
Total Cost:  $0.55
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Sending greeting cards to friends and family is a tradition that goes back about 200 years. Is there a future for greeting cards in this age of e-mail and instant messaging? Definitely, YES! A greeting card in the mailbox not only brightens our day, but can instantly connect us emotionally to friends, family, and people we do business with. That special hand written envelope stands out among our piles of bills and junk mail and serves as a reminder that someone has taken the time from their day to reach out to us and show us they care.
Overall Rating: Greeting cards - Self send get a three (3) star rating because of the costs and labor involved.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: $0.50
Additional Costs: Postage $0.41
Total Cost: $0.91
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Just upload your name and address list and you can have your season's greeting cards sent automatically. With personal handwriting fonts you can really personalize every one of your greeting cards by having your own handwriting printed on your cards, including the envelope. You can even choose to include your signature!

Birthday cards are also another great way to keep you name in front of your client. Couple these with the Referral Cards (see below) and you'll have one powerful brand name building solution.

 
Overall Rating: Greeting cards - Turnkey get a three (3) star rating because of the costs.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: $1.25
Additional Costs: There is a $99 charge to open an account. There is a $50 setup charge for your personal handwriting font. Postage is included in the basic cost. $0.00
Total Cost: $1.25
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Do you want inexpensive advertising that gets results? Car door signs are a great cost effective way to promote your business. You can turn your personal vehicle into a business vehicle with a set of magnetic signs. Magnetic signs offer an effective and economical way of advertising your business while you drive - and the new business helps pay for your car! Magnetic signs are a great way for you to accomplish your advertising goals without putting permanent lettering on your vehicle. With vinyl lettering, a logo and graphics your identity can be professionally displayed on a set of signs. You'll be delighted with these inexpensive signs to identify and promote your business year after year for less than the cost of a one day ad in the city newspaper. See the samples below.
 
Overall Rating: Magnetic car door signs get a five (5) star rating because of their low one time cost and their high potential return.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: One pair / 12" x 24", 3-5 year life, fade resistant, 100% magnetic $64.00
Additional Costs: Shipping $20.00
Total Cost: $84.00
Potential Return/Results: If you do a lot of driving magnetic car door signs can have an unlimited return. Unlimited
 Money Mailer (also see Valpak below)
Discussion/Considerations: Money Mailer is a leader in direct mail couponing for consumers. Money Mailer services local businesses by helping them reach their entire customer base. Money Mailer's targeted system for businesses enables them to reach consumers with valuable targeted local advertising. They periodically send an envelope full of coupons to tens of thousands of households in your area. Money Mailer has over 30,000 local advertisers across the USA. The pricing below includes creating your ad, printing it, and mailing it.

Overall Rating: Because of it's high potential return and moderate cost (as compared to post cards) Money mailer gets a four (4) star rating. However, keep in mind, that with a post card virtually everyone you mail it to will see it, even if they just glance at it. Not so with Money Mailer, as some consumers just throw the envelope away, and others just keep the whole envelope without picking through the coupons inside.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: $395 for 10,000 households, volume discounts apply $395.00
Additional Costs: Shipping $00.00
Total Cost: $395.00
Potential Return/Results:  High
Discussion/Considerations: A retail business needs something more than just a good location in order to bring in customers. It needs cost-effective advertising methods that will distinguish it in a crowded marketplace and compel people to notice it at a glance. For many successful businesses, highly visible neon signs are the answer. They can seize people's attention 24 hours a day. Neon is easily readable at night, in bright ambient light, and even in daylight. Neon signs have been commercially used for almost 100 years.

Affordable, highly impact neon signs are a sure way to attract customers by telling them what you do! Neon signs have a pleasant effect upon people. They have the power to appeal to the subconscious mind. Neon signs are effective - they pull potential customers in with cost effective and powerful advertising. 

Neon signs are widely used by business owners to attract consumers, particularly at night. If your business operates during the evening, like tax preparation businesses in the winter months, a neon sign may be just what you need to increase sales. 
Overall Rating: Because of their low cost, high visibility, and high potential return, neon signs get a five (5) star rating. 
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: $169-$249
Additional Costs: Shipping $47.00, guaranteed not to break in shipping $47.00
Total Cost: $216-$296
Potential Return/Results: Unlimited
Discussion/Considerations: Newspaper advertising can reach a huge audience immediately but is generally very expensive. An exception is the Rare Reminder or Penny Saver types of local newspapers and local or town newspapers themselves. It's important to keep in mind that most low to middle income taxpayers without a lot of investments and deductions tend to have their tax return prepared by the person who is closest to their home. Generally within five (5) miles. They generally do not travel 30 minutes to an hour to have their tax return prepared. This can make local newspapers a real bargain provided their advertising costs are reasonable and their distribution is within a five (5) mile radius of your office.
 
Theme - Fast Cash 1:
Theme - Fast Refund Reverse:
Theme - Free Efile:
Theme - Espanol Efile:
Theme - Fast Cash 2 Color:
Theme - Score Big Color:
Theme - Urgent Color:
Theme - We Luv Taxes Color:
Theme - SBBT Fast Cash Black & White:
Theme - SBBT Fast Cash Color:
Overall Rating: Newspaper advertising only gets a three (3) star rating because of its cost.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: Varies by publication, but can be very expensive
Additional Costs:
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: Can provide a high return if you advertise in the right publication at the right price. High
Discussion/Considerations: You've probably seen pennants and flags at car dealerships. They're also used for Grand Openings as they tend to attract a lot of attention. Pennants and flags promote your business with their eye catching appeal! They're great for any business that needs to send a strong visual message at low cost. Brightly colored pennants and flags bring a carnival feel to any event or promotional activity. They're an excellent, cost-effective means of maximizing exposure when used in conjunction with other promotional material. Pennants and flags add color and "movement" to any business, maximizing visual impact, and ensuring eye-catching appeal.

Pennants and flags are: 

  • highly visual
  • celebrational
  • great for any business
  • cost-effective, and
  • easy to use

Pennants come in 30', 60' or 100' strings. Americana Pennants are triangular and have either a red or blue background with white stars; or red and white stripes. 30' strings have 12) 12" by 18" pennants per string. 60' strings have 24) 12" by 18" pennants per string. 100' strings have 48) 12" by 18" pennants per string. They come in both 4 mil and 8 mil poly. We recommend the 8 mil since they doesn't cost much more.

Yankee Doodle pennants are square and feature 9" by 12" flags. There are 16 flags per 30' length. They come in 30' and 60' lengths. Only 4 mil is available.

American Stars and Stripes Flags are 12" by 18" US flags. There are 24 flags on a 60' string, which is the only length offered. Both Supreme Cloth (very expensive) and Economy 4 mil poly are available.

Overall Rating: Because of their low cost, high visibility, and ability to attract large numbers of taxpayers pennants and flags get a five (5) star rating.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: 
Americana Pennants, 4 mil, 30' string $5.70, 60' string $9.20, 100' string $15.50
Americana Pennants, 8 mil, 30' string $7.40, 60' string $12.70, 100' string $21.80
Yankee Doodle Pennants, 4 mil, 30' string $10.70, 60' string $15.20
American Stars and Stripes Flags, Supreme Cloth $33.50 per string, Economy 4 mil poly $14.00 per string
Additional Costs: Shipping runs $10-$20
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: Unlimited
Type 1:
Item: PC
Type 2:
4719 4709 4713 4714
4717 4707 4705 4712
4720 4703 4721 4702
4702 4701 4723 4710
4722 4718 4716 4706
4715 4708 4704
Type 3:
Fast Cash Score Big Urgent We Luv Taxes
Discussion/Considerations: Most of us think of postcards as something we send to our friends and relatives while we are away on vacation. But this advertising piece has been favored by many businesses for many years. Using postcards as a part of your overall marketing plan is a simple and cost effective method of communicating with potential clients. Postcards are the perfect tool for offering special promotions, like a $10 discount. With the information overload from advertisers, most people only take the time to skim the front of advertisements, envelopes, and other mail they receive. Postcards achieve a nearly 100% "glance" readership because your entire advertising message (except the $10 discount) is on the front of the postcard. In other words, nearly everyone at least glances at the mail they receive, and they'll see your message. 
Overall Rating: Because of their moderate cost, when compared to sales and revenue received, postcards receive a four (4) star rating.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: 4" x 6", 14pt. card stock, 4 color (4/0) color front B&W back, UV front only  Postcard $0.10
Additional Costs:  Postage $0.26
Total Cost: $0.36
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Window posters have been a favorite of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBBT) and tax preparers for years. Probably because of their low cost. SBBT offers posters for free - just pay the $3.00 shipping and handling charge. 

Overall Rating: Posters get a rating of two (2) stars. 
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: 19" x 26" Full color $0.00
Additional Costs: Shipping & Handling $3.00
Total Cost: $3.00
Potential Return/Results:  Low
 Radio
Discussion/Considerations: The advantages of radio advertising are:
  • Many taxpayers listen to the radio. In fact, close to 90% of the population listens to the radio.
  • Radio is targeted. Each radio station is operated with specific market segments in mind, so despite there being many radio stations nationwide there are probably particular stations that target your specific market in your area. In the car, at the office, in the garden you can reach your customer on the radio throughout the day or night. This increases the frequency that your advertising message can be delivered.
  • Radio reaches your customer with frequency. Advertising works by repetition. Taxpayers may need to be exposed to a commercial three or four times before they take action. To reach this advertising frequency, radio is often more cost effective than other media.
  • Sound is memorable. Sound is stored in the memory more effectively than written words. Sound, offers emotion and encourages the listener's imagination to produce their own desirable image of a product. Radio is the theatre of the mind.

You know your best prospects use radio to set your business apart in their minds. With radio you can attach your brand to the emotion and listener loyalty generated by radio station personalities and programming. Your prospects love their radio station; now they'll love your brand. Eight out of 10 people listen to the radio every day, and 94% of Americans listen three hours a day on average generally to only two stations! That loyalty means you reach your customer again and again. With Radio Advertising, you can:

  • Get high-quality radio ads - you control the content, the quality, and the delivery of the message
  • Run ads when you want, how you want, and we'll get you on the air when it's right for you
  • Use personality, celebrity, or talk show hosts to read your message; or get sponsorships and promotions
  • Create spots for events, giveaways, promotions, or special offers
Overall Rating: Because it can be expensive, radio only gets three (3) stars.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: Ads start at $199. Media time varies by location.
Additional Costs:
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: With radio, like television, you can target by psychographics which can be even more effective than demographics. Hip-hop and country music can have the same demographic, adults 18-35, but vastly different listeners. You'll not only reach the right age and gender, you'll reach the prospects interested in your product. High
Discussion/Considerations: There's nothing more important to the success of your business than referrals. As you know, the key to getting more referrals is to develop relationships of trust and appreciation with you clients. Unfortunately, meeting a client for a few minutes once each tax season does NOT build a relationship of trust and appreciation.

Instead of saying Happy Holidays or Happy Birthday, Referral cards say things like:

  • This One's For YOU!
  • Without YOU I am NOTHING... and I Realize That!
  • Hi, My Name Is George. I Wondered If You Could Do Me A Favor?
  • Who Do You Know?
  • I'm Expanding My Business And I'm Looking For People Just Like YOU!
  • We Love Referrals!
  • Thank you!
  • Announcing A Unique Way To Get $10 Off!
  • I'm Firing My Advertising Agency! ...and Giving My Money To YOU Instead!

After uploading your client list they will be sent Referral Cards automatically on the schedule of your choosing. With personal handwriting fonts you can really personalize every one of your referral cards by having your own handwriting printed on your cards and envelopes. You can even choose to include your signature!

 
Overall Rating: Referral Cards get a solid five (5) star rating because they are the same as Number 1, asking for Referrals, the  most effective business building method of all time. Too bad there aren't more stars to award Referral Cards!
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: No
Basic Cost: Referral Postcards cost about $0.75. Referral Greeting Cards cost >>> $1.25
Additional Costs: There is a $99 charge to open an account. There is a $50 setup charge for your personal handwriting font. Postage is included in the basic cost. $0.00
Total Cost: $1.25
Potential Return/Results: the potential return form asking for referrals is too high to measure! Extreme
Discussion/Considerations: Television has long been thought of as just too expensive for the average small businessperson. But times are changing. Basic cable television now offers 30 or 40 different channels, all of which offer advertising opportunities.

Television is the most powerful advertising medium available. Now, we are bringing the power of television to you by making it more cost-effective and targeted than ever before. Use the power of television advertising to grow your business. We help make television:

  • Cost effective - build a high-quality ad for less money than you thought possible
  • Targeted - our propriety technology helps you plan your campaign down to the neighborhood
  • Flexible - adjust your message area by area
Please Note: The televisions advertisements below will be modified so that the voice script matches your business. For instance, if the ad below says that you are a CPA, but you are not, then your ad will be modified so it doesn't say that you are a CPA. And of course, the company name and contact information will be changed from the hypothetical Spot Runner to your business.
Tax Pain - 39S Would You - 6NS
Last Laugh - RNS Last Laugh - SWS
Attention to Detail – VM3 Would You - 6WS
Not Brain Surgery – 2WS Would You - I9Y
Overall Rating: Television advertising gets four (4) stars. 
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: We have a wide range of creative TV ad options to suit nearly any budget. High-quality ads customized to your business start at just $499. Cost-effective media plans to air your ads on major networks can start as low as $1500.
Additional Costs:
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: Television not only reaches customers in a way other advertising is unable to, it brings in customers directly and reinforces all your other advertising methods, making them more effective. High
 Valpak (also see Money Mailer above)
Discussion/Considerations: Valpak has helped hundreds of thousands of businesses attract customers since 1968. It's the most recognizable form of direct mail advertising there is -- the Valpak blue envelope. The familiar blue envelope delivers targeted marketing, neighborhood by neighborhood, to reach over 45 million households across the nation. People anticipate the blue envelope because they know it delivers great money savings from national and regional advertisers as well as businesses right in their neighborhoods. Each year, more than 65,000 businesses choose Valpak for their advertising needs. Valpak is an affiliate of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, Inc.
Overall Rating: Because of it's high potential return and moderate cost (as compared to post cards) Valpak gets a four (4) star rating.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: Because Valpak offices are locally owned franchises prices vary from locality to locality. We were quoted a price of $0.08 per household in Broward County, FL, which would make Valpak cost about twice as much as Money Mailer. Whether that pricing is true in your location we do not know. You'll need to check locally.
Additional Costs:
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: High
Discussion/Considerations: Which of the many Yellow Page books is the best one to advertise in? How can I save up to 50% on my yellow page advertisements just by handling the Yellow Pages salesman the right way? These questions and more are answered for our users in our Co-Op Advertising Program.  
 
Theme - Fast Refund:
Theme - Free E-file:
Theme - Espanol E-file:
Overall Rating: Because of the high expense and long term commitment, Yellow Page advertisements get a three (3) star rating.
Commercial Location/Zoning Required: Yes
Basic Cost: Varies form book to book and market to market.
Additional Costs:
Total Cost:
Potential Return/Results: High