How to Sell Community Newspapers Advertising

A community newspaper is different from a normal daily edition. Community newspapers are usually only delivered once a week. Often, community newspapers are completely supported by advertisement revenue. Selling ads successfully is the difference between life and death of a community paper.

• Be willing to put some advertising money of your own into the community paper. Spend a small amount of money to get the word out in the community. If people aren’t even aware of the paper, they will not put their own advertising dollars into it.


• Make strong relationships with businesses in the local community. A community paper should have a symbiotic type of relationship with the local businesses. A community paper needs local, non-chain, businesses to keep them in businesses. The local businesses need low-cost advertising that will reach to their core audience. Get to know local business owners by name and have a good relationship with them, even if they don’t advertise with the paper. 


• Have businesses sign long-term agreements with the paper. This will give the paper a solid base of advertising. You can promote a lower rate for those who sign a contract for six months or a year. Make sure that you do not simply run the same ad during this time. Tailor their ads for the time of year and allow them to advertise big sales or specials. A long-term commitment can help you build up a large base of clients and of cash flow.