Advertising in church bulletins (homeowners insurance, neighborhood, school)

[ShannonMilligan]

Has anyone every done this? OR have you ever used a company that you saw in the church bulletin? We are considering advertising in one but I just don't know. Of course the ad person said we would get calls but I don't know. I do know that I would personally look at one and probably call if I were looking for that particular service. THoughts? (I am thinking about one of the larger churches here in Nova.)

Thanks!

[OrangeFish]

I cannot recall ever using a advertiser solely due to an ad in a church bulletin. But I have used an advertiser in a neighborhood association newsletter. However, the advertising in our church bulletin is one of those "looks like a patchwork quilt" type page of advertising vs. the larger, business-card size ads that are in our neighborhood association newsletter. Maybe it's more a function of the ad that I can read, even with my bifocals. ;-)

[ShannonMilligan]

and that is exactly the look of the one I am thinking about...like a quilt. But I would get the large ad that is thee business card size...I am torn. Boss wants my opinion and I just don't know.

[Yankeesfan]

I called a plumber last month because he advertised in our church bulletin. Also in the past we have used a painter who advertised there; we found our homeowners insurance agent there and our previous dentist (had to switch when we changed insurance plans). I read somewhere that bulletin ads are usually worthwhile because they are low-cost, you can get them for a short period to try them out, and you're reaching a loyal audience (people who are loyal to their church appreciate businesses that support their church).

[jaunespinoza]

It's a good place to advertise. I heard of restaurants offering discounts if you bring in your church bulletin. They gotta pay for paper. Why not? It appears that they can afford to pay their pastors 90K per year, they can probably afford to pay you.

[car54]

When I was a kid in parochial school, I always wondered why the school bus drivers all wore service station attendants' uniforms....Esso, Texaco, Sinclair, and Shell.

Found out years later that in exchange for urging the flock, during the Sunday sermon, to patronize certain Esso, Texaco, Sinclair, and Shell service stations....the owners of said service stations would send their attendants over every day to drive the school buses....FOR FREE! It saved the parish about 40 grand a year, I'm told. Monsignor Scannell was a wheeler and dealer, for sure!

Much simpler times they were....service station attendants no longer exist and to drive a school bus you need a special license, and all sorts of physicals, drug tests, etc....

[dkf747]

I've seen these in churches.

[Mike From NIU]

When my wife and I were getting married, we picked the florist we did because they advertised in the bulletin of our parish. I definitely look at them, and at least consider some people in a trade I don't normally deal in (as in plumbing, electric, etc.) because of the bulletin advertising.

[ShannonMilligan]

thanks! I think we will do it...

[Yankeesfan]

Car54, that's hilarious, mostly because I remember Msgr. Scannell!