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Advertising: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
10 Ad and PR Differences
What's the difference between advertising and public relations? It's one of the most-asked questions people have about these two very different industries.
Create a Flyer
Need to advertise something but don't have a lot of cash? Flyers are an inexpensive way to reach a wide audience.
Essentials to a Commercial
Investing in a TV commercial is much more cost effective than you might think. You just have to know what to look for and how to produce your company's commercial in order to reach your target audience effectively.
10 Ways to Get an Agency Job
Don't just dream of working with the big boys at an ad agency. Do something about it. These ten tips can help you get your foot in the door.
Create a Freelancing Contract
Whether you're a freelance copywriter or a freelance graphic designer, you need a contract in place to protect yourself and to let your clients know exactly what they're getting from you.
That's a Wrap
Car wraps are becoming a popular, low-cost means of advertising. And it benefits both the clients and the everyday driver.
Create a Newsletter
Need to create a newsletter? Don't know where to start? This how-to walks you through the process of creating a newsletter.
Creative Director Career
Creative Directors aren't born overnight. It takes a long career in advertising to grow a successful CD. Reaching this management position comes with many perks like a lucrative salary and the bragging rights to a successful ad campaign. See if this career path is right for you and find out how to get started.
Agency Account Executive
What does an advertising agency account executive do? An AE has many responsibilities and is practically the glue that keeps the client and the ad agency on the same page. Behind every successful ad campaign, there's a fantastic AE that made it all come together.
Run Your Own Ad Campaign
Can't afford an agency price tag? Run your own advertising campaign, whether you're a small business or a freelancer trying to promote yourself.
Creating Press Kits
What press kits components do you include when creating a media kit? See press kit examples and how every one of your press kits can be used to generate free media buzz for you or your company.
Advertising Career Myths
Time for a fact check. Get ready to shed some light on a career surrounded by many myths.
Your Tagline
A really great tagline conveys a company's benefit with personality and attitude and the most memorable taglines connect on an emotional level.
Structure of Ad Agency
A breakdown of the typical structure of an advertising agency
Low Cost Advertising
As a business owner looking for the best, inexpensive ways to advertise your business, you may feel overwhelmed on the advertising choices you have to make, especially when you're looking at a tight budget. There are plenty of low cost options for you to consider so you can get the most out of your advertising dollars.
Kobe Bryant's Endorsements
From the day Kobe Bryant was accused of sexualt his endorsement deals have been in question. Take an in-depth look at each of his deals and find out how other athlete endorsers may be affected.
Getting Paid for Freelancing
You spent all of your time working on that project. The client approved it. So why isn't that check in your mailbox yet? You have several options for dealing with a freelance client who doesn't seem to want to part with the cash you're owed.
Advertising Methods
You've got a great idea for a campaign. But where does it go? Billboards? Direct mail? Cell phones? Posters? Guerrilla tactics? As an advertiser, you have thousands of choices. Learn more about your options, and the strengths and weaknesses of each one.
Finding a Job in Advertising
You may be fresh out college or maybe you're just looking for a career change. There are 10 things to do right now before you find a job in advertising.
Get Into Advertising
So you want to be in advertising? Problem is, you don't even know where to start. Grab your pencils, you're about to take a crash course in advertising.
Advertising Books
Statistics show nearly one in 25 Americans is in the process of starting a business. Don't get lost in the masses. Use these top books to get your ad campaign on the right track and give your business a big boost.
10 Tips to a Perfect Portfolio
Your advertising portfolio is your calling card. Is yours ready to land you a copywriting job or a freelance gig in the advertising industry? Follow these 10 tips to create a perfect advertising portfolio no matter what your experience level.
Rules of Billboard Ads
The six rules you need to know to create effective billboard ads
Write Creative Brief
The basic steps you need to take to write a good creative brief
Taking Your Product to Market
Half the battle of making your product a success is being prepared when you take the product to market. These five steps show you how to get on the right track from the start.
Instant Writing Samples
Need writing samples for your advertising portfolio? SPEC ADS are a great way to show a potential client or employer your copywriting talent. Land the job by using these tips to go from zero writing samples to a portfolio full of them.
Brochure Plan Essentials
Before you tackle writing a brochure, you've got to thoroughly plan it out. These five essentials show you exactly what you need to do first.
Land an Interview with an A...
Whether you're pursuing an ad agency position as an account executive or a copywriter, you have to land that face-to-face interview before you can get the job. Help increase your chances.
Creating a Powerful Brochure
In just five quick steps, you can create a brochure with staying power.
In-House Agency
The advertising definition of in-house agency.
Choosing an Advertising Career
If you're on the fence about a career in advertising, you need to know what to expect before you take the plunge. Evaluate this career's traits to find out if working in advertising is right for you.
Ad Agency Art Director
Considering a career in advertising? Here's your chance to check it out and learn if advertising is right for you, and if you have what it takes to be an art director.
Mad Men Advertising Campaigns
Ever wonder if the ad campaigns on TV's Mad Men are real? Many Mad Men advertising campaigns use actual ads that ran back in the day. Some of the most inventive and, yes, manipulative advertising that ever appeared ran during the '60s, changing the game forever.
Pitching Your Own Ad Idea
You have a great idea. You've never seen it done before. Now what do you do with it?
Top 10 Ad Books
A list of the best 10 books anyone in advertising should read
Media Director Career Profile
When you think of working in the advertising industry, you may automatically think of working as a copywriter or a graphic designer. However, working in the media department may just be the right career for you. See what it takes to become a Media Director and what a typical day is like on the job.
Creating a Plan of Action
Just as a new company creates a business plan, a new advertising agency needs one too. Even if you're a freelance copywriter or graphic designer, you need a plan of action as well.
Advertising Vs. PR
Looking to enter the world of advertising or public relations? Get ready to shatter some popular myths.
Ad Agency Copywriter Career
There are plenty of advertising agencies looking to fill copywriting jobs. Learn more about this advertising career to decide if you want to fill one of those copywriting jobs and become the copywriter behind the next memorable ad campaign.
10 Ways to Customer Action
Why isn't the phone ringing? Maybe it's your call to action. Use these techniques to boost sales and get those phones ringing.
Five Keys to Radio Ad Success
Radio commercials are some of the most affordable ads on the market. Find out the five keys to making your radio commercial campaign a success.
Five Types of Brochures
Consumers are usually well-informed of a product or service before they actually make a purchase. We get that way because we read up on a product, know everything about it before we buy and even comparison shop. Know what type of brochure that will fit into your advertising plan to get consumers one step closer to making a purchase.
Managing Public Relations
Managing a public relations campaign takes a solid understanding of the fundamentals. See what it takes to manage your own PR campaign and develop a public relations strategy that gives your company free publicity.
New Advertising Trends
As marketers look for ways to keep up with changes in technology and media, advertising trends have changed dramatically. Find out the ways marketers have been trying to reach you, and that you can take advantage of for your business or career.
Writing Headlines
Are you writing headlines that draw consumers in or are they turning the page? You have many options for writing headlines that will make your advertising campaign effective.
Yellow Pages Advertising
The importance of yellow pages advertising is commonly overlooked but it's one of the most effective methods to get your business name out there. These tips will help you create an effective yellow pages ad.
Small Budget Advertising
Whether you're just starting a business or you're on a budget diet, find out the many ways you can bypass high cost advertising.
Better Pizza? Bigger Lawsuit.
Papa John's claims to have better ingredients and a better pizza. But Pizza Hut feels differently and filed a false advertising lawsuit against its competitor. The U.S. Supreme Court put an end to the case in 2004. And one company was shocked by the results.
Ethical Issues in Online Ads
Avoid the gimmicks of many online ads and run your online ad campaign responsibly. These tips help you study what works and what doesn't so you can get the most out of your online ad campaign.
The Creative Department of an Advertising Agency
Advertising agencies do some very creative, funny and sometimes outlandish work. But where does it all come from? Well, in the best agencies, everyone's involved, but it's always the creative department that's at the core of the work. Think you could be part of one?
How to Write a Sales Letter
When you know how to write a sales letter, you can hone in on your target audience and turn those prospects into paying customers. These tips show you how to write a sales letter that will get results.
Naming Your Business
Naming your business is not only your first step to opening your company, the name you choose can also help advertise what it is you do. Create a solid name for your company with these six essentials.
Ad Flops and Why They Failed
Even the ad pros make blunders. From claims of racism in ads to failed consumer-generated commercials, advertising flops can be more interesting than the actual ads themselves.
The Power of Press Releases
Writing press releases helps you get free exposure for your company and its products. Learn how to write press releases that the media can't resist.
Billboard
The advertising definition for billboard.
Print Advertising Definition
If an advertisement is printed on paper, be it newspapers, magazines, newsletters, booklets, flyers, direct mail, or anything else that would be considered a portable printed medium, then it comes under the banner of print advertising.
Making Your Internship Work
Internships in advertising and PR can be an invaluable experience to your career. Follow these steps to get the most out of your internship.
10 Articles For Creatives
Whether you’re brand new to the advertising industry, a veteran, or maybe still in college, there is always an opportunity to learn more, and improve yourself. If you’re looking to learn a little something, improve your thinking, arm yourself with ad knowledge, or just want to see how other creatives think, the following articles are for you.
Account Services Department
A description of the key roles and function of an advertising agency's account services department.
Advertise on Cable
Budget blues don't have to keep you from advertising. For less than $10 a day, you can reach customers through ads on cable. And the best part, you don't even need a degree in advertising to create your ad.
Sex In Advertising
Sex and advertising go together like movies and popcorn. And these days, sex is everywhere. But does it actually do the job of selling more product?
TV Advertising
Television commercials are a very affordable and profitable advertising medium. Discover the key ingredients you need to have for a successful TV commercial!
Your Call to Action
Why isn't the phone ringing? Maybe it's your call to action. Use these techniques to boost sales and get those phones ringing.
Setting Your Freelance Rates
If you're even thinking about branching out into the freelance side of the advertising industry, you've
How to Write Print Ads
Print advertising is effective and affordable if you know how to write print ads. Understand the elements of effective print advertising to create print ads that sell your products and services.
Books for PR Pros
Need a little kick in your PR? From business owners to individuals in the spin game, these resources are a must for getting free exposure for your product or service and keeping yourself clean in the public's eye.
Incentives Attract Customers
Time's running out and you need extra customers now. These perks can turn those potential customers into paying customers.
Ad-Wrapped Cars
Just how do you get to be one of the lucky few to drive an ad-wrapped car around town? It's not easy but if you're patient, you could get paid for advertising companies while you drive around town.
Your Marketing Plan
Starting a new business? Redeveloping an old one? Your marketing plan is a carefully calculated tool that can boost sales and increase profits.
10 Creative Exercises
There's nothing as frustrating as writer's block, or staring at a blank page. But there are ways to sharpen the mind instead of admitting defeat. Try one of these 10 exercises the next time you feel stuck in a rut, or just want to sharpen your mind.
10 Articles For Agencies
To combat the complacency, here are 10 articles to help your agency succeed. From improving feedback and presentations, to knowing some basic advertising methods, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into here.
Organizing a Media Event
Having the media show up at your event can give your company free exposure to a large audience. Organizing the event and handling the media once they get there can make or break your coverage. Avoid the common mistakes people make by using these tools to effectively deal with the media and establish a long-term relationship.
Getting Your Freelance Start
Ready to branch out on your own in the advertising world? Use these tips to begin your new freelancing career path.
10 Tips for Creating Contracts
Your contract is key to sealing the deal with the client and making sure you're both on the same page when it comes to the project. Create a solid contract with this step by step help.
Freelance Copywriter Profile
Thinking of setting up shop as a freelance copywriter? Before you do, find out the special skills necessary, a typical day and how to get started.
Books for Copywriters
Copywriting takes talent. Enhance your skills with these top Guide Picks.
Speculation: It Can Get You a
Breaking into the advertising industry may seem impossible. But a little speculation can get you in the door and on your way.
10 Power Words
Advertising has changed a lot of the decades, but certain words are as powerful today as they were so many years ago. Here then are the 10 words you should always consider using in your campaigns; and if you've been paying close attention, you'll realize three of them are actually in the headline and subhead of this article.
Ad Awards That Matter
A list of the top six advertising, marketing and design awards that are actually worth the entrance fee. Win these, you win big.
Taglines Get Lost In Translation
What happens when some of America's greatest taglines are put through the translation filter? It's not actually as cut and dry as simply hitting the translate button, due to different cultural references. We went through the advertising archives to find some of the best examples of tagline crash-and-burn.
Loss Leader
What is a loss leader? What are the advantages of using a loss leader strategy, and what are the downfalls? All is explained here.
Plan Your Print Newsletter
You've learned the fundamentals of creating a newsletter. Now it's time to learn the most cost effective way to getting your newsletter in print and getting your advertising message to consumers.
Ad Career Expectations
What can you expect from a career in modern-day advertising? Is it a playground for creativity, filled with short weeks, free vacations and tons of money? Or is it hard work, low pay and weeks being tied to your desk? Find out.
Choosing an Advertising Course
With so many advertising schools, online courses and correspondence lessons out there, how do you know which one is the right program for you? These fundamentals show you what to look for in an advertising course.
Advertising Agency
The advertising definition of an advertising agency.
Great Advertising Needs Great Clients
Some say that these ideas are few and far between, and that advertising is 90% mediocrity and 10% brilliance. But those of us in the industry, on the creative side at least, know that brilliant ideas are born every day. Sadly, having a great idea is really only half of the battle. Getting the client to buy it, that’s a different story.
Why You Got Into Advertising
Are we becoming a bunch of empty suits and hipsters finding more and more ways to justify our salaries? And if so, what can we do about it?
Product Placement Advertising
Product placement is the promotion of branded goods and services within the context of a show or movie, rather than as an explicit advertisement. Discover what some of the most infamous uses of product placement in movies and on TV.
Your Copywriting Career
Get your copywriting career on track today. Whether you're looking to become an advertising agency copywriter or you want to be your own boss as a freelance copywriter, there are five ways you can jumpstart your copywriting career right now.
Endorsement
The advertising definition of endorsement.
Press Release Building Blocks
How should your press release look? From contact information to headlines, these step-by-step instructions show you the visuals of a powerful press release.
Five Copywriting Materials
As a new copywriter, you have to know how to write a wide variety of materials. How do you know which ad mediums to learn about first? Every copywriter should know how to write in these five advertising mediums.
An Education for an Ad Career
Do you need a degree? If so, what kind? Anyone with an interest in working in advertising always wants to know what kind of educational background they need and how they can get started. Find the answers to your common questions about beginning your career in advertising.
Post Your Ad on YouTube
Your commercial looks great on TV but what happens when the airtime you bought has come and gone? Get more out of your ad budget, reach new customers and generate buzz about your company by posting your commercial on YouTube.
Demographics
The advertising definition of demographics.
Copywriting Portfolio Online
Creating an online copywriting portfolio can be the key to getting a job at an advertising agency or landing your next client as a freelance copywriter. These five reasons help you decide if you need to publish your copywriting portfolio online.
The Future of Advertising
Interactive television offers a great advantage for both advertisers and consumers. Find out how you can benefit.
Setting Rates and Getting Paid
Per project? By the hour? Find out the best way for a freelancer to set rates for freelance jobs and get paid when dealing with an ad agency.
Demographic Segmentation
The advertising definition of demographic segmentation.
Worldwide Advertising Agencies
Ad agencies with locations throughout the world.
Writing Subheads
If you know how to write subheads for any advertising medium, you'll be able to create compelling copy that grabs your reader's attention. Writing subheads for print ads and websites requires different approaches. Find out how to write subheads that work no matter what you're writing.
Get To Know, and Use, AIDA:
AIDA is one of the founding principles of most modern-day marketing and advertising. In fact, it's often said that if your marketing or advertising is missing just one of the four AIDA steps, it will fail. While that's not strictly true (a branding or awareness campaign does not necessarily need the Action step) you need to know about AIDA, and use it whenever possible.
White Hat Vs. Black Hat SEO
Optimize your site using white hat SEO strategies and avoiding black hat SEO techniques. These tips show you how by pitting white hat vs. black hat SEO methods.
Guerrilla Marketing 101
An explanation of the core principles of guerrilla marketing
Don't Use Puns
Puns and their negative impact on advertising
Broadcast Advertising
The complete definition of broadcast advertising, including the many different types of broadcast advertising there are within the category, rates for commercials, types of ads and the cost of creating adverts for TV and Radio.
Headline
The advertising definition of headline.
Advertising Through Your Site
All business is moving toward e-business. Regardless of the products or services you sell, every company needs a Web site. Is your ad campaign ready for the Internet?
Preparing an Ad Portfolio
Preparing an advertising portfolio when all you have is SPEC ADS can be a challenge. But most of it is just nerves getting the best of you. This Q&A segment answers real questions budding copywriters have when they begin preparing an advertising portfolio.
10 Tips to Use Giveaways
Walk around any trade or consumer show and you will be able to collect a bag full of advertising specialties or giveaway items all designed to promote. But look a little more closely. How many really do an effective job?
Offline Advertising for Your Online Presence
Advertising your online presence begins offline. Television, radio and print are cost-effective advertising mediums that can drive traffic to your Web site in droves.
Starting an Ad Agency Books
Ready to start an ad agency? Now what do you do? Use these top picks to get your agency off the ground.
Starting Your Freelance Career
You've made the decision to become a freelance copywriter but you're not sure what to do next. These seven tips show you how to start your freelance copywriting career off right.
Selling Ads for Your Podcast
Podcasters are quickly finding out their free podcasts are a great avenue for selling advertising. As many Webmasters quickly transform their content to include podcasting, find out what you need to know to begin running paid commercials during your podcast.
Pitch Subway
Riding on the critical success of Mad Men, AMC have mixed up the ever-popular reality TV genre with the gritty world of advertising. In this case, the advertising pitch in a show called “The Pitch.” Every week, two agencies will compete against each other for a big piece of business. And in this pilot episode, Subway was the fatted calf. The two agencies battling it out – McKinney, a mid-sized shop from North Carolina, and WDCW (better known as Wong Doody) from Los Angeles. Read on for the full review.
Sweatshops
Working long hours, weekends and holidays is considered the norm in the advertising industry. And it's all unpaid. But what affect does this have on the agency? It's quite possible that it could be destroyed, all for a few extra bucks.
DMA
The advertising definition of DMA.
Blow Your Ad Campaign
You didn't really want your ad campaign to be effective did you? Turn your ad campaign into a disaster by making these ten mistakes.
TBWA Chiat Day History
A brief history of one of the greatest ad agencies in the world today - TBWA\Chiat\Day
Make Money Google Ads
How do you make extra money using a blog or website that you already have? Google Ads. How much can you make?
Advertising in a Bad Economy
Would you rather cut your ad budget to save money now or potentially grow your business more than 200-percent over the next five years? Research shows companies that maintain their advertising during a bad economy reap the rewards long after the recession is over. Find out why this is the time you need to advertise now more than ever.
Pitch Waste Management
From the start, this 2nd episode of The Pitch felt very different than the first episode. Being reality TV, you can’t trust what you see; only what you believe. And I believe that some clever editing created a much larger story of conflict and desperation than was actually true. I’ll never know, but unless you work for either of the two agencies, or the production company, you won’t either. Read on for the complete review.
Profile: Freelance Copywriter
Freelance copywriters work for themselves. Are you ready to make the transition? Freelance copywriter Kimberley Freeman shares her own expertise on getting started, a typical day and other insider information in this industry profile.
Making Your Ads Personal
No matter what your advertising medium, drive your message home by making it personal. Because nobody wants to buy a product from someone who sounds stuffy and unfriendly.
Super Bowl XXXV Fun Facts
Fun facts from Super Bowl XXXV.
A to Z Advertising Agencies
Looking for a comprehensive database of advertising agencies? Look no further.
Writing a Restaurant Radio Ad
Can you help a struggling restaurant regain its customers during the week? In this copywriting exercise, you're writing a radio commercial for drive time.
Don't Be a Sinner
How much junk mail do you receive each day? Do you read it? Toss it? Now put yourself in the shoes of your direct mail recipients. Avoid direct mail mistakes or your materials will end up in the trash too.
Writing a Toothpaste Print Ad
This copywriting exercise helps you write a print ad for a toothpaste. Copywriting exercises help you become a better copywriter, no matter what your advertising experience level.
Increase Company Blog Traffic
You want to increase blog traffic but making your company blog popular takes more than just announcing you have a blog. Learn how to increase traffic and join the ranks of other popular corporate blogs.
Public Service Advertising
If it's a charity, an important message about health or public safety, or anything else that raises awareness of an issue of importance to the general public, then it falls under the realm of Public Service Advertising. But how much do you really know about it?
Words That Sell
Have advertising materials to write? Get a jumpstart with this tool to effective writing.
Celebrity Endorsement Deals
Kobe Bryant's not the first endorser that's come under fire. Advertisers have to watch out for themselves when it comes to celebrity endorsers.
Advertising Awards
Creatives work in advertising for the thrill of creating the next big campaign. But there's also a nice little reward when your work is recognized as one of the greats. Learn more about the different advertising awards in the business.
A career in advertising
Whether you’re a recent college grad or you’ve been in the workforce a few years, and you’re wondering whether a career in advertising is right for you, here’s a preview of what to expect as a Mad Man or Woman. It includes a list of advertising job descriptions, titles, career paths and what you might expect to be paid.
Working With the Press
Many businesses don't know how to work effectively with the media. Business owners wring their hands in despair when not a single word about their new products show up in the trade publications. It's a no-win situation - but it doesn't have to be. These Do's and Don'ts show you how to work with the press and start seeing success.
Creative Presentation Tips
A bad presentation can kill a great campaign before it ever gets the chance to live. A good presentation can change the course of an agency, and the client, forever. Make sure you know how to rock your next creative presentation.
Challenger Brands
Small companies have nothing to fear from their larger competitors. They may not have the money, but they do have the ability to play David to their Goliath. And it's usually a successful strategy. Find out why.
Guest Article Submission Form
Submit your advertising or public relations article for consideration on the About.com Advertising site.
Self Promo Ad Agency
Are you making plans to promote your own advertising agency? Have your previous self-promotion pieces been less that extraordinary? You may be encountering the classic problems associated with agency self-promotion.
Selling Yourself
Selling yourself to find freelance clients is the single most important aspect of getting your career off the ground. Find out how to find clients and how you can seal the deal.
Sales Letter Copy Secrets
Write sales letters that sell products and services simply by using psychological triggers and even the blunt truth to gain customers.
Agency Copywriter or Freelance
Should you go for the the ad agency experience or become your own boss as a freelancer? Evaluate both sides of this career path to decide which route best fits your personality and goals.
Writing a Car Commercial
Copywriting exercises help you become a better copywriter, no matter what your advertising experience level. This copywriting exercise helps you write a used car commercial.
Blogs as PR Tools
Blogs can be an effective PR tool that give you good word of mouth advertising and puts you directly in touch with your consumers. Learn from other successes and failures before you enter the blogosphere.
Graphic Designer
The advertising definition of a graphic designer.
Online Advertising (aka Digital)
If you see an advertisement via the Internet (World Wide Web), then it is classified as online advertising. In fact, there are ads on this very page, and most other websites you visit, as they are the primary revenue driver for the Internet. Learn more about this vital part of the Internet.
Hiring a Freelancer
Your particular project doesn't warrant hiring a permanent, full-time copywriter or graphic designer. You just need some help temporarily. Choosing the right person for your project is a must for getting the materials you need, the expertise required for the job and making your ad campaign a success.
Buying a TV Commercial Package
Ready to get a commercial produced for your company? Who will shoot the video? Write the copy? How will you get it on the air? How much will it cost? Should you go with a production company, ad agency or a tv station's production house? Don't get lost in the flurry of questions. Find out what you need to know before you buy a television commercial package.
Don’t Say It, Prove It.
When people first get into advertising, especially on the creative side, they find it easier to simply come out and say what they think the product or service is all about. Being direct, it seems, is the best way to get to the consumer. But this is not how good advertising works. To be successful, don't say it...prove it.

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