People like to put their General Guide on their refrigerator. They like to see the big community events in Albion and Marshall, plus interesting items from the Farmer’s Almanacs like the rare upcoming dual blue moons. Businesses are see opportunities in getting involved, since the Guide has been around for a few years and recognized as a source of reliable information about Calhoun County events.
One year ago, we printed the General Guide on a half sheet of paper, and had smaller calendars. Now with our double wide edition, we can include more calendar items, and more photos and stories inside. There are several different opportunities to get the word out about your organization. We print 16,000 copies of the Guide and distribute in local shopper newspapers. The Guides are also distributed to students at Marshall Public Schools and Albion College, due to their educational nature. The Guides are also located at the stores and organization listed inside.
There are 6 editions of the Guide:
- History Edition for Jan/Feb – most recent past issue – this issue was a half sheet
- Spring Forward for Mar/Apr – most recent past issue – this issue was a half sheet
- Local Food for May/June – most recent past issue – this issue was a half sheet
- Parks and Outdoor Fun for July/Aug – most recent past issue – the first folded double-wide General Guide
- Back to School & Education for Sept/Oct – most recent past issue – folded double-wide with the first puzzles inside
- Giving and Holiday Traditions for Nov/Dec – most recent past issue – A folded double-wide with local philanthropy related montage and puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions about Advertising Opportunities:
Q- How do I get a listing for my business in the Guide?
A – The first place most businesses start is the all inclusive $350 annual fee for the printed and web listing. We will list your business in all the print editions, about 16,000 copies of each one, distributed all year. In addition, we will create links to your organization in five community business directories including AlbionMich.net, and MarshallMich.net. We also include, upon request, some complimentary basic web marketing consulting with this fee. Several of our clients have had this one advertising investment increase their business to the point that they have been able to cut back on other advertising and their business has grown. You can fill out a contact form to get a formal proposal or a call back about this.
Q- What opportunities are there for our organization to have a display ad ?
A- The biggest advertising opportunity is the top sponsor for an Edition is $800. People read the ad on the bottom left first and that is the top sponsor ad location. This fee allows the sponsor to offer suggestions as to the look and content of the entire Guide. We will make special posts to the community websites, and General Guide.net that relate to events and locations pertinent to your organization. A top sponsor will also get a basic listing at no additional charge.
The second display ad on the front (on the right) has a retail price of $500. This fee does not usually include the annual listing, or the custom content development.
Q- What about the inside ads?
A- The inside ads have a retail price of $450 for all 15,000 copies. (sometimes 16,000). Because we actually do 3 separate runs of 5,000 each, an organization can opt to only have their ad on one press run of 5,000 copies.
- The first press run gets distributed in Albion in the Morning Star.
- The second press run gets distributed in Marshall in the AdVisor & Chronical.
- Finally, one press run is distributed to students at Marshall Public Schools, Albion College, and to businesses listed.
Q- Where are those community websites that will link to my organizations website or Facebook page?
A – The community websites include older sites with more traffic and links to them, and newer sites that are being developed. As a top sponsor, or a participating business, your website or Facebook page will have links from all of these pages. We will list them from the newest to the oldest:
- AlbionMich.net
- MarshallMich.net
- GeneralGuide.net
- AlbionMich.com
- MarshallMich.com
- BattleCreekMich.com
- HomerMich.com
- JacksonMich.com
Q- What are the other web marketing consulting items are included at no additional charge with our basic listing?
A – In addition to the print listing, and the web links, we can help our participating businesses with some boutique marketing services. Upon request, and as time allows, we can help your business with:
- Our team will do a review of your website for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
- We’ll review your location on google maps to be sure it is correct.
- We can help you to review your Google analytics and make specific suggestions based on your websites traffic.
- We can review printed items and make suggestions.