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How do you start a Outdoor Advertising company?

How do I start an advertising company?

  • Answer:

    You'll need to decide what sort of advertising company you want to start, and what sort of clients you want to accept. It is unlikely you can be a "one stop", national or international shop like BBDO, McCann Erickson, etc, at least not yet. Focus: Market: America. The Northeast. Boston. Niche: Sports apparel. Music. Household products. Younger. Older. Brand: Comedic? Refined? Has to do with your creative vision, or you creative director's vision. Name? Contracts: What size of contracts will you pursue? Million dollar contracts? You'll need a whole class of employee to service those. Can you work for years on the same creative? Affects culture. Culture: How big is your agency? 10 people? 100 people? Creatives? Business development? A novel mix? Bottom line, contractors? Precious, small team carefully nurtured? Whiteboard? Foozball? Cubicles? Beanbag chairs? Process: How does a contract get translated to a product vision into a segmented project distributed across a team with differing competencies and interests? Agile? MS Project? Strategy: One by one, hope for the best? Capture x market? Win a lot of awards? Avoid awards? Aim for an acquisition? Do you plan to grow, or are you going to keep it small? Affects culture. Money: Investors? Life savings? You really start by getting contracts. One way to do that would be to imagine your ideal first (or first few) client and make an ad for them on your own.  How you would have done one of their recent launches, for example.  You'll probably just have to start small with target focus and acquire that first one by pitching. Oh, and you'll need to dedicate all of your time to this, as well as being able to convince everyone around you to do the same.

Sandro Pasquali at Quora Visit the source

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First of all you mention "advertising business". That does not say anything. What are you going to do with advertisements...? (print banners, create affiliate program, shoot clips for TV) There are plenty of different business options under these 2 words. The best way to start is with business model. There is Business Model Canvas that you might find interesting. Long story short - 9 different sections to fill up in the canvas with your business model. After filling up the model you will be able to identify what kind of business you are going to build. You will have some estimates about the money and you will be able to understand who is going to buy your product and what value you are going to provide. Afterwards you must find the necessary funds, find strategic partners, hire the stuff or do anything else that you will identify in your business plan.

Janis Purmalis

Step 1 Decide what type  of advertising agency you wish to run, and list the services you will  offer. Larger agencies may offer a number of services, while smaller  agencies may specialize in internet, print media, radio, television,  signage or other visual advertising media. Step 2 Obtain a local  business permit from your town hall, state tax certificate from your  state's business regulatory office and federal tax identification number  from the Internal Revenue Service. There are no special licenses to  operate an advertising agency. Step 3 Set up your  office with computer, printer, phone, fax, furniture and supplies. Your  office may be run from your home, but ensure that it is away from  household noise and other distractions. A dedicated phone and fax line  is recommended for professionalism, and you will require reliable  high-speed Internet service. Step 4 Purchase a  digital camera, photo scanner and graphic arts design program such as  the ad and printing industry standard, Adobe Creative Suite (optional).  You may choose to outsource your design work, but will have to pay  design fees. Step 5 Purchase business  cards, stationery, brochures and other printed marketing materials from  your local printer. Endeavor to buy locally to establish business  relationships in your town. If you wish to have a website, purchase a  domain and hosting package, and publish your site. Step 6 Create a list of  local and regional businesses who may be interested in your services.  Maintain the list on a spreadsheet or database program for reference and  marketing purposes. Step 7 Contact  newspapers, magazines, television stations and other advertising media  offices to request rate sheets. These sheets list the type and costs of  advertising with their company. Most offer an average 10 percent  discount off ad rates for agencies, but always inquire to be certain. Step 8 Create and  execute a marketing campaign to the companies on your prospect list.  Your campaign may use elements of direct mail of marketing materials,  emails and phone calls. Step 9 Join local  business organizations to network with other business owners and get  your name out there. In the advertising business, relationships,  visibility and creativity are the keys to getting your first account.

Bionic Emergency

If you're wondering about it, don't. Try joining an advertising agency first, and get some experience there.

David Claude

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