How to Create Your Own Newspaper Ad
An eye for design and simplicity are key traits to creating your own newspaper ad. However, even lacking those, imitating ads created by others can serve as a launching point. The results will provide a sense of accomplishment and save some money, too.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy of intended newspaper
- Ruler
- Artwork
- Word-processing system or design software
Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with the newspaper in which you intend to advertise. Newspaper advertising is priced by column width and depth. Although column widths vary, ads are based on standard sizes. Often these sizes and prices are on the newspaper's website; if not, call the advertising department. Knowing the cost is important, because that can be a factor in choosing size.
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Draw a rough sketch of the ad rather than design it on the computer. It is much easier to work from a plan. Determine which photos or illustrations you will include. Examine and measure other ads you find appealing; it's okay to copy the look of another ad, as long as you do not copy images. Artwork should be saved in the computer as a JPG or PDF before starting.
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Write a headline or the main point you want readers to take away from the ad. One main point is sufficient. Appeal to the benefit a consumer would gain from your product or service.
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Add body text to the advertisement. This should be smaller in type size than the headline so as not to compete for attention. Include necessary details only; keep it simple and to the point.
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Choose your artwork, which can include a photo, illustration, company logo or combination. One piece of dominant art is sufficient. If the ad is large enough, you may include more. Choose art that supports the headline and draws the reader's eye.
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Include business information near the bottom of the ad. Your company name, address, phone number, website and email address should be inconspicuous but readable.
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Assemble the components in a word-processing program or design software. Adjust art and font sizes to make it all come together aesthetically.
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Proofread carefully, and save the ad as a PDF. Newspapers use different design software, but all of them can work with PDFs. Send the ad to the newspaper's advertising department as early as possible before deadline.
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Tips & Warnings
Newspaper reproduction is not nearly as high in quality as magazine reproduction, so select sharp images with little clutter.
Newer versions of Microsoft Word can easily create the ad. Although not as versatile as InDesign or Quark, among others, Word will get the job done at a lower cost.
Let someone else proof your ad before you send it out. Even pros overlook errors when they have spent hours creating a project.
Do not use photos and graphics pulled from the Web because of copyright violations. Photos can be purchased relatively cheaply from online warehouses, such as iStockphoto.
References
- Photo Credit man reading newspaper image by Joyce Wilkes from Fotolia.com
