I just came here and asked a similar question. I printed up some fancy ad kits and they are ready to be sent to companies, along with some back issues so they can see what the magazine looks like. But i am wondering, how to i find the addresses to send them to? My magazine is DIY and not making a profit, due to not having many major advertisers. I do not have experience in sales, let alone advertising sales, so i do not know where to begin so much. But i do feel having a printed ad kit and samples is key to get to potential advertisers. I feel it should be more effective than sending them an email or PDF adkit. But, when i go to the websites of companies like cell phone companies, motion picture companies, deodorant, make up, pain relievers, clothing companies, and other products that share our target audience, i can only find an online contact form. And when i fill it out asking how to contact their marketing dept, i rarely get a response. Do i need to make phone calls instead? I think advertising sales is tough. I think you need to be very outgoing and proactive. Not necessarily a trait i have. I am wondering the same thing as you, so hopefully someone will answer us!

You make some calls to people you KNOW are the most likely to benefit from appearing in that mag Example. I once sold a ton of advertising space in a medical centres patient brochure (which I also wrote..plug plug) and I called Pharmacies, funeral directors florists.....you see where this is going? You must be armed with the following info: * Circulation figs re mag and area * Fees for different ad sizes * Word count for each size of ad * Details re colours that can be used * Can they have their own logo etc * Can they design their own ad * Are you writing their ad * How long will ad appear for etc. * Discount for repeat orders etc Most important selling point will always be circulation and WHO reads that mag. You let them know you are targetting their customers and this will save them £'s on other forms of direct mail. Reassure them your team know how to write copy that sells and so on. Have some prices for other forms of advertising re direct mail at hand to compare. Good luck Leah ps an AD in the mag about advertising in the mag is a must source http://www.painfreemarketing.co.uk

Hi I hope my answer is not too late to help. I have just launched a high profile magazine to go with a product I have just launched. The mag is distributed free so you can imagine I have had to generate a very big income from the advertising to fund this. I, like you have very little experience of selling ad space, but have always been in sales, so here is what you do…. The best way to sell your space is to stop trying to sell it yourself, you have not the knowledge to do it fast and efficiently so employ a professional sales agent on a commission only basis, add it into the price of your ad, trust me if you are going to sell any it is down to these people they know how. I have to say I was advised by a chap that I was trying to sell ad space to, its hard at first to think that by adding cost onto your ad price you will succeed, but you will, these guys who are working on a commission only basis are hungry and to eat they have to tie your customer down to paying for the ad as they don’t get paid until you have to money! So thy will find you those advertisers who at the minute elude you and make it feel that you will never get there. Also with these people being commission only you can afford to take on as many as you can find or feel comfortable with! Its not costing you anything until they come up with the goods. Well good luck and I hope I have imparted a little encouragement and light at the end of the tunnel. Very best regards Janice xx