Thinking about spending money on advertising? Before you do you should ask yourself these important key questions that will support your decision and make sure that you get the best ROI (Return On Investment). Listed below are some key steps that you should think about and write down to have all the pros and cons prior to starting on the advertising path.

1. Know your product or service- Do you really know your product or service? Do you know how your customers perceive your service and product?

2. Advertise as part of the total marketing strategy- What do you expect from advertising and what role will it play in your overall marketing strategy? Where do you want to advertise and do you have a specific target market?

3. Develop a proposition -A proposition is the strongest truthful statement you can make to the customer on behalf of your product or service.

4. Create a platform- Platform is an item by item list of facts that support your proposition- testimonials from actual customers, other company endorsements are all good ways to support your proposition.

5. Be realistic about the level of expectation -Never promise more than your product or service can deliver can do more harm then good and can affect your business in the future.

6. Review for customer needs - Your advertising has to relate to your customers’ needs. Customers’ needs must be the focus of advertising strategy.

Review your answers to the following questions and be sure that you are happy with what you have written down and discussed with others. After you are satisfied with the outcome then your next step will be to chose an Advertising Agency or decide to construct the advertisement on your own. If you are using an Agency they will be the ones in that will be guiding you through the process. Advertising on your own can have benefits and pitfalls so you need to make sure that you have support from others to go this alone. Whatever you decide advertising your small business can be a wonderful experience and open many new doors to customers from untapped market segments that are waiting to purchase your product or service.