Small Business’ New Best Friend?

June 20, 2005 -- Gone are the days when the local business owner or manager had to rely on just the local advertising sales rep for advice on how best to spend their limited advertising dollars. You might tend to think that they would be a little biased, and this author would agree with you. Selling you their ad space is their job after all. I mean, when was the last time a newspaper ad sales rep suggested you buy your advertising from the radio station? Oh let’s see…maybe that was back about…aught-never?

If you’ve ever experienced this somewhat irritating phenomenon, then a welcome addition to the myriad of people that stroll through the door of your shop every day would likely be one of the consultants from the Northern Virginia based firm known describedly (for lack of an actual word) as “The AdLab”.

Working with businesses primarily based in the northern Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia for the past 5 or 6 six years, chief consultant for The AdLab, Collin Patrick Stewart, discovered something that really seemed to be lacking in the world of small business: Truthful, educated, unbiased advertising advice and service. Stewart says reflectively, “The AdLab was born out of an expressed need that business owners had described to us themselves. They helped create the model for our firm without even really realizing it.” While working for a full-service marketing firm and attending trade shows and other business focused events, a need for professional yet affordable services and advice for the advertising businesses already buy just seemed to emerge. “Small business owners and managers realize that they don't really need (and usually can't afford) a large full service ad agency with lots of multi-market research, data collection, trends analysis or focus groups. They just want to efficiently invite customers to shop their stores, restaurants and services using local advertising outlets readily available to them. No more, no less...” Stewart says, “Well, we answered that need...”

Sitting for just 45 minutes with this true advertising consultant (Refreshingly, not a salesman) gave me new hope for the world of advertising. This author sees The AdLab having a positive impact on a world mired in the reputations of Snake Oil, You’re An Instant Winner!, and what Stewart coyly describes as “Stinky, steaming piles of Publishers Clearing House”. Touché!

You can check out the “Lab” for yourself and see if maybe they could analyze your current advertising efforts. You’ll find them online at: www.theadlab.biz.