Natural Awakenings Classified Advertising

Classified advertising is one of the most common forms of advertising. It is economical, doesn't require additional costs for layout and design and, for many businesses and/or individuals, a great way to put repetition to work by reaching our niche audience of health-conscious readers each month.

This mode of promoting one's product, service or practice can also be used in tandem with other classified listings under different categories as well as other methods of advertising and promotion in the same publication. Each of the different ads will have a uniquely different approach to draw attention from a particular type of reader, where another approach won't have the attraction.

Most classified advertisers, however, will run a single listing over a period of 6-12 months to get a good feel for the response, perhaps tweaking the ad every couple of months based on feedback from the responses received. A well-designed classified ad, although lacking in the pizazz and sizzle that can be created with display advertising, can be good for many types of products and services other than those typically placed in newspapers for used items, cars, household goods, etc.

Like any advertising, a well designed approach for a product or service of value, reaching the right audience at the right time, can work. That's where Natural Awakenings' classifieds comes in. We have a wide distribution to a very specific audience.

How to design your classified listing

• Use short, complete sentences that are easy to understand.

• Use action words that relate to the benefits of the product or service.

• Don't make unrealistic claims.

• Make it easy to understand whats being advertised.

• Don't make it hard to contact you!

• Get ideas from classifieds that have been (or seen) running for some time, whether in our publication or other, similar print media...they are probably working.

Placing Classified Listings in Natural Awakenings

We have two publications here in the region that publish classified listings.

Classified rates are per month with a minimum of 3 lines of text. The minimum is based on our experience over the last (nearly) five years, and reflect what we feel is an easy-to-follow formula, proper sizing for better results and should make submitting your listings much easier to do. 

There are discounts available for running both editions of Natural Awakenings at the same time as well as for extended (3 months or longer) terms. 

While we have an ongoing list of regular departments, new departments can be created, within reason. If you have a listing and don't believe it fits in one of our existing department, let us know and we'll consider a new departmental heading.

Classified listings may be run for any length of time, with discounts for longer term commitments.

Natural Awakenings Classified rates

• Greater Genesee & Lapeer Edition: 3 lines minimum, $20 per month. (see details below)

• Greater Oakland, Macomb, Livingston & St. Clair Edition: $25 per month for 3 lines.

• Minimum: 3 lines of text (103 letters, spaces and punctuation = approximately 20-25 words, depending on your actual word requirement).
• Extra words: Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and St. Clair edition = $1 per word per month; Greater Genesee/Lapeer edition: 75 cents per word per month.

Special Savings:

• Run in both editions of Natural Awakennins at the same time one month: deduct 10% per month. 

• Run in both editions for three consecutive months or longer: Oakland, Macomb and Livingston = $20 per month for 3 lines; Genesee/Lapeer = $17 per month for 3 lines. 

Guidelines:

• Includes minimum of 3 lines of text, no more than 103 characters, spaces and punctuation. Length beyond that is subject to extra word charges.

• Natural Awakenings will CAPITALIZE the first few words of the first line (see below, or magazine, for examples)

How to place your classified in Natural Awakenings

1. Email your listing to us by using the "Submit Online" link on the left menu or in an email of your own.

2. Let us know which editions of Natural Awakenings you wish to run in and for how long.

3. We will email you back with the verfied word count and costs, and provide a link for you to pay online using your credit card or check.

Not into online payments? Then... 

1. Email your listing to us (see item 1 and 2 above).

2. We will email you back the verified word count/cost.

3. Print out the email we return to you, and mail it, by the 15th of the month prior to publication, along with a check for payment in full to:

Natural Awakenings Classifieds

P.O. Box 283

Oxford, MI 48371

Note: Classifieds must be prepaid unless committing for 6 months or longer, in which case we accept quarterly payment by credit card only.

Questions?  Call us at 248-628-0125 or use the "Email Us" link on the menu bar above for more information.