Has anyone considered advertising DU in newspapers or on TV?

[yurbud]

I got here on a referral from a friend, otherwise I wouldn't have found it.

I know lots of people who are frustrated with what's going on, but don't have internet research skills. Probably the greatest advantage the right has right now is the number of people who don't realize they are in the MAJORITY because the news media is failing them and they don't see how to connect to others.


A simple text ad would do it:

What are newspapers afraid to print about the Bush administration?
Find out at democraticunderground.com.

or

join the resistance
democraticunderground.com

or

fight the far right
democraticunderground.com

I would be willing to kick in a separate donation for that, as would probably a lot of other people here.

[BigBearJohn]

1. You're brilliant. I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! Recommended!!!!

We need MORE people thinking like this!!

How about it Skinner?

[kentuck]

3. Just needs to get more of those bumperstickers out there...

That's the best advertisement, in my opinion....and the cheapest.

[NMDemDist2]

5. GMTA!!! LOL n/t

[AmBlue]

2. Big thumbs up!!

& count me in.

[tomreedtoon]

6. A waste of money.

First, TV ads (assuming they will even allow ads for non-Republican causes, which is unlikely) are expensive. People don't remember URL's, even one as simply put and readable as...

DEMOCRATIC
UNDERGROUND
.com

And the small newspaper ads, even if you advertised in community papers that are fairly cheap, will be put next to ads for escort services and gay clubs in the community jobs, and next to flea killers and babysitting services in the mainstream papers.

You are better off running off flyers (1/4 page size) with the URL and a blurb, and handing them out to people. After all, flyers require people that READ, and TV advertising assumes that you don't.

[NMDemDist2]

4. the DU bumper sticker you get with a star is cheaper and easier

plus has the coolness of a guerrilla movement :-)

[candy]

7. Yeah,but someone stole mine here in Massachusetts.

[NMDemDist2]

8. email skinner and tell him I said to give you mine from the last

fund drive :)

[candy]

35. Thanks---you are very thoughtful!

[yorkiemommie1]

9. i tape my bumperstickers

Inside my windows.

[candy]

36. That's what I'll do from now on---I also had an outside decal

stolen that was from a special group that my son belongs to---that I tape inside now,but now I'll add the bumper sticker.

God,some people are idiots!

[mike_c]

10. holy server overload, Batman!

I don't know....

[Roxy66]

11. I cant find the DU bumper stickers in the DU store

[ailsagirl]

12. How about BILLBOARDS????? n/t

[yurbud]

13. guerrilla advertising with printable magnets

Here's a thought:

get a sheet of printable magnets at staples, but your favorite DU tagline on it, and go slap it on a newspaper vending machine.

People disgusted with the paper will see it, remember, and if they are really pissed off, take it home and stick it on their refrigerator.

It's not grafitti since it can be peeled right off.

[tavalon]

15. That is the best one yet

I have some of those. I will do just that. Now mind you, I live in a bastion of liberality but still, people need to be shown that we're out here.

[yurbud]

20. liberals need it most--not all know we are here.

[earth mom]

14. I know it would be beyond expensive, but a T.V. ad sounds way cool to me

Something along the lines of

"Where do you go to get the information about todays world that you can't get anywhere else?

You gotta go underground...

democraticunderground.com."

:woohoo:

[Pirate Smile]

16. Internet ads aimed at high traffic sites where people who haven't

found this place yet go looking for information.

You know they have a computer, internet access and interest in politics.

[yurbud]

23. any idea on cost of internet ads?

[Pirate Smile]

29. No clue. sorry.

[applegrove]

17. People talk about it on other boards. That is how I found it. Now that

blogs are in the news - DU gets mentioned more and more. Oh yes - and then there is this: http://dummiefunnies.blogspot.com/

[Violet_Crumble]

24. A blog totally devoted to trying to slag off DU?

Okay, whoever's responsible for that trainwreck I just clicked on really needs to get themselves some sort of life. How pathetic it must be to spend so much time obsessing over a bulletin board on the internet!

Violet...

[applegrove]

25. I see it as a sign they are very, very worried about us. I see it as

a weakness. Too afraid to let the freepers come here to visit us and see for themselves. They just cannot let thing go as they are. Always with the applying of layers of **** on top of truth. I feel so sorry for him/her. What a great thing to tell your grandchildren about.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

32. I know...how much energy must that take...

well, at least he's being kept busy with our problems. A person who is so totally void of a life could end up creating a lot mischief. Look at the chimpster, LOL. Hopefully this creep doesn't have body parts stored in his basement.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. That is repulsive

and proof there is real evil on the internet.

[paineinthearse]

18. We'd get more traffic if we were listed on CSPAN's "blog" page

Last I checked, free republic was listed there, but not DU.

:shrug:

[redacted]

19. If DU were my client I would recommend the following:

I don't know how many of us there are, but my guess is that there are not enough (yet) to make bumperstickers/tshirts etc.... effective.

If DU were my client I would recommend that they consider the following (by consider I mean that we price the following and look the data):

1. Air America Radio ad.

2. Newspaper and magazine ads in left leaning rags. The Nation, Mother Jones, local independent weeklies like The Reader (in Chicago) and The Bohemian (SF Bay).

3. Direct mail to readership of the above and members of Dem PAC's.

4. Web ads in the blogosphere and other key websites.

I would also look at an email service to offer people, i.e. sign up for daily DU updates.

If you raise the dough, we can design the ads and facilitate (might ask other DU'ers for help in admin/research etc... we are a small shop and the followup can be very time consuming.)

Remember before you begin you need to have definable goals outlined. Without it we can't decide how to best spend the money. Is your goal to build the DU brand (awareness)? Educate the public? etc..... The answer might be "all of the above" but you need to prioritize.

PM me if anyone is serious.

[yurbud]

22. which would get the most bang for the buck?

[redacted]

26. That gets complicated . . .

this prob sounds like a cop-out, but without the data it's really hard to say. And not knowing what your goals are as well -- you might chose a route just because it's a better fit. It's late -- hope I am being clear enough.


And off the top of my head I just don't know what AAR or Mother Jones, etc... charges because they are not space I usu. deal with -- I work mostly in the wine and beverage industry, before that hi-tech and financial institutions.

Now, given what I just said, I can tell you this -- an ad has to run for a period of time before you really get results -- keep your expectations sensible. Targeted ads are better. Ads that have something for the reader can sometimes be better (i.e. sign up and get the REAL news everyday delivered to your email box for free.) Also, this is an online medium -- so keeping with the same medium makes sense (you wanna keep with folks who spend time on the net.) However if you really want to reach out to people who don't spend most of their day with a computer -- say an older more affluent demographic -- you might want to go with print and make it easy for them to opt-in (i.e. something delivered to their email box.)

It all depends on what you want.

Now, I have to disclose that I am a creative director -- my business does mostly design (the art end of it). But we do and have done a fair amount of ad consulting for businesses with small to medium size campaigns. Why am I telling you this? Because there might be someone on DU who knows more than I. Especially if they've consulted with other political or news organizations.

But the fundamental principles here are solid.

[yurbud]

39. good points all--thanks for pro advice

[Finder]

30. Good idea, however...

"just" preaching to the choir is not going to do much.

[redacted]

37. It's not abt preaching to choir it's abt low hanging fruit. Then with . .

even greater numbers and money you move to the moderates (the next level of fruit.)

[lonestarnot]

21. I advertise every day on my car... gona advertise on the truck as soon

as my other sticker comes... gona put them on my dogs cats kids and neighbors too!

[MadisonProgressive]

28. I've got 2 DU bumper stickers on my bumper

and will ad a third when I get it. I hope to put as many on as I can fit. People won't miss it!

[lonestarnot]

33. Hell ask your neighbors when you run out of space!

[oxbow]

27. I'm with advertising on Air America

Or AmericaBlog, DailyKos or any similiar spot. I'll throw in $10-20. Sorry, but I'm in college right now.

[noamnety]

31. A flier on store bulletin boards

with tear tags at the bottom that have the web address would work well and be cheap.

[Hoping4Change]

38. Brilliant idea. However words like fight and resistance may seem too

extreme to people who are not up-to-speed with what is happening.

What about something like

"Have you noticed the rapid shift to the far right? Many of us have and we are concerned. We are the Democratic Underground. Please drop by. Find us at democraticunderground.com.

[yurbud]

40. tone depends on demographic--for younger, more in your face better

[twenty4blackbirds]

41. "Defend Our Country"

Idea: To advertise democracy, have ads with excerpts from the Constitution & Bill of Rights & Amendments, and examples of what is reality backed up by what is reported in MSM/MSN (since it is the news outlet preferred by the audience to be reached). Where possible, quote directly government info/websites. Such as,
***
1787:

The Constitution of the United States
The Supreme Law of the Land

Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare,

2005: Tracy Pierce is dying of cancer. He has insurance, but it won't pay for any of his care.
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/4539521/detail.html

1787:

and secure the Blessings of Liberty

2005: Civil Rights Agency Closings...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/25/AR2005052501866.html

1787:

to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The United States Bill of Rights
I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

2005: Drowning Out the Real Issues
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052300226_pf.html

1787:

IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

2005:White House wants search limits overturned
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-28-search-limits_x.htm

1787:

IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

2004: Bar code implant calls up medical data
FDA approval draws fire from advocates of personal privacy
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2004/10/14/MNGQA99FDM1.DTL

1787:

Amendments
XV
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

2004: Phony letters tell people they cannot vote
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=25556
2004: Massive Voter Suppression and Corruption in Ohio
http://globalresearch.ca/articles/SOL411A.html
2004: Ohio Whitewash
http://www.spectrumz.com/z/fair_use/2004/11_04.html
http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/brockbealohelecltr121504.pdf


You can Defend Our Country. Defend our Constitution.
This message supported by democraticunderground.com
***
Amendment XV 2004 info from http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/2004votefraud.html

There's a lot to cover though.
* The Declaration of Independence
* The Constitution of the United States
* The Bill of Rights 1-10
* Constitutional Amendments 11-27

[Scooter24]

42. You

can get the NY Times Business Ad rates and polcies here-

http://www.nytadvertising.com/was/files/others/2005_Rate_Book_PDF_Business.pdf

It's expensive... a 2 column x 3 inch ad is well over $6000 for a week contract.

[yurbud]

43. So much for that! web ads might be better

as someone else already noticed, if you advertise on the web, you automatically narrow your audience to people who can access the site (as opposed to the large percentage of Luddites who may be reading print sources).

I looked at yahoo's rates to get placed in search results and it was $299/YEAR (not bad). I didn't see their banner rate though.