TV Ads in Texas: A Cost-Efficient Alternative to National Advertising
According to recent surveys by the Nielsen Company, 120.6 million homes in the United States have at least one television. This accounts for 96.1 percent of all US homes. TV viewership is estimated by other studies at 2 hours and 46 minutes per day for an average person, 19 minutes longer than last year’s forecast. These factors look good for Texas commercial advertising.
As health protocols continue to recommend staying at home, more people will be fixated on their TVs for entertainment and up-to-date news on the pandemic, making the TV an even more effective tool for advertising. TV ads have consistently given better results than other platforms. However, the increased TV viewership can give your brand even more exposure.
However, an effective TV ad involves many moving parts, and it is by no means cheap.
To set up a nationally televised ad, you need to spend anywhere from $63,000 to $8 million, depending on the quality. This is based on numbers from both local and national sources and includes expenses from the design phase to production.
A 30-second nationally-aired TV ad costs an average of $342,000, three times the rate of an ad placed on a national newspaper. You would also need to spend more on the agency’s hourly rate to keep your ad running.
Complex TV Ad Production Driving Costs
Having a deeper knowledge of the individual components needed to make a TV commercial makes it easier to understand its prohibitive price tag. Each detail has to be planned down to the minute to minimize the cost. The adage “time is money” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to TV ad production.
Producing a TV ad involves many different skill sets working seamlessly together, from pre-production to post-production. And although the methods have become more sophisticated, the entire process remains more or less the same.
The creative process starts with a consultation between the production company and the client. Once the idea is finalized, various pre-production activities must be undertaken before the cameras can start rolling. These include scriptwriting, scouting for a location, collecting the props needed, hiring the actors, renting the equipment, and creating the shot list.
Once all the preparations are out of the way, the actual filming can begin. The director coordinates the work of actors and cameramen based on the shot list and the script. This stage can take a day or more. It also depends on the complexity of the script and the length of the commercial. Once the shoot is finished, the film is sent to post-production for video and sound editing.
A Better Alternative for Businesses in Texas
For small to medium enterprises, investing in Texas commercial advertising can be daunting. But with the exposure that it can give to your brand, it is an important tool to have in your marketing strategy, giving you the much-needed edge to stay ahead of the competition.
With this in mind, there are ways that your brand can reap the benefits of a TV commercial without putting too much dent on your marketing budget.
Local Advertising in Austin, Texas
If you own a small business in Austin, Texas, then you are in luck. This area offers some of the most affordable commercial spots, especially when compared to the national averages.
The cost of a 30-second spot in the primetime slot of local broadcast affiliates in Austin ranges from $750 to $5,000. Local news programming and daytime television from 9 am to 6:30 pm are the most attractive time slots to air an ad. Late-night television from 10:30 pm to 12 am is also an effective time slot, especially if your target audience is adults.
Cable Advertising in Austin, Texas
Cable advertising is another way to circumvent the high cost involved in TV commercials. It can be geographically targeted, so you can choose the local advertiser that fits your budget. In Austin, a primetime spot costs anywhere between $150 to $1,500.
Aside from being more affordable, cable advertising allows you to reach your target audience more effectively. Cable TV offers specialized channels, which makes it easier for you to focus your advertising efforts. You even have the flexibility to run your commercial during shows that your target audience most likely watches. Case in point, if your brand sells sports drinks, then it would serve you better to run your commercials during televised sporting events or shows.
Producing a Commercial in Dallas, Texas
The national average cost of producing a TV commercial is extremely taxing on any business. Still, in Dallas, TV advertising is not only possible for small businesses but easy to do. Producing a 30-second TV commercial in Dallas would cost as little as $1,500 to $3,500. If you have a limited marketing budget, this is no reason to miss out on TV advertising.
If you want an ad with higher production value, you need a professional camera crew, a studio, a director, actors, makeup artists, and other things. The added complexity of the project would expectedly entail a higher price tag. Still, the cost of producing a commercial of this quality in Dallas is lower than the national average and ranges from $20,000 to $30,000. And if you weigh it against the exposure that your brand will receive, it is a wise investment to make.
Invest Wisely in TV Advertising
Investing in a cheap but low-quality commercial or running during times when you could not reach your target audience would only be a waste of your time and effort. Even worse, you would be throwing away valuable advertising budget for nothing. To get the most out of your investment, it is important to weigh the cost against quality for your Texas commercial advertising.
Austin Visuals can help you find that balance, giving you the most out of every marketing dollar.
You can visit our website for more information. If you have questions, leave us a message or give us a call at (512) 591-8024.
