Advertising Ideas For Promoting Coin Shows

Advertising in the local paper is a big waste of money. Advertising prices are up and readership is way down. I would take that money and invest in a website and lawn signs. I would be willing to bet that most coin collectors are using the internet so advertising on coin websites would help. You could also team up with other org's doing shows to increase your exposure and piggy back on their advertising efforts. Maybe do a promotion where each kid under a certain age gets a prize. Advertise on local message boards if you have any. Ok not sure if any of these are good as I've never run a coin show, but hey the more ideas the better right.

"I've got a lot of ideas the trouble is most of them (stink)." George Carlin

"Hey, I'll consider almost any idea short of skywriting!"

Hey that was my next idea, lol.

You said you invite local TV stations to come and do a feature on the show. One method you can try is to actually write a story about the show yourself and submit it to local radio and newspapers. Write it in the same style they would use and send it to editorial.

It is harder than you imagine to fill a paper, I have seen stories submitted printed word for word just in an effort to fill space. That's free advertising in the papers.

Similarly with the radio, pick the shows you think would be more likely to run with the story and submit it. Non-collectors are always interested in coins and notes if they think they may have something special. Radio is the perfect place to "help" people. As part of your submission, state that, as an expert, you would be more than willing to come on the show a few times in the lead up to your show to answer questions people may have. You can then of course plug your event as much as you like.

Here is my 2CENTS. Around me we have a minimum of 3 coin shows a month and all within 15 miles of my house. A few more but are much further. They are all very crowded most of the time. Occationally one is very empty due to way to many other coin and other shows conflicting with them. For example there was a coin show not long ago where there was also a gun show, dog and cat show, computer show, train show and the taste of Chicago all at the same time. Not smart planning but these coin shows are always on the same day, each month regardless of anything.
Back to your problem. For one thing having a coin show or any show once a year is not to smart. The general populace have short memories. This is why politicians don't worry about anything until a little before an election. People just forget. You should try to have your coin shows more often so people get used to where, when, etc. Once you set a standard day and time people will go more often. If once a year no matter how much advertising, people just forget.
One of our more popular monthly coin shows has some items that attracts people. For one thing there is always a table or two with other than coin items. Such as jewelery, currency, some stamps and once there was a guy with old arrowheads. Always a pile of free pamphlets about coins on a table as you walk in. Parking is free, admission is free. A stand with food and drinks is a necessity as well as a clean washroom if you want to attract women.
Try to find a dealer that sells coin books, plastic rolls for coins, 2x2's, cardboard boxes for 2x2's and miscellaneous coin items. This makes it important for some to want to go there just to buy such items. Again if once a year many can't wait that long to buy some 2x2's. Ask at your local schools if they want someone to put on a demonstration about the new presidential coins for educational putposes. Such a demo could produce new coin interest and kids will want their parents to take them to a coin show.
Advertising in the newspaper is usually just a waste of time. Even the internet is not that great since the only people that see this are the ones that go looking for such a add. On coin forums like this also, you will only get the attention of a few in your area that are members of this forum but not many new possible customers for a show. Signs around the area on lawns, stores, etc. could be more of a benifit to attract new people.
Most important you should look into having a show more frequently so people get used to them.

Also on another note I forgot to add you might consider expanding to doing stamps and ballcard and or comic vendors. Merge it into a coin and collectible show. We started off just reptiles and then went with the other animals and our attendance seemed to grow. So it might work in the Coin World. With something like that you keep the focus on the coins but also attract people that are collecting to begin with so they might enjoy the coin collecting end also.

jaobler......



I don't agree with this at all !......Newspapers work great and that's some peoples first and/or only source for hearing about them.
I wouldn't sour on this If I were you IMHO.
The internet might be another source to try as well...
I think most people will travel under two hours driving time if the coin show/auction is worth it with a lot of various materials there.