Hometown Business Directory
proven community resource
Deadline approaches for 8th edition

Business owners - service providers – merchants: What have you done for your business lately?

Marketing professionals have determined that one of the keys to building a successful business includes the development and use of an advertising plan which gets the company name recognized and remembered. Advertising in familiar information sources is one way to put the business message in front of those who need to see it.

The 8th Edition of the Hometown Business Directory is a vital part of a smart advertising plan -- it is effective, efficient and, best of all, economical. First developed nearly a decade ago as an alternative to directories with vast service areas, the Westside News Inc. version is aimed at close-to-home businesses and services and the consumers who use them.

Now in its final weeks of production, business owners and service providers have but a few days to reserve their space in this year's edition. Categorized and user friendly, the directory's "spotlight" format highlights a company's name, address, contact information and services/specialties and places the information at the fingertips of the public. The number of repeat advertisers who choose to be included in the book year after year proves the effectiveness of the product.

As a single source for local information, the Hometown Business Directory promotes the advertiser year round. Delivered free to every residence which receives Westside News Inc.'s weekly publications, Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald, the Hometown Business Directory has historically proven itself as a valued local resource. Hundreds of local businesses, service providers, schools, government agencies, organizations and professionals in the 32,000 households reached in the readership and beyond are listed in a format that places info first. Residents reach for it often throughout the year for any local contact information they need from 'Air Conditioning Contractors' to 'Windows.' See an advertisement in this week's edition for a list of those businesses which have already reserved their ad space in the coming edition of the Hometown Business Directory. Only a few days remain until the February 23 deadline -- contact a Westside News Inc. sales representative to discuss space options including high impact spot color ads, a dynamic way to make sure your ad is noticed. Advertising representatives are listed in the Contact Us section of the website.

Another popular aspect of the Hometown Business Directory is the year long contest which uses the book as a resource to answer questions printed each week in the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald. The drawing of the winner for this year's contest (prize is $600 vacation package to be used as the winner wishes) will be held in April, said Westside News Inc. President Keith Ryan. After the directories are delivered, information on a new contest will be printed in the weekly newspapers.

An old adage with significant meaning is often repeated in the business world: Advertising doesn't cost, it pays. "Those who seek full impact for their advertising buck should not pass up this opportunity to promote their business," said President Keith Ryan.

"Last year, we again set a record for the amount of advertising in the Directory, and this year we are on pace to surpass that mark," Ryan said. "All of this in what many in the business say are bad times. I think it's a reflection of how important the Directory has become both for the business community and for our readers," he said.