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Advertise In Charlotte: Top 5 Articles Of 2022

Dec 12, 2022 11:26:26 AM / by Larry Julius

For Charlotte area consumers, the past twelve months have been, to say the least, frenzied.  The year has been plagued with inflation, recession fears, coronavirus, mid-term elections, and geo-political drama. It seems, however, that these coinciding crises have not tempered consumer spending as local shoppers are on track to spend a record $42.9 billion at retail. 
 
What has changed during 2022, however, is how adults in the Charlotte area consume media and how local business owners are marketing their goods and services to these shoppers.
 
To research the changing consumer and media landscape in Charlotte, many local business owners have found the articles posted at www.AdvertiseInCharlotte.com helpful.  Below are the five most-read articles from that site during 2022:
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Topics radio advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, advertise on radio, advertise on Charlotte radio, internet, advertising options, internet advertising, advertising in Charlotte, 2022

Advertising In Charlotte: Is Online Marketing Enough?

Oct 20, 2022 9:32:28 AM / by Larry Julius

According to Nielsen, 2.1 million adults in the Charlotte area have access to the internet. Eighty-three percent of these consumers conduct online research before making a retail purchase, says a report from GE Capital Bank. 

To reach Charlotte area adults in the market to buy their goods and services, businesses spent $1.6 billion in 2021 on digital adverting, according to projections based on the 2021 IAB Internal Advertising Report.  This is 35% more than was spent during the prior year.

This mammoth pool of online advertising dollars targeted at Charlotte consumers is being spent on a variety of digital resources including search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), display ads, video ads, audio ads, email, and social media. Each of these tools can precisely target consumers who are currently in the market to buy whatever it is a business is selling.

Most forms of online advertising are designed to compel Charlotte consumers to click on a digital ad that will transport them to the website of a company that sells whatever it is consumers are in the market to buy.  Is investing only in digital advertising enough to drive sales for a local business? 

Many marketing experts believe that online advertising needs to be part of a broader marketing strategy to be successful.

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Topics radio advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, internet, internet advertising

Digital Advertising In Charlotte: How To Get Found Online

Sep 30, 2022 10:29:18 AM / by Larry Julius

Last year, $1.6 billion in marketing was spent online to reach Charlotte area consumers, according to projections based on the 2021 IAB Internal Advertising Report.  This is 35% more than was spent during the prior year.

There is a correlation between the massive amount of money being spent to reach Charlotte consumers online and the extraordinary amount of time that these consumers are connecting to the internet via websites and apps.

According to Nielsen, 46.6% of Charlotte adults are spending 10-plus hours during an average week online. Furthermore, The Pew Research Center, a public opinion research company, reports that one-in-three consumers say they are online constantly. A 50% increase from 2015.  In all, 85% of consumers say they connect at least once daily.

To successfully market and advertise a Charlotte business on the internet requires a full-scale understanding of precisely what online marketing is.  Spoiler alert, having a website or having a social media site is not enough.

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Topics social media advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, social media, web traffic, website visitor, online shopping, website traffic, internet, internet advertising, SEM, seo

Political Advertising In Charlotte: Campaigns Go Over The Top

Aug 22, 2022 7:05:00 AM / by Larry Julius

According to Nielsen research, 1.8 million people in the Charlotte area will likely participate in the upcoming election on November 8th. To sway these voters, candidates and political action committees are expected to spend a record amount on advertising.

AdImpact, a company that measures advertising expenditures by political campaigns, says more than $3.6 billion have been spent to reach voters so far in 2022. This puts spending on a course to obliterate the record level of campaign dollars set during the 2020 presidential elections.

Despite crumbling ratings, through August 1st, 58% of all political spending has been dished out to local TV stations, according to AdImpact.

Nielsen reports that since 2017, the reach of broadcast TV stations like WBTV, WSOC, WNSC, WCNC, and WJZY has decayed by 10%.

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Topics television advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, political advertising, OTT, television, political rates, CTV, streaming video, svod, avod, local television, streaming television, internet advertising, streaming TV

Advertise In Charlotte: Online Listening Boosts Audience For AM/FM

Jun 30, 2022 8:32:49 AM / by Larry Julius

Despite an abundance of media options, Charlotte radio reaches the most consumers every week. 

According to Nielsen, every week 1.3 million adults tune in to their favorite Charlotte stations. This is more than watch local TV stations, cable, or streaming video. It is more than browse social media. It is more than listen to streaming audio services or podcasts. It is more than read local newspapers.

Not all listening to Charlotte radio happens on car radios, table-top radios, or boom boxes. Instead, local consumers also use their smartphones, computers, and tablets as a way to connect to their favorite local stations.

Neilsen finds that 23.4% of all consumers who listen to a Charlotte radio station over the air will, at some point during the month, also connect to a local station via the internet. As a matter of fact, during a typical hour, Nielsen data suggests that 8.5% of a station's total audience is listening on a device other than a traditional receiver.

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Topics radio advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, streaming media, streaming audio, internet advertising, am/fm radio, online radio listening

How To Create A Podcast For A Charlotte Small Business

Mar 11, 2022 2:50:11 PM / by Jason Muth

If you're anything like the 1.9 million Charlotte consumers who, according to Nielsen, listen to or download a podcast every month, you probably already see the value in podcasting as a relatively new audio medium that entertains, enlightens, motivates, or informs listeners.

But if you're part of the 73% of local adults who are not regular podcast listeners, you're probably wondering why on earth would anyone want to listen to a podcast, let alone create one for their Charlotte business.

Launching a podcast might seem like a daunting test for small business owners without much technical background or an understanding of how to structure a compelling conversation that will engage prospective customers.

In reality, local small business owners can easily reach new customers with podcasts and complement their traditional advertising in Charlotte with a longer-form, conversational medium that showcases the company's knowledge in an authoritative manner.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, podcasts, internet, podcasting, internet advertising

Advertising In Charlotte: Don't Say 'March Madness'

Feb 21, 2022 2:01:58 PM / by Larry Julius

Right now, at least one of the 97,696 businesses located in the Charlotte area is thinking about using the phrase 'March Madness' as part of upcoming advertising and marketing plans. Why not? It's a great use of alliteration. It's a familiar term. And, it's that time of year.

A furniture store in Indian Trail might think it would be clever to use 'March Madness' in its commercials on Charlotte radio to promote a big spring sale. A non-profit in Matthews feels it would be a good way to describe its charity fun run on social media and online advertising. A sports bar in Rock Hill believes it would be a no-brainer to use the term in streaming video and audio ads to bring in scores of basketball fans.

It is, indeed,  tempting for a Charlotte small business owner to use this term for advertising or marketing purposes. But,  to avoid a costly legal battle, the use of this trademarked phrase should be a non-starter. Here's why.

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Topics radio advertising, social media advertising, television advertising, online advertising, OTT, streaming media, streaming audio, CTV, streaming video, streaming television, internet advertising, display advertising, search engine marketing, SEM, streaming TV, copyright, trademark, intellectual property

Online Advertising In Charlotte: How Much Will Be Spent in 2022?

Jan 20, 2022 1:45:52 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte-area business owners are expected to spend $783 million advertising online in 2022. This, according to Borrell Associates, a company that tracks advertising expenditures across the country.

Borrell's forecast indicates that almost 50% of Charlotte's online expenditures will be in the form of paid search. The most recognizable type of this advertising is the paid ads that appear adjacent to the results of almost every search query on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

Borrell's forecast also indicates that approximately 27% of online expenditures will be in the form of display advertising. This consists of traditional banner ads that appear across millions of websites and apps, including social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. According to SmallBizGenius.net, the average Charlotte area consumer is served more than 1700 of these ads per month.

Video advertising in Charlotte is forecast to account for 23% of all online ad dollars in 2022. Like search and display, millions of websites can support this type of advertising. This includes sites, apps, and platforms like YouTube, Roku Channel, Hulu, Paramount+, and most social media sites.

The remainder of online advertising dollars is expected to be spent on audio advertising, including streaming sites like Pandora and Spotify; or email marketing campaigns.

So many Charlotte business owners are investing a large portion of their marketing budgets into online advertising because that's where their customers are.
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Topics social media advertising, millennials, online advertising, digital advertising, social media, streaming media, streaming audio, streaming video, ad spending, advertising options, streaming television, internet advertising, display advertising, search engine marketing, SEM

Charlotte Small Business Owners Guide To OTT & CTV Advertising

Dec 14, 2021 2:11:32 PM / by Larry Julius

It used to be so simple. When a small business owner wanted to advertise on Charlotte television, there were only a few options including, WBTV, WSOC, WNSC, WCNC, and WJZY. But slowly, the number of options expanded to include cable channels provided by Spectrum, DISH, DirecTV, and Google Fiber.

Heading in 2022, local advertisers have even more options as internet-connected devices deliver hundreds of more programming choices to North Carolina. Collectively, this type of content is called OTT (Over-The-Top-Television) or CTV (Connected-Television). For the purpose of this discussion, OTT & CTV will be referred to singularly as streaming video.

Streaming video can be viewed on any device that can connect to the internet. This includes computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Programing can also be accessed using a smart-TV, Roku Stick, Amazon Fire Stick, or a game console. In all, according to Nielsen, 95.1% of Charlotte households own a device capable of receiving streaming video.

In all, says Nielsen, 1.4 million consumers watch streaming video content every week. Combined, these internet channels now reach more adults every week than local newspapers, podcasts, and digital audio services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius/XM. Amazon Music, and iHeart Radio.

Surprisingly, streaming video now reaches almost as many adults as local TV and local cable.

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Topics television advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, streaming media, television, pay-tv, cable television, CTV, streaming video, cable tv, advertise in charlotte, internet, local television, streaming television, internet advertising

Advertise In Charlotte: Top 5 Articles From 2021

Nov 29, 2021 10:55:05 AM / by Larry Julius

Based on projections from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Charlotte consumers are on track to spend $38.8 billion with retailers by the end of this year. This would be 13.5% higher than was spent in 2020.

To earn a significant share of these retail dollars, Charlotte-area business owners are expected to spend $1.1 billion to advertise by year's end, according to Borrell Associates. This company tracks advertising expenditures in local markets across the U.S.

To ensure they are spending their advertising and marketing dollars wisely, many Charlotte business owners research how to best target prospective customers by using local media. An exceptional resource for local business owners to investigate the media habits of localconsumers is on the advice section of AdvertiseInCharlotte.com.  

Here are the top five most-read articles on the site in 2021:

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Topics radio advertising, social media advertising, television advertising, co-op advertising, cooperative advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, small business advertising, employment advertising, recruitment advertising, endorsement advertising, facebook advertising, help wanted advertising, effective advertising, advertising on radio, holiday advertising, advertising ROI, advertise on Charlotte radio, advertise in charlotte, advertising options, inter advertising, how to advertise

Who Listens To Podcasts in Charlotte?

Oct 11, 2021 7:05:00 AM / by Larry Julius

According to Nielsen, 612,792 Charlotte consumers listened to or downloaded a podcast during the past 30 days. This is 28.1% of the adult population.

A podcast is a downloadable digital audio file available to listeners on an internet-connected device like a smartphone, tablet, or computer. These files are typically part of series focusing on a particular theme such as true crime, professional football, politics, or pop culture.

Charlotte consumers can listen to their favorite podcasts whenever they choose using apps like Spotify, Pandora, Google, and Stitcher. The most used podcasting app, though, is Apple Podcasts.

Research from PodcastHosing.org indicates that Charlotte consumers can access more than 2,000,000 podcast series comprising over 48,000,000 unique episodes. According to data compiled by Edison research, the top 10 podcasts during the second quarter of 2021 were:

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Topics best way to advertise, online advertising, digital advertising, streaming media, streaming audio, smart speakers, in-car audio, podcasts, charlotte radio, internet, podcasting

Advertising On Charlotte Radio: How Smart Speakers Add Value

Sep 28, 2021 11:47:59 AM / by Larry Julius

Since 1922 when WBT-AM first signed on, local small business owners have been advertising on Charlotte radio to market the goods and services they sell.

Lately, some of these advertisers are voicing concerns, though, that the accelerating use of smart speakers could erode the effectiveness of commercials on local stations. Current research, however, reveals that these devices actually extend the reach of the medium and its ad content.

More than 663.403 consumers in Charlotte have a smart speaker in their homes, according to Nielsen. This is 30.4% of the local adult population.

Smart speakers are internet-enabled devices controlled by spoken commands and capable of streaming audio content, relaying information, and communicating with other devices. 

According to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) data, Amazon Echo (aka Alexa) accounts for 69% of all smart speakers in use. Google's smart speaker makes up another 20% of the market. The remaining 11% of the market comprises Apple Home (aka Siri), Sonos, and Bose.

Charlotte consumers can use their smart speakers to accomplish a diverse range of tasks, including accessing news, weather, and sports information; turning on lights in the house; shopping; and food delivery.

The most common use of a smart speaker, though, is streaming audio, including Charlotte radio stations, according to eMarketer. Edison Research's Share of Ear Study indicates that consumers devote 13% of their total time using a smart speaker listening to AM/FM radio stations. This is second only to the time spent listening to Amazon Music at 19%.

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Topics radio advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, streaming media, streaming audio, smart speakers, google home, amazon echo, siri, effective advertising, radio listening, alexa, how to advertise, apple

Streaming Video Terms For Charlotte Small Business Owners

Sep 20, 2021 5:14:50 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte business owners are expected to spend $167,546,000 on streaming video advertising in 2021, according to Borrell Associates, a company that tracks online marketing expenditures across the country. This spending will be 21% higher than in 2020.

Streaming video advertising expenditures are accelerating as Charlotte consumers continue to abandon shows on local TV stations and cable systems in favor of programming streamed via an internet connection. These online channels include Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video, Roku Channel, SlingTV, PlutoTV, and dozens more.

This type of streamed video content is known collectively as OTT (Over-The-Top-Television) or CTV (Connected-Television). These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably but do have a subtle difference.

OTT generally means the video is watched on a small device like a computer, tablet, or smartphone.  CTV, on the other hand, typically means the content is viewed on a smart-TV or a regular television using a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon stick.

In Charlotte, according to Nielsen, OTT/CTV has exceeded the weekly reach of local newspapers and streaming audio services such as Pandora and Spotify. The medium is rapidly approaching the reach of local cable and broadcast TV stations.

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Topics television advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, OTT, streaming media, streaming audio, cable television, CTV, streaming video, cable tv, advertise in charlotte, local television, streaming television, inter advertising

Who Listens To Charlotte Radio Stations Online?

Aug 27, 2021 11:49:12 AM / by Larry Julius

When Charlotte's first radio station, WBT, began broadcasting on March 18, 1922, the station needed a tall antenna and lots of buried copper cable to transmit its signal.  Radio receivers at the time were mostly homemade and involved a piece of crystalline mineral and a wire coil.

Over many decades in Charlotte, both the broadcasting and receiving equipment improved. In the mid-1920s this meant store-bought radios. In the 1930s this meant car radios. In the 1960s this meant transistor radios. In the 1970s this meant boom boxes. And, in the 1980s this meant Walkmen. But, despite these improvements, the fundamental technology of big towers sending a signal through the air to a radio receiver remained the same.

In 1994, there was a new way for Charlotte consumers to listen to the radio. That was the year local stations across the country began streaming their signals over the internet and listeners could use their computers (later their smartphones and smart speakers) as receiving devices. No big antennas, no wires, and no actual radio needed.

In 2021, according to Nielsen, Charlotte radio reaches more local consumers than any other advertising media option.

Neilsen finds, too, that 32.2% of all consumers who listen to a Charlotte radio station over-the-air will, at some point during the month, also connect to a local station via the internet. 

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, online advertising, streaming media, streaming audio, smart speakers, advertise on Charlotte radio, internet, advertising options

How Often Are Charlotte Consumers Online?

Jul 15, 2021 3:25:03 PM / by Larry Julius

Almost 96% of Charlotte adults have access to the internet.  Ubiquitous technology such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and connected TVs allow North Carolina consumers to go online whenever they choose, which, for some adults, is always.

The Pew Research Center, a public opinion research company, reports that one-in-three consumers say they are online constantly. A 50% increase from 2015.  In total, 85% of consumers say they connect at least one time every day.

So, how are Charlotte consumers spending all this time connected to the internet?

According to Nielsen, streaming audio and video content, social networking, checking the weather, and banking are the top online activities for Charlotte consumers each month.

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Topics best way to advertise, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, streaming media, streaming audio, CTV, streaming video, svod, avod, online shopping

How Much Time Do Charlotte Consumers Spend Online?

Jun 4, 2021 2:16:05 PM / by Larry Julius

According to Nielsen, 2.1 million adults in the Charlotte area have access to the internet, equivalent to 95.7% of the population. On average, local consumers are spending 11.08 hours per week online.

Charlotte millennials, the first generation that grew up in a digital world, spend considerably more time online. Nielsen reports that, on average, Charlotte's 25-39-year-old consumers are clocking 13.99 hours connected to the internet.

So, how are Charlotte consumers spending their time online?

According to Nielsen, streaming audio and video content, social networking, checking the weather, and banking are the top online activities for Charlotte consumers each month.

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Topics best way to advertise, social media advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, OTT, social media, streaming media, streaming audio, streaming video, online shopping, internet

OTT & CTV: Who Watches Streaming Video In Charlotte?

Mar 19, 2021 8:27:54 AM / by Larry Julius

Each week, according to Nielsen, 67.6% of Charlotte consumers watch video programs that aren't delivered over-the-air by local TV stations.  They aren't coming from a local cable company or by satellite.  Instead, these programs are being streamed directly to viewers via an internet connection.

This type of streamed video content is called OTT (Over-The-Top-Television) or CTV (Connected-Television). These two terms are sometimes are often used interchangeably but do have a subtle difference.

OTT generally means the video is watched on a small device like a computer, tablet, or smartphone.  CTV, on the other hand, typically means the content is viewed on a smart-TV or a regular television using a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon stick.

In Charlotte, OTT/CTV has exceeded the weekly reach of local newspapers and streaming audio services such as Pandora and Spotify. The medium is rapidly approaching the reach of local cable and broadcast TV stations.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, streaming media, CTV, streaming video, advertise in charlotte, internet

Advertise in Charlotte: How Local Consumers Use The Internet?

Feb 25, 2021 12:36:59 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte area business owners are expected to invest $595-million during 2021 to advertise to consumers connected to the internet. This forecast was produced by Borrell Associates, a company that tracks business advertising expenditures across the country.

These online marketing dollars will be spent on banner advertising, search engine marketing, email, as well as audio and video advertising. This is all to capture the attention of shoppers and buyers as they go about their connected days.

According to Nielsen, 95.8% of adult consumers in the Charlotte area have access to the internet. They connect, primarily, with desktop and laptop computers; smartphones; or tablets.

Ninety-six percent of Charlotte adults spend at least one hour per week online, with most spending at least 10 hours connected.

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Topics small business, small business owner, facebook, charlotte observer, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, facebook advertising, CTV, svod, avod, online shopping, advertise on Charlotte radio, advertise in charlotte, internet

Small Business Advice: 5 Facts About Advertising On Charlotte Radio

Dec 17, 2020 8:32:07 AM / by Larry Julius

Local radio came to Charlotte on March 18, 1922. That's when the Federal Radio Commission granted a license to the Southern Radio Corporation with the randomly assigned call sign, WBT.

From studios located in the Realty Building located at the corner of Trade and Tryon, WBT began broadcasting music from phonograph records for two hours each day. The station's early broadcasts were heard by about 22,000 people using hand-built radio receivers.

For almost 100 years, small business owners have depended on local radio stations to successfully market their goods and services through depressions, recessions, wars, and natural disasters. Even now, during a pandemic, advertising on Charlotte radio remains a dependable way to make cash registers ring.

Here are five facts every Charlotte Small business owner needs to know about local radio in 2020.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, time spent listening, online shopping, advertise on Charlotte radio

Online Advertising In Charlotte: How Much Do Local Businesses Spend?

Dec 14, 2020 3:46:10 PM / by Larry Julius

Over 95% of Charlotte adults have access to the internet, according to Nielsen. Seventy percent of these consumers spend more than five hours a week connected.

Nielsen reports that Charlotte consumers go online to stay connected to friends and family; research products and services; learn the latest news, and obtain directions to where they are going and know what the weather will be when they get there.  

Here are some of the many reasons why Charlotte internet users go online each month

  • Social Media: 77%
  • Weather: 57%
  • Online Banking: 54%
  • Maps/Directions: 47%
  • Product Reviews: 41%
  • Current Events: 35%
  • Restaurant Reviews: 30%
  • Sports Scores/News: 28%
  • Job Search: 19%
  • Real Estate: 16%

And, of course, there is shopping.  Over the past six months, according to Nielsen, 82% of Charlotte consumers shopped online for every imaginable product and service including, cars, golf clubs, office supplies, wedding rings, mattresses, tires, medicine, shoes, socks, and eyeglasses.

To reach local consumers while they are online, Charlotte businesses will spend $587 million for digital advertising in 2020, according to Borrell Associates.  Here is how the money is being spent:

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Topics radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, social media, e-commerce, wedding, CTV, email marketing, email advertising, online shopping

What Is The Best Way To Reach Online Shoppers In Charlotte?

Nov 17, 2020 9:48:05 AM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte shoppers are expected to spend a record $6.7 billion online in 2020, based on the most recent projections from eMarketer. This would represent year-over-year growth of 32.4%.

During the same period, according to eMarketer, receipts at brick-and-mortar stores have contracted by 3.2%.  Overall, excluding gas and auto sales, e-commerce will account for 20.6% of all retail sales this year.

The Coronavirus pandemic is credited with this seismic shift in shopping behavior as consumers continue to avoid stores and opt for online shopping.

“We’ve seen e-commerce accelerate in ways that didn’t seem possible last spring, given the extent of the economic crisis,” said Andrew Lipsman, eMarketer principal analyst at Insider Intelligence. “While much of the shift has been led by essential categories like grocery, there has been surprising strength in discretionary categories like consumer electronics and home furnishings that benefited from pandemic-driven lifestyle needs.”

Even before the onset of the pandemic, 80.8% of Charlotte consumers had bought goods online over the prior six months, according to Nielsen research. Purchases included clothing, health & beauty products, travel reservations, books, furniture, and groceries.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, online advertising, retail spending, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, web traffic, website visitor, attrubution, e-commerce, advertise on radio, online shopping

Why Charlotte Real Estate Agents Need To Advertise Now

May 22, 2020 2:25:50 PM / by Larry Julius

Type "CHARLOTTE REAL ESTATE AGENTS" into Google. In slightly over a half-second, the search will deliver 350,0000,000 results. Similar searches for Matthews, Mount Holly, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Gastonia, or Rock Hill produce a proportional number of returns.

Despite the economic hardships imposed by the Coronavirus crisis on Charlotte area consumers, the demand for real estate is booming. 

The Wall Street Journal published a trend yesterday indicating that mortgage applications for purchase a home have achieved levels equal to last year.

According to redfin.com, home buying demand is 16.5% higher now than it was pre-COVID-19 on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Redfin attributes this explosive growth in real estate shoppers to two factors, including record-low mortgage rates. The other primary driver is a migration trend from expensive metropolitan areas as buyers hunt for more space at lower prices.

To capture a larger share of the robust market, local real estate agents need to stand apart from the millions of Google results.  Advertising on Charlotte radio will help accomplish this.  Here's why.

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Topics best way to advertise, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, online advertising, small business advertising, home buyers, real estate, real estate agent, streaming audio, pay-tv, home sellers, advertise on radio

How To Bring Employees Back To Your Charlotte Small Business

May 8, 2020 5:03:52 PM / by Larry Julius

In January, Charlotte small business owners were in a panic. The unemployment rate was at a record low 3.2%, and there were not enough workers to fill their open jobs. 

As of today, though, North Carolina is reporting that at least one-in-five of the state's workforce have lost their jobs for COVID-19 related reasons. Yet, many small business owners are still struggling to find employees.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "For some workers, unemployment benefits are now paying more than their old jobs did. For others, safety concerns or a lack of child care, as most schools and day-care centers remain closed, are making them hesitant to go back."

“That’s going to get in the way of any real recovery,” Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of American Action Forum and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, told WSJ.

The struggle to hire employees creates an additional threat for those Charlotte small business owners who received loans under the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program.  

To qualify for the loan forgiveness provision of the PPP, business owners must restore its workforce to pre-Coronavirus levels. This must be accomplished within eight weeks of receiving the monies.

So, just like in January, local small business owners are under pressure to fill open jobs. Advertising on Charlotte radio is a potent way to attract and hire the needed employees.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, digital advertising, employment advertising, recruitment advertising, job posting sites, white collar, online job boards, blue collar, help wanted advertising

Charlotte Small Business Advice: Facebook Advertising During Pandemic

May 6, 2020 3:01:50 PM / by Larry Julius

Facebook usage has swelled since the onset of the Covid-19. 

According to Nielsen, before the current chaos, 75% of Charlotte area adults used Facebook each month. This was significantly fewer than were reached by local radio each week.

According to the New York Times, however, since the start of the Coronavirus, daily Facebook traffic has increased by 27%. This compares to 33% growth in the amount of time consumers spend listening to local radio during a similar period.

Based on the surge in Facebook consumption, Charlotte small business owners might be tempted to purchase advertising on the social media platform to augment their regular, free postings. Here are are few facts these businesses should consider before investing.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, facebook, online advertising, digital advertising, social media, facebook advertising, trust

Web Traffic Is Soaring For Charlotte Small Business Owners

Apr 24, 2020 10:49:53 AM / by Larry Julius

Since the onset of the Coronavirus crisis, consumers are not flocking into the showrooms, storefronts, offices, or dining rooms of Charlotte small business owners. It turns out, though, social distancing has not proven to be an impediment to shopping.

North Carolina consumers are still spending money despite the chaos imposed by the pandemic, according to Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell & Associates. His company specializes in the collection of marketing data from business owners across the country.

"During depressions, recessions, floods, hurricane, earthquakes, fires, and, now, pandemics, commerce goes on," Mr. Borell told members of Charlotte's small business community during a recent teleconference.

To prove his point, he shared research from IBISworld  which, indicates spending continues despite a plunge in consumer confidence.

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, attribution, corona, coronavirus, covid 19, web traffic, website visitor, e-commerce

Who Listens To Commercials On Charlotte Radio?

Apr 22, 2020 10:32:49 AM / by Larry Julius

Every week, 1,827,300 adult consumers tune-in to a Charlotte radio station. That is way more than are reached by other media, including local television, newspaper, social media, or streaming audio sites like Pandora and Spotify.

A more significant number for thousands of North Carolina small business owners who advertise on Charlotte radio is how many of these listeners stick around when their commercials come on.

A 2011 Nielsen study discovered that, on average, 93% of listeners stayed with the radio station they are tuned-to when the commercials come on. That number amazed many advertisers at the time who believed that audiences were far more likely to defect when the music stopped.

A lot has changed since 2011. Charlotte area consumers have many more media options and can instantly connect to each  with a button-push, mouse-click, screen-tap, or voice command. With all of these choices, do radio audiences still stay tuned during commercial breaks?

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, instagram, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, facebook, spotify, pandora, online advertising, social media, streaming audio, button pushing

Advertising On Charlotte Radio Remains Best Option During Corona Chaos

Apr 15, 2020 6:02:15 PM / by Larry Julius

The chaos created in North Carolina by the onset of Coronavirus has been a disruptive force among consumers. 

Work routines, buying habits, family life, and media consumption have all been palpably affected. These are all factors that need to be considered by small business owners who continue to advertise their goods and services during the crisis.

Before the current chaos, advertising on Charlotte radio, by any metric, was the best way a local small business could advertise.

For instance, pre-Coronavirus, 1.8 million adult consumers tuned-in to a Charlotte radio station every week. This is significantly more than watched local TV, read a newspaper, accessed social media, or streamed audio from sites like Pandora and Spotify.

New research released from Nielsen indicates that amidst the current crisis, listening to local radio remains little changed. This is great news for those Charlotte small business owners who are depending on advertising for their long-term survival.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, facebook advertising, corona, coronavirus, covid 19, crisis marketing

Coronavirus: Advertising In Charlotte For Small Business Survival

Mar 25, 2020 8:31:28 AM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte small business owners are fighting the coronavirus battles on multiple fronts.  Their first objective is to keep their families and employees safe. Then, of course, there are the concerns of keeping their businesses healthy enough to survive current disruptions.

The business literature has an abundance of case studies showing how survival is often connected to a thoughtful communications and marketing strategy during challenging times.  

Business owners need to let North Carolina consumers know if they are still open. If their hours have changed. Or if they are providing alternative shopping methods (e.g., delivery, curbside pick-up).

Most importantly, it is imperative consumers know that a business will still be there for them when the crisis is over.

For those owners who are depending on communication to preserve their business, the best option may be to advertise on Charlotte radio.

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Topics radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, retail, restaurant, retail stores, retailer, facebook advertising, corona, coronavirus, covid 19

Local Non-Profit Drives Donations With Advertising On Charlotte Radio

Mar 13, 2020 12:33:29 PM / by Larry Julius

"As a non-profit, we have to be very thoughtful about how we spend our marketing funds," says Emily Cook, Marketing and Communications Director at The Humane Society of Charlotte.

"That's why we invest the biggest chunk of our budget in advertising on Charlotte radio. I have the data that proves it works."

Founded in 1978, The Humane Society of Charlotte, HSC for short, is a no-kill animal shelter that takes in more than 3000 homeless cats and dogs each year. "We are able to place nearly every pet taken in into a loving and caring family," says Ms. Cook.

"In addition to pet adoptions, we also have a huge commitment to community outreach," she says. "This includes having three full-time vets on staff who perform more than 12,000 low-cost spay and neuter surgeries per year. This really helps reduce the population of the  homeless animals in the area."

HSC also works with members of the community who are temporarily unable to care for their dogs and cats, primarily due to financial hardship. This includes stocking a pet food bank.

"Our goal is to keep these loved animals out of the shelter and in their homes with their families," says Ms. Cook.

It costs HSC more than $4 million each year to fulfill its mission of delivering effective, innovative services that strengthen the human-animal bond and improve the lives of companion animals and the people who care about them.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, television advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, social media, non-profit, charity, animal welfare, analytics, attribution, billboard advertising

Charlotte Small Business Owners Grab A Big Slice Of Pizza Business

Mar 9, 2020 7:28:00 AM / by Larry Julius

Seven years ago, the first Bisonte Pizza Co. location fired-up its ovens.

"Advertising on Charlotte radio really accelerated our growth," says Jim DaPolito. He and his older brother Steven are the owners and co-founders of the small business.

"Injust three years, with the help of our radio commercials, we had already achieved our year five sales goals."

The brothers were convinced to move to North Carolina from their native Buffalo, New York, by Steven's son, who had moved to Charlotte in 2007.

My son believed that someone could do very well down here serving up Buffalo-style pizza and wings," says Steven. "So, when he told me my first grandchild was on the way, I decided to quit my job in the automotive business in New York and move to Charlotte to open a restaurant."

Fortunately, Jim, who had 38 years in the food business, including running the largest pizza restaurant in the country, decided to make the move with his brother.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, restaurant, pizza

Retail Boom: How Your Charlotte Small Business Can Benefit

Feb 28, 2020 9:33:47 AM / by Larry Julius

Retailers in the Charlotte area rang-up $49,607,009,000 in retail sales last year, according to Nielsen. But wait. It's about to get better.

The National Retail Federation forecasts that in 2020, sales will increase by as much as 4.1%. This will create another $2.1 billion for local small business owners.  

“The economy is growing at a more modest pace, but the underlying economic fundamentals remain in place and are positive,” stated NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz. “Consumers remain upbeat and have the confidence to spend, and the steady wage growth that has come with the strong job market is fueling their spending. The state of the consumer is very healthy.

To claim a fair share of this enlarged pool of spending will require Charlotte small business owners to advertise.

“Think you have a great product?” asks the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Unfortunately, no one’s going to know about it unless you advertise.”  

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, facebook, millennials, reach, spotify, pandora, online advertising, digital advertising, retail spending, retail, store traffic, retail sales

A Small Business Builds Its Brand With Advertising On Charlotte Radio

Feb 18, 2020 7:16:00 AM / by Larry Julius

"In the 24 years I have owned my business, I never advertised," says Andy Huneycutt, founder of Indian Trail based Huneycutt Mechanical Services. "But last year I realized my company was standing still. So, we started advertising on Charlotte radio."

"I did a lot of research," he says, "and I found out that the most successful local companies were investing 8-10% of their gross sales back into advertising. They would do this consistently every year. The more money they made, the more they would advertise."

"As I was growing closer to retirement, I had to ask myself if I could really afford to invest that kind of money into advertising," he says.  "Then, I looked at the commitment my son made to take over the business in a few years and realized I couldn't afford not to advertise."

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, spotify, pandora, online advertising, branding, Heating, brand building, homeowners, HVAC, Cooling

Why Charlotte Used Car Dealers Need To Advertise Now

Feb 14, 2020 7:07:00 AM / by Larry Julius

March is the biggest single month for used car sales in the Charlotte area. During these 31 days alone, local pre-owned vehicle dealers are expected to bring in $101 million in sales. This will represent 10% of their annual revenue.

By the end of May, these dealers owners will sell more than $282 million worth of pre-owned cars and trucks. This, undoubtedly, makes March-May 'used car season' in Charlotte.

Although most Charlotte used car dealers are small business owners, they do really big business. In all, over the next 12 months, more than 349,000 pre-owned vehicles will be driven off their lots.

To capture a larger share of the area's $1.1 billion used car market requires pre-owned vehicle dealers to advertise. By any measure, the best way for these business owners to advertise is on Charlotte radio.

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, television advertising, newspaper advertising, facebook, millennials, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, used vehicles, automotive, used cars, used trucks

Advertising In Charlotte: Reach Mother's Day Shoppers

Feb 10, 2020 7:01:00 AM / by Larry Julius

As Valentine's Day sales begin to dwindle, that's when Charlotte small business owners start thinking about Mom.

Mother's Day, which happens on the second Sunday of May, is second only to Christmas in terms of holiday spending. Last year, Charlotte area consumers spent more than $213-million celebrating the women in their lives. That number is expected to grow again in 2020.

To claim a significant share of this Mother's Day cash, local retailers and restaurants will need to advertise.  By almost every key metric, advertising on Charlotte radio is the best choice.

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, newspaper advertising, facebook, spotify, pandora, online advertising, digital advertising, retail spending, retail, social media, restaurant, mother's day

Radio Advertising Drives New Clients To Charlotte Law Firm

Feb 7, 2020 7:02:00 AM / by Larry Julius

Like all small business owners, Charlotte area law firms need to bring in new customers to survive.  Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, the first contact many attorneys have with potential clients is on the telephone.

"Every day we advertise on Charlotte radio," says attorney Chris Hall of the city's Emory Law Firm, "we receive 10-12 calls from listeners seeking representation."

"We can track each of these calls back to our radio commercials," he says. "Around 25% of these callers will become paying clients. This is a very high rate of return for the money we are spending."

In the Charlotte area, there are almost 7000 practicing lawyers who compete to represent the 216,000 households who will seek legal representation this year. In all, these services will generate more than $540,000,000 in attorney fees.

To earn a fair share of this billing, area attorneys need to advertise.  As Mr. Hall has learned, by most metrics, radio advertising is a powerful way to reach potential clients.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, facebook, online advertising, digital advertising, social media, attorneys, lawyers, legal services

Advertise In Charlotte: Reaching Furniture Shoppers

Jan 20, 2020 11:30:00 AM / by Larry Julius

Low unemployment, a boom in housing starts, and confident consumers are propelling robust sales for Charlotte area furniture stores.

In 2019, local consumers spent $1.2 billion on furniture and home furnishing. This number is expected to grow.

Based on estimates developed by Furniture Today’s Strategic Insights team and Easy Analytic Software Inc. (EASI), the total furniture and bedding market is projected to expand by more than 22% by 2024.

If a Charlotte area small business owner who sells furniture, furnishings, or home decor would like to grab a larger share of this expanding market, then advertising is necessary.  By almost every key metric, advertising on local radio is a sound marketing investment.

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, retail, furniture

Political Advertising In Charlotte: How To Reach Likely Voters

Jan 10, 2020 6:15:00 AM / by Larry Julius

Many times the difference between winning an election and losing is a handful of ballots. This is true in races for almost every elected office, referendum, and issue on the national, statewide, and local level.

To win a modern election requires advertising. Successful advertising requires reach. In the Charlotte area, the most potent way to reach voters is on local radio.

The Charlotte area includes the North Carolina counties of Anason, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union, plus Chester, SC Lancaster, SC and York, SC.

Last week, for instance, 89% of all registered voters in these counties tuned-in to a Charlotte radio station.  This is significantly more than were reached by local TV, local newspaper, or the major social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, television advertising, newspaper advertising, facebook, online advertising, digital advertising, political advertising, issue advertising

Employment Advertising: Reach 90% Of Qualified Candidates In Charlotte

Jan 2, 2020 8:14:18 AM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte small business owners need employees...desperately.

According to a report from the National Federation of Independent Business, 26% of small business owners say finding qualified workers is their number one problem. 

The report goes on to say that 88% of small business owners looking to hire new employees are finding there are no qualified candidates.

The historically low unemployment figures in the Charlotte area appears to be the root cause of local hiring woes. The metro area's jobless rate stands at 3.2%. There are just not enough qualified workers to go around.

Most small business owners have exhausted the traditional methods of recruitment. These include online job board posts, newspaper ads, referral bonuses, and help wanted signs. All to no avail.

To successfully attract the qualified applicants they yearn for, local small business owners need to command the attention of 'passive' job seekers. The number one source for these candidates is Charlotte radio.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, online advertising, digital advertising, employment advertising, recruitment advertising, job posting sites

Advertising Options For Charlotte Small Business Owners

Dec 27, 2019 5:05:10 PM / by Larry Julius

Advertising is critical to the success of every North Carolina small business owner.  One of the most powerful elements of any advertising campaign is how many people it reaches.

Nielsen, the world's largest consumer insights company, found that advertising reach has a more significant effect on sales than branding, recency, and context.

There are many ways a local business owner can advertise. This includes traditional media like Charlotte radio, local TV, and newspaper. It also includes online advertising options such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pandora.

They type of customer an individual business needs to reach depends on the goods and services the company sells. For instance, a daycare operator might want to reach households with young children. On the other hand, a real estate agent could be looking for consumers in the market to purchase a new home.

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, charlotte observer, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising

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