It’s hard for me to believe that I now call Direct Mail, Radio, and Newspaper advertising “non-conventional”.  When I started in the business that was about as “conventional” as it got.

However, when I am looking online for products to buy I’ve become accustomed to looking at the “Reviews” or the “Star Ratings” now.  I don’t want to order something from someone who others might, for instance, say is tough to return merchandise to.  Or, is slow to receive the merchandise from. . . or, in the case of shoes, seems to be improper sizing.  And, I figure, if I am doing some referencing by those reviews and ratings. . . .then so are a lot of other people.

• Related-–Here is a past Funeral Director Daily article authored by Joe Weigel of Weigel Strategic Marketing on “Star Ratings and Reviews”

I do continue to believe, though, that there is a place for what is now termed “non-conventional” advertising in your quiver of advertising arrows.  I’m of the belief that “Top of Mind Awareness” is always a positive for any business and the funeral business is no exception.  The more “Top of Mind Awareness” your business has, the better off you will be.

I consider “Top of Mind Awareness” to be the product you think of when asked something.  For instance if I asked you to name a Quick Service Restaurant, would you say McDonald’s, or Chick fil-a, or Chipotle, or Burger King. . . you get the idea.  The one you name is at the “Top of your Mind” and over time will be where you do your business.

I think a funeral home gets a percentage of death calls when the next of kin is asked by a physician or nurse in the emergency room or hospital room, “What funeral home would you like me to call?”  At that time, for most people, there is no Star Ratings or Reviews to look at. . . . the funeral home named is the one at the “Top of Mind” of the family member.

I tell the sponsors of Funeral Director Daily that they will not get tons of clicks from sponsoring Funeral Director Daily but they will stay “Top of Mind” with repeated daily exposure to funeral homes all over the country for when that funeral home needs their type of service.

So, I think non-conventional” Direct Mail, Radio, and Newspaper advertising are perfect for staying “Top of Mind” for funeral homes.  The funeral home business, being a local business, can also use digital media to stay “Top of Mind” as long as it is local and you are not paying national rates for local coverage.

I also noticed the following series from Ring Ring Marketing that includes short articles on why you should be advertising some of your budget in the non-conventional market.  Here’s three short articles to bring you into the weekend and learn about how these media sources can help your funeral home.

1. Non-digital Funeral Home Marketing Part 1:  Direct Mailers
2. Non-digital Funeral Home Marketing Part 2:  Radio
3. Non-digital Funeral Home Marketing Part 3:  Print Advertising

More news from the world of Death Care:

• 30-second interview:  Tyde, the UK’s first completely online funeral booking platform.  Associated Newspapers Limited (Great Britain)
• OC Veterans Cemetery would get $20 boost from county under new proposal.  Voice of Orange County (CA)
• “Close to back to normal”:  Post-COVID, Fall River sees uptick in funerals, delayed memorials.  Herald News (MA)

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