Mark Twain wrote, “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.”

The following questionnaire will help you find out:

1. I am receptive to advertising
2. My staff is receptive to advertising
3. I have a good product or service
4. I have a unique offer
5. I will sell more if more people know my offer
6. People don’t think of my company when they need my product or service
7. People don’t know about my web site
8. I want to increase market share
9. My offer is better than those of my competitors
10. I want to expand my company
11. I want my company to be an industry leader
12. My industry is competitive
13. My business is relationship driven
14. I need a steady stream of new customers
15. I want my potential customers to buy sooner
16. I want my customers to buy again
17. My salespeople make cold calls by phone or in person
18. I’d rather that my sales people spend their time on closing business than on cold calling
19. My potential customers are skeptical about my offers
20. My potential customers don’t respect my sales people
21. My sales people don’t speak with confidence
22. My employees don’t feel proud of their company
23. I want to hire talented people
24. I want to retain good employees
25. I want to ride the booms longer
26. I want to recover from the recessions sooner
27. I want to attract investors

Yes answers 0-9 There’s no urgency to advertise. Advertising should be considered on an as-needed basis only.

Yes answers 10-18 Advertising is recommended to speed up your company’s growth. Allocate a small to mid-size budget and start weighing your options.

Yes answers 19-27 Advertising is essential to your survival. It is the bread and butter of your business. Allocate a sizeable budget, weigh your options and advertise.