We’ve subscribed to the beautiful Our Iowa magazine for years. We’ve had a couple of old photos published in the Rewind section (Guy as a farm boy riding a cow during the 1950s, and the two oldest Wilson brothers standing in front of the Model T truck as they prepared to leave for the Navy, 1934), but I’d never placed an ad with them for the Leora books.
The very first one is in the August/September 2024 issue, naming the three places in the Des Moines area that offer autographed copies.
Not only that, but Our Iowa holds drawings for prizes to its readers for reading the ads. We advertisers pay for their ads in part by giving away products or services. Readers hunt for a tiny “I” in three ads, jotting them on a postcard to send in for the drawings.
I’ve been told that some subscribers hunt for the tiny “I” symbols as soon as the new issue arrives. What a fun addition to such an inviting collection of glossy photos and winsome stories.
For this issue, I’m offering a gift card to Beaverdale Books in Des Moines, who carry autographed copies of the Leora books, plus they offer shipping.
Friends from Guthrie Center have already spotted the tiny ad! (I didn’t find a tiny “I” in it.) May these ads connect readers with the compelling stories of a diminutive Iowa woman who lived with terrible losses, yet with tenacity and grace.
What a clever marketing idea. I’m sure you will see some increase in sales.
I don’t even expect to break even, but I’m certainly having fun with it!
Love it, Joy! 🥰❤️🥰
I may not break even, but it feels like such a good match. I just got a note from a woman whose mom does indeed search for the tiny “I”s in each issues!
Yay! So good! 🥰
A terrific idea, Joy. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John. The “Rewind” section in the magazine gave me the idea. I’d certainly like to break even with this!
Well if you don’t it is worth the learning.
I imagine this idea would really resonate with many people. Lots of folks like a treasure hunt.
That’s what I hear! I’d never checked out the ads before, but I do now!
Congratulations Joy! I’m no marketing genius, but this looks like a great idea to me. Good luck.
Thanks, Brian! We’ll see. . . .
Your Aunt Darlene subscribed to the magazine for many years. I think we renewed for her as a gift several times. Whenever I visited Iowa I made a point to catch up on issues and find the “i”. I have no doubt you will acquire new fans of the Leora series. Many of the little i’s appeared in ads, rather than the feature articles. Continued success and good luck! Cousin Bob
Oh my, thanks Bob! These days I’m working on motherline stories, which goes back through Grandma Leora and four more generations!
I sure hope the ads have good results for you, Joy.
Thank you, Tim. Good results for me is for readers to get to know my tenacious little Grandma Leora, who was such a delight in spite of so many terrible losses!
That’s understandable, Joy.
“Our Iowa” is using advertising techniques from yesteryear that would certainly draw me in. Good luck with a successful response to your ad. Remember “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. The editor confesses that he learned the contest technique working for someone else.
Very cool! I hope the ad garners you lots of sales.
Thank you, Liz.