Newsletter advertising rates

Started by SherriW • 11 replies • 1521 views

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SherriW (Florida)
Posts: 6

Posted:

I am putting together an advertising policy for our Association newsletter and would like to see other samples.

Most importantly at this stage, working on a fair and competitive ad rate.

Cost per square inch kind of rate. And then factoring in the distribution count of the newsletter at perhaps one per household, or should it be adults per household.

Putting this out there for someone who has been down this path before and perhaps has a good idea of how to do it.

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

How many homes in your HOA?

SherriW (Florida)
Posts: 6

Posted:

There are 580 single family homes in my Association.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Well you may want to factor in that you may need to file some taxes on this "income" from the advertising in your newsletters. It's income not coming from Dues. So it can be subject to taxation.

Former HOA President

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SherriW on 08/29/2017 5:03 PM
There are 580 single family homes in my Association.

That potentially would make it worth the time and effort. Also, that large would possibly attract buyers for ads. If you had been a small HOA I would have said don't waste your time. I potentially would start out with $20 for business card sized ad. Maybe give your subcontractors free x size space if they discount their contracts. However, be sure to check with your accountant and how it may affect your HOA if you make a profit. Is the profit going to offset members HOA dues

SherriW (Florida)
Posts: 6

Posted:

One resident (a realtor) has already come to me saying he wants a full page ad, which is interesting - business card size may not cut it. Also, I would think the revenue generated would be less than the cost of publishing the newsletter (it will be an e-newsletter by the way) so I would not expect it to be taxable unless it generates more than cost. There is the cost of the membership system ($130 per month) and the time involved in managing the database and creating the newsletter, plus costs of managing any sales outreach and recordkeeping/accounting.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Who is paying for the newsletter? The HOA? IF so, then your using all your neighbor's money to produce this newsletter. (I.E HOA money). So yes it would be profit to sell advertising. If it's not being paid for by the HOA, then it's whoever is producing the newsletter profit. Again all taxable.

Former HOA President

SherriW (Florida)
Posts: 6

Posted:

Yes, that HOA pays for the newsletter.

I thought this resource was helpful: http://www.bjmco.com/community-association-and-hoa-tax-returns/

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SherriW on 08/29/2017 6:23 PM
One resident (a realtor) has already come to me saying he wants a full page ad, which is interesting - business card size may not cut it. Also, I would think the revenue generated would be less than the cost of publishing the newsletter (it will be an e-newsletter by the way) so I would not expect it to be taxable unless it generates more than cost. There is the cost of the membership system ($130 per month) and the time involved in managing the database and creating the newsletter, plus costs of managing any sales outreach and recordkeeping/accounting.

Explain the system. $130 a month sounds pricey.

SherriW (Florida)
Posts: 6

Posted:

It is a complete membership management system. It has a database with all the owners (members), and you can keep all the data you wish on each owners file. It has event sign-up and event fee paying capacity online through PayPal. You can even build your website on it as well as e-newsletters and e-blasts.It is the top membership management system, and many, many HOA's use it. Considering staff time, file space, etc $130 is a bargain. The typical contact system such as Constant Contact is over $50 per month, and this does much more.

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SherriW on 08/29/2017 6:42 PM
It is a complete membership management system. It has a database with all the owners (members), and you can keep all the data you wish on each owners file. It has event sign-up and event fee paying capacity online through PayPal. You can even build your website on it as well as e-newsletters and e-blasts.It is the top membership management system, and many, many HOA's use it. Considering staff time, file space, etc $130 is a bargain. The typical contact system such as Constant Contact is over $50 per month, and this does much more.

LOL ... was going to say sounds a lot like Constant Contact then saw you last post. Don't get me wrong I think this is great for large HOA's as long as they meet any requirements under their various State Laws with regards to the Non-Profit Corporation. Same as you I like to think outside the box. The price I suggested was not due to HOA, but due to in past I was the Events and Marketing Manager for my local Chamber of Commerce. We are a small community and that was the price we charged for that sized ad. What it will boil down to is what can you sell for X dollars? Potentially I would initially start with $20 for business card sized ad, $35 for 1/4 sized ad, $50 for half page ad, and $75 for full page ad. You can always in the future choose to increase or decrease ... depending on supply and demand.

SherriW (Florida)
Posts: 6

Posted:

Thanks, I really appreciate all the responses.

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