Marketing of telecommunications used to be a sleepy activity monitored by public utility commissions and executives with a defense-first mindset. Those days are gone. Now, even telecommunications advertising and marketing for beginners aggressively support wireless phone service, cable TV, advanced business systems, home monitoring and Internet services. This could not have been imagined even one generation ago.

Advertising telecommunications was essentially informational until the Bell System was broken in 1984. Now telecommunications ads are as sophisticated and competitive as nearly any other market. Telecommunications advertising and marketing for beginners is now a fast-paced training period leading to expert-level telecommunications advertising and marketing. Consider the following when researching programs:

1. Working in marketing telecommunications is a fast-paced activity that supports many different product lines.

2. Supporting advertising in telecommunications means developing telecommunications ads that are as aggressive and clever as any other industry's.

3. Understanding that the beginner phase must be short is a key element in having a successful career in marketing for telecommunications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review past successful telecommunications ads to see what you can work with and improve upon

Beginners should review the state of current and past telecommunications advertising. They should also look at the history of mass communications advertising for tips on how the consumer mind works.

I recommend: Tech Republic offers a good beginner's view of marketing in telecommunications and telecommunication advertising.

Marketing in telecommunication professionals should strive to develop ads that standout

The key to strong advertising is developing audience-focused communications designed to make a memory. That's true in every industry, and marketing and communications is no exception. Beginners should also understand that advertising and marketing must have external appeal and not just pass muster inside the client company or agency.

I recommend: Bnet offers nearly 40 sources for tips in telecommunications-related advertising which would help even the newest beginner to the field. Many of those resources counsel an aggressive approach. Another approach to develop a marketing telecommunication ad that stands out is to use humor. Step Inside Design provides visitors with a step-by-step process for developing funny ads in support of a product or a brand.

Review industry research to build your knowledge base

Knowledge is power everywhere, including in telecommunications advertising and marketing for beginners. Often, clever ideas come from reading the research and knowing how the industry got to where it is currently. The Internet is a fertile source for this material.

I recommend: Market Research has hundreds of documents available for download that will help the beginner in marketing and telecommunications learn the trade. Another source with its own work posted online is Plunkett Research. Original market research is available that can provide a strong foundation for developing advertising in telecommunications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Advertising telecommunication is a growing industry and it is best to stay abreast of trends and innovations by subscribing to related newsletters and magazines and even taking continuing education courses.

Telecommunications marketing helps businesses reach potential clients in today's competitive market. Companies that are looking to increase their visibility might be able to do so with a telecommunications advertising and marketing program.

Marketing in telecommunications is well-targeted, which assists companies in running a cost-efficient advertising campaign. However, telecommunication advertising campaigns can be complex; so to ensure that you get the most out of your marketing budget, consider the following when choosing a telecommunications advertising plan:

1. Who is your target audience for your telecommunications marketing or telecommunications advertising?
2. What is your budget for advertising in telecommunications?
3. Are there some free or low-cost ways your company can conduct marketing in telecommunications?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with low-cost telecommunications advertising and marketing

There are ways your business can market and advertise with a small budget. Start with things such as participating in public service with your company logo prominently displayed or sending out press releases. As your budget grows, so can your methods of telecommunication advertising and marketing.

I recommend: AllBusiness lists 7 low-cost marketing ideas, including press releases and direct mail. Superpages.com offers a business ad for free as well as a pay-per-call option. Yellowpages.com also allows your business to have a free listing with options to enhance your advertising later on.

Know the market and customers targeted by telecommunications ads

Do your homework on current trends in telecommunications spending. You will need to know your target customer. Information such as customer loyalty, preferences and habits is crucial in developing your marketing for telecommunications. Marketing companies specialize in giving you the research on what your customer wants. Make sure you take full advantage of the latest data and statistics.

I recommend: With eMarketer, your business can get telecommunications market data and statistics. CommNOW gives telecommunications research on the market, plus analysis and forecasts. By using comScore, your business can get customer segmentation and industry facts. The Insight Research Corp., offers in-depth analysis of the telecom industry.

Consider a consultant for marketing telecommunications

As your business grows, you will likely need the advice of consultants to guide your marketing telecommunications. Consultants can guide your business through the next phase of expansion.

I recommend: Research First Consulting offers advice on market expansion and planning for new services and technologies. Palisades Research gives consultation for market strategy planning. Advocate Networks offers industry data and analysis.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider customer surveys to get feedback on the effectiveness of your marketing and advertising.
• •  It's helpful to get data on your customers' online spending habits before you go about choosing marketing and advertising plans.
• •  Consider the usage and impact of blogs or sites such as FaceBook and Squidoo on your company's marketing campaign. The more you can get people online talking about your product, the better.