If I have to look at one more terribly designed, mind-numbingly repetitive ad in a print-based coupon magazine mailed to my home, I might just lose it. These discount rags—MINT, Money Pages, Prestigious Living, and their equally uninspired counterparts—are the graveyard of bad advertising decisions.

Seriously, where do I even begin?

The Same Industries, The Same Ads, Over and Over

Flip through one of these publications, and you’ll see the same HVAC contractors, roofing companies, tree removal services, weight loss clinics peddling GLP-1 medications, garage door repair companies, and indoor air quality specialists—all stacked on top of one another, fighting for attention.

Instead of standing out, they’re advertising against their own competition in the same damn magazine, sent to the same audience. Brilliant strategy, right?

If You Have a Quarter-Page Ad, You May as Well Not Bother

Advertising in one of these coupon books only works if you dominate the space. A quarter-page or smaller ad? It’s lost in the mix, drowned out by full-page spreads and competitors flashing bigger discounts. At that point, why even bother? Save yourself the frustration and put that money to better use.

People Who Read These Magazines Want Cheap, Not Quality

The audience for these publications isn’t looking for the best company—they’re looking for the biggest discount.

That means:

• You’re either forced to slash your prices or create the illusion of doing so.
• Your brand becomes associated with discount-seeking customers, not loyal, high-value clients.
• The moment a competitor offers a better deal, your customer retention is shot.

If your only value proposition is being the cheapest, then congratulations, you’ve just become the Dollar Store version of your industry.

What Should You Do Instead?

Ditch the coupon books and invest in smarter, high-return marketing channels. Instead of burning cash on ads destined for the recycling bin, try:

• Google Local Service Ads & PPC Campaigns – Be the first business people see when they actually need your service, not when they’re absentmindedly flipping through junk mail.
• SEO & Content Marketing – A well-optimized website and strong local SEO can ensure your business ranks higher without throwing your profit margins in the trash.
• Social Media & Retargeting Ads – With Facebook, Instagram, and Google retargeting, you can target real potential customers, not just bargain hunters.
• Streaming & OTT Advertising – If you really want visibility, streaming ads on platforms like Hulu, YouTube, and Roku will actually get seen by engaged audiences—unlike that coupon book collecting dust on a kitchen counter.

Final Thought: Buy Better Toilet Paper Instead

If you were even considering throwing money into one of these print coupon books, do yourself a favor—spend it on better toilet paper instead. At least then, you’ll get some actual use out of it.

Or, if you actually want to invest in marketing that works, contact Mad Men Marketing today. We’ll help you put your budget where it actually drives results, not where it ends up in the trash.

The post Discount Coupon Magazines Are Hot Trash appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

Billboards are everywhere, and if you’ve ever driven down a major highway, you’ve likely noticed a trend—personal injury attorneys dominate this outdated advertising medium. In fact, one could argue that if it weren’t for this particular industry, the entire billboard sector might collapse. But why do lawyers cling so tightly to billboards? Is it a misguided attempt at brand recognition, or just an ego-driven need to see their own faces plastered across the skyline?

The Appeal of Billboards for Personal Injury Attorneys

1. The Visibility Factor (Even If It’s Ineffective)
Law firms that invest in billboards believe that sheer exposure will lead to business. But visibility doesn’t equal engagement. A driver speeding down the highway at 70 mph has mere seconds to register an attorney’s name and phone number, and the chances of that driver immediately needing legal representation at that moment? Almost zero.

2. Ego Over Strategy
Many lawyers love seeing their own faces on billboards, as if their larger-than-life presence alone will inspire trust. But advertising should be about connecting with clients, not fulfilling a personal need for recognition. Consumers don’t hire attorneys because they’ve seen the same headshot 50 times on their daily commute—they hire based on trust, reputation, and credibility.

3. Lackluster Creativity
Legal billboards are infamous for their uninspired creative. Whether it’s a serious-looking attorney with crossed arms and a phone number in massive font, a particular Tampa lawyer harkening back to his good old days at college in EVERY SINGLE AD (even though it was probably more then 30 years ago), or a cringeworthy pun, the result is the same: forgettable. The best advertising evokes emotion and action—billboards for attorneys, on the other hand, rarely achieve either.

The Bigger Problem: Outdated Advertising and Neglected Digital Presence

While lawyers continue to dump money into billboards, many of their websites remain outdated, slow, and difficult to navigate. A poorly designed website sends a clear message to potential clients: If you don’t care about your own digital presence, how much will you care about their case?

Smarter Advertising Strategies for Attorneys

Rather than burning cash on overpriced, ineffective billboards, law firms should focus on data-driven digital marketing strategies that actually generate leads and build long-term brand authority:

• Google Search Ads & Local Service Ads – When people need a lawyer, they don’t scan billboards. They Google it. Investing in Google Local Service Ads ensures that law firms appear when and where potential clients are actively searching.
• SEO & Content Marketing – A professionally designed website with well-optimized legal content helps law firms rank higher on search engines and establish authority.
• Social Media & Video Marketing – Personal injury attorneys should leverage YouTube Video Ads and social media platforms to connect with potential clients in a more engaging, memorable way.
• Retargeting & Email Campaigns – Digital advertising allows law firms to re-engage potential clients who have visited their website but haven’t taken action.

Conclusion: Stop Wasting Money, Start Building a Better Brand

Personal injury attorneys have relied on billboards for far too long, but in today’s digital-first world, that approach is inefficient, outdated, and costly. Instead of pouring money into roadside ads with uninspired creative and minimal engagement, law firms should invest in smarter, measurable marketing strategies.

At Mad Men Marketing, we specialize in creating customized digital marketing strategies that actually convert leads into clients. Don’t waste your budget on billboards—contact us today and let us help you build a brand that truly stands out.

The post Lawyers’ Love Affair With Billboards appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

Why Local Service Ads?

1. Visibility: Like the north star in the vast night sky, Local Service Ads ensure your business shines the brightest when potential clients search for services you offer.
2. Targeted Audience: These ads allow you to reach your local customers precisely when they’re searching for your business or businesses like yours on Google Search.
3. Boost in Engagement: Here’s where things get interesting. We recently worked with a legal client who experienced a whopping 400% increase in calls due to Local Service Ads. And this wasn’t a one-time fluke; it happened repeatedly over time.
4. Cost-Effective: You only pay for results, such as phone calls to your business or messages sent to a phone, you can even book directly if you have the right software integration. It’s like buying a ticket to the digital limelight without burning a hole in your pocket.
5. Flexibility: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, you can adjust your ads to suit your goals, be it increasing website visits, driving more in-store visits, or making the phone ring.

Success Stories

The true measure of any strategy’s effectiveness is real-world results. Consider our legal client. Before utilizing Local Service Ads, they had a steady flow of inquiries, sure, but post-implementation? Their calls skyrocketed; and as we mentioned, this wasn’t an isolated incident, but the start of a continuing trend that was directly traceable to the success of their Local Service Ads.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, Local Service Ads by Google offer a compelling strategy for local businesses looking to boost their visibility and engagement. And as our legal client’s success story demonstrates, the results can be game-changing.

So, next time you’re evaluating your digital marketing toolkit, remember the power of Local Service Ads. They might just be the secret weapon you’ve been looking for to take your business to the next level.

Need help getting started with Local Service Ads? Give us a call at 904-355-1766, or contact us here!

The post The Power of Local Service Ads by Google: A Game-Changing Strategy appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.