# Local Advertising and Marketing Guides | SLC Spotlight > Plain-English guides for local business owners on shared postcards, restaurant board ads, EDDM, printing, Google reviews, local SEO and Google ads. URL: https://slcspotlight.com/guide/ ![Business owner reading a guide on a laptop at a kitchen table](/images/hero/small-business-owner-reading-on-a-laptop-at-a-kitc.webp) 44 guides for local business owners # Guides Straight answers to the questions owners ask before they spend money on local advertising. Written by Tyler, with no hype and no made-up numbers. Topic ## Postcards, Boards and Direct Mail Shared Community Postcards, restaurant Community Boards and solo EDDM mailings. ### Community Postcards See Postcards [/community-postcards/ →](/community-postcards/) Cost Guide Co-op Postcard Advertising Cost in Utah: Single, Double, 3-Run and Anchor Spots Published prices: single spot $249, double $449, 3-run pack $649, back panel anchor $1,200. See what each includes and how payment works. [/guide/co-op-postcard-advertising-cost-utah/ →](/guide/co-op-postcard-advertising-cost-utah/) Comparison Co-op Postcard vs Solo EDDM Postcard Shared card or a postcard of your own? Compare cost, control and reach for a co-op spot against a solo EDDM mailing in the Salt Lake Valley. [/guide/co-op-postcard-vs-solo-eddm-postcard/ →](/guide/co-op-postcard-vs-solo-eddm-postcard/) What to Expect From Reservation to Mailbox: What Happens After You Claim a Spot Step by step from payment to mailbox: send your logo, offer and contact details, approve a free proof, then we print and mail to 2,500 homes. [/guide/what-happens-after-you-reserve-a-postcard-spot/ →](/guide/what-happens-after-you-reserve-a-postcard-spot/) How It Works How Mail Routes Are Chosen for Single-Family, Owner-Occupied Homes How each Community Postcard edition picks USPS carrier routes focused on single-family, owner-occupied homes, adding up to 2,500 homes. [/guide/how-postcard-mail-routes-are-chosen/ →](/guide/how-postcard-mail-routes-are-chosen/) How It Works How to Track a Postcard Ad With QR Codes and Trackable Offers Simple ways to see what your postcard ad brings in: a QR code on every ad, a unique offer code, and a habit of asking callers where they heard of you. [/guide/how-to-track-postcard-advertising/ →](/guide/how-to-track-postcard-advertising/) Is It a Fit? Is a Shared Postcard a Good Fit for Your Business? A quick self-check: who gets the most from a co-op postcard in Draper, Sandy and Cottonwood Heights, and when solo mail or digital fits better. [/guide/is-a-shared-postcard-right-for-your-business/ →](/guide/is-a-shared-postcard-right-for-your-business/) Planning One Edition or a 3-Run Pack: How Often Should You Mail? Single edition or the same spot in three mailings? How repeat exposure builds recognition and keeps your category held, with the $649 3-run pack explained. [/guide/how-often-should-you-mail-postcards/ →](/guide/how-often-should-you-mail-postcards/) Explainer What Is a Co-op Mailer? How a Shared Postcard Works How a shared postcard works: up to 16 local businesses split print and postage, with only one business per category on each card. [/guide/what-is-a-co-op-mailer/ →](/guide/what-is-a-co-op-mailer/) Common Concern Will Your Ad Get Noticed on a Card With 16 Businesses? The 'lost in the crowd' worry, answered plainly: no competitors on the card, an oversized format, a strong offer and QR code, plus double and anchor spots. [/guide/will-your-ad-get-noticed-on-a-shared-postcard/ →](/guide/will-your-ad-get-noticed-on-a-shared-postcard/) ### Community Boards See Boards [/community-boards/ →](/community-boards/) Common Concern Is a 12-Month Board Ad Worth the Commitment? Why board ads run a full year, how the $60 per month option spreads the cost, and how your category stays yours for the whole term. [/guide/is-a-12-month-board-ad-worth-it/ →](/guide/is-a-12-month-board-ad-worth-it/) Comparison Printed Community Boards vs Indoor Digital Screens Always-visible print or rotating screen ads? Compare visibility, category exclusivity and QR lead paths for indoor advertising in Salt Lake County. [/guide/printed-community-boards-vs-indoor-digital-screens/ →](/guide/printed-community-boards-vs-indoor-digital-screens/) Cost Guide Restaurant Board Advertising Cost in Utah: Yearly vs Monthly A Community Board spot is $600 per year or $60 per month, with design, QR code, printing, install and upkeep included. Compare the two options. [/guide/restaurant-board-advertising-cost-utah/ →](/guide/restaurant-board-advertising-cost-utah/) What to Expect What Happens After You Claim a Board Spot From claim to live board: category check, free ad design with QR code, your approval, then placement as host locations sign on. [/guide/what-happens-after-you-claim-a-board-spot/ →](/guide/what-happens-after-you-claim-a-board-spot/) Explainer What Is Community Board Advertising? A printed advertising board inside busy local restaurants and businesses, seen by customers every day. How it works and how QR codes turn views into leads. [/guide/what-is-community-board-advertising/ →](/guide/what-is-community-board-advertising/) Is It a Fit? Which Local Businesses Get the Most From Restaurant Board Ads? Who gets the most from a board ad in Taylorsville, West Jordan and nearby cities: local service businesses that want repeat, everyday visibility. [/guide/best-businesses-for-restaurant-board-ads/ →](/guide/best-businesses-for-restaurant-board-ads/) ### Direct Mail and EDDM See Direct Mail [/direct-mail-eddm/ →](/direct-mail-eddm/) Comparison Do You Need a Mailing List? EDDM Saturation Mail vs Targeted List Mail Every-door saturation mail or named-recipient list mail? Compare reach, cost drivers and fit for neighborhood service businesses. [/guide/eddm-vs-mailing-list-direct-mail/ →](/guide/eddm-vs-mailing-list-direct-mail/) How It Works Planning a Solo EDDM Campaign: Routes, Design, Print and Mail A step-by-step plan for your own EDDM postcard: pick routes, design the piece and offer, print, and drop off with USPS. Request a quote. [/guide/how-to-plan-a-solo-eddm-campaign/ →](/guide/how-to-plan-a-solo-eddm-campaign/) Explainer What Is EDDM? Every Door Direct Mail Explained for Local Businesses USPS Every Door Direct Mail delivers to every address on a route without a mailing list. How it works, flat-size rules, and when it fits a local business. [/guide/what-is-every-door-direct-mail/ →](/guide/what-is-every-door-direct-mail/) Topic ## Printing Business cards, door hangers, car magnets, yard signs, flyers and more. ### Business Cards See Business Cards [/business-cards/ →](/business-cards/) Explainer Business Card Paper and Finish Options Explained Card weight, matte versus gloss and other finishes explained, with the tradeoffs for a local service business. Options are confirmed at quote. [/guide/business-card-paper-and-finish-options/ →](/guide/business-card-paper-and-finish-options/) How It Works What to Put on a Business Card for a Local Service Business A simple checklist for a local service business card: name, phone, service area, website, an optional Google review QR code, and readable type. [/guide/what-to-put-on-a-business-card/ →](/guide/what-to-put-on-a-business-card/) ### Door Hangers See Door Hangers [/door-hangers/ →](/door-hangers/) Comparison Door Hangers vs Postcards for Reaching Homeowners Hand delivery or the mailbox? Compare labor, postage and street-level targeting, and see when a shared Community Postcard is the simpler choice. [/guide/door-hangers-vs-postcards/ →](/guide/door-hangers-vs-postcards/) Common Concern Where You Can and Can't Hang Door Hangers (Never the Mailbox) Door hangers go on doors, never in or on mailboxes, which federal law reserves for postage-paid mail. Plus no-soliciting signs and local rules. [/guide/where-you-can-hang-door-hangers/ →](/guide/where-you-can-hang-door-hangers/) ### Car Magnets See Car Magnets [/car-magnets/ →](/car-magnets/) Common Concern Do Car Magnets Damage Paint? Care and Removal Tips Car magnets are safe when cared for: use clean flat surfaces, remove and clean them often, and watch for winter road grime on Utah roads. [/guide/do-car-magnets-damage-paint/ →](/guide/do-car-magnets-damage-paint/) ### Yard Signs See Yard Signs [/yard-signs/ →](/yard-signs/) How It Works Yard Sign Design: What People Can Read From the Street Make yard signs readable at driving speed: few words, a big phone number, strong contrast and a sensible logo size. Design help available. [/guide/yard-sign-design-tips/ →](/guide/yard-sign-design-tips/) ### Flyers See Flyers [/flyers/ →](/flyers/) Comparison Flyers vs Rack Cards vs Brochures: Which Print Piece Fits? Compare the three handout formats by size, where each is displayed and how much they can say, so you print the right piece for the job. [/guide/flyers-vs-rack-cards-vs-brochures/ →](/guide/flyers-vs-rack-cards-vs-brochures/) Topic ## Digital Marketing Websites, missed-call text-back, reviews, local SEO and Google ads. ### The Spotlight System See Spotlight System [/spotlight-system/ →](/spotlight-system/) Comparison All-in-One System vs Hiring a Web Designer, SEO and Software Separately One bundle with one contact, or a web designer, SEO firm and software subscriptions on their own? Compare setup speed, contacts and monthly cost. [/guide/all-in-one-marketing-system-vs-separate-vendors/ →](/guide/all-in-one-marketing-system-vs-separate-vendors/) What to Expect From Demo Call to Launch: What Happens in the 7 to 10 Day Build A 20-minute demo call, a 7 to 10 day build, then a 25-minute launch call. What happens at each step and what we need from you. [/guide/what-happens-after-your-demo-call/ →](/guide/what-happens-after-your-demo-call/) Is It a Fit? Is the Spotlight System Right for an Owner-Operated Business? Signs it fits: you miss calls on jobs, have few reviews, or your website is weak or missing. And when the Growth plan fits better. [/guide/is-the-spotlight-system-right-for-you/ →](/guide/is-the-spotlight-system-right-for-you/) How It Works One Inbox for Calls, Texts, Web Chat and Social Messages: How It Works Calls, texts, web chat and social messages land in one place with a business phone number, so you reply from one app instead of five. [/guide/how-a-unified-inbox-works/ →](/guide/how-a-unified-inbox-works/) Choosing Spotlight, Growth or Dominate: Which Plan Fits Your Business? Spotlight $249/mo, Growth from $449/mo, Dominate from $949/mo. See what each adds and which fits your business today. [/guide/spotlight-vs-growth-vs-dominate-plans/ →](/guide/spotlight-vs-growth-vs-dominate-plans/) Explainer What Is an All-in-One Marketing System for a Local Business? A website, lead capture, follow-up texts and review requests working in one place. What an all-in-one system includes and why it suits small teams. [/guide/what-is-an-all-in-one-marketing-system/ →](/guide/what-is-an-all-in-one-marketing-system/) ### Local SEO See Local SEO [/local-seo/ →](/local-seo/) How It Works Citations, Content and Backlinks: What Monthly Local SEO Work Includes The monthly work behind local SEO: consistent citations, local content, backlinks, Google Business Profile posts and a monthly report. [/guide/what-monthly-local-seo-includes/ →](/guide/what-monthly-local-seo-includes/) Comparison Local SEO vs Google Ads: Which Should a Local Business Start With? Speed versus compounding results: compare local SEO and Google Ads, ongoing spend, and when Growth or Dominate fits. [/guide/local-seo-vs-google-ads/ →](/guide/local-seo-vs-google-ads/) Explainer What Is Local SEO for a Service-Area Business? How businesses without a storefront rank on Google: Map Pack basics, hidden-address profiles, service-area pages and reviews. [/guide/what-is-local-seo-for-service-area-businesses/ →](/guide/what-is-local-seo-for-service-area-businesses/) ### Missed-Call Text-Back See Missed-Call Text-Back [/missed-call-text-back/ →](/missed-call-text-back/) Explainer How Missed-Call Text-Back Works Miss a call and the caller gets an automatic text right away, so the conversation keeps going. How it works, with a sample message. [/guide/how-missed-call-text-back-works/ →](/guide/how-missed-call-text-back-works/) Comparison Missed-Call Text-Back vs Voicemail vs an Answering Service Three ways to handle calls you can't take. Compare response speed, callers who prefer text, and whether the cost is included or separate. [/guide/missed-call-text-back-vs-voicemail-vs-answering-service/ →](/guide/missed-call-text-back-vs-voicemail-vs-answering-service/) ### Review Requests See Review Requests [/review-requests/ →](/review-requests/) How It Works How Automated Review Requests by Text and Email Work After each job, customers get a text and email with a one-tap link to your review page, plus a reminder. Here's how the workflow runs. [/guide/how-automated-review-requests-work/ →](/guide/how-automated-review-requests-work/) Common Concern Why We Ask Every Customer for a Review and Never Filter Negatives Google's policies bar selectively asking only happy customers for reviews. Why we ask everyone, and how to reply well to a negative review. [/guide/why-we-never-filter-negative-reviews/ →](/guide/why-we-never-filter-negative-reviews/) ### Google Business Profile Setup See Google Business Profile [/google-business-profile/ →](/google-business-profile/) Scenario Setting Up a Google Business Profile Without Showing Your Address For home-based and mobile businesses: set a service area, hide your address, list the cities you serve and get through verification. [/guide/google-business-profile-without-showing-address/ →](/guide/google-business-profile-without-showing-address/) Explainer What Google Business Profile Optimization Includes What a fully optimized profile has: the right categories, services, description, photos, hours and a review link. Setup is $199 one time. [/guide/google-business-profile-optimization-checklist/ →](/guide/google-business-profile-optimization-checklist/) ### Google Ads and PPC See Google Ads [/google-ads-ppc/ →](/google-ads-ppc/) Cost Guide Google Ads Management Cost in Utah: Management Fees vs Ad Spend Management fees and ad spend are two separate costs. Dominate starts from $949 per month with ad spend paid directly. What drives your budget. [/guide/google-ads-management-cost-utah/ →](/guide/google-ads-management-cost-utah/) Scenario Why Google Ads Should Send Clicks to a Landing Page, Not Your Homepage Why paid clicks belong on a focused landing page: message match, one call to action and click-to-call. Landing pages are part of Dominate. [/guide/google-ads-landing-page-vs-homepage/ →](/guide/google-ads-landing-page-vs-homepage/) ### Local Services Ads See Local Services Ads [/local-services-ads/ →](/local-services-ads/) Comparison Local Services Ads vs Google Ads: What's the Difference? Pay-per-lead vs pay-per-click: compare placement, billing, eligible trades, and when running both makes sense. [/guide/local-services-ads-vs-google-ads/ →](/guide/local-services-ads-vs-google-ads/) What to Expect Setting Up Local Services Ads: Verification and Screening Steps What to expect from Google's checks: business and license verification where required, insurance documents and profile review. Timing varies. [/guide/local-services-ads-verification-process/ →](/guide/local-services-ads-verification-process/) Still Have Questions? ## Talk to Tyler Directly Call (385) 360-1966, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or send a message. Contact Us [/contact/ →](/contact/) (385) 360-1966 [tel:+13853601966 →](tel:+13853601966)