How to craft magazine ads that grab attention & get results
Magazine advertising can be highly effective – if done right.
Whether you’re advertising in glossy lifestyle magazines, niche publications, or local magazines like RH Uncovered, following best practice ensures your adverts achieve results and provide maximum return on investment (ROI).
Do’s and don’ts of magazine advertising
While there’s no single rule for success, these essential tips will help your advert get noticed:
Do:
Don't:
Why strong visuals matter
In magazine advertising, images are crucial – they capture attention and are remembered longer than words alone. Choose images that represent your brand and build trust, whether that’s a friendly photo of your team or trust-building logos like Trustpilot.
Crafting compelling ad copy
Great adverts balance strong visuals with impactful words. Keep your text brief and straightforward. Use questions or bold headlines to engage, then clearly explain how your business helps solve readers’ problems or meet their needs.
Always include a clear call to action
A strong call to action (CTA) guides readers to the next step. Whether it’s “Visit our website,” “Call today,” or “Book a free consultation,” a clear CTA significantly increases responses.
Essential contact information
Make it easy for people to contact you. Always include:
Benefits of long-term magazine ads
Consistent advertising builds brand recognition and trust. Readers who see your advert repeatedly are more likely to remember and recall your business when they need it.
In fact, 64% of RH Uncovered readers keep the magazine for at least two weeks, providing multiple exposures. Repeated adverts strengthen your community presence and enhance familiarity.
How to measure your advertising success
Measuring your advert’s performance is essential to understanding what works best. Consider using:
Monitor these to evaluate results and refine future adverts, maximising ROI.
In Summary
Best practice for magazine advertising involves understanding your space, using strong visuals and concise copy, adding a clear CTA, and regularly tracking results. Done well, magazine advertising effectively connects you with local audiences, builds credibility, and drives growth.
Read more about magazine advertising
What our advertisers say
Adverts are working brilliantly, keeping me very busy
“The day the advert goes out I know straight away when the magazines are being delivered as my phone starts ringing – some days every 5 minutes! I personally have had days when I have received 10-15 leads.”
A one-stop-shop to reach the entire geographic area
“RH Uncovered was ideal as it essentially offered me a one-stop-shop to reach the entire geographic area I needed with a multi-channel approach”
We’ve seen great results and appreciate the extra support we’ve received
“Advertising with RH Uncovered has been a valuable way for us to promote concerts and recruit new members. The direct delivery to homes gives our ads a better chance of being seen compared to other local magazines. We’ve seen great results and appreciate the extra support we’ve received, like social media shares and featuring our events in the ‘What’s On?’ section.”
The phone just didn’t stop ringing
“I’m no good at advertising, so I gave RH Uncovered the basics, and they came back with a great advert design. The process was so painless – they sent me the artwork for approval, made tweaks when needed – they just got on with it for me”
Adverts are working brilliantly, keeping me very busy
“The day the advert goes out I know straight away when the magazines are being delivered as my phone starts ringing – some days every 5 minutes! I personally have had days when I have received 10-15 leads.”
A one-stop-shop to reach the entire geographic area
“RH Uncovered was ideal as it essentially offered me a one-stop-shop to reach the entire geographic area I needed with a multi-channel approach”
We’ve seen great results and appreciate the extra support we’ve received
“Advertising with RH Uncovered has been a valuable way for us to promote concerts and recruit new members. The direct delivery to homes gives our ads a better chance of being seen compared to other local magazines. We’ve seen great results and appreciate the extra support we’ve received, like social media shares and featuring our events in the ‘What’s On?’ section.”
The phone just didn’t stop ringing
“I’m no good at advertising, so I gave RH Uncovered the basics, and they came back with a great advert design. The process was so painless – they sent me the artwork for approval, made tweaks when needed – they just got on with it for me”