Why do I need a media representative?

As with other industries, a knowledgeable and aggressive agent can provide media leadership and direction while saving you time, money, mistakes and a great deal of frustration. Someone in the industry who knows your needs and what you are looking for can keep you up to date on opportunities as they become available. We will place your programming or advertising where you will obtain the best response for your ministry or advertising dollar.

What will using a media representative cost me?

Because stations discount time to agency representatives, we can provide our service at no cost to you. Our commission comes from the discount allowed us by the station. It is not going to cost you any more to use the services of Vision Media than if you purchased time from the station yourself. In the package comes all of the additional representation benefits that Vision Media provides.

How important is experience in the negotiating process?

Experience is invaluable when it comes to negotiating for the lowest rates. Being able to position yourself for your client and to politely and yet boldly and confidently request a lower rate is important. More importantly, to be able to adequately explain why a rate reduction is necessary and to be able to communicate these reasons properly is essential.

Are you being kept up to date on new media opportunities as they become available?

Opportunities normally have a time limitation. Generally, the better the opportunity, the shorter the time availability. Good deals go fast.

Some questions you may ask yourself about your media needs are:

• How are airtime market values determined?

• What is a fair rate increase? When is a rate increase justified, when is it not?

• Once on the station, do you have someone who can fight to keep your rates low?

• What should you do when a station decides to move your program to a different time period?

• What recourse do you have when a station determines your program must go off?

• What do you do if your viewership is too low? Do you have someone to work with the station?

• Will the station air promotional announcements at their cost? How many per week?

• Do you have someone ensuring that your promotional spots are being aired as agreed upon?

• How can it be determined whether a television station is giving you the adequate exposure you need in a given market?

• Billing errors do occur. Will someone watchfully monitor your account for errors before they become serious?

• Does the person overseeing your account care about it as though it were their own account and money?

If you answer "no" or "don't know" to the above questions, contact us. We can help you in all of these areas, at no cost to you.

Copyright 1999 by Vision Media International