Use cooperative advertising funds

Cooperative advertising, or co-op advertising, is a powerful way to stretch your marketing budget. It's an arrangement where a manufacturer or distributor shares the cost of advertising with a retailer.

Here's how it works:

• A large company, like a mattress manufacturer, will offer to pay for a portion of a retailer's advertising if the retailer mentions the manufacturer's brand in their ads.
• The retailer gets to run more advertising than they could otherwise afford, and the manufacturer gets more exposure for their brand.

Co-op advertising is a win-win for both parties. It allows small businesses to leverage the marketing budgets of large corporations, and it helps large corporations to increase their reach and sales.

To take advantage of co-op advertising, you should:

• Talk to your suppliers: Ask them if they have a co-op advertising program.
• Read the fine print: Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the program before you participate.
• Be proactive: If your suppliers don't have a co-op program, ask them to start one.

By using cooperative advertising funds, you can significantly reduce your marketing costs and get more bang for your buck.