Think TV, radio, and newspaper advertising is too pricey for your small business?

That may be true most of the year, but during the first months of the year ad revenues drop way off. Big media are looking everywhere they can to sell advertising. And that means lower rates and special deals.

Keep in mind that media advertising is not priced like items at a department store. Rates are flexible. The ad cost that a media sales representative quotes you may be higher than what 80% of their clients are paying.

Ask for a lower rate. Find out if you can get special low rates for buying multiple ads or commercials at different times of the day.

Some media outlets offer packages that include trips and vacations this time of year. Many small businesses find that they can get the advertising they want AND get a trip to Hawaii.

And remember, just because customers may not be buying as much in the first months of the year, they are still using media and thinking about purchases for the months ahead.