Circulation

Southern Coastal BC? Island Tides has got it covered!

Advertise in Island Tides and let our unique regional newspaper introduce your business!

Every 2 weeks

• 18,000 print copies:
• in free-boxes and the mail, on ferries, and at ferry terminals, marinas, stores and coffee shops.
• 13,800 are delivered straight into Islands mailboxes!

Let Island Tides introduce your business!

Coastal BC from coast to coast to coast!

Call or email Christa Grace-Warrick to get your ad into print!
250.629.3660 or islandtides@islandtides.com

Strai(gh)t Talk on Advertising

Island Tides has worked out a formula that offers unbeatable value for your advertising; high visibility, Strait of Georgia-wide distribution, every second week publication and prepayment discounts.

Here are the details of how it works—we'll start with some basics...

There are six things you should consider when buying advertising. The first four are the market covered, column inch rate, cost per thousand and discounts. A publication's rate card should tell you all four. Two other things to find out about are visibility and availability.

1. Market—Who Sees Your Advertising?

• How many people?
• Where?
• What kinds of people?

Once you know the answers you will be able to judge if this is a market you want to reach. Or, if this market is one you already have covered, is the new advertising a better deal?—more about figuring out if it’s a better deal below in ‘3. Cost per Thousand (cost per '000).'

2. Column Inch Rate: The Basic Pricing Unit

• A column inch is a newspaper’s basic selling unit. (Magazines are different, they use fractions of a page, eg. 1⁄8 page, 1⁄4page etc.)
• A column inch is 1 inch deep and the width of one column in the publication. This is not always easy to tell from looking at the newspaper because display advertisements will usually be more than one column wide. Looking at the classifieds will usually show how wide one column is.
• You buy your advertising by the number of ‘column inches’.
• For example, 2 columns wide x 3 inches deep = 6 column inches or 3 columns wide by 5 inches deep = 15 column inches

3. Cost Per Thousand (Cost per '000): Comparing Apples to Apples

• Advertising value rests in how many potential customers see your advertisement for the amount of money you are paying.
• How do you compare apples to apples when you are choosing advertising? The industry has an ingenious measurement called ‘cost per thousand copies’ (cost per '000).
• You take the cost of the basic unit (col. in.) in the publications you are considering and divide it by the number of copies printed.
• Do this for each of the publications. The resulting dollar amounts are the only way to compare costs in a business-like way.
• The lowest cost per thousand copies is the winner!

4. Discounts: Now or Later?

Publications usually offer discounts for multiple numbers of ads.

• They may offer this as a cash discount up front for the ads you want to book.
• They may tack on extra ads at the end.

If all that wasn’t enough to absorb… now we come to two more important considerations when buying advertising: Visibilty + Availability.

5. Visibilty: Too Many Pages … Too Few Copies?

• Most people lose interest in a newspaper at about page 12 or they begin reading by turning to a specific section. What if your ad is beyond page 12, or not close to that section?
• This is where small is beautiful. In a compact publication like Island Tides your business is highly visible. Your ad is not missed because there are so many pages. The ideal combination to look for is less pages, more copies.
• And remember, the fatter the newspaper the bigger your ad must be to be seen. So you have to buy more column inches to be visible. You will need to factor this into your ‘cost per '000’.
• Here’s another thing to consider in making a decision to buy advertising. Does too much graphic work in the news part of the page compete with the advertising?

6. Is your advertisement readily available?

• Do people have to find change to open a box to find your advertisement?
• Or do they have to search for it in a store?
• At how many locations is your advertisement available?
• How many copies are stocked? Remember a stack of thicker papers may look impressive but it actually contains far less copies, which means less copies of your advertisement.
• Remember, too, outdoor boxes give far better visibility than cluttered counters.

Island Tides' Winning Four-Point Formula

1. Winning Cost Per Thousand!

• We print 17,500 copies each edition.

2. Large Cash Discounts

• We offer large cash discounts (up to 30%) upon prepayment of an ad series.

3. Double the Shelf Life

• How often do you have to buy an advertisement to stay current? Is your ad history after a week? Are you faced with paying for your ad every week to be seen? Factor this into your cost per '000 for long term coverage—multiply your cost by 2 for any weeklies you are looking at!
• At Island Tides we publish every second week. Island Tides will be championing your business for twice as long. That’s like ‘buy one-get one free’ on top of the discounts!

4. High Visibility!

• We keep Island Tides compact so that your business can’t be missed in too many pages. And you do not have to buy a big ad to be noticed.
  Plus, we have Strait of Georgia-wide circulation:
  • We mail Island Tides to every household (13,800 copies) on the Southern Islands and Northern Islands free of charge. But that’s only part of story!
  • Island Tides is available at 60+ points across the Strait of Georgia.
  • At these location Island Tides' bright yellow free-boxes are situated for high visibility.
  • Another plus is that, for regular advertisers, your website link is right on Island Tides' home page. Our website has 3,000 readers each month.

We Give Your Ad:
First class availability!
High visibility!
Unbeatable cost per thousand!
Isn’t it time you joined us?

Call or email Christa Grace-Warrick to get your ad into print!
250.629.3660 or islandtides@islandtides.com

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Readership Profile

Island Tides is the community paper for residents of the legendary ‘Salish Sea’ area. Island Tides introduces readers to the magic of the region: west coast lifestyle, arts and crafts, events, shopping, restaurants, attractions, where to stay… and real estate for those who dream of staying a little longer!

Island Tides is delivered to Gulf Island homes, coast-to-coast-to-coast. In addition, it is available in free boxes in towns and villages and ferry terminals on the eastern seaboard of Vancouver Island. It is also available aboard a number of BC ferries.

The entire region has a constant influx of newcomers needing to find products and services for their new life in Canada’s Shangrila. Let yours be the first business they see!

Our growing population of well-heeled empty-nesters, celebrities, and professionals working from home—as well as young families looking for a healthier way-of-life, is an exciting market. Many retired and semi-retired Americans come to build their homes in our west coast paradise. ‘Green’ is a key interest of Islanders.

In this desirable and affluent area, nestled in the Strait of Georgia, the property market, new construction and renovation continue to boom. All services and products to do with home, garden, health, leisure, eco-sports gear, vacations, money management, and the ‘good life’ are of high interest to our readers.

Islanders enjoy their weekly shopping trips to Sidney, Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville and Campbell River. Between times, they also like to shop by web, phone and mail-order. They are always on the look-out for events and activities for their many visitors.

The Southern Gulf Islands is Canada’s newest national park. Islanders have year-round visitors in ever-growing numbers. Visitors enjoy tourist attractions on Vancouver Island and stay to shop for property.

Introduce your products and services to these shoppers!

Be on their ‘phone first’ and ‘going-to-town’ lists!

Capture loyal customers!

Increase your website traffic!

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Testimonials

Three great newspapers one of them is free!

Today's edition of Island Tides is outstanding. . . from topics to photos!

– Island Tides Toronto Reader

Please convey to Mr. Brown my interest and pleasure in reading his columns as they appear in Island Tides. Not for him are the yawnful happenings of our so-called bucolic Gulf Islands-he launches full scale, well researched and tuneful intellectual attacks on the institutions that we, the people, embrace, with apathy, or default. I wish to assure Mr Brown that he is eminently readable.

– Island Tides Salt Spring Reader

Good write-up on the Galiano bylaw process! Plus other great articles as always. A group of us were discussing Island Tides with great admiration yesterday.

– Island Tides Hornby Reader

Our ad in the Island Tides actually produced the most calls for us so thank you very much for having such a great far reaching paper

– Island Tides Mill Bay advertiser

Just want to let everyone at Island Tides know that I think you are doing an absolutely fabulous job and I am SO glad you are here.

– Island Tides Comox Reader

I wanted to mention that I truly love the Island Tides. As a newcomer to the gulf islands I'm very grateful that we have the benefits of such a high quality and insightful local publication. Thank you to all those who make it happen.

– Island Tides Salt Spring Reader

You are still the best publication I've ever seen! Thanks for keeping the reality of things in the forefront of your newspaper!

– Island Tides Salt Spring Reader

The Show this weekend was a resounding success! We had over 2,000 people come in - up from just shy of 1,200 last year! We are pretty pleased. I like to think that Island Tides had a part in this.

– Island Tides Vancouver Island Organizer

Thank you, for Island Tides. It is a very important communication for our islands.

– Island Tides Pender Reader

I pick up your paper when I go into Sidney and catch up on your great editorials, the one in this issue is so good and is absolutely what needs to be said.

– Island Tides North Saanich Reader

Wow, what an edition respecting Galiano, thanks. Also, I wanted to say I thought the cover photo of the plane and barge in the previous edition was just incredible. I couldn't stop looking at it every time I saw the paper

– Island Tides Galiano Reader

I am an avid reader of all items in Island Tides, which reminds me that a cheque will be sent tomorrow for my Sidney box voluntary subscription.

– Island Tides North Saanich Reader

The ad in your paper has been the best choice we could have made to market our product. We have received more response from your paper, than any other advertising we have tried. Thank you.

– Island Tides Service Advertiser

– Island Tides Gulf Islands' Reader

Excellent Tides issue! You do have a way with words, telling it the way it is plus providing a giggle or two along the way! The report on the public hearing was very well done and accurate to the letter! Very much appreciated all around!

– Island Tides North Pender Reader

'No I won't be needing any more ads. Thanks to our Island Tides ad we have an offer on our property and more lined up!'

– Vancouver Island Private Homeseller

I cannot praise your in-depth coverage of issues enough! Your paper is an island of sanity amidst chaos.

– Island Tides Central Saanich Reader

Our clients are thrilled with the ad.

– Saanich real estate agent

Absolutely fantastic Island Tides and excellent articles and, as always, Patrick, your articles sure get the word out in the most appropriate and informative way!

– Island Tides North Pender Reader

I wanted to tell you how delighted I am at the response I am receiving. You know, people really DO read Island Tides. Thank you for the brilliant work you do.

– Island Tides Gabriola Reader

Thanks very much for giving me and those others who are far away, the opportunity of keeping in touch.

– Island Tides Canadian Reader in China

Hooray for the Island Tides, which has raised the TILMA issue and brought it - at the beginning almost single-handedly - to the attention of the whole west coast!!! If there was ever a better proof of the importance of independent media, I haven’t heard it.

– Island Tides Gabriola Reader

Yes, I want to renew my advertising. People really read Island Tides.

– Island Tides Vancouver Advertiser

The Island Tides' website is very impressive. How Island Tides can exceed the meaningful content of the Sun, Province, and Times Colonist amazes me.

– Island Tides Logan Lake Reader

I am chairing the organizing committee of the upcoming forum on TILMA in Nanaimo I am looking for a couple of hard hitting articles to use as hand outs. I think Patrick Brown’s ‘Trojan Horse’ article is the most pointed I have read so far in outlining the real ramifications of this kind of trade deal.

– Island Tides Gabriola Reader

I really appreciate the Tides’ clear, well-written coverage of issues. In fact I depend upon it.

– Island Tides Salt Spring Reader

It's a pleasure to be slightly involved with such a first-class little paper. We're also pleased to notice that people are picking up more Island Tides than ever before.

–Gabriola Island Advertiser

Well, they have done it again. Islands Tides has produced another excellent edition and once again some articles have so much food for thought that they require a second reading. Long may they run.

–Gabriola Island Reader

Our sincere thanks for all the excellent coverage of local news and opinions as well as an unbiased perspective on global news. Without Island Tides we would not have that balanced coverage. Look forward to another year of keeping us informed.

–Island Tides Reader

It [the ad] looks great and I must complement you on your efficiency. You beat any other newspaper or media I've ever dealt with.

– Island Tides Advertiser

Just a note to thank-you for the nice ad...we have gotten responses from as far away as Surrey, so it has been noticed.

– Island Tides Advertiser

I just wanted to let you know that the Tides is going fast and furious on Gabriola. When I get my bundle, I distribute to: ferry waiting rooms, ferry lounge, local cappuccino bar, local library, and health food store/restaurant. I've had many comments about what a great little paper it is, and people are now coming up to me to see if I'm distributing the Island Tides that day.

–Gabriola Island Reader

Thanks again...I have had two promising calls and will be doing some estimates on Salt Spring in the next week or two.

– Island Tides Vancouver Trades Advertiser

Yet another absolutely fantastic Island Tides! Thanks for all you do for the community—you offer and give an excellent service and I know many of us truly appreciate it!

– Island Tides Reader

Not all media have so much advertising information on their website. You have the whole package, it’s was very convenient—no waiting for call backs.

– Island Tides Advertiser

Great little paper you are putting out! Thanks for all your effort. We get it every couple of weeks here in Bowser and everybody loves it! Keep up the good work!

– Island Tides Reader

Go ahead with our renewal. It’s the only advertsing we need. I’ve got rid of one phone book. We’re swamped—it’s wonderful!

– Island Tides Victoria Trades Advertiser

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Rates

Display Ads: Business Card Size and Up

We are one stop shopping, coast to coast for the Salish Sea (aka Strait of Georgia)!

Add HST to all prices, please.

• Colour: $31.80 per column inch
• Black + White: $22.26 per column inch

• Colour: $2.27 gross, $1.92 net
• Black + White: $1.59 gross, $1.35 net

Get a Discount for Pre-Payment on Multi-Insertion Ads

• 4 issues: 10-20%, depending on ad size
• 8 issues: 20-30%, depending on ad size

Get a Discount for Pre-Payment on Large One-Time Ads

• Colour Prepaid One-time 1/4 page:
  $585.12.00 +hst (includes 20% discount)
• Colour Prepaid One-time 1/2 page:
  $1023.96 +hst (includes 30% discount)
• Colour Prepaid One-time Full page:
  $1831.68 +hst (includes 40% discount)
• B+W Prepaid One-time 1/4 page:
  $409.58 +hst (includes 20% discount)
• B+W Prepaid One-time 1/2 page:
  $716.77 +hst (includes 30% discount)
• B+W Prepaid One-time Full page:
  $1282.18 +hst (includes 40% discount)

One-Column 'Bulletin Board' and 'Attractions & Accommodation' Ads

Full Colour

Get a Discount for Prepayment on Multi-Issue Series

• 8 issues: 10-15%
• 12 issues: 15-25%

Black & White

Get a Discount for Prepayment on Multi-Issue Series

• 8 issues: 10-15%
• 12 issues: 15-25%

Word Ads (Classifieds)