Me: Alexa, how many consumers In Southwest Florida have access to a smart speaker?

Alexa: According to a recent Nielsen study, 283,828 Fort Myers adults own a smart speaker. This is 28.8% of the local population.*

Me: Alexa, what exactly is a smart speaker?

Alexa: According to Wikipedia, A smart speaker is a type of loudspeaker and voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant that offers interactive actions and hands-free activation with the help of one "hot word" (or several "hot words"). Some smart speakers can also act as a smart device that utilizes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other protocol standards to extend usage beyond audio playback, such as to control home automation devices. This can include, but is not limited to, features such as compatibility across a number of services and platforms, peer-to-peer connection through mesh networking, virtual assistants, and others. Each can have its own designated interface and features in-house, usually launched or controlled via application or home automation software. Some smart speakers also include a screen to show the user a visual response.

Me: Alexa, what brand of smart speakers are Fort Myers consumers likely to own?

Ask any Southwest Florida small business owner how to measure the success of an advertising campaign. The answer will almost always 'sales.'

According to Nielsen research, the media-element of a campaign that has the most significant effect on sales is reach. This is the number of different people exposed to the advertiser's message.

There are more ways than ever to advertise. But, which of those options has the largest reach among SWFL consumers?

Doug Schoen, an advertising professional with 35 years of experience, writes in Forbes: "You wouldn’t know it from all the media coverage focused on streaming video and streaming music, but radio actually has the most reach among American media consumers. 93% of adults listen to the radio each week as compared to 87% who watch TV, a substantive difference."

By April 15th next year, 428,000 residents of Southwest Florida will file a tax return.  More than 53% of these returns will be completed by the taxpayers themselves, either by hand or with the help of an online provider like Turbotax.

Every season, SWFL small business owners who specialize in tax preparation services lose customers to the do-it-yourself options.  This year, 199,855 local consumers will spend $38,500,000 with professionals. But, based on the average cost of services, more than $44,100,000 will stay in the wallets of the DIY crowd.

To clawback this enormous amount of money from the DIY market, SWFL tax services will need to advertise the valuable benefits of using a professional.

The best advertising option for professional tax professionals is on Fort Myers radio stations. Here's why.

Advertising is critical to the growth and ultimate success of a Southwest Florida small business. The U.S. Small Business Administration recommends that mature businesses should budget 7-8% of its annual income for advertising the company's goods and services. 

Businesses that are in an early growth phase, however, should plan on investing 10-12%.  Start-up companies that may not yet be familiar to their target consumers should consider investing even a larger percentage.

Deloitte, the world's largest business consulting firm, recommends that "radio advertising should be a big part of the mix for those buying advertising."

Southwest Florida small businesses that sell products or services to pet owners should sit up and take notice.  Local consumers will spend $268,247,000 this year on behalf of Fido and Fluffy. This amount has increased 323% since 1994, with no sign of letting up.

According to the American Pet Products Association, here's how spending on furry companions breaks down:

• Food: $109,981,000
• Supplies/OTC Medicine: $59,014,000
• Vet Care: $67,061,000
• Live Pet Purchases: $8.047,000
• Other Services: $24,142,000

The biggest month for sales of pet-related products and services in SWFL is, by far, December. That is when 10.5% of all annual spending happens in this category.

Southwest Florida consumers are expected to spend $2.7 billion during this year's holiday shopping season, based on predictions by The National Retail Federation.  This would be a 4% increase over last year.

Deloitte, one of the world's top four accounting firms, forecasts similar growth.

"The projected holiday season growth is, in part, due to the current health of the labor market,” said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte's U.S. economic forecaster. “Near record-low unemployment rates, coupled with continued monthly job creation, may encourage people to spend more during the holiday season. The economy is still growing, albeit at a slower rate. Additionally, we continue to see consumer confidence elevated, which also helps boost holiday spending."

For most SWFL retailers, holiday spending brings in about 20% of annual sales But, long gone are the days when the bulk of this shopping occurred between Black Friday and Christmas.

Every once in a while, radio advertising fails.

There can be no debate, though, when implemented correctly, advertising on Fort Myers radio works, and works well.

Naples Nissan had been a fixture in Southwest Florida for many years before Mr. Walker took over four years ago. "The previous owner," he explains, "had been selling, on average, 110 new and used vehicles a month. Because of the way we consistently market our dealership on the radio, we now sell 300 cars per month."

Mr. Walker knows that his radio ads are effective. "If we are ever off the air for a few days, my sales managers notice a significant dip in customer traffic."

Every vote counts.  Many times the difference between winning an election and losing is a handful of ballots. This is true in races for almost every elected office, referendum, and issue on the national, statewide, and local level.

To win a modern election requires advertising. Successful advertising requires reach. In Southwest Florida, the most potent way to reach voters is on local radio.

Last week, for instance, 92% of all registered voters in Lee and Colliers County tuned-in to a Fort Myers radio station.  This is significantly more than were reached by local TV, local newspaper, or the major social media site like Facebook and Instagram.

Next year, according to Nielsen, 52,438 people in Southwest Florida will be getting married.  Assuming that those folks are hitching-up with each other, that means there will be 26,192 weddings. 

CostOfWedding.com reports that the average cost for these pending nuptials will be $27,209 including (but not limited to) rings, dresses, tuxedos, flowers, venues, photographers, invitations, limos, and rice (or birdseed for the ecologically inclined).

This means small business owners in the Fort Myers-Naples area who cater to the bridal market will be competing for a share of $712 million.