How quickly the millennials have grown up.

According to Nielsen, 55% of all Tampa Bay parents with children under the age of 18 are millennials.  

From the time their kids are born until they reach they are 17, these young parents will, spend, on average, $233,000 per child. This does not include the cost of college.

Currently, there are 621,198 children under the age of 18 living in Tampa Bay. That means the local millennial-parenting economy is worth upwards of $144 billion. These dollars are being spent, among other things, on diapers, daycare, transportation, toys, education, electronics, clothing, and health care.

For Tampa Bay small business owners interested in competing for a substantial portion of this multi-billion dollar pool of parental cash, they must advertise to millennial moms and dads. By almost any measurement, advertising on Tampa radio is the best way to reach this audience.

March is the biggest single month for used car sales in Tampa Bay. During these 31 days alone, local pre-owned vehicle dealers are expected to bring in $121 million in sales. This will represent 10% of their annual revenue.

By the end of May, these dealers owners will sell more than $336 million worth of pre-owned cars and trucks. This, undoubtedly, makes March-May 'used car season' in Tampa Bay.

Although most Tampa area used car dealers are small business owners, they do really big business. In all, over the next 12 months, more than 415,000 pre-owned vehicles will be driven off their lots.

To capture a larger share of the area's $1.2 billion used car market requires pre-owned vehicle dealers to advertise. By any measure, the best way for these business owners to advertise is on Tampa radio.

As Valentine's Day sales begin to dwindle, that's when Tampa Bay small business owners start thinking about Mom.

Mother's Day, which happens on the second Sunday of May, is second only to Christmas in terms of holiday spending. Last year, Tampa Bay consumers spent more than $253-million celebrating the women in their lives. That number is expected to grow again in 2020.

To claim a significant share of this Mother's Day cash, local retailers and restaurants will need to advertise.  By almost every key metric, advertising on Tampa radio is the best choice.

If you were one of the 2,193,604 consumers who tuned-in to a Tampa radio station last week, then chances are you heard at least one commercial from GEICO, Progressive, or Liberty Mutual. That's because insurance is big business in Tampa.

Each year, Tampa Bay consumers spend $4.4 billion to insure their homes and cars. That's almost $1500 for every area adult.

There is good news and bad news for the 5600 local insurance agents who are competing to earn a substantial share of the home and auto premiums consumers are paying.

According to Nielsen, 258,000 policyholders in Tampa Bay are planning to switch insurance providers during the next 12 months.

Low unemployment, a boom in housing starts, and confident consumers are propelling robust sales for Tampa Bay furniture stores.

In 2019, local consumers in the Tampa area spent $1.3 billion on furniture and home furnishing. This number is expected to grow.

Based on estimates developed by Furniture Today’s Strategic Insights team and Easy Analytic Software Inc. (EASI), the total furniture and bedding market is projected to expand by more than 22% by 2024.

If a Tampa Bay small business owner who sells furniture, furnishings, or home decor would like to grab a larger share of this expanding market, then advertising is necessary.  By almost every key metric, advertising on local radio is a sound marketing investment.

Small business owners have been advertising on Tampa radio since the first station, WDAE, went on the air in 1922.  By almost every metric, the medium remains the best way to successfully market goods and services to local consumers.

Before  Tampa Bay businesses finalize their marketing plans for this year, here are five facts they should know about radio advertising.

Tampa Bay consumers cannot get enough pizza.

In 2012, there were just about 1000 local pizza restaurants. Today, however, that number has grown to 1,139. In 2019, these establishments racked up $534,000,000 in total sales.

Fifty-nine percent of pizza sales in Tampa Bay are rung-up by one of the top-50 chains like Domino's or Pizza Hut. The remaining 41% of revenue is controlled by independent, small business owners.

To compete for a larger share of the pizza pie in the Tampa area requires local restaurant owners to bring in new customers. A proven way to accomplish this is with advertising.

The US Small Business Administration recommends that every Tampa Bay small business advertise consistently.  

Consumers in Tampa Bay spent a record $3.9 billion on home improvements in 2019. This level of spending is projected to drop modestly next year, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

“Declining home sales and home-building activity coupled with slower gains in permitting for improvement projects will put the brakes on remodeling growth,” says Chris Herbert, the center’s managing director.

“However, if falling mortgage interest rates continue to incentivize home sales, refinancing, and ultimately remodeling activity, the slowdown may soften some.”

If  Tampa Bay small businesses that sell home improvement products and services would like to continue to grow despite the softening market, then advertising will be required.

For Tampa Bay business owners who depend on Valentine's Day to spike first-quarter sales, this year could be a battle as the decline in celebrants is expected to continue.

Based on estimates from the National Retail Federation, 1.5 million Tampa Bay consumers will be participating in the holiday this year. This is 20% fewer than ten years ago.

There is good news, however, for Tampa area business owners. Although there are will be fewer customers, local Valentine's Day spending is expected to grow to $248-million. This is 28% higher than a decade ago.

So, how does a Tampa Bay retailer or restaurant win the battle for the hearts and wallets of romantic consumers?  Advertising is a necessary weapon to win this war.

No weapon is as potent as advertising on Tampa radio.

When Tampa Bay consumers make their New Year's resolutions, many will have money on their minds.

A new study by Fidelity Investments finds that 67% of adults are considering a financial resolution for 2020. This is 10% more than last year.

The top financial resolution, among those considering one, is, 'saving more'. The study found that, when asked to choose, a vast majority of consumers would rather save $5000 than lose five pounds.

This fervor for finance is excellent news for Tampa Bay small business owners who cater to savers and investors. This includes financial advisors, insurance agents, bankers, accountants, and mortgage brokers.

To compete for a fair share of these resolution dollars requires business owners to advertise. By any metric, the best way to reach potential savers and investors is on Tampa radio.