Newspaper advertising remains a trusted method for reaching readers across India. From local announcements to national brand promotions, print ads are still considered one of the most credible forms of communication.
For individuals and businesses approaching print media for the first time, questions often arise about formats and pricing. Today, we aim to explain how to give advertisements in newspapers for first-time advertisers.
Why Choose Advertising in Newspapers?
Many households still start their day with printed paper, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Advertising in newspapers also builds trust. Public notices such as name change ads, legal declarations, property announcements, and government tenders often require newspaper publication to be considered valid.
Businesses benefit too, as regional papers help reach local buyers without high digital competition.
Another reason advertisers prefer newspapers is targeting. City editions, language choices, and category-based classified sections allow messages to reach the right audience at the right location.
What Are The Different Types of Newspaper Advertisements?
Before deciding how to give advertisements in a newspaper, you need to understand the available advertisement formats. Selecting the right format improves response and avoids unnecessary spending.
#1 Classified Text Advertisements
Classified text ads remain the most widely used format in Indian newspapers. These ads appear in dedicated sections such as Public Notice, Matrimonial, Recruitment, Property, and Tenders.
They are text-only and charged by word count, line count, or standard units, depending on the publication.
People learning how to give ads in newspapers often begin with classified text ads because they are affordable and easy to publish. Common uses include name change notices, lost document announcements, legal declarations, and small job vacancies.
#2 Classified Display Advertisements
Classified display ads offer a visual upgrade within the classified section. These ads allow borders, logos, background shading, and sometimes small images. Charges are calculated per square centimetre.
Businesses that want closer attention while staying within a limited budget often prefer this option. Many small traders, coaching centres, and service providers choose classified display ads since templates are easily available through booking portals.
#3 Display Advertisements
Display ads appear outside the classified section and can be placed on inner pages, special supplements, or premium pages. These ads allow images, colour, headlines, and branding elements.
Large businesses, real estate developers, automobile dealers, and retail brands rely on display ads for strong visibility.
When planning advertising in newspapers for promotions or brand-building, display ads offer better recall, especially in weekend editions and festival supplements.
#4 Government and Tender Advertisements
Government departments and public sector units publish tender notices, recruitment ads, and statutory announcements in newspapers.
These ads follow strict formats and placement rules, often requiring publication in both English and regional language newspapers.
At Excellent Publicity, we assist clients in selecting approved newspapers and matching tender publication guidelines correctly.
Step-by-Step: How to Give Advertisement in Newspaper
Understanding how to give advertisement in newspaper becomes easier when broken into simple steps.
Step 1: Understand Your Purpose
Decide whether the ad is personal, legal, or commercial. A name change notice follows a different format from a retail promotion.
Step 2: Select the Newspaper
Choose between English, Hindi, or regional language papers. Circulation, city edition, and reader profile matter when planning advertising in newspapers.
Step 3: Choose Ad Type
Text classified ads cost less, while display ads offer higher visibility. Many first-time users learning how to give ad in newspaper start with classifieds.
Step 4: Prepare the Content
Draft a clear copy with correct spelling, dates, and names. Legal ads must follow prescribed formats.
Step 5: Book Through an Agency
Agencies like Excellent Publicity handle booking, editing, billing, and publication coordination.
How to Give Advertisements in A Newspaper Online?
Many advertisers now prefer digital booking. Online booking usually follows these steps:
- Select the newspaper and city edition
- Choose the ad category
- Upload content or select templates
- Preview the ad
- Make payment digitally
How to Give Ad in Newspaper for Name Change
One of the most common personal notices is a name change announcement. Understanding how to give ad in newspapers for name change is essential for legal acceptance. Here are the documents you need:
- Aadhaar card or passport
- Affidavit for name change
- Old and new name details (Source)
What is the Cost of Advertising in Newspapers?
Costs vary based on size, city, newspaper, and placement. Below is a structured overview for India in 2025.
Typical Cost Ranges (India 2025)
Classified Ads
- National dailies: ₹200 to ₹1,000 per insertion.
- Regional papers: ₹100 to ₹500 per insertion.
Display Ads
- Quarter page: ₹25,000 to ₹1,75,000 in national papers.
- Half page: ₹70,000 to ₹5,00,000.
- Full page: ₹1,50,000 to ₹12,00,000 or more.
Local dailies may offer text classifieds from ₹30 to ₹150 per 10 words. (Source)
Front Page and Premium Positions
Front page placements in metro cities cost significantly more.
- Mumbai: ₹4,00,000 to ₹25,00,000
- Delhi: ₹3,50,000 to ₹20,00,000
- Bangalore: ₹2,00,000 to ₹15,00,000
Full-page jackets in smaller markets may start from ₹75,000. (Source)
Per Square Centimetre Pricing
Display ads are often priced per sq cm. Example inner page rates:
- Delhi NCR: around ₹4,900 per sq cm
- Pune edition: around ₹2,700 per sq cm
- Ahmedabad edition: around ₹1,100 per sq cm
Cost estimation follows a simple formula: Rate per sq cm × total sq cm.(Source)
What Are Some Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid?
Many first-time advertisers face delays, rejections, or extra costs due to avoidable errors. Knowing these mistakes helps anyone planning how to give advertisements in newspapers with confidence.
#1 Choosing the Wrong Ad Category
Each newspaper has predefined categories. Placing a legal notice under a general classified category can lead to rejection. This mistake is common among those exploring how to give ads in newspapers online without guidance.
#2 Incorrect Format for Legal Ads
Name change, divorce notices, and public declarations follow specific wording patterns. Errors in phrasing, missing affidavit dates, or incomplete name details often cause problems. This issue frequently affects people learning how to give ads in newspaper for a name change.
#3 Selecting the Wrong City Edition
Many advertisers assume national newspapers publish a single edition. In reality, ads appear only in the selected city edition. Booking the wrong city reduces reach and wastes money, especially for local advertising in newspaper campaigns.
#4 Ignoring Size and Word Limits
Classified ads have fixed word limits per unit. Extra words increase cost. Display ads also have minimum size requirements. Beginners often underestimate final charges because they overlook these technical details.
#5 Missing Deadlines
Newspapers follow strict booking and material deadlines. Submitting content late can push the ad to the next available date, which becomes costly during time-sensitive announcements.
#6 Not Proofreading
Spelling mistakes in names, addresses, notice numbers, or dates can create legal complications. A final review is essential before confirming publication. Excellent Publicity reviews all ad content to avoid such issues.
Final Checklist Before Publishing Your Newspaper Ad
Before confirming advertising in newspaper, review this checklist:
- Correct spelling of names and numbers
- Proper ad category selected
- Documents attached where required
- City and language editions confirmed
- Publication date verified
Closing Thoughts
Newspaper advertising continues to play a meaningful role in India, serving personal, legal, and commercial needs with credibility and reach.
For beginners, the process may appear confusing at first. But once the formats and costs are clear, planning becomes simpler.
Learning how to give advertisements in newspaper involves more than booking space. It requires choosing the right format, following correct procedures, and aligning the message with the intended audience.
With proper guidance and reliable support from agencies like Excellent Publicity, even first-time advertisers can publish their ads smoothly and with confidence.
Start by choosing the newspaper, ad type, language, and city edition. Draft the content and book through an authorised agency.
Select the paper, upload content, preview the ad, and complete payment through an online booking platform.
An affidavit, valid ID proof, and correct name details are required.
Costs range from ₹100 for small classifieds to several lakhs for full-page premium ads.
Most ads appear within one to three working days after approval.
Classified ads are text-based and economical, while display ads allow visuals and a larger space.