Where do you want your ad to appear?
Above the fold (the top half of the page)
On the right hand page, right hand side of that page is even better.
Next to an article; not surrounded by other ads.
Points 1 and 2 will help your ad be seen by readers flipping through the paper. While point 3 will keep reader eyes near your ad for longer periods of time.
Here Is How Newspapers Usually Measure Columns
Some common newspaper ad measurements in width:
- One column (wide) – 12p (12 picas) = 2″ wide
- Two columns (wide) – 25p (25 picas, not 24, that would be too easy) = 4.25″ wide
- Three columns (wide) – 38p6 (38 picas, 6 points) = 6.4375″ wide
- Four columns (wide) – 51p6 (51 picas, 6 points) = 8.625″ wide
- Five columns (wide) – 64p9 (64 picas, 9 points) = 10.8125″ wide
- Six columns (wide) – 78p (78 picas) = 13″
Use these widths times the height you want your ad to be inches to give you the actual size of your ad. This will give you a better idea if the space is large enough to tell your story or maybe a smaller size would be more economical.