Billboard Advertising Tips
Billboards can yield big results with the right message and focus.
People love seeing their name in print, especially when it's 20 feet tall!
Billboards are the big-boys of advertising. There are over 400,000 billboards in the United States that generate over $6 billion dollars in advertising revenue annually. But billboards aren't the best investment for every business.
With any type of advertising, ask yourself...
1) What goals do I have for a billboard promotion?
What do you want to achieve with your billboard promotion? Is it boosting overall awareness, foot traffic or phone calls to your sales team? Are you branding your business, or trying to generate sales for a particular product or service?
2) Who is my customer?
Before you develop a billboard campaign, you need to know your customer. Who are you trying to target? Are you a donut shop two blocks away from the billboard location, or are you a new insurance agent trying to promote your name around town? Always focus on the goal you are trying to achieve, before spending a dime on billboard advertising.
3) What is my budget?
Billboards can be expensive, depending on size, location and traffic volume. Locations with heavy traffic are better, but also require a bigger commitment from your advertising budget. In the tri-cities in Central Nebraska, for example, the rough estimate per month is $500-$1,000 (and printing the poster is around $200). If you are considering a digital billboard, the cost is approximately $1,200 per month.
Plus, billboards normally require multiple-month commitments (usually a minimum of three months) so you’ll need to factor that into your budget. If you decide to commit to a year or more, a price break is customary.
4) What type of design do I want?
All of us have driven by a billboard – some we remember, and most we do not. Why? The ones you don't remember are mostly likely riddled with too many words and images to make an impression in a split second.
Your billboard message must be concise. Seven words or less (not including the name of your company) is the basic rule of thumb. That's why billboards are not for every business. If you have a product or service that takes a lot of effort to explain, consider other options.
The goal of a billboard’s design is to attract attention and get people to take action. Be sure to create an effective message.
The Bottom Line
Billboards can help generate traffic to your store or create overall brand awareness. But due to its limited space, a simple message is crucial. An effective billboard advertising campaign requires a plan, a budget, creativity, and targeting. Good luck, and maybe I'll see you along the highway!
If a billboard campaign seems a bit overwhelming, give IdeaBank a call. We can design an eye catching billboard with a message that speaks volumes for you!
