Local Market

Stickers Make Versatile Advertisements

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When it comes to advertising your business, it literally pays to maintain mobility. Sure, there are few things as effective as a well-placed sign or banner—however, there is one medium of advertising that is able to go where those mediums cannot: vinyl stickers.

Custom stickers are one of the most cost-effective means of promoting any business or cause. Simply place them on a vehicle in a well-chosen spot and you will have people all over town registering your brand in no time. Still not convinced? Read on to learn about some of the other advantages of vinyl stickers.

The Benefits Of Vinyl Stickers

When it comes to advertising and promotion, vinyl stickers have some clear benefits as opposed to other approaches. For one, vinyl stickers are much more durable than stickers constructed from paper. Additionally, they are resistant to tearing, fading, and degradation—properties which make them ideal for outdoor applications and public displays.

The benefits of vinyl stickers are directly correlated with the beneficial properties of the vinyl itself. These include:

  • Affordable and durable material
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Easily removable with no harmful residue
  • Moisture and humidity resistant
  • Available in matte
  • Vibrant images on a mobile platform

Potential Uses For Vinyl Stickers

The potential uses for vinyl stickers are virtually limitless. Whether you use them to advertise specific aspects of your product or as a warning label, vinyl stickers are a cost-effective means of conveying your message. This versatility is amplified by their inherent ability to be customized with specific lettering, colors, shapes, and messages that provide pertinent information to your target audience.

Using Vinyl Stickers For Mobile Advertising

Mobile advertising is one of the most practical uses for vinyl stickers. With some clever placement and a little luck, vinyl stickers could open your business up to an entirely new customer base. This is especially advantageous if your stickers include your contact information such as an email address or phone number. Even if you opt not to include contact information, a colorful, eye-catching logo is sure to garner some attention and amplify your visibility. Pairing with a seasoned signage company like Super Cheap Signs is an excellent idea, as they have everything required to create quality vinyl stickers that are adherent to a variety of shapes and sizes. So if you have specific questions, do not hesitate to get in contact with a member of their team.

Vinyl Stickers Cheap To Produce In Large Quantities

When it comes to mass appeal, one of the most advantageous aspects of bumper stickers is their inexpensive cost when produced in large quantities. Thanks to advancements in technology, printing is now largely automated, which has substantially driven down costs across the board. So before you spend an arm and a leg on that gigantic billboard, ask yourself if that is really a better way to achieve brand recognition than having thousands of instances of your logo all over town.

Using Vinyl Stickers Means Easy Distribution

To put it succinctly, people love putting stickers on things. Whether for artistic or psychological reasons, something about affixing stickers to things is resolutely appealing. As far as advertising is concerned, stickers essentially automate the entire process. As a quick tour of any social media profile will demonstrate, people will not hesitate to show others what brands they associate themselves with. Vinyl stickers ensure that you are able to use this proclivity to your advantage.

Don’t Just Introduce Your Brand, Reinforce Its Identity

Any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you that building a reputable brand identity is no easy task. From finding the perfect logo to developing a comprehensive message and strategy, conveying the best aspects of your brand requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Fortunately, once you have successfully developed your brand, you can use vinyl stickers to drive your message home. No matter whether you give them away for free or sell them, you are conveying that your brand has value. In the long run, this will facilitate closer relations between your brand and your target audience. What’s more, you will get free advertising when any of these people affix the sticker to their vehicle and drive around.

When it comes to today’s advertising landscape, few things are more important than establishing a trusted brand identity. This is why it is so important to have customers sporting your logo. When their friends see that they trust your brand enough to put your logo on their vehicle, they are more likely to trust your company. Needless to say, this gives you a clear advantage when it comes to growing your business and expanding your customer base.

Never Underestimate The Power Of Word-Of-Mouth

With the rising popularity of social media, many people seem to think that successful marketing must take a decisively digital direction in order to maintain relevance. Fortunately, these people are wrong. Several recent studies have demonstrated that most of the world—over 85%, in fact—trust word-of-mouth recommendations from their friends and acquaintances. To this extent, most word-of-mouth conversations take place on-site and offline. Rather than appealing to one side or the other, stickers occupy the middle ground by encouraging people to discuss your brand both online and offline.

Stickers Are A Great Way To Reach People Who Do Not Like Advertising

Given the influx of advertising these past few decades, it is not surprising that most people are becoming resistant to traditional methods. Consequently, this has forced advertising and marketing professionals to adopt more connection centric approaches. In this regard, stickers are extremely effective thanks to their ability to be displayed without seeming like an outright advertisement. In this context, a sticker is mobilized more like an endorsement or recommendation than an advertisement.

Stickers Can Be Used For Inexpensive Branding

Although giving away stickers for free certainly comes with its own advantages, they can also be used to brand your products and related packaging or signage. Rather than solely relying on your audience to put your message out into the world, you can ensure that some of that ground is covered before your product even hits the shelves.

Use Stickers To Compound Your Marketing

While increasing your brand exposure is certainly something you should remain focused on, you can also use stickers to strengthen your marketing efforts. For one, stickers make great giveaway prizes. All the better if they contain pertinent information or some kind of message on the reverse side. Additionally, you should always be sending stickers if you operate by direct mail. That’s because stickers have been shown to increase the open rates of direct packages. Even better, stickers serve as a crucial linchpin in cooperative campaigns by keeping costs down and garnering more impressions.

Stickers Can Help You Develop Future Marketing Efforts

As you have likely learned from this article, a lot of time and effort should go into creating the perfect sticker design. The nature of this process affords ample time to develop a comprehensive understanding of your brand’s message and how to convey it. In turn, this knowledge will inform future marketing efforts, including future logo designs, business card ideas, website ideas and features, press releases, and more. So when you are engaging in this process, pay close attention to what you learn. Specifically, understand who you want to communicate with, how to find them, what their interests are and how you can appropriately address them, and how you can clearly and succinctly convey your message in the most effective but least intrusive way possible.

Can’t I Just Make Stickers Myself?

Many people have purchased expensive printing machines and attempted to make their own vinyl stickers only to find out that the process is much more arduous than it seems on the surface. Problems typically tend to arise when die-cutting, coloring, or applying adhesive, and can prove to be rather time-consuming in the event that anything goes wrong.  This is why many professionals opt to order their stickers from seasoned signage companies like Super Cheap Signs, who use powerful machines and software to produce a variety of custom images with expedient turnaround times.

The professionals at Super Cheap Signs understand that marketing is all about developing and maintaining relationships. It is about forming a symbiotic relationship with people who will ultimately benefit from your services and support you in the process. As far as these relationships are concerned, stickers signify trust and understanding. Consequently, equipping the right people with your stickers could potentially spread brand awareness much faster than any expensive advertising campaign, and lend your brand an air of authenticity in the process.

In addition to providing a comprehensive array of fonts, shapes, and colors, stickers from Super Cheap Signs can be completely customized using their convenient website. Beyond that, their impeccable team of seasoned professionals is ready to help with any questions or concerns you may have along the way. The process is so smooth you’ll wonder why you ever thought about doing it yourself in the first place.

Creative Ideas that Make Your Campaign Banners Standout

Running a campaign and expanding it to even broader horizons requires a comprehensive marketing strategy. This is precisely where campaign banners come into play. With the right banner, your campaign will be able to expand outreach and capture new voters. But how do you make sure your campaign banners are visible to your target audience?

Nowadays, a fair majority of campaign banners are sold at economic prices. Although they are sometimes designated as “cheap banners”, we can assure you that there is nothing cheap about them. In fact, with the right design layout and color scheme, your cheap banners won’t appear very cheap at all.

If cost-effectiveness is not enough to convince you about the effectiveness of cheap banners, please read on. Here is a trove of creative ideas that are sure to make your banners stand heads and shoulders above the rest.

 

What’s So Great About Cheap Banners Anyway?

Ever had the feeling that a sign is speaking directly to you? Think of all the times you’ve been driving by somewhere and have seen a banner that plants a message right in your head. This is all the proof you need to know that a solid signage strategy will help you capture more attention and form a comprehensive customer base. But that’s not all—with campaign banners, the possibilities are practically endless.

 

 

All About Visibility

The purpose of using a banner is to capture the attention of any passerby and rally them around your cause. Beyond that, you want to send a message that inspires people to take their politics to the streets, either by canvassing or supporting your campaign in some other way. In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that most voters will not spend more than 4 or 5 seconds reading your banner. Further, some may not even register it at all.

Fortunately, the above problems are easily solved with a little visibility. Developing a visual strategy will capture more attention and understanding from your target audience. When formulating your strategy, keep the following rule at the forefront of your mind: for every 10 feet of distance, your lettering should be at least 1 foot high. On that note, make sure the text and graphics on your banner provide a clear representation of what your campaign is all about.

 

All About Readability

Another core tenant of an effective visual strategy is readability. Remember what you learned in art class: the bigger the content, the easier it is to read from a distance. Don’t be afraid to mobilize the white space, using limited amounts of content is actually the most efficient design strategy in today’s advertising landscape. Additionally, using bold contrasts will ensure that your banners are even more prominent.

When placing your sign, it is always a good idea to keep the speed of passing traffic in mind. This will help you in determining where your content should be placed and how big it should be. Ideally, even speedy traffic should be able to read and absorb your message. As always, be sure to avoid adding any unnecessary clutter, and if ever in doubt remember that minimalism is the cream of the crop when it comes to effective design strategies.

 

On Obstruction

We’re not talking about politics here. Imagine spending considerable sums of money on an arsenal of cheap banners only to find that the places you have designated to place them are all obstructed by something, be it trees, power lines, excessively bright streetlights, or even buildings and billboards. Doesn’t this go against the core tenant of opting for a banner in the first place?

If your answer to that question was “yes”, then you are certainly on the right track. According to Bloomsburg Rentals, That’s because the primary purpose of making a campaign banner in the first place is to elicit a response from potential voters. As such, no matter where you place your banner, make sure that there is a clear line of sight from distinct vantage points. To this effect, make sure that all components of the banner itself are distinctly visible, otherwise, people will not know what to focus on and may not even register that it is a campaign banner.

 

brand creativity

Have A Way With Words

When it comes to your banner’s text, don’t be afraid to be picky. Ensuring your wording is as precise as possible will only help your message achieve greater reach over time. Here, the tried and true formula “keep it simple” is more valuable than ever. In today’s world, most people won’t even bother to look at a cluttered banner for very long, much less commit any of its messages to memory.

 

 

Designing Your Banner

When it comes to effective banner design, one of the biggest hurdles people face is determining the appropriate size and scaling for all graphics and text. When it comes to sizing your campaign banners, make sure you know where each will be placed, as doing so will provide all the information you need in order to determine size and scaling.

A good rule of thumb is that size and visibility have a direct correlation. The bigger the banner, the more visible it will be. However, some spaces will likely necessitate smaller banners. When viewing your campaign banner, double-check the spacing and styling to make sure text visibility is not obstructed.

 

color creativity

 

Attractive Colors

What’s better than cheap banners? How about cheap banners with attractive color schemes. Science has demonstrated that our brains typically perceive colors before anything else. Like scent, colors bypass most of our conscious faculties and hit us right in the brain. As such, colors are crucial to communicating your message to potential voters.

Some studies have concluded that as much as 80 percent of brand recognition is accomplished by way of effective color schemes. But don’t take our word for it—can you think of any campaign logos that have captured your attention recently?

When it comes to tactful color schemes, make sure to use lighter shades with darker backgrounds, as the reverse is difficult to spot from a distance or from a moving vehicle. Here, take care that the letters do not contrast the background, as this could also adversely impact visibility. Additionally, research current trends and select colors that adhere therein, as voters will likely be more receptive to them. Finally, keep it simple—using only a few colors makes a much larger impact than an oversaturated billboard with more than three colors.

 

 

From A Distance: On Legible Fonts

One aspect of an effective campaign banner that is often overlooked is the importance of fonts, which can be just as essential to a message as the text itself. Indeed, fonts convey meaning as much as the text they cradle. This is precisely why selecting the perfect font is a core tenant of effective marketing strategies. But what makes a good font?

Good fonts are not hard to read and should compliment your design and color scheme. If you are placing your banner outside, keep in mind that this will impact the readability of your banners, even from a long distance, so be prepared to adjust accordingly. You would also do well to keep the lessons of minimalism in mind. Detailed and cluttered fonts are not as memorable as simple ones.

When it comes to cheap banners, people often think the text that is entirely capitalized has greater visibility. Hopefully, these tips have already helped you realize that this could not be further from the truth. Rendering your font in all caps will make it too heavy and could completely disorient the visual appeal of your banner. Some of today’s most popular design fonts include Display, Helvetica, Sans Serif, and Serif fonts.

 

 

The Importance Of Contrast

Those of us with an advertising background are already likely aware of the fact that engaging signs drive more engagement. This is as true for business as it is for politics. Therefore, throwing up vast amounts of cheap banners with bright colors will make them less readable. For this reason, it is important to keep a few key aspects of color theory in mind.

For one, consider your campaign banner’s surroundings. Is it in a rural area or a massive city? What is the lighting like? How is the weather on a typical day?

If the surrounding colors are primarily primary, make sure you select colors with just the right amount of contrast, as doing so will render them more visible to those passing by.

If your banner is outdoors, try to refrain from using blue as a background color. Blue corresponds with the color of the sky and will make your message difficult to read. Finally, be aware that inefficient color contrasts can be enhanced using shadowing, so be sure to experiment if you find something you like that initially does not seem to work.

 

Go Bold Or Go Home

Remember that branding and identity have a direct relationship. In this regard, don’t be afraid to make your campaign banner stand apart from the pack. When designing your banner, consider aiming for something with balanced contrast and larger lettering. And remember—less is more: keep your messaging clear, concise, and relevant as opposed to bombarding viewers with a dizzying array of colors and text.

 

Concentrate On The Focal Point

Knowing the focal point of your banner will help you increase its effectiveness. This should be easy to ascertain provided you understand your products and have a strong vision for your brand. As always, keep it simple: nobody likes to sift through the clutter, especially when they’re out and about.

 

Location, Location, Location

It may sound cliche, but one of the most important factors in ensuring that your campaign banner stands out is where it is located. Before you place your banner, be sure to double-check zoning and leasing requirements, as poor verification could lead to a slew of unsavory problems down the line. When placing the banner, consider the amount of traffic that will pass by each day. Will most people be on foot or in vehicles? How fast will they be going and what other distractions will be present?

 

brand identity

Your Banner Should Promote Your Sense Of Identity

Let’s be honest, campaigning means you are up against other personalities. For this reason, it is important to ensure that your message is as singular as it can possibly be. Think of it this way: who are you and why should people care?

When evaluating your brand identity, pay close attention to what your opponents are doing. Conducting a little research will give you ample opportunity to consolidate your resources and discover what is truly unique about your message. It will also keep you from repeating the talking points of your competitors, as well as lay bare any issues they are ignoring. Remember, appearing more unique will increase the impact of your message.

 

Spruce Things Up A Bit Every Now And Then

Studies show that confronting people with the same stimuli over and over will eventually cause them to ignore it, which is bad news for you if you are still using last year’s campaign banner. On the other hand, having to rebrand every year will consume a lot of your time and resources. Fortunately, the solution is relatively simple: make small changes to your banner over time so it stays relevant and, consequently, captures the attention of your target audience.

 

On Clutter

As mentioned, when it comes to running an effective campaign, or effective marketing in general, it is always a good idea to keep things simple. This proclivity is even reflected in our architecture and technology: minimalism pervades our designs. While this may seem like an unnecessary restriction, it actually makes things easier for you.

Recent studies show that some of the most effective cheap banners do not contain more than seven words, as using more results in decreased rates of retention. To this extent, “less is more” could be reappropriated to mean “fewer words result in greater understanding.” In other words, only use the information that is most essential to the message you want to convey.

Text aside, make sure to leave ample amounts of negative space. This will make your banner much easier on the eyes and afford users more space to absorb your message. Some studies indicate that as much as 40 percent of your banner should be comprised of negative space.

Local Marketing Hacks To Keep Your Business Ahead Of The Competition

Signs provide on-the-spot information about your business.

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When you’re running a local business, it can be a challenge to stay ahead of the crowd. In the digital age, a two-pronged approach is necessary – companies need to invest in both traditional marketing and the latest online strategies.

Potential customers in your local area need to be aware that your business exists and that you can offer them the products and services they’re looking for.

And while local businesses are making a comeback (with more and more people choosing to shop where they are), many now find the most relevant stores through a web search.

What this means is that your marketing strategy needs to reach people both online and offline. You need a physical presence, as well as a virtual one.

Here are four marketing hacks for local businesses that will help point more customers straight to your door.

Optimize For Local SEO

When people search for goods and services online, they generally do it through their mobile phone. As long as their location settings are on, the search results will point them towards local stores.

When people are provided with a local suggestion, they will visit within 24 hours and 18% of those visits result in sales. So, it really does pay to make sure your business is one of those that are mentioned in search results.

But how can you make sure you appear near the top of the pile? There are a few things you can do:

  • Make sure you have a Google My Business account and enter as much information as you possibly can. You should always include your business’s opening hours, a link to your website, photos of your premises and a detailed description of what you do.
  • Do the same for Bing Local and Yahoo Local.
  • Show Google that you are relevant to the searcher’s inquiry by optimizing your description for the search terms (keywords) they might use to find you.
  • Go one step further with optimizing for keywords and set up a Google Places account. You can enter all of your relevant keywords here and they should be optimized for your location. For example, use ‘tire fitters Bradford’, rather than plain old ‘tire fitters’.

Ideally, you will only use high-resolution images and make sure the information you have on Google My Business, Bing Local and Yahoo Local is the same as on your website. You can add some keyword tools to your website builders, or use free web applications like Google Search Console and Suggestion Keyword Finder.

Create An Online Presence Through Reviews

Online consumer reviews play a key role in driving traffic to your business and boosting your search engine rankings. An astounding 93% of all consumers report that online reviews have a significant impact on their purchasing habits.

You can’t ignore the numbers. Harnessing the power of word-of-mouth by requesting reviews from your customers is one of the best things you can do for your business. You can start by:

  • Providing links to prominent review sites in customer follow-up emails
  • Mentioning reviews on receipts
  • Placing posters within your premises that point to places to leave reviews
  • Asking your staff to request reviews from the customers they serve

Encouraging your customers to leave reviews on Google, Bing and Yahoo can drastically increase your online visibility and make it more likely they’ll visit you when you come up in map search results.

Use Local Signage

To reach a wider audience, you need to expand your online presence. But tried and tested local advertising should not be ignored. Investing in local signage is one of the best ways to drive foot traffic to your business, especially if you’re not located within the main shopping area.

It’s also a great way to reinforce your company’s brand and make your business instantly recognizable to local people. Alongside the internet, signage is a 24/7 solution. It works on your behalf all day, every day.

For anyone attempting to find you from an internet search, some measure of signage that points to your premises is essential. Adding your website URL to your it can increase the ROI from your signage investment since a lot of people prefer to check out a business online before trekking out to their local store.

Some of the best signage solutions for local businesses include:

You can even mix up your strategy across your signs. On some, simply promote your business’s name and contact information. On others, advertise any local events your business is holding, or special promotions you’re running.

Final Thoughts…

They say diversity is the spice of life and this also rings true for advertising. But you don’t have to stay up into the small hours or be constantly on call to make a real difference to your online and offline presence. Both local SEO and physical marketing tactics work for you, even while you sleep. So get yourself on Google maps, invest in some local signage, and watch as the customers roll on in.

About the Author:

“Jodie is a passionate writer and editor (MSc BA Cantab) partnering with UK Web Host Review. She loves to translate dense material into information everyone can access and explores design, branding, and market psychology. Connect with her on Linkedin