When you sit down with your sales and marketing team to create your quarterly or annual ad strategy, you must segment your ad options. One of your offline options is advertising outside. There are multiple options to choose from, many of which support multi-channel marketing.
#1 Banners and Flags
While they aren’t the most innovative of your options, banners and flags can be designed to stand out. They are also versatile options that can be mounted everywhere from light poles to the side of a building, on bridges, and more.
As with all of the options below, ensure you have the required permits and permissions. If you don’t have permission or a high-traffic place to post at your brick-and-mortar location, consider renting strategically placed sign space. This might be nearby or in high-traffic areas frequented by your demographic. Or even a freeway billboard.
#2 Standard Billboards
Standard billboards have never been more impressive. With the ability to print in HD, oversized signs are impossible to ignore. Most are printed on outdoor friendly paper or vinyl, but they can also be hand painted. Or you can mix mediums, by applying reflective materials or attaching elements that extend beyond the sign’s 4 sides.
#3 Digital Signs and Billboards
For maximum versatility, go digital when advertising outside. Even small scrolling signs can be viewed from at least a block away. The larger the sign and the higher the definition, signs can be viewed from multiple blocks away. However, that isn’t always the objective.
In addition to viewing range, your sign can have motion graphics, special effects, and the ability to post images and videos. Digital signs can also scroll through a variety of ads. This might include a series of ads for your business. For example, a restaurant’s top-selling dishes. Or your ad could be mixed in with other companies renting ad space.
Last but not least, digital signs can be prescheduled and updated in real-time.
#4 Mobile Billboards
Mobile billboards are most popular in metropolitan areas. These are oversized LED displays or framed printed signs mounted to a truck bed, with the only intention of advertising. We’ll cover wraps and painted ads placed on semis below, but this section is related to vehicles that are only utilized for rented ad space.
The vehicle drives through high-traffic areas or is parked in or around targeted events to attract attention. They are also an excellent way to engage drivers stuck in stop-and-go rush hour traffic.
#5 Transit Advertising
The world has gone mobile, including your options for advertising outside. Space is limited for mounted ads, and you may not have the budget for more than one location. Transit ads allow you to share your message citywide and even nationwide.
Options include:
- Full car wraps to advertise on 3 or 4 sides of a vehicle.
- Full bus wraps to advertise on 3 or 4 sides of a bus.
- Posting a removable or interchangeable magnet to vehicles.
- Painting or adhering ads to local truck fleets.
- Painting or adhering ads to nationwide semis.
- Adding ads to the top or side of taxi cabs.
- Internal or external bus, train, or taxi banners.
- Painted or posted ads on bus stop benches or covered shelters.
#6 Wild Posting
Wild posting refers to any type of temporary eye-level sign that is added en masse to an area. This is typically a side of a building along a busy street. It is often multiples of the same sign, but sometimes this strategy is used to post a series of signs for one brand. For example, 5 side-by-side signs featuring 5 different shoes by the same brand. Wild posting is also a popular way to promote any type of creative product, service, or event—but it can also be utilized for other purposes. Maybe a directional sign for a new restaurant or retail opening.
#7 Construction Signs
While not the first thing that comes to mind when you consider advertising outside, construction sites can attract a lot of attention. Those who pass by want to see what is underway. Wild posting is often added to unsightly windows, boarded-up buildings, or construction sites—but it’s not your only option.
Many construction sites have temporary chain-link fencing put up, with mesh to obstruct the view. Put the mesh to work by paying to have an ad printed on top. Just be mindful that the longer the project is underway, the messier the mesh will look—which may not be great for branding.
#8 Guerilla Advertising
This type of marketing is sky’s the limit. It could include anything from pop-up shops to flash mobs, impromptu events, mass flyer distribution, and more. You could even hand out or “drop” postcards and other paraphernalia at events frequented by your demographic. Just be mindful that you may be restricted in your local area, or at events and venues, as to what type of guerrilla marketing is allowed.
#9 Collages, Graffiti, and Custom Paint Jobs
Cities around the nation hire local artists to paint collages under bridges or on the sides of buildings, often for storytelling. Brands are following suit, by hiring local or revered artists to paint branded collages, graffiti, or custom paint jobs on walls, light and parking poles, electrical boxes, and other blank slates spaces.
#10 Beacon
Beacon advertising is a modern method of advertising outside. It can be utilized indoors too but is most popular for targeting those passing by. Just like search engines populate targeted ads based on our online activity, beacons send targeted ads or messages to those driving or walking by. For example, if you download a retailer’s app and don’t turn off your location settings, you might receive a text for 25% off the next time you are in the area. Customers can turn off their phone or in-app location settings if they don’t want to receive beacon ads.
Ready To Upgrade To Digital?
If you would like to expand your outdoor ad mix with digital signs, we invite you to reach out to Mega LED Technology. We have an extensive portfolio and will custom-build your sign to your precise specs!
