Billboard Advertising...

Billboard advertising has impact. It's one form of print media that gets your message "out there" in a big way. It says, "I'm serious about my business!".

What about the cost of billboard advertising?

What pops into your head when you think about billboards? You probably envision one of those giant road signs, right? You probably also think "Whoa, big bucks!". And you're right. Average costs can be anywhere from $500 to $3000 per month to lease. Don't forget to add on the cost of designing the graphics. That could easily be an additional $1000. Those costs can be pretty tough for most new businesses to absorb.

But...There are other options

The average per year cost of smaller signage is significantly less than those giant billboards. Here are some examples...

Magnetic car signs and window clings
High school and college baseball fields
Mall and airport displays
Commuter rail displays
Bus and park benches
Wrapped vehicles
Bus interior ads
Pizza box ads
Cinema ads

HOT NEW TECHNOLOGY!...Ground advertising. These indestructable ads can be placed on concrete stair risers, gas pumps, sidewalks, parking lots, and park trails. You still have to deal with the one-time charge for graphic design. However...digital technologies are helping decrease these costs.

How do you start an outdoor advertising campaign?

Ask yourself if that graphic design charge is something you can live with financially. Remember, thousands of eyes per day could see your ad. This fact makes outdoor ads more cost-effective than other methods over the long-term.

Know your niche. Know your target market or demographic. Use this info to begin considering possible locations for your signs.

Do some research and decide what size you would like your signs to be. Those 14x48 roadway signs offer the biggest exposure. They also carry a hefty pricetag. A smaller sign comes with a smaller pricetag. You also get a wider variety of placement options. This variety means you'll be able to market to your prospects in a more focused way. If you're niche marketing, this can be very helpful.

Get someone to design your advertisement. You can use an advertising agency or a billboard company. Both normally employ in-house design teams. You could also use a self-employed graphic designer. Check pricing and get a good deal.

Be "hands-on". Remember, it's your business. No one knows it like you. Don't be afraid to speak up if the design phase is going in a direction you don't care for. Maintain final say over ad placement.

Take time to visit your signage. If you're advertising in other geographic locations, ask the ad agency to take photos. Speak up if you're not satisfied with your ad placement.

For Your Information...

There are three multi-billion dollar business marketing advertising conglomerates dominating the billboard industry today...

Eller Media Co.
Infinity Outdoor Inc.
Lemar Media Corp.

A lot of smaller companies may be owned by these three but still retain their old company names. Some companies offer a wide range of outdoor media. Others specialize in just one thing. An online search for billboard advertising, or mobile media, yeilds plenty of results. Great companies brag about their work by posting photos. Sometimes this is helpful when choosing which company to use.

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