Advertising on cars?

[Robert Pigot]

I want to increase my brands exposure and was thinking of advertising on cars in the area, it appears to be cheap but is it worth it?

 

[AllUpHere]

Generally, a complete waste of time and money.

 

[Robert Pigot]

Generally, a complete waste of time and money.

Hello thank you for your input, i'm wondering why it is a waste of time and money? Surely repeated exposure to a brand by any means is a good thing? So long as the graphics are done professionally.

 

[AllUpHere]

Nope. Brand exposure can work for large brands with massive budgets, but for small and medium sized businesses direct response advertising is where the smart money goes.

Even for brand awareness, advertising on cars would be a bit of a waste of time.

What type of cars specifically are you thinking of advertising on?

 

[Mark T Jones]

What are you advertising?

If it’s local services / trades then I’d say it can work

If it’s ‘brand awareness’ I’d say it might, just, be better than nothing but you’re unlikely to get measurable results

It can also affect your insurance premiums

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I think it would depend a lot on the car, if its a transit van or run of the mill car little results, if its a unusual car, maybe 50's classic or rolls etc then different enough for people to notice and may even comment on it

As with all advertising you need to clearly stand out from the humdrum of life

 

[DavidWH]

I'm assuming you mean advertising on other peoples vehicles.

Great idea, until they cut up someone, park in a disabled or parent child space, park over the white line, and you see your brand going viral on social media for all the wrong reasons.

Vehicle graphics can, and do work, but they're not going to bring in vast amounts of work.

 

[Robert Pigot]

Nope. Brand exposure can work for large brands with massive budgets, but for small and medium sized businesses direct response advertising is where the smart money goes.

Even for brand awareness, advertising on cars would be a bit of a waste of time.

What type of cars specifically are you thinking of advertising on?

No specific, I was going to advertise for local drivers and choose a select few.

 

[Robert Pigot]

What are you advertising?

If it’s local services / trades then I’d say it can work

If it’s ‘brand awareness’ I’d say it might, just, be better than nothing but you’re unlikely to get measurable results

It can also affect your insurance premiums

I thought that, if locally the name of my business became common knowledge then surely when they want a service I provide my business will be the first they think of? Also when I look to expand I can target specific areas using the same process. I thought about online advertising but only 44% use Facebook and Google is too expensive. Just trying to think outside the box.

 

[Robert Pigot]

I think it would depend a lot on the car, if its a transit van or run of the mill car little results, if its a unusual car, maybe 50's classic or rolls etc then different enough for people to notice and may even comment on it

As with all advertising you need to clearly stand out from the humdrum of life

I can't imagine anyone with a classic 1950's car would allow a graphic on their car. I know I wouldnt. I was thinking of using local drivers, not sure on the criteria for the car and paying them monthly.

 

[Robert Pigot]

I'm assuming you mean advertising on other peoples vehicles.

Great idea, until they cut up someone, park in a disabled or parent child space, park over the white line, and you see your brand going viral on social media for all the wrong reasons.

Vehicle graphics can, and do work, but they're not going to bring in vast amounts of work.

I thought you could easily avoid any issues by have a agreement where if they did any of the things you mention they have to compensate you and they won't get paid. So the incentive to not do those things is there.

 

[Robert Pigot]

Thank you to everyone who has had an input, the reason I thought it might work is I read an article about this and 3M did a study in the States where they used GPS to track the vehicles and paid them to target specific areas. In the areas where advertising was used in this way after 8 weeks they saw a dramatic increase in sales for the brands they represented. It was Schweppes, Dr Pepper and another company but I forget what it's called. They then tried it in a smaller scale with local businesses and the turn around was slower which I think was down to the brand not being instantly recognised but there was an increase in sales. I hoped it could translate over here?

 

[Ian J]

Over 30 years ago I thought I'd try a change in direction and set up and ran a local newspaper. I did wonder whether or not to buy a reproduction vintage car or van and have it sign written as we were always buzzing round the local town visiting customers and collecting copy etc

 

[AllUpHere]

Over 30 years ago I thought I'd try a change in direction and set up and ran a local newspaper. I did wonder whether or not to buy a reproduction vintage car or van and have it sign written as we were always buzzing round the local town visiting customers and collecting copy etc

Not a bad idea. Completely different to what the OP is suggesting though.

 

[saythisinstead.co.uk]

I want to increase my brands exposure and was thinking of advertising on cars in the area, it appears to be cheap but is it worth it?

Consensus seems to be 'Don't do it'

I may be wrong, but I think most on here who know the score...(and you've had some informed responses) are probably thinking that it could possibly work, but that there are so many better ways to promote a local business.

Once you've got all those other things working then maybe...just maybe...this car advertising might work. (be aware that using a car in this way would probably invalidate the driver's insurance)

I'm sure if you told us what market you're in, there'd be people on here with some really good ideas for you to try.

 

[DavidWH]

I thought you could easily avoid any issues by have a agreement where if they did any of the things you mention they have to compensate you and they won't get paid. So the incentive to not do those things is there.

Compensate you how much?

Somethings spread like wild fire, and once online are there for an eternity. In some instances I don't think you could put a figure on the possible damage and repercussions.