billboard advertising?

[Atomator]

Hi all,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on advertising using billboards? I rarely see small independents using this form of advertising but to my mind it seems pretty cost effective.
I was recently quoted £499 to have a half page add in a local bi monthly magazine, and in my mind, people would look through the magazine maybe once or twice, during the time between issues. Whereas I have had a quick look into billboards and it looks to be around £550 for two weeks Inc. printing etc. I would of thought a billboard in a predominate place for two weeks would be a far better option in terms of target audience etc. than an a5 ad in a mag?

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Hi all,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on advertising using billboards? I rarely see small independents using this form of advertising but to my mind it seems pretty cost effective.
I was recently quoted £499 to have a half page add in a local bi monthly magazine, and in my mind, people would look through the magazine maybe once or twice, during the time between issues. Whereas I have had a quick look into billboards and it looks to be around £550 for two weeks Inc. printing etc. I would of thought a billboard in a predominate place for two weeks would be a far better option in terms of target audience etc. than an a5 ad in a mag?

What magazine? I don't know of any Bi Monthly magazines that are still going around Stoke On Trent. The Scene and PreVue (the Vue Cinema magazine) were bi monthly but they were awful, low circulation and the company that produced them has gone under.

 

[Atomator]

What magazine? I don't know of any Bi Monthly magazines that are still going around Stoke On Trent. The Scene and PreVue (the Vue Cinema magazine) were bi monthly but they were awful, low circulation and the company that produced them has gone under.

The magazine is called staffordshire life, any views on billboards?:|

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

The magazine is called staffordshire life, any views on billboards?:|

No good for you petal, not your demographic.

I know a few people who have used billboards and had a good response. I've thought about it myself, particularly the one right outside Magnet at the crossroads with Drayton Mercedes.

Where did you get the prices and info from?

 

[Atomator]

No, no i think you have got me mistaken PETAL.

i never intended on advertising with this magazine, i was simply using this as a benchmark if you like, i was trying to point out that there was little difference in price between the two, and a huge difference in exposure and time it would be seen for.

As the OP states, im interested in peoples opinions of billboard advertising for small independent business, as i rarely see small businesses being advertised this way, when the prices aren’t all that ridiculous?



And i was approached by a member of there team after they found our website.

 

[thriftylassie]

Hi there,
Not quite billboards I'm afraid, but if it is of any help, we use billboard sized roadside signs on private ground all over the local area to advertise our event. They are very very effective. People mention them far more than the magazine advertising and advertising in the local paper, and almost as much as our radio ads.
I would certainly consider them for advertising in towns, and the price seems reasonable compared with what some of our local papers charge for one day's advertising.
Would you mind sharing which company you are considering using? Just so I can put it in my "follow up" book?

 

[Atomator]

Thanks for the reply, I haven’t done much research into it all yet to be honest, but the site i was looking at is www.signposter.com I was also thinking of asking the business next to me if he would like to pay half and we each have half of the board, we would still get a high level of exposure and half the price

 

[mhall]

Have a look at Wrexham Signs- they have some good prices and you can pay for the whole year quite cheaply. They have quite a few sites in the Midlands. We never used them but got some competitive quotes when we were looking

 

[Y.Gunay]

Hi all,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on advertising using billboards? I rarely see small independents using this form of advertising but to my mind it seems pretty cost effective.
I was recently quoted £499 to have a half page add in a local bi monthly magazine, and in my mind, people would look through the magazine maybe once or twice, during the time between issues. Whereas I have had a quick look into billboards and it looks to be around £550 for two weeks Inc. printing etc. I would of thought a billboard in a predominate place for two weeks would be a far better option in terms of target audience etc. than an a5 ad in a mag?

billboards is a good way of advertising it gives your product and company better image.

i would recommend for you to do market research on billboard company's, you will find it slightly cheaper

 

[Open Space]

The billboard will give you 24 hour exposure. And the viewer cannot put it down or turn it off. Even better, if you go for a longer term contract, change the advert every month or so, so you keep people noticing it (especially regular passers by, who are probably your target audience anyway!).

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

The billboard will give you 24 hour exposure. And the viewer cannot put it down or turn it off. Even better, if you go for a longer term contract, change the advert every month or so, so you keep people noticing it (especially regular passers by, who are probably your target audience anyway!).

No it won't.... Unless you have 24/7 illumination.

Billboard advertising like any other form of media has it's place but comparing like for like with magazine or radio ads is simply wrong.

A Billboard will be seen by fewer people, invariably in many cases the same people who travel along that stretch of road, pass that particular building etc., and will have good impact for a certain period of time. But they'll only see it for seconds so the type of message needs to be brand awareness, directional as oposed to sales, unless it's lets say a 50% off special etc.,

'It's all about the message baby'

 

[MASSEY]

I would have thought 500 for two weeks quite good. Make sure there is a semi naked women on the board everyone will look at it then.

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

I would have thought 500 for two weeks quite good. Make sure there is a semi naked women on the board everyone will look at it then.

You are such a builder.

 

[Open Space]

The magazine and radio ads are of the "opt in" variety - you have to buy/borrow/be given the magazine, and tune in/turn on the radio station. The billboard can't be avoided unless you take another route. Presumably the regular users of the roads near the business in question are likely to be potential customers! So a billboard or several billboards will make most sense!

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

No it won't.... Unless you have 24/7 illumination.

Billboard advertising like any other form of media has it's place but comparing like for like with magazine or radio ads is simply wrong.

A Billboard will be seen by fewer people, invariably in many cases the same people who travel along that stretch of road, pass that particular building etc., and will have good impact for a certain period of time. But they'll only see it for seconds so the type of message needs to be brand awareness, directional as oposed to sales, unless it's lets say a 50% off special etc.,

'It's all about the message baby'

Not many billboards without lights on them around here.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Not many billboards without lights on them around here.

At 4 in the morning?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

The magazine and radio ads are of the "opt in" variety - you have to buy/borrow/be given the magazine, and tune in/turn on the radio station. The billboard can't be avoided unless you take another route. Presumably the regular users of the roads near the business in question are likely to be potential customers! So a billboard or several billboards will make most sense!

Splitting hairs somewhat

Nobody ever saw or heard an advertisement without putting themselves in a position to do so.

You have to opt in to driving or walking along a particular route to see a billboard.

Billboards can and are avoided.....primarily by people who keep their eyes on the road

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

.primarily by people who keep their eyes on the road

Not many of those around here either!!

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Hi all,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on advertising using billboards? I rarely see small independents using this form of advertising but to my mind it seems pretty cost effective.
I was recently quoted £499 to have a half page add in a local bi monthly magazine, and in my mind, people would look through the magazine maybe once or twice, during the time between issues. Whereas I have had a quick look into billboards and it looks to be around £550 for two weeks Inc. printing etc. I would of thought a billboard in a predominate place for two weeks would be a far better option in terms of target audience etc. than an a5 ad in a mag?

Have you made a decision yet flower?
Which billboard(s) are you considering?
I looked at a few but they are booked up for quite some time.