Magnetics vs Vehicle Graphics

Both vehicle graphics (vinyl that is applied directly to the vehicle) and magnetic signs (graphics that are magnetically held to the side of the vehicle) are great ways to advertise your business as you drive from here to there during the course of your business day. Vehicle graphics stay on your truck or van permanently (or until you peel them off), whereas magnetic signs come on and off as you like.

Magnetic signs allow you to conduct business during the day, and not when it's after hours. They are obviously easy to change, so your business can be a pet sitting business in the morning, and switch to computer sales and service by the afternoon. That's the convenience of magnetics.

Here are three reasons why you may just go ahead and opt for vehicle graphics:

*More grown up and professional in appearance, vehicle graphics say "I've arrived" to your business prospects and existing clients.

* You have greater size options for your lettering. Magnetic sign material is restricted in one direction to 24" maximum. Vehicle graphics can cover just a small part, or all of your vehicle, turning it into a giant billboard.

*Vehicle graphics are easier to maintain. In fact, all you have to do is wash your car occasionally and the graphics will clean up nicely. Magnetic signs need to be cleaned more carefully (in a sink of soapy water is good) or else road sand, salt and dirt collects behind them, damaging the paint on your vehicle, and potentially lifting them from the car (which means you can lose them as you drive down the highway).

Not to malign magnetic signs--they have their place on vehicles, but maybe you should give vehicle graphics greater consideration.

Magnetics vs Vehicle Graphics

A-Frames Are A-OK

With so much emphasis being given to new technologies, sometimes it’s easy to forget that the tried-and-true still has a lot of value. Such is the case regarding A-Frame signs, which have been used by businesses to drive foot traffic for years...and with good reason: they’re an affordable and almost surefire way to get noticed. Because the message is displayed on both the front and back, motorists and pedestrians will see it whether they’re “coming or going.”

An A-Frame is a folding sign with the hinges on the top and a handle between them. It can be stored flat, so it takes up minimal space, and when you’re ready to use it, you simply carry it by the handle and unfold it. A-Frames are very durable and can withstand a surprising amount of stress from weather or heavy traffic. They’re usually made from plastic, with the actual graphics printed on the front, but there are many variations, including an interchangeable front piece that allows graphics to be altered on demand, something that works great for businesses that want to advertise daily or weekly specials.

Innovation is a wonderful thing…but never discount sign options that have proven their value time after time.

A-Frames Are A-OK

Simple and Straightforward

While creativity can certainly be an asset when marketing your business, when it comes to signage, simple and straightforward is always best. Most people will look at a sign for just seconds, so they must immediately be able to figure out what business it represents and what its message is.

Using branding elements consistently, including logos, fonts and colors, will help ensure potential customers can identify your business right away. Golden arches mean only one thing to most people, right? You may never reach the branding heights of McDonald’s, but by being consistent with your signage, you can “train” people to recognize anything associated with your business.

A good sign company will provide more than just production services, but serve as a resource to ensure your verbiage and art elements are appropriate for the size of your sign and the message you seek to communicate, and consistent with your image.

Simple and Straightforward

Outdoor Signs: Dos and Don’ts

Have you ever driven past a place a business because you didn’t notice its sign? In this day of “anything goes” graphics, you’d think that would never occur…but it does all the time. Your quest, as a business owner, is to ensure that your customers can always find you.

Do be sure your outdoor signage is sized appropriately, i.e., if people need to see it from the street, it needs to be larger than if your traffic is primarily walking by. Do choose durable materials to ensure you don’t have to replace the sign due to weathering. And, do be sure you’re familiar with any local sign ordinances before you select exterior signage; you don’t want to inadvertently break any rules.

Don’t vary from your corporate look with respect to colors and logos; you want to build familiarity with signage, not differentiation. Don’t overload signs with too much information, especially if you’re merely trying to get customers into your business. And, don’t make decisions on your own regarding signage if you don’t have the requisite expertise; call in a sign professional to ensure you make educated choices.

Outdoor Signs: Dos and Don’ts

March A-Frame Special

View our Specials Page

March A-Frame Special

Don’t Forget Other Online Video Websites

YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine behind Google. If you’ve checked your email inbox or Facebook wall lately, that’s probably no surprise to you. However, what people seem to forget about online video is this: it’s a great way not only to push your messaging, but also get indexed and improve your brand’s SEO. The next thing that people forget is that there’s more than YouTube at your disposal to do this.

If you’re in charge of your company’s social media or SEO efforts, you’re probably writing rich, keyword-filled descriptions and tags for your company’s video messaging. In this way, you’re not only pushing video messaging, you’re also helping move the needle on social and search, simultaneously.

To this end, it’s best to upload your content while it’s most topical and trending. Likewise, if there’s a surge of discussion online within your industry, try to construct content that is applicable towards that surge. It’s still important that your descriptions and topics are authentic and not misleading, as that’s a quick way to get deleted and, worse, “blacklisted.”

Once your video is uploaded to all of your video channels, be sure to market that video within the appropriate social technology or discussion thread to garner more traffic. You would not push automotive content to an investment forum; although you might push it to a racing site where the demographic is more attune to your messaging. This increases your chance of people taking your video further into their own social grids with mentions and direct embeds.

While not all video sharing websites are going to be right for your brand and messaging, knowing that there’s more than one option can and will empower you to reach a greater audience base.

Here is a rundown of the many other Video Sharing Websites that are out there waiting for your content:

http://www.youtube.com/
http://video.google.com/
http://www.bing.com/videos
http://www.dailymotion.com/
http://www.metacafe.com/
http://www.metacafe.com/
http://www.myspace.com/
http://www.livevideo.com/
http://video.yahoo.com/
http://www.photobucket.com/
http://www.blinkx.com/
http://www.viddler.com/
http://www.blogtv.com/
http://www.vimeo.com/
http://www.fotki.com/
http://www.blip.tv/
http://www.gawkk.com/
http://www.zoopy.com/
http://www.flickr.com/
http://www.revver.com/
http://picasa.google.com
http://www.searchforvideo.com/

Source: One in a series from Starmark.com called "Winning eTips Every Marketer Should Know"

Sign-A-Rama - Kearny Mesa in San Diego

Don’t Forget Other Online Video Websites

3 Reasons Your Business Needs a Sidewalk Sign

Every business, no matter what kind it is needs a sidewalk sign. Not only are sidewalk signs cost  effective but they are also the best way for you to reach potential customers who are walking and  driving by your business every single day.   Here are 3 reasons why you should invest in a sidewalk sign for your business. 

1.    It lets people know you are there - Do you know how many people pass by your business  on any given day? And do you know how many of those people have no idea what kind of  business you have or what you offer? This is where an outdoor sign such as a sidewalk sign  comes in. An outdoor sign lets people know you are there. It will help you get the attention of  passer byers who might not otherwise notice you. 

2.    It's always working for you - A sign can be advertising for you all day everyday helping  you attract new customers and bring new business in. Put your deals on a sign outside of your  business and you are sure to get some walk in's that you otherwise would not have gotten. 

3.    "A business without a sign is a sign of no business." - That is a quote that an industry  professional said and boy is it true. Just by placing one sign in front of your business you can  increase your transactions by a considerable amount. Ignore the importance of an outdoor sign  and you could miss out on a lot of sales. 

Source: Articlesbase.com    

This month Signarama is offering special pricing on sidewalk signs. Give us a call for  details.

Sign-A-Rama - Kearny Mesa in San Diego

3 Reasons Your Business Needs a Sidewalk Sign