Getting a billboard....want to keep it simple

[Puff]

I've decided to get a billboard to advertise my business. I just want to keep it simple so I'm thinking about going with something like:

Expert Computer Repair
Veteran Owned & Operated
(281) 306-HELP
www.DataRescue911.com


Of course the "Expert Computer Repair" will be in large font with everything else a bit smaller.

As always everyone's input and/or suggestions are valued.

For those of you curious to know pricing I'm paying $350 a month for a half size billboard on busy highway about two miles from my place of business. I did not research the traffic flow in that area but it's one of two major highways that cut through the town I'm in and it's well traveled.

Thanks

 

[NeutronTech]

How good is the return on that? I honestly can't say that I have ever went to a business because I saw a billboard ad. But, it could certainly help with branding. I just don't know if I would pay that much money each month for it. What is your expected return?

 

[Puff]

How good is the return on that? I honestly can't say that I have ever went to a business because I saw a billboard ad. But, it could certainly help with branding. I just don't know if I would pay that much money each month for it. What is your expected return?

I'm not sure what to expect which I why I will only go into a six month contract which gives me the option to renew. A month to month contract has no option for renewal.

What I'm hoping for is at least enough of a return to pay for the bill board and since my average invoice is right around $160 then two customers a month would just about cover the cost.

Like everything else it's a risk and you don't know unless you take the risk. I can tell you that my ad in a local coupon magazine was a mistake. I spent $540 for a half page ad that had a return of $120 and the magazine company continues to hound me to run my ad two more times. Sorry but I'm not willing to spend $1080 just to make $240.

 

[Corbin]

I would love to know how well this works out for you. Iv been told some good call back on them, depending on where they are, but then Iv been told some negative because they don't get enough eyes.

The best advice Iv been told is to have just enough info for some one to read it at 60mph. And your phone number is easy to remember so Im sure you should have some call back.

 

[NeutronTech]

I don't know. I think I am going to do a float in the next parade. Seems like it would hit a ton more people for very little money.

 

[Puff]

I would love to know how well this works out for you. Iv been told some good call back on them, depending on where they are, but then Iv been told some negative because they don't get enough eyes.

The best advice Iv been told is to have just enough info for some one to read it at 60mph. And your phone number is easy to remember so Im sure you should have some call back.

You're right, it has to be short and easy to read...basically you need to be able to read it by looking at it. Yes, the number is easy to remember...big plus.


I'm going to make up a few designs tomorrow.

 

[Puff]

Here's what I have in mind. I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Alan22]

I'm not a big advocate of using a billboard to promote small business like this, but I wish you sucess with it. I really hope it works for you.

I think your design is right on the money. When folks are driving you have just a couple of seconds to capture attention. I think your phone number and url are easy to remember. I like the one with the "Veteran Owned & Operated" on it. I think that gives it more credibility.

Hey, you know what I would do? When the billboard ad goes up take a picture of it and place it on your homepage with a message like "See Our Billboard off Road 123 & Main St., Anytown, TX". I think that way when people visit your website they'll know they're at the correct one.

 

[Corbin]

Very Straight Foreward, and very easy, I assume it will stand out with the red, unless the sky goes red. GoodLuck!!!!

 

[Titan-vds]

I would put your Logo on there also.

 

[Puff]

I would put your Logo on there also.

I would if it were a larger billboard but this one is a half size and I don't want to crowd it.

Clear Channel give me another discount and I'm down to $325 a month for a six month term and if I wanted to do a one year term they would drop it to $275.

I'm going to give this one six months to see how it works out. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Mushin]

I'm not sure what to expect which I why I will only go into a six month contract which gives me the option to renew. A month to month contract has no option for renewal.

What I'm hoping for is at least enough of a return to pay for the bill board and since my average invoice is right around $160 then two customers a month would just about cover the cost.

Like everything else it's a risk and you don't know unless you take the risk. I can tell you that my ad in a local coupon magazine was a mistake. I spent $540 for a half page ad that had a return of $120 and the magazine company continues to hound me to run my ad two more times. Sorry but I'm not willing to spend $1080 just to make $240.

based on this the monthly cost for the Bill Board is approx $320.00?

I think that is a pretty good rate. does this include the design and printing as well?

At $320 I would probably do it just for the exposure alone.

 

[Mushin]

Feed back on Ad.

It is bold and stands out but there is no call to action. So... people will read it and drive on.

Have you considered putting something on there to compell them to come to you?

Like:

FREE Diagnosicts
SAVE $69.99


Since Geek Squad charges $70.00 you can market against that for effect.

 

[Puff]

based on this the monthly cost for the Bill Board is approx $320.00?

I think that is a pretty good rate. does this include the design and printing as well?

At $320 I would probably do it just for the exposure alone.

$325 per month for six months with an option to extend.

Artwork is a one time fee of $200...includes printing ad onto latex and applying to the billboard.

Clear Channel requires you pay the $200 for the artwork and one month in advance.

If you sign a lease for less than six months the price is $400 a month and you DO NOT get the option to extend. When your lease is up, the billboard may have already been leased to someone else.

 

[Puff]

Thanks for the tips.


Here are a couple of other ideas I'm tossing around. Most of my business is data recovery and virus removal/prevention so I think it might be a good idea to continue to focus on those two core services because they are also my most profitable.

Anyway, here are the two boards. One concern I am having is using the logo on the billboard. People will be driving by and if the first thing they see is a version of a red cross they might immediately think it's health care related. Do you think it would be a distraction?

 

[Harold]

You have a glance to get something to stick in their mind as they drive by. The most important thing you want them to remember should be the biggest font. My first glance at the ad, when I look away, what I remember is "WE CAN HELP!". It's a good message but I would need to go back to the ad to find out how to contact you.

I think your website should either be in the biggest font or if you decide to keep WE CAN HELP as your biggest font, I would have the website as the next line underneath in font that is bigger then your normal text.

If I had to make a choice between the website in a bigger font vs the logo graphic, I would go with the bigger font.

You will never have the budget to float your logo enough times and in enough places for branding purposes. Leave that for Nike and Coca Cola.