bad billboards

Just a few things that I’m sure the outdoor billboard rep “forgot” to mention…

1. The average person isn’t exposed to your billboard the same way you are. Many outdoor sales reps sell their facings (the term for a single billboard) by driving very slowly by the locations of various boards they own. The rep points out the location so the prospect (you) sees the board for as long a time as possible. Then once the client rents the board, they may go out of their way to drive by it. The average person isn’t paying as much attention to the client’s board as the client is.

2. Which billboards do you remember seeing on the way to work? Make a list of the boards along that route and notice the ones you’ve never seen. People who frequently look at billboards are:

  • Those that sell outdoor advertising
  • Those that advertise on them
  • Other advertising sales people
  • Everybody else

3. Winter is a risky time to be advertising on billboards. Where are your eyes when the roads are slippery or the windshield is dirty?

4. The average time someone looks at a billboard is about three seconds. The billboard companies tell advertisers to keep their messages short — seven words or less. How much selling can you do in three seconds or seven words?

PS.   Know what the best two words are for a billboard?   Next Exit.

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Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, Inc, a full service advertising agency in Elk River, Minnesota. He plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. Mitchell is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has over 20 years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.

website: http://www.258marketing.com
email: chris@258marketing.com

 

7 Comments on Four things your Billboard Reps didn’t tell you

MAR
13
2008
1 Featured Post
Funny you should mention billboards.  A rep came by my office recently.  He had two signs he really needed to put someone on.  I drove down the highway...and honestly, unless I was looking for the sign, I wouldn't have noticed. 
10:25pm • #1
Classic photo!  Near Chicago there are many of these billboard advertisements and they are a very expensive way to market, but in crawling traffic I think that there is a little more exposure.  Maybe.... 5 seconds. 
10:25pm • #2

Thanks for the comment Linda.

Richard, being in Chicago, I'm sure you heard about these billboards.  It was in the news last year:

Done by a Chicago law firm. 

10:41pm • #3
MAR
15
2008
MAR
17
2008
3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor
Hey Chris, thanks for the billboard information!  I've been considering adding some boards into the mix of advertising, but they are expensive.  I'll take your advice on start writing down notes about which boards are getting my attention.  
9:38am • #6

Thanks for the comments Chuck and Tony.

Effective billboards = seven words or less. But you can say a lot with good graphics / pictures.

12:30pm • #7

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Chris Mitchell

Elk River, MN

More about me…

25-8 Marketing

Address: 19021 Dodge St NW, Elk River, MN, 55330

Office Phone: (763) 241-1258

Email Me

Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, a full service advertising agency that plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. He is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has 20+ years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.

Chris works with real estate professionals, home builders, and many other clients to help them build their business.

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