How to Use Banners to Improve Business

Most people don't think of banners when they think of active marketing strategies. That's because many business owners hang up a sign and leave it for weeks or months and hope it does the job. When people think of active marketing they often think of television and radio ads that appeal to potential customers and encourage them to try a certain product or service. But a carefully planned banner can perform a call of action that entices customers and increases business.

How to Entice Customers
The key to every marketing campaign is to appeal to a potential customers desire to want to know more about a product or service and enquire with the company that's doing the advertising. Many business owners successfully entice customers by offering promotions, coupons, and other money-saving type practices that get people to try a new product or service. The best way to get customers into your business is to use the call of action philosophy and entice them to do something.

Most business owners don't think about banners when planning an active marketing campaign. That's because many people use signs to advertise the name of their company when they first open or to stand out during a tradeshow that's flooded with competitors. But a banner is an affordable alternative to printed coupons. You can advertise a promotion or savings on a banner rather than paying to have hundreds or thousands of coupons mailed out to potential customers.

The Wording of Your Banner
In order to entice customers into your business, you need to word your banner appropriately. Large hanging banners can hold quite a bit of wording, and you can always end it with a call to action such as "come inside for more information" or "visit us to save money." Banners shouldn't provide all of the information about a promotion, but rather draw customers in by getting them to want to know more about your product or service.

You will need to analyse your business and decide if you should use a banner with more or less wording. Some of the most successful banners do nothing more than advertise that the company is having a promotion. Others advertise the type of promotions available. Some business owners use signs that advertise monthly specials so that customers come to expect something new each month. No matter which way you choose to go, you can stay within budget and expand your marketing strategies by using banners .

Advertising With Outside Business Banners

Banners and signs aren't just for exposition displays or over the top marketing strategies; they can also be used strategically for outside displays. Depending on the type of business you own, you can use outside signs at a variety of different venues. Some industries host outdoor events where businesses rent booths or tent space, and outside signs are the perfect way to market. You can also hang smaller banners outside your business when running marketing specials or advertising a long-term promotion.

Advertising at an Outdoor Venue
If attending an outdoor exposition or tradeshow, make sure your banner is large enough to attract attention. You'll also want to choose a display method that allows you to anchor the banner to avoid it blowing up, blocking your business name.

If you simply have a booth at the tradeshow, you may only need one large banner that advertises your product or service. However, if you have a tent, you may want banners all around the perimeter so that prospective clients can see what you're advertising from all angles. Tents do block the line of vision, so it's important to advertise a little more aggressively.

Outdoor Banners for Your Business Front
Another way to advertise outdoors is to hang a banner outside your business. This works well if your storefront is located in a long shopping center where you have posts to anchor the sign. You can also hang one in a window front to advertise a promotion or special. If your company is located off a major roadway, an outside sign works great for attracting attention from the road. You just need to make sure that the sign is large enough, has bright colors, and the font is large enough for the average person to read most of it from a distance.

Choosing the Right Sign
Before investing in an outdoor banner, you need to figure out the specifications. Most outside marketing involves a larger sign, and an outdoor venue may require that you use a frame to anchor the sign. If hanging something from a tent or rooftop area, you will need a large banner with dark, block lettering to appeal to most customers.

If you're going to be hanging it in a window, you want something smaller that won't clash with the overall feel of your business. The lettering can also be more elegant than a larger sign. To make the most impact, consider using a variety of business banners when promoting outdoors.

Helpful Design Tips to Create Eye-Catching Vinyl Banners

Designing vinyl banners from scratch can be a complex proposition for a business owner, particularly if you have not had previous experience. However, if you have a basic idea on the message you want to convey, all you need are a few design tips to get you started. Of course, once you bring your ideas to the sign company you hire to produce your banner, be sure to listen to their expertise as well when choosing colours, graphics and other design options.

How to Choose the Right Font Style
One basic rule of thumb is to use no more than two font types on your vinyl banners. When you try to be too creative and use multiple font types, it can overwhelm your sign and actually repel attention rather than attract it. Also, use upper and lower case letters when at all possible as it can take longer for people to decipher text displayed in all caps.
Your main message would be best served with a font that offers clean lines like Antique Olive or Futura whereas your supporting message might benefit from fonts with a slightly "artistic" bent like Broadway or Lithograph. Of course, exceptions can be made when choosing fonts for your sign, depending on the business. For instance, a stationary store or bridal shop might benefit from script fonts for their sign as it better relates to the type of business.

Select Appropriate Graphics and Colours
Use graphics such as your logo or clip art to grab the attention of potential customers but not to the point that the graphics overwhelm the text message. If people only concentrate on the picture, they lose the message. Rather, the picture should draw the eye so the natural progression is reading the message that goes with it.
Also, choose a colour combination that is a great contrast between the background and text. Light coloured text on a dark background or vice versa will make your banner signage really pop and boost consumer viewing effectiveness.

Overall Layout and Estimating Viewing Time and Distance
It is important that you allow for some margin space to create an easy to read sign. If you stretch your design and text from edge to edge, you leave no margin of error in regards to display placement of your banner. Also, keep in mind the viewing distance and time a customer has to see your signage. If your business is located in a busy area with plenty of traffic, the font size for your banner should be large enough to see from the street by drivers whereas a location that relies primarily on foot traffic can likely get away with a larger message using a smaller font. It's all a matter of viewing perspective.

If you can keep in mind these design tips, you will likely be able to create some great vinyl banners to display for your business. Great exposure to the public through signage will translate into new customers and higher sales.

Vinyl Banners Can Greatly Boost Your Business Value and Recognition

Graphics and vinyl banners serve several vital purposes for your business. They inform the public, direct consumers in a certain direction in regards to purchasing and sell to customers. First impressions are vital, especially when you are a new business and it is the colours and graphics on your advertising signage that typically helps consumers form their first impressions. Therefore, it is important that you invest in signage that employs these characteristics.

How People Typically Learn about Businesses
Did you know that most people learn about new businesses by driving or walking by them? Of course, their attention is snagged effectively when vinyl banners are displayed on the business premises. The second most common way to learn about a new business is through word of mouth, the recommendation of others. Newspapers and internet advertising should not be discounted either. To a lesser extent, hearing a radio advertisement is another avenue of promotion. However, nothing trumps prominent signage that draws the attention of passersby.

Signage Offers Value
Banners are a valuable advertising tool for all types of businesses, regardless of size. Signage aids in promoting consumer awareness whether it is a service, product or event. It can also induce customers to make purchases, alter their purchase decisions and even foster greater brand recognition and equity.
Another great facet of investing in signage for your business is that it is inexpensive, particularly when compared to the cost of advertising on the radio, television or even newspapers. During an economic slump, advertising is more important than ever as it keeps your business name and recognition in the forefront of consumers' minds and you also maintain a long-term advantage over your competition.

Effective signage also can influence those consumers that have not made up their minds about your business offerings versus others. With the right displayed banners and the right position and banner frames you can sway customers into making a switch. Then, once you have them hooked, it is up to you to provide an excellent product or service along with great customer service and value in order to keep them.

A good  banner company will help you bring your design ideas to life. However, unless you are well-versed in marketing concepts and what would best draw customers to your business, listen to the advice of the sign company you hire. They have a good idea of what graphics, colours and even text to use that will best get the attention of customers. Vinyl banners and other advertising signage can go a long way towards boosting your business name and brand recognition which will translate into sales.