Getting your business through a sales slump

Every small to medium enterprise (SME) goes through sluggish periods – it’s an unavoidable economic reality. The key is to recognise when you are experiencing a slump, try to find out why this might be and then work out effective strategies to counteract it. There are many things you can do to help your business increase revenue and win new customers during difficult times. Here are just a few of them:

Online marketing: With more and more businesses turning to the Internet for marketing purposes, you can’t afford to not have a website of some kind. Online marketing through social media such as Facebook and Twitter is free and the networking opportunities it presents can really help you win new customers. However, it takes time to build up business this way so you may want to consider SEO strategies or search engine marketing (paid online placement). However, the latter can be expensive so if you have a small budget you may want to think very carefully before you take this route.

Advertising banners: Not every business relies on the Internet for boosting sales. If you have a shop in a certain location and want to draw in more customers during a time of low turnover, the answer for you may be a more traditional marketing strategy such as signs and banners. These are a simple and eyecatching way to get your message across and can really work on a smaller scale. You might consider having a sale or special offer and using advertising banners to promote this.

Branch out: Depending on the kind of slump you are experiencing, you may want to consider offering a different kind of product or service. For example, if you sell skiing equipment or lessons, sales may well dip each year during the summer months. What you could do is branch out into selling different kinds of sporting gear and related accessories – and, of course, advertise it using the above methods. If you are a company known for developing unique and innovative new gadgets, now might be the time to get an exciting new product to market.

Ask for referrals: You may not want to approach your customers, but sometimes this can be the quickest way to add to your client list. Go to your best and most longstanding customers, who know you can be relied on, explain that business is slow and that you would like to make some new business contacts. You will find that most people will be only too happy to give references for a valued supplier.

Vinyl: The sign of success

There are many methods to advertise your business to the public. Bigger companies go for television or radio advertising, some use magazines, some pay for online search engine placement whilst others go for the tried-and-test method of signs and banners. If you are a smaller company and don’t have a huge marketing budget, but want local customers to be aware of what you have to offer, then this last option is  the one for you. There are many kinds of signs you could use, but vinyl signs and banners are the logical choice.

Here’s why:

Vinyl gives you great versatility. High-quality vinyl graphics and lettering can be applied to any clean gloss surface – such as van, cars or shop windows – and can be designed in a huge variety of typefaces and colours. If you have an idea of the kind of graphics you want but need help putting it together, find a specialist sign maker who will be able to create a customised design for you.

Vinyl is waterproof and durable, so you can put your signs up outside or on a vehicle without worrying that they are going to quickly fade or become tattered. The colours will not bleed so you can achieve a professional look for longer. Furthermore, a lot of the inks used today for vinyl are UV-resistant, so the signs won’t be damaged by the sun either. Remember to choose heavier material for outdoor use, and lighter materials for inside.

Vinyl signs and banners are lightweight, portable and easy to install. This makes them the perfect choice if you are going to a trade fair or rally and need to transport a large amount of material at one time. They can simply be unrolled and put in place, then when the event is over they can be rolled up again to be reused. The fact that these are re-usable products also, of course, makes them even more valuable from the point-of-view of cost efficiency.

These kinds of signs and banners can also be made quickly. Once you have decided on the design you want, you can take it to your chosen specialist sign maker who will be able to advise you on the size and shape of banner, and will then, with the use of modern digital printing technologies, be able to get your finished products to you in a matter of days, if required.

There are many ways to advertise your business, but using vinyl signs is one of the most quick, efficient and cost-effective. With the high-tech printing methods available today, you can be guaranteed a product which looks professional and can withstand any weather conditions.

The many uses of PVC

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a biologically and chemically resistant material which makes it ideal for use in products which are likely to be exposed to strong weather conditions or corrosive liquids, for example. It is a widely used today in many different industry sectors owing to its low cost, versatility, durability and ability to be worked easily into many different shapes. As an added advantage, PVC is seeing growing acceptance within the green lobby owing to its recyclability. Here are some of its current major industry applications:

Pipes: Pipes are probably the major application for PVC today. PVC pipes can be used for water distribution or for sewers, and their light weight, high strength and low reactivity also make them ideal for municipal applications. When they are fused together using chemicals or heat fused they are almost entirely leak-proof. Furthermore, they are not brittle so will not crack under pressure.

Signs and Banners: An increasing number of companies are recognising the benefits of using PVC banners to advertise their products and services. PVC banners, in the form of vinyl-backed films or flat sheets, are an inexpensive option which can be placed wherever the user wishes to advertise their goods. These are ideal for outdoor use as they are waterproof and durable, making them a long-lasting and cost-effective option. They can also be printed using inkjet printers using a wide range of solvent inks and ultraviolet-curable inks so they won’t fade in the sunlight either.

 Wires: PVC is also widely used as insulation material for electric wires. One reason for this is its ability to bend without breaking, which contributes to the safety aspect. Furthermore, some forms of PVC-coated wires can even act as fire-retardants.

General Construction: In addition to the pipes mentioned about, PVC’s corrosion resistance also makes it a highly desirable material for construction applications such as window frames and water butts. It is also increasingly used in the interior of the house for ceiling tiles, as PVC tiles are light, strong, relatively cheap, provide good insulation and are easy to install.

Medical Use: The pharmaceutical industry has not been slow to harness the potential of PVC either. It is biocompatible with blood or bodily tissues, meaning it can be used for flood bags or intravenous containers in hospitals. Another benefit of PVC products from a healthcare perspective is that their composition means they can easily be heat-treated or sterilised to make them safe for patient care.

Textiles: PVC has also been taken up by the fashion world, in some cases as a low-cost alternative to leather, latex or rubber. In other cases it is used simply because of the striking effect it produces if manufactured in bright colours, making it perfect for fancy dress or to create a unique costume for a stage performer.

The use of PVC for a huge range of industry applications continues to grow. This highly versatile and durable material can be used for construction, advertising, healthcare or even textiles – the list goes on.

Promoting a product? Choose vinyl banners

If you are looking for a simple, effective way to promote a sale, a new product or new business then using vinyl banners is one way of getting the results you want. They are relatively low-cost which makes them great for smaller companies which probably won’t have the budget to advertise on radio, television or by paid online marketing, but instead want to reach out directly to those passing by.

The most commonly used material for vinyl signs is PVC.  They are very durable and the majority are waterproof meaning they can withstand most weather conditions.  They are also usually printed with long-lasting pigments which won’t wash away and continuous developments in digital printing methods are further enhancing this longevity, as well as offering an almost limitless choice of colour. In fact, many digitally printed signs are ultra-violet resistant which means they are unlikely to fade over time and can last up to five years.

Depending on your needs or the graphic style you’re using, you will be able to find a banner to suit you. Matte vinyl is ideal for a subtle, more retro style but if you want to go for all-out vibrant colour then use glossy vinyl instead. Blackout vinyl is the one to choose if you want to display a slogan or artwork on both sides of the banner. If you have a large amount of banners to put up and speed is your priority, then go for self-adhesive vinyl which simply allows you to peel off the backing and put it in place. If you banner is particularly large, for example if you want it to cover the side of a building, then you can use a mesh material which will allow the wind to pass through.

Whichever of the above options you choose, one of the best things about vinyl banners from a business perspective is that they look very professional, unlike paper or cloth banners which may disintegrate, tear or bleed colour – not a good way to make an impression on potential clients or supporters. They are also very portable, meaning you can take them down and set up a new promotional site elsewhere, allowing you to stretch your advertising budget further.

As you can see, all of these have something to recommend them and they can come in any shape or size you might want. If you are unsure which to use you can always look up a specialist sign company who would be happy to advise you on the best fit for your business and even help you create the concept and design.

Vinyl banners are an inexpensive and highly effective way to promote a product, cause or business. They can come in many forms to suit all purposes, from glossy to matte and self-adhesive, and can also be durable enough to withstand all weather conditions.

Save time and money with magnetic signs

There are times when you may want to display a sign on a metal surface but only for a limited period of time. Perhaps your company has a sale on for a certain time or perhaps you are just the kind of business whose products or services change on a regular basis. This is where magnetic signs can provide the solution, as they can be fitted and removed at will. They are particularly suited for vehicles such as vans or trucks but can also be applied to any other metal surface.

One of the reasons magnetic signs are particularly suitable for vehicles is that they can hold firm enough even if the van or truck is travelling at speeds of up to 70mph. They are also durable for outdoor conditions as they will be covered with a tough, clear laminate to withstand any weather conditions. If you want to spread brand awareness through your company’s transport fleet this is an easy a relatively low-cost way to do it, as your brand message will be displayed whether you the vehicle is being driven, or parked up.

Then these is the added advantage that, unlike painted-on signs, magnetic signs be alternated with other messages or advertising material which gives you the advantage of flexibility. Some companies’ products or services change on a regular basis and it stands to reason that they would want their advertising to reflect these changes. These quick changeovers can also save you a great deal of time, and because these signs are cheaper than permanently painted signs you are also saving money in the long-term.

Furthermore, magnetic signs can give you just as much choice in terms of colour and style as more traditional, painted-on signs. You can choose between a gloss or stain finish which gives the sign a high-quality, professional look, and the options are far as design goes are limitless. It’s probably best, bearing in mind that the vehicle will be on the move a lot of the time, to keep the design simple and easy to read – but if you want it more detailed or complex, go for it.

Another advantage of these signs is that they are very easy to clean. All you have to do is wipe it with any kind of household cleaner and a soft cloth. This is useful to bear in mind if you have a large vehicle fleet and don’t have the time to clean each vehicle individually every day, but still want your sign to be displayed to the best advantage. We all know that on a busy day it is not always possible to do everything.

 There are many varieties of sign available for advertising your business, but magnetic signs are a particularly versatile and cost-effective solution for commercial vehicles. They are easy to fit and remove, can be cleaned quickly and will stay in place at high speeds, making them a highly attractive option for business owners.

Floor graphics: Marketing from the ground up

Floor graphics are a very effective way of advertising your brand – little wonder then that they have taken off in a big way in recent years. They work because, as we all have to look where we are going as we walk along, we are almost certain to notice anything eye-catching the ground in front of us. Something in the sky, on a screen or on a wall, on the other hand, is not automatically going to catch out attention if we happen to be looking in the other direction. All you have to do, then, is create a design which is clear and striking enough to get you message home in a glance.

There are several methods of creating floor graphics, all of which have their own benefits. Most are still put in place using an adhesive-backed vinyl, usually with a protective laminate to make it last for up to three or even six months. This makes it a suitable option for outdoor locations such as pavements, as well as for wood or other standard floor surfaces. It is also pretty versatile, as you can use a variety of materials for creating colour including airbrushed dyes or pigmented coats.

If you are only looking to place your vinyl floor graphics inside for a short period of time – say for a trade show or festival – then go for a cheaper option which can be peeled off after a few days or weeks. If you go to a good graphics supplier, they will also include a non-slip safety surface – essential if you are planning to advertise in a highly pedestrianised area.

Overhead projection is a very fast way of creating eye-catching graphics, requiring only a projector, photocopier, transparency paper and of course your pre-prepared images. If you only want your image to appear for a day or a few hours, this could be the right option for you as it is cheap and you can even have the graphics moving if you want to make it stand out even more. Bear in mind, though, that this is not a long-term solution.

Finally, if you are not expecting to reproduce your graphics many different times, then floor graphics designed free-hand can allow you or your chosen designer to be as creative as they want. Materials often used for this style of advertising include pigmented cement-based skim coats, dyes and tints. This is a good way of making a unique, one-off statement about your brand – but it will be hard to exactly reproduce a free-hand design which can ultimately be expensive. If you are looking to roll this out at several different shops, for example, then it’s probably one to avoid.

Floor graphics can be a unique, fun and eye-catching way to advertise your brand. Going for adhesive-backed vinyl designs will give you quality and longevity, but there are also other options to consider such as overhead projection or free-hand design.

Creating a strong exhibition stand

Banners are used for many purposes, from business advertising, to protests or even just decoration. However, with the growing use of online banner ads to replace the more traditional form of advertising for everyday purposes, their use is being concentrated more and more upon specific events such as exhibitions.

An exhibition is a perfect opportunity for you to present your products, services or campaign to a target audience, allowing you to make new contacts and increase awareness of what you have to offer. Creating a great advertising campaign for an event can really pay off and will bring visitors flocking to your stand, whatever field you happen to be working in.

To create the most effective banner, you need to work out a clear message and stick to it. Who are you looking to target? What are their priorities? How can you meet these? You should be asking yourself all these questions and more when you are putting your slogan and message together.

Next: the stand itself. If you want to grab the attention of your audience, you don’t necessarily have to go for the biggest option available – although this is certainly one way to create impact. What you could do is consider 3D aluminium banner frames which can carry four banners at the same time, on each side. This way your message is on view from every angle.

The great thing about well-designed banner frames is that they are relatively inexpensive, light and easy to transport. You also need a stand that will be easy to assemble. Spending time messing around trying to construct complicated stands can leave you looking somewhat unprofessional.

Another huge benefit of banner frames is that you can use them again and again, interchanging the design print. Often at a single exhibition you may have two or even several aspects of a campaign to present over the course of a few days. If you have a few frames already in place, all you need to do is swap the prints each day and you are ready to start afresh! Imagine the benefits, then, if you attend several such events each year. They are also versatile in that they can be stood upright to be placed around your exhibition stand, or on their side if you have landscape prints and want the frames to spread over a wider area – perhaps for outdoor events.

If you look online you should be able to find a number of companies offering high quality banner frames complete with any accessories you might need such as tubes and connectors.  They are well worth considering if you want a cost-effective, efficient and easy-to-use system to promote your message.

Attending industry exhibitions is one of the best ways to promote new products and services or make business contacts. One of the most effective methods of advertising at these events is to use a banner frame which are easy to assemble, light and can be re-used again

Create the perfect banner for your business

You’ve refurbished your shop or brought in an exciting new product line, but now you need a bold, striking way to get this message across to your core customer base. There are many ways to market your business, but banners are one of the simplest and most time-honoured methods out there. If you get the design right – simple and bold is best – then you stand a great chance of pulling in new clients and increasing your turnover. So how do you go about creating your advertising banner?

Get your message right: As we all know, the most important element to any advertising campaign is a bold, succinct and memorable slogan that encapsulates in a few words what your business or new product is all about. And if you’re advertising a sale in a shop, for example, then the date and time it is happening should be very clearly displayed. Beautifully designed, well-made banners are all very well, but if they aren’t telling potential clients what you want them to know, they are essentially a waste of your marketing budget.

Keep the design simple: Once you have decided on your slogan, you need to start fitting the design of the banner around it. Make sure your text is clearly visible from a distance to ensure the maximum possible effect. Don’t, whatever you do, overcrowd it by using too much colour or imagery as this will detract from the message you are trying to convey. Less is most definitely more.

Choose the right materials: If you want your banner to be up for more than a week then you need it to be durable. Look for banner makers which are sewn with rot-proof polyester threads or something equally strong, and printed with long-life UV-stable outdoor inks. If you really want your banner to be strong you should also go for a fairly heavy fabric. On the other hand, if you are only intending to use the banners once, or very occasionally, a lighter weight material will do fine and is also cheaper. If you want to go for a greener option, choose a recyclable material such as polypropylene, or even a biodegradable material such as bamboo or some form of bioplastic.

Location, location, location: Now you have your banner, or banners, the final step is choosing the perfect place for them. Who do you want to see it? Motorists? Pedestrians? Will you be putting it outside your shop to entice people in, or putting several banners in strategic places throughout the town on custom banner stands? Are you aware of all the laws regarding sign placement?

The key to creating a great banner to promote your business is a strong, simple message. You also need to make sure you choose the right location to display your banner and use the right materials if longevity is a factor.

Banners Are Perfect For Promoting New And Established Businesses

Financial constraints often mean that small businesses are limited in the amount of advertising they can readily afford. Therefore whatever advertising they commit to has to work harder to justify itself. If you’ve ever run an ad in a newspaper or magazine you’ll know exactly what I mean. Traditional forms of print advertising like newspapers, trade publications and advertising directories can work out extremely costly. Even the smallest-sized ad in your local newspaper can be expensive and may not always provide a satisfactory return on investment.

This realization means that many businesses are shying away from directory advertising. For example, to make your advertising stand out in a local business directory such as Yellow Pages, you will need a well-designed box ad, which once again can prove a budget buster. Not only that, but the merits of placing your ‘well-designed’ and costly ad bang in the centre of those of your closest competitors is debatable to say the least.

It is regularly lamented in the press that two out of three start-up businesses fail within their first 18 months of trading. Often this is directly attributed to a lack of funds, but equally it can be said that many businesses fail because they fail to get their brand values across to their target audience successfully.

One established way to get your company message into the wider world is through advertising banners. Banners are equally effective for start-up ventures as for well-established businesses. They are the affordable advertising solution for all types of businesses.

Unlike traditional print advertising which requires a weekly or monthly financial commitment, banners require a one-off investment, but they make your advertising go further. Banners are a unique and versatile way to make the most of your marketing budget. Banners are perfect for using on site at your place of work, as well for events, exhibitions and shows. You can use them for new product launches and promotions . . .
Banners come in a variety of sizes and can be designed to your individual requirements, incorporating your company logo and branding.

Because banners are generally made from PVC material and are therefore virtually weather-proof, they are ideal for all kinds of outdoor events and marketing promotions. Your banner can be eye-catching . . .  thought provoking . . . entertaining . . . whatever you want it to be.

Banners are a proven way to attract new custom at a fraction of the cost of traditional print advertising. Unlike a print advertisement, once your banner is installed outside your business or place of work, it will remain there until you decide otherwise. Banners provide a unique and cost-conscious type of advertising service that will run and run . . .