A Great Range Of Choice For Marketing Professionals Who Prefer Large Ad Formats

More than ever before there is great choice when it comes to advertising banners. The different medium and variety of products is truly amazing. In fact, you could almost say that the range has reached a point where it could even be considered to be too great.

The selection can be overwhelming. And because of this it requires a dedicated and highly knowledgeable marketing professional to pull together the right mix. He or she must make the correct selection of collateral in order to successfully deliver a campaign. The work cannot be random or done quickly without research or forethought; that kind of approach will be ineffective and will waste money.

This article will give an overview of some of the different types of advertising banners on offer and how they can work for your organisation so that initiatives can yield the results you desire.

Billboard – Giant poster and transport ads are amongst the oldest in the industry. Yet interestingly they are one of the most enduring and effective. Why? The reasons are not hard to figure out. You're able to exposure message to a large number of people very quickly and, compared to television and radio, they are relatively inexpensive. As everyone knows, people don't have to use the public system to be exposed to these options. If you're travelling in a car, particularly during rush hour, you will see this kind of product and it'll capture attention.

However, these things do have their drawbacks. The number of words is a limited and some people would actually consider them a shallow format. You can't get a very lengthy message on the back of the bus or even on a billboard. Another limitation is that performance is highest in urban areas. If you need to reach many people in different settings, including rural or even isolated locations, they won't work. So it would be unwise for you to allocate your complete budget to this one option alone. But they can be used very well for product launches and new initiatives.

Online – Options have evolved tremendously since the dawn of the Internet in the early 1990s. There are many different kinds of adverts you can opt for but they should be used very carefully. These can also be expensive and generally speaking today only yield good results on high traffic websites. You need to explore the pricing model. If it's paid per impression is going to be accruing costs even though the visitor doesn't click through the ad and take a look at your website. Usually, pay per click is the best option. It shows that your ad has captured attention and someone wants to have a look - at the very least that's the first step towards making a sale.

Overall, web adverts have fallen in popularity in recent years. It appears that customers want to focus more on content when they are online and not be drawn to messages that push products or services. This is quite different when compared with print because we all know that individuals pick up a newspaper or magazine to actually browse through display ads. However, don't feel that this should be ignored. It still has its place and should be used alongside other formats as part of your channels.

You need to think about the technical file format. If you go with Flash there will still be some people using browsers who can't accommodate that file type.

Print - despite our on-going embrace of all things web, magazines and newspapers still have an important role to play when it comes to promotions. As with the opportunities outlined above, your first steps should be to understand who you're trying to reach and then explore what they read. If it's a niche audience then go with specialist products. If it's broad and general, then pick lifestyle mags and some mainstream press.

Why Use Advertising Banners?

Using advertising banners and signs is the perfect way to draw attention to your business or promotion. As long as you take care to create a clear and arresting design, and place them strategically, they are sure to get your message across. Whilst many larger businesses are also using internet marketing methods today, nothing quite beats an old-fashioned banner for immediate impact. So why, no matter what the size of your company or retail outlet, should you invest in this form of advertising?

Versatility: Advertising banners can come in virtually any size or shape you want. If you want a giant banner to cover an entire wall of your building, or several smaller ones placed in strategic locations, the choice is yours. If you find a good signmaker with the latest hi-tech printing equipment, you can also have the choice of any colours and the level of printing quality today is fantastic.

It all depends on how much you want to spend, so price is flexible too. If you want to use your banners for a sustained period it may be worth paying a little more for increased durability, but for a day-long campaign you can pay less but still be assured that you will get a high level of printing quality.

Durability: If you use vinyl banners and signs they are highly durable. Many shop owners, if they are embarking on an extended campaign, like to use these because they are pretty much weather-proof and can last weeks or even months.

Immediacy: Online marketing campaigns such as email marketing are great for building up a steady level of business over time, but if you want an immediate impact nothing beats a really high-impact advertising banner. It’s worth bringing in a graphic designer to create something special and make sure you work out the most strategic locations to place your banners. After all, if you have a sale on in your local store or a week-long promotion you want to bring people in then and there, not wait for them to find you online.

Simplicity: Many companies may be too small or perhaps just don’t have the time to build up a complicated marketing strategy. One of the best things about advertising banners is their sheer simplicity – you put them up and let them do the work for you. Also, if you regularly attend trade shows, display banners are very simple to transport as well as being highly robust, so you can take them with you again and again when you are trying to make new business contacts or promote a new product.

How to promote a local event

There is nothing more demoralising then lovingly organising an event down to the last detail, only for nobody to turn up on the day. The thing is, it doesn’t matter how well crafted the event is, if  you haven’t done everything you can to promote it then how will your target audience know it is happening? There could be thousands of people all keen to turn up at your gig, specialist trade fair, rally – whatever your event might be – but they won’t be attending unless you alert them to the opportunity by following some or all of the simple strategies listed below:

Use the internet: More and more companies or event planners are recognising the advantages of using social media such as Facebook or Twitter to alert their target audience to an upcoming event. Whilst we think of the Internet as a very international medium, it is also great for promoting local events. All you have to do is find local groups or networks with interest in your target area, or if you already have your own Facebook group or Twitter account you can simply alert your followers directly, who can then spread the message to their own friends or followers. If you have a website, make sure you take advantage of this with regular blog updates.

Advertising banners: Whilst you can’t ignore the advantage of using the Internet for promotion, for a local event it also pays to invest in more traditional methods of ensuring your event is well-attended. Eye-catching advertising banners can be placed in key strategic locations throughout a local area, and if you go for a waterproof kind, such as vinyl, they can be put up several weeks before the event so you get the optimum benefit from them.

Send out press releases:  Put tougher a concise and well-worded press release and send it out to local newspapers, magazines or even radio stations if you know they are willing to make announcements on events in the area. Be sure to include all the relevant information including time, place, how to get there and the major highlights etc. This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many organisers neglect to mention key information in press releases.

Start early: It is absolutely no good leaving your promotion until the last minute and then expecting people to turn up in their droves. With all the methods mentioned above, and any others you may like to try, they will only work if you start well in advance to ensure they reach the maximum number of people and give them time to plan their attendance. We all lead busy lives today, and even if we might desperately want to attend an event, if we only find out about it at the last minute this just may not be possible.

Organising a successful event involves a huge amount of planning and there are so many different considerations to bear in mind. But the one thing you can’t neglect is promotion: without expert promotion, even the most meticulously planned and organised event can turn out to be a damp squib with poor attendance.

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.

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 . . .

How to Use Advertising Banners Effectively

Advertising banners are a great way to promote businesses and events without having to spend lots of money. What makes them so great is that you can have any design you like printed onto them and they come in a range of sizes and styles to suit your individual needs. They are printed onto durable material using UV inks so that they stay looking good no matter what the weather conditions and can be used for many years. However it is not as simple as just printing a design onto advertising banners and hanging them up; you need to make sure that they are appealing and eye catching and located where people will see them.

1. Location

One of the most important aspects in using advertising banners successfully is that you hang them where there is lots of foot traffic and cars. This means that as many people as possible will see and read them. If you are located off the beaten track slightly then advertising banners can be a great way to draw people’s attention to where you are based. You may prefer to hang you banners on the side of a building but remember that they can also be attached to flag poles.

2. Selecting a Colour Scheme

This may not seem like an important factor but it is vital that your advertising banners look professional and are easy on the eye. Avoid selecting colours that will clash as this can automatically put people off reading your banner, however make sure that you choose colours that are not going to blend into the background and be ignored. If the sign is for a business then consider using your business colours for easy brand recognition.

3. Choosing a Font

The font that you decide to use is incredibly important since it needs to be large enough that your advertising banners can be easily read. Try not to pick an overly fancy font that is not going to be legible from a distance and be sure to choose a colour that stands out from the rest of your banner.

4. The Content

Although you need to make sure that you put all the relevant information on your advertising banners it is vital that you do not over crowd them and make them difficult to read. In the main people tend to read banners quite quickly and will not always stop to read every detail, so make sure that they can be read fast. 

Eco-Friendly Advertising Banners

The green revolution is ever present and many companies, in particular, are finding themselves under scrutiny for their attention or lack thereof to green or eco-friendly initiatives. Various areas can be green in the way that you do business and you can use eco conscious advertising banners to demonstrate your commitment to being green.

You might not have given much thought to the sorts of advertising collateral you use. You want it to be effective and cost effective. But have you thought about the fact that using environmentally friendly advertising materials also makes a positive statement to everyone you do business with?

Signs and advertising banners are used on a regular basis for many companies. If you are purchasing a banner or sign, whether your event is eco friendly inspired and related to a green initiative or not, choosing something sustainable or recyclable is a smart idea. Whether you're hosting a green event or you simply want to be sure your company consistently exhibits a commitment to being environmentally friendly, signs and banners are another area that can demonstrate your commitment.

Many companies do internal launches for being more environmentally friendly to educate their staff on conservation of company resources and kicking off an educational event in this area can be done well if you're using eco-friendly marketing materials such as recyclable paper, doing digital advertising to save trees, and perhaps using an advertising banner in the office that serves to remind staff of the company's firm commitment to be greener.

In advertising, banners can often be made with sustainable, recyclable, and recycled materials. Today's options include polypropylene fabric, which is 100% recyclable and bamboo fibre, over 99% biodegradable and you can work with bamboo that isn't treated with pesticides to further demonstrate the company's conscious decision to be as green and earth friendly as possible. Beyond eco friendly advertising banners, you might also be interested in eco friendly roll up displays that are made with bamboo fibre.

If your company gives preference to earth friendly practises, you will probably want to work with companies who take a stand on environmental issues and who lead by example. When choosing an advertising banner or printing company to deal with, look for their commitment by checking for some of the following initiatives:

• Offering an eco friendly option 
• Demonstrating a commitment to avoiding harsh chemicals wherever possible 
• Indications that the company does its best to conserve energy in manufacturing and printing processes 
• Demonstrates a commitment to employee health and safety through business practises.

Signs and banners are used in public to make a statement about your company to customers, to business partners, and even to your own internal staff. Using environmentally friendly business practises wherever you can makes sense for how your customers and business partners will see you. This area is very important to make companies and consumers. If you need advertising done, talk to your sign printing company about environmentally friendly banner options.

Which Advertising Banners Should You Use?

Advertising banners can be an excellent marketing and branding tool to use for business, for local events, and more.  They can be valuable and help you draw attention and they help with identification as well. They can attract people as well as inform them. There are many options for styles, material, finishes, and even for how you can display them.

Advertising banners can be used a variety of ways, too. You can use them on your building, at trade shows, and at public events. Here is some information about advertising banners as well as tips for helping you choose the right banners for your business or event.

Indoor Banners

Indoor banners can work great for internal marketing purposes as well as to advertise your business at a trade show or conference. Indoor banners are  usually made differently than outdoor banners as they are often made with different material that doesn’t have to be as durable. Make sure you talk to your sign company to determine the best material to use based on whether you’re advertising indoors or outdoors.

Outdoor Advertising Banners

Outdoor advertising banners need to pop so that people see it. They need to attract attention and to be durable and able to withstand elements. If you need a banner, talk to the advertising banner company about how you’ll be using it and how long it needs to be displayed outside so you can be assured it is designed for that specific purpose.

Cost and Other Considerations

When having advertising banners created, you’re paying for materials and you’re also paying for printing. There are many banner options available and you can have an economy banner or a full colour option as well. Be sure to get a full quotation before placing an order so you know the full costs. A conversation with the sign company will help you not only find out about costs but find out which type of signage is appropriate for you. This conversation can help you get the sign you want and can result in getting one that can be used for a long time.

Hanging Them

Hanging advertising banners can be done a variety of different ways. You might use wires or bungee cords or tubes that act like tent poles. A newer trend for advertising banners is to use banner frames. Frames can hold it and make transporting it easy and they’re available in various sizes, such as: 5’ x 3’, 10’ x 3’, and other sizes, including 20’ x 3’.

Regardless of what type you’re using and what your reasons are, talking to a professional company who specialises in creating them will help you make sure you get the end result you’re looking for.

Advertising Banners that are Environmentally Friendly

The green revolution is ever present and many companies, in particular, are finding themselves under scrutiny for their attention or lack thereof to green or eco-friendly initiatives.  Various areas can be green in the way that you do business and you can use eco conscious advertising banners  to demonstrate your commitment to being green.

You might not have given much thought to the sorts of advertising collateral you use. You want it to be effective and cost effective. But have you thought about the fact that using environmentally friendly advertising materials also makes a positive statement to everyone you do business with?

Signs and advertising banners are used on a regular basis for many companies. If you are purchasing a banner or sign, whether your event is eco friendly inspired and related to a green initiative or not, choosing something sustainable or recyclable is a smart idea. Whether you’re hosting a green event or you simply want to be sure your company consistently exhibits a commitment to being environmentally friendly, signs and banners are another area that can demonstrate your commitment.

Many companies do internal launches for being more environmentally friendly to educate their staff on conservation of company resources and kicking off an educational event in this area can be done well if you’re using eco-friendly marketing materials such as recyclable paper, doing digital advertising to save trees, and perhaps using an advertising banner in the office that serves to remind staff of the company’s firm commitment to be greener.

In advertising, banners can often be made with sustainable, recyclable, and recycled materials. Today’s options include polypropylene fabric, which is 100% recyclable and bamboo fibre, over 99% biodegradable and you can work with bamboo that isn’t treated with pesticides to further demonstrate the company’s conscious decision to be as green and earth friendly as possible. Beyond eco friendly advertising banners, you might also be interested in eco friendly roll up displays that are made with bamboo fibre.

If your company gives preference to earth friendly practises, you will probably want to work with companies who take a stand on environmental issues and who lead by example.  When choosing an advertising banner or printing company to deal with, look for their commitment by checking for some of the following initiatives:

• Offering an eco friendly option
• Demonstrating a commitment to avoiding harsh chemicals wherever possible
• Indications that the company does its best to conserve energy in manufacturing and printing processes
• Demonstrates a commitment to employee health and safety through business practises.

Signs and banners are used in public to make a statement about your company to customers, to business partners, and even to your own internal staff. Using environmentally friendly business practises wherever you can makes sense for how your customers and business partners will see you. This area is very important to make companies and consumers. If you need advertising done, talk to your sign printing company about environmentally friendly banner options.

Tips and Information About Printed Banner Buying and Storage

Some signs and banner styles are meant for being used for just a short period of time. Others are used for long term or used repeatedly and are intended and designed to last. Spending money on a banner? If you buy the right one and care for it properly it will be a great and durable marketing and advertising investment. Whether you’re hanging it permanently or planning to bring it out for specific occasions, the right choice of materials, a solid company supplying it, and the right care and storage will mean that you’ll own signage you can use and re-use.

One way to make sure that a banner lasts is to make sure you buy it from a company that cares about quality. Look for an established banner and sign company who offers a lot of products and who has an established reputation in your local area. Doing a bit of due diligence to make sure you are dealing with a solid company will help you get the results you are hoping for and it will help you buy the right banner for your needs.

How do you buy the right banner?

Talk to a company about what you’re using it for. Questions they may ask could include:

• Where will the banner be used? (An indoor versus an outdoor version could dictate the materials used)
• How big do you want it to be?
• Would you prefer colour or black and white?
• What does it need to say?

Once you receive a quote and confirmation of the design, the process can begin. The right outcome should result in something that suits your needs and if you indicated you wanted something reusable, you should be able to store it and keep it looking good for the next time you plan to use it.

Caring for a Banner

When you care for a banner you will maximise its lifespan.  When buying it, talk to the provider about specific care instructions. 

Here are some tips:

• Roll it when storing, rather than folding. Rolling will help prevent creases and will help keep printing in tact.  Ensure it’s dry before storing and if possible, store in a sealed tube.
• If it needs to be cleaned, talk to the sign company to find out how to clean it without damaging any printing on the banner. Some versions can be power washed and hung to dry. Others require special cleaning.
• Follow directions for hanging it. Certain substances might require special kits, such as if you’re affixing it to brick, for instance. Do your best to equally distribute the load by balancing the way the banner is hung. Look at some alternative hanging options as well, such as banner frames.

The sign right company combined with the right material used and production / printing process should result in your being pleased with the results and not just happy to use the banner in the future but also a resulting ability to use that banner long term or repeatedly, if desired.

How Advertising Banners Could Help your Business

If you own a business then you will need to advertise if you wish to alert people to your existence and therefore attract new customers. Depending on the type of business you have you may find that advertising banners create both an effective and inexpensive method of doing just this. One of the main reasons for this is that they are incredibly versatile and can be used both indoors as well as outdoors as appropriate. This is because they are made out of vinyl and are therefore waterproof as well as being flexible and easy to transport. Many are now printed with special inks to make them resistant to UV light to prevent fading so that they last for longer than just a standard advertising poster. They come in any size, shape, and colour and allow you to have any image or design printed on them, giving them an incredibly professional look.

1.      How they can be used

By using vinyl advertising banners you will be able to gain a great deal of exposure for your business providing that you site them sensibly. For those businesses that are on a slightly smaller scale you can use advertising banners to gain exposure for your company logo to give it maximum impact. If this is located somewhere where many people will see it then it can help to give you a constant source of regular advertising, making it a much cheaper option then placing an ad in a paper. This is how successful, larger companies will often gain advertising when they sponsor a particular event. Vinyl advertising banners can also be a great way to make your presence known if you exhibit at trade shows as you can display to others your company name, logo and make it clear what you do for instant impact. You could also have a banner that is printed on both sides to catch attention from all angles.

These days advertising banners such as these need not be as expensive as you might think and are now affordable for all budgets. They may seem like a simple option for advertising but they look incredibly professional and are durable enough to last for a number of years. So if you need some advertising for your business, why not consider vinyl advertising banners for maximum exposure!

Why you Should Consider Using Advertising Banners Today!

Advertising a business is absolutely vital if you wish it to be as successful as possible; otherwise how will you gain new custom?  Making sure you are as visible to people as you can be through the use of advertising banners can be a great way to gain as much exposure for your business as possible. No matter what your budget is you will be able to find a banner that is suitable for your needs and can help make a professional and lasting impression.

1.      Why they are so Effective

In order for your advertising to be a success you will need to gain recognition for your company or brand. On a smaller, more local level one of the best ways that you can do this is having vinyl advertising banners as they are incredibly versatile and visible. One of the best things about this type of advertising is that they can be taken down and moved around if you find they are more effective in another location. They are incredibly durable and will last you a long time since they are waterproof and windproof and are often printed with UV stable inks to prevent fading. This means that you can reuse your advertising banners as often as you like making them a great affordable investment which will keep giving back for years.

2.      How they could Work for you

It is important to remember that vinyl advertising banners can only be as effective as you make them. In order to make them work for you be sure to include your business logo for maximum brand awareness. Try to use bright colours and eye catching images to help get your message across as well as attracting attention. Try to have a number of different advertising banners that you can rotate, otherwise they tend to become overlooked over time.

When used correctly, vinyl advertising banners can be one of the most effective and affordable forms of local advertising that can be used for both small and large businesses alike. So if you are looking for a new way to spread the word about your business, why not see what advertising banners could do for you!

Concepts in Advertising Banner Design

When designing an advertising banner you can expect a finished product that will continue to convey a professional image even after frequent usage. However, for best results there are a few principles to keep in mind when considering the layout of the design. Although many people overlook these simple design principles, you'll find that they make the overall process much simpler.

Position of the Main Advertising Banner Design

Whether you choose to craft your message by using words, pictures, or a combination of the two, the size and position of the banner's central design is extremely important. In fact, there's a good chance that your banner design representative will recommend that you arrange your design to fit within an area that falls within 2.54 centimetres of the banner's edges. Some designers refer to this portion as the "safety area" because it ensures that your banner elements are clearly visible and will not be crowded.

Additionally, if you want your banner to be displayed on a pole, you'll need to make sure that your potential banner design does not interfere with any space that might be utilised by pole pockets or grommets. If you are uncertain about whether your current advertising banner ideas are feasible, ask your salesperson for assistance.

Evaluate Your Needs

After determining the size of your banner's message, it's time to think about the actual content within the banner's text. Decide whether you intend to use the banner for just a single event, or for many. This will help you figure out what must be included in your banner's text, and what could be left out. In most cases, it's best to include the most relevant information on the banner itself, but give your audience a way to obtain further information beyond that. Good examples would be encouraging people to call a phone number, or visit a website, which would serve to give further information about the services or products mentioned on the banner.

Your audience will respond best to information that is stated clearly, with an emphasis on brevity. You can use a number of design enhancements to help draw attention to your advertising banners, but in most cases, viewers will not take more than a few seconds to glean the content from your advertising banner. Therefore, it's important to use the wording a way that serves to send an efficient message, which can be readily interpreted by the target audience.