Bumper Stickers: An Underutilized Marketing Strategy
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by: BuckThompson
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Innovation is what marketers are always looking for. When it comes to marketing a local business, things get tougher with limited budgets and marketing channels. Catching peoples' eye, getting the right word out and creating effective viral campaigns for businesses are challenges common to any marketplace.
Newspapers ads and promotions on television can be budget breaking. To be successful they need to run for a decent period of time and require significant financial backing be successful. As such these forms of advertising are very expensive and for a small business virtually pointless. Without a large investment, creativity and successful execution these forms of advertising will prove fruitless for many businesses.
Some of the effective campaigns that have good to great results for local businesses are printed T-shirts, postcard marketing and direct mail. One of the more effective marketing strategies considered in local markets is viral bumper stickers. Bumper stickers are one of the most effective ways to market locally, and are used globally. They are a practical and affordable advertising opportunity to promote your business. Bumper stickers can be ranked on par with postcards, electronic newsletters and billboards. When a prospective customer is on the road or in a parking lot, they observe your company's bumper sticker. An effective bumper sticker in this situation will help create 'touch points' which will result in increased recall value.
You have a bumper sticker and someone sees it on the road or in a parking lot, what does this mean? For one it means a potential customer for your business, service or product. And if you're not the only one with your bumper sticker, just think how many people will see your advertisement. The exposure grows exponentially. You can have your bumper stickers custom made anyway you like, but just a little bit of advice first...don't make it too large. Try a catchy phase or a tip or maybe support a sporting organization such as a local kids' team. Important information should feature prominently, first your organization's name then a contact point such as a website or phone number.
It's up to you. You can ask your customers to display this bumper sticker on their car and give them one with their purchase. Just don't let them know the supply is inexhaustible, simply put out a few at a time. If they think they are getting one of the last few, they will grab it. Everyone loves to help with anything to do with children. Families take trips, go to games, shopping, etc. all the while taking your bumper sticker with them. You could also use something humorous or helpful to people in some way. This is where your creativity comes in. Relate it in someway to your business.
There are other ways to make your bumper sticker more viral. Make it 'scarce' and make it a status symbol. People love that. They want to make sure they have it and show it off. More people notice your sticker, and more people want it. Use bumper stickers responsibly and smartly. The rewards will come in the form of increased profits and referring customers.
Bumper stickers don't just send any message to the public. Every day they take the message of your business to the public. Parking lots, highways and busy streets, every where a car goes it will take your business or product with it. A well designed bumper sticker can reach a huge and diverse audience. In this way bumper stickers can prove to be an invaluable marketing tool for any business.
About the Author
About the author: Buck Thompson offers information on bumper stickers on his site where you can discover how to improve the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns with stickers.
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