Thread: Awesome new marketing idea!

While driving to class, I saw an SUV with an advertisement on its back window. The advertisement was for Spicy Latin Aerobics - it had the basic product, a website, and a phone number. What a cool way to advertise! It was easy for me to remember the website, and look it up at home.

This is the removable perforated film that the driver can see through, which is used for advertising on buses. I don't know how much it costs, but I know it's custom-printable and not permanent.

This would be great for teachers or studios.

ETA: The product is called a "vehicle wrap" or a "car wrap", if you are looking for local servicers.

Apparently I am the only one who thinks this idea is awesome.

I think it's a great idea if it's on public transportation, but I'd shy away from it on my personal vehicle. I recall one time when someone was driving like a jack*** and they had an advertisement on their car for their personal business. You can be sure I would NEVER do business with them because of how they conducted themselves that afternoon. Maybe they don't always drive that way, but I guess when you're advertising yourself every time you jump in your car, you have to have an edge of professionalism in my opinion.

Originally Posted by alyssaraks

I think it's a great idea if it's on public transportation, but I'd shy away from it on my personal vehicle. I recall one time when someone was driving like a jack*** and they had an advertisement on their car for their personal business. You can be sure I would NEVER do business with them because of how they conducted themselves that afternoon. Maybe they don't always drive that way, but I guess when you're advertising yourself every time you jump in your car, you have to have an edge of professionalism in my opinion.

You'd only want good, respectful drivers driving the car, that's for sure. I try to drive politely anyway - I'd be more concerned with whether it attracted weird guys (thus my idea of it being someone else's vehicle, like a male relative/friend).

I saw someone advertising slumber parties on the back window of her van and it became a hot topic in my aunt's car. I definitely think it works if your name and website are simple. I've been surprised by how many dancers have really long and complicated urls when it is so easy to buy a cheapie url at Go Daddy.

I had one before, few dancers here use it.
I changed my car so now I dont have it, but personally I got few hits from it but that is it. I dont believe it really worked.

I would have not thought this a novel idea from my line of work. It's kinda normal to put your business on your car, I have my biz name and phone number on mine.

I've gotten a few jobs from it.

Originally Posted by JShane

I would have not thought this a novel idea from my line of work. It's kinda normal to put your business on your car, I have my biz name and phone number on mine.

I've gotten a few jobs from it.

Well, the wrap part was a novel idea to me. It's not a permanent change, and it doesn't affect the resale value of your car. I see lots of service vehicles with company advertising on them (usually on the side), but not so many with the advertising on the back (except vans). Maybe it was the HUGE back window of the SUV that made it so impressive - that thing was as big as a billboard in my field of view, and very easy to see...I'm supposed to be looking at the cars on the road ahead of me, right?

Is it your photography business that you put on your car, or something else?

I have my business name and phone # in the form of a business card reproduced as a large door magnet on my car. That isn't permanent either, but I really like the idea of the car wrap thing.

I'm going to look that up and see what it is like. I have an idea. Thanks for mentioning this!

Originally Posted by da Sage

Well, the wrap part was a novel idea to me. It's not a permanent change, and it doesn't affect the resale value of your car. I see lots of service vehicles with company advertising on them (usually on the side), but not so many with the advertising on the back (except vans). Maybe it was the HUGE back window of the SUV that made it so impressive - that thing was as big as a billboard in my field of view, and very easy to see...I'm supposed to be looking at the cars on the road ahead of me, right?

Is it your photography business that you put on your car, or something else?

It's my photography business.

And yea, I know what you are talking about now with the screen thing. I priced that but didn't think it would be worth it vs. the pop of a big white name and number on my tinted suv windows. So I didn't spring for that.

Another idea for those that are interested, a lot of the same sign places that do that (like FastSigns) also make magnets you can stick on the side/back of vehicle and remove when you want to. I can see some people wanting the option of not driving around full time as a billboard.

Edit: which now that I posted, I see Vahana already brought that up.

I drive an 8 year old Honda. I'm OK with that, but it's not really the image I want for my business.

At the moment I'm doing the backs of receipts at the grocery store. It's a little early to tell, but I think the results are encouraging so far!

Originally Posted by JShane

Another idea for those that are interested, a lot of the same sign places that do that (like FastSigns) also make magnets you can stick on the side/back of vehicle and remove when you want to. I can see some people wanting the option of not driving around full time as a billboard.

Edit: which now that I posted, I see Vahana already brought that up.

I have been thinking about one of those. Hubby and I share a car, and he's not thrilled about driving around in a minivan with BELLY DANCE plastered on it. Anyone know about what they run?

You can get a free one (pay for shipping, you know how they are) at www.vistaprint.com

Wow, thanks. And even at full price, they are cheap!

I got mine at vista print and it was fast and accurate. I bought one for my boss's truck too (Horse Ranch, not Bellydance)

I never really thought about the "image" and my crappy car. My car is always dirty since I am a horse trainer, but I also always have bellydance props in the back for the troupe, e.g. canes, veils, etc.

Come to think of it, my crappy old beat up car probably makes me look more like a "starving" bellydancer!

I have thought the wrap thing an awesome idea too - especially since we have such a kewl image on our biz cards (would use that). But at a cost of $350 just to have it done for back window of my SUV - the idea has gone on the back burner. I'm a decent driver, so the crazy driver thing wouldn't be a problem (however I've ridden with some of the gals what teach at the studio and def have gotten white knuckles from holding on while in their car... LOL)

I'm checking into the magnetic signs now (for myself, biz partner, and the 8 other instructors what teach at my studio). Much more cost effective.

I think they're a neat idea.

But, as a word of caution, depending on your climate and how much you love your car, I think that there can be a problem with grit/dust/dirt getting between the magnet and the paint of your car and causing scratches. ,f::

Also, per my father-in-law who had them for his business, make sure you get them on really good so they don't blow off while you're cruising down the highway! No speeding! I think he said he was traveling about 60mph when his 1'x2' blew off ..c::

By the way, it hasn't come up on this thread yet, but just in case someone hears or reads about it somewhere --- there's a rumor/myth in the business world that if you put magnetic signs on your car, then all your car expenses become deductible because the car is advertising your business 24/7.

A business acquaintance of mine told me this -- I don't know where she heard it. She actually bought a brand new car she couldn't really afford based on this advice, assuming if she put a sign on it, she'd be able to deduct her payments, etc.

It's not true. You can probably deduct the cost of the sign, but that's about it.

When I was a Realtor, several agencies and agents had vehicles with the wrap treatment done. Same went for the magnetic signs with names, faces, and phone numbers. I did other advertising but was not comfortable driving a vehicle with my face and phone number on it. I can appreciate that it works for people. :)

I think the corporate Powers That Be at the big media conglomerate I work for would probably have a sh*t fit if I rolled in to work in an Acura emblazoned with my beauty-ness. Definitely not something I'd feel comfortable with in the 9-5 world.

Not to mention, it could pose a hazard if you've won the adoration of a pervy "admirer" post-gig, or if some lonely freak decides to follow you home from a night out with your friends.

For me, the great thing about BD is that you can turn the persona on and you can flip the switch when you want to just be you. Once in a rare blue moon, I actually wanna blend in....fancy that

I have my web site on my little toyta carolla it is on ehte back window. www belly dancing divas .com . this summer by husband bought me a jeep to hall the kids in and he drive the toyota to work. what a sweety. he is 250 6'2 althought he has dressed as a women a few time . he would make a great belly dancer for belly grams .

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Not to mention, it could pose a hazard if you've won the adoration of a pervy "admirer" post-gig, or if some lonely freak decides to follow you home from a night out with your friends.

If someone followed me home from a gig or night out, they'd be meeting my extremely pissed off husband pretty quickly. He always stays home with our daughter when I go out in the evenings.

that's a pretty good marketing tool actually. i have one for my dad's company on my car and always have to remind myself people are staring b/c they try and read what it says, not b/c they're creepy lol

but i always worry about some creep remember the website and showing up to my workplace one day (cuz obviously the company address is listed on the website). i'm just paranoid like that. also, not to mention i have to tone down my road rage cuz if a customer actually does show up b/c they saw me drive around w/the car magnet on (i drive around central florida a lot so the magnet has been seen a lot of times all around town), i don't wanna give my dad's shop a bad rep just because the person can't drive lol

oh and u can make ur own at vistaprint.com. many options and very affordable yet still look professional (we put our logo and contact info, the pics turned out great)

I've had a back window advertisement for a few years now, and only gotten one prank call and one perv call from it. I like to look behind me at stop lights and occasionally see peoples reactions. Usually the husband pointing at the sign, the wife looking thoughtful, sometime whipping out the cell phone and calling right then.

I think it works great, I only wish I'd put my website on it when I got it made. I'll have to get a new one eventually.

KS

Most of the people I know who use the magnets don't leave them on all the time. What I like about the magnet idea (if I had a business I wanted to advertise) is that you can pick and choose when you want to use it. You can advertise yourself as a bellydancer, when you're all glammed up on your way to a show, and remove it when you have to run to the drug store in pajamas.

Originally Posted by rachelw

Most of the people I know who use the magnets don't leave them on all the time. What I like about the magnet idea (if I had a business I wanted to advertise) is that you can pick and choose when you want to use it. You can advertise yourself as a bellydancer, when you're all glammed up on your way to a show, and remove it when you have to run to the drug store in pajamas.

This is exactly why I went with a magnet, because my hubby drives the van as well, and is not thrilled about driving around with BELLY DANCE plastered on the side of it. Plus, we have two vehicles, and if he takes the van, I can always pop it on the other car easily.