advertising

[canonnoob]

Hey all..

So today i met with an advertising agency and got a quate on a billboard here in town. pretty decent for how much traffic there is in that general area. Anyway, I wanted to ask. For those of you who have done advertising in your area with billboards, how well did they help? I figure ill do it for about 6 months at least and then go from there.. I also have some ideas about what to do so if you any of you feel like helping with that, feel free to ask questions

[canonnoob]

nothing yet eh? alright just thought id check

[XTshooter]

Keep in mind that most drivers will only have about 2-3 seconds to see and process what's on your billboard. The typical rule of thumb is that any more than 7 words on a billboard will be wasted because people won't be able to process much more than that in the limited time they're looking at it. Luckily, as a photographer, I'd think you'd have some sort of dominant image on there. Visuals are always great to help catch people's attention. Maybe set it up with a dominant image (or two), maybe some type of concise headline and then a web address at the bottom. If you're considering keeping it up for a period of six months you could probably stretch those parameters a bit, as most prospects will have driven by it several times over that period of time.

It's great to see someone aggressively marketing themselves! Way to go, and good luck!

[Karl Johnston]

I suggest something eye catching for a visual ;) such as a babe in a bikini!

[canonnoob]

Ill draw something up for you all when I get back home. Time to teach a photo class

[Karl Johnston]

In seriousness, its best to have something colorful, dazzling and that channels the attitude of your business model out there.

Projects the image of your company.

Got an idea for a visual? How about an old client that you haven't heard from in a while? Maybe relight the spark with "we at, squigglycross photography, would like to inform you that your image has been selected (flattering one of course) to run in a billboard..because it was such a beautiful moment...capturing you and your family was very appealing ...etc."

One that they really liked, if you can remember that far back. That could relight the spark between you and the client and keep a closer relationship...maybe they'll continue their relationship with you, more often.

Next lets analyze the market...where is this ad going? Who works there? What is on the way to driving in that direction? If you were to go down this street what would you be going down there for? - Identify the demographics. These factors are uncontrollable for the most part but are wise to keep in mind and judge the effectiveness of the ad.

One more thing: Color sells
Pick a colorful, snazzy image with a POP to it

Look at the other ads in the area, too...try to pick a color that would stand out in that region and not get blended in. A big red billboard in front of a red brickwall, for example, may not be as effective as a big Light blue colored billboard in front of the red brickwall.

[canonnoob]

squiggly cross photography? LOL!!! Nice!!

[Karl Johnston]

I remembered your logo :o :lol: Looked like a squiggly cross thing

[canonnoob]

yep... nice memory

[canonnoob]

Here ya go guys here is my idea so far...

EDIT: I forgot to put that in the middle I might have what all I do there... along with "ON SITE". Since at the moment I dont have a studio.

[stathunter]

Here ya go guys here is my idea so far...

EDIT: I forgot to put that in the middle I might have what all I do there... along with "ON SITE". Since at the moment I dont have a studio.

seems like too much info -- for a billboard.
Most billboards I have checked are about $1200 for a month - with a few moth contract - plus the artwork etc.

[canonnoob]

seems like too much info -- for a billboard.
Most billboards I have checked are about $1200 for a month - with a few moth contract - plus the artwork etc.

mine is 200 a month about 14k pass a day, i have a 888 start up fee for the vinal, it is 10'6" x 36'..

Dont let my writing there deter you... it wont be THAT crowded.,.. I just kinda wrote down things rather than putting them up.. Ill do that later.

EDIT: Ill redo the billboard idea later tonight after my two shoots and give you all a better idea.

[dekalbSTEEL]

You'd better get yourself a domain name before you do anything else

Most of the ones with your name and photo or photography are still available.....

[canonnoob]

You'd better get yourself a domain name before you do anything else

Most of the ones with your name and photo or photography are still available.....

What do you suggest as a hosting site for domains?

[zincozinco]

You'd better get yourself a domain name before you do anything else

Most of the ones with your name and photo or photography are still available.....

canonnoob? :)

[Karl Johnston]

Two things:

Keep it simple.
Keep it sweet.

One eye popping image that attracts attention and has a lot of color and *POP*
One website (www.davidwelker.com)

I think that should be an absolute minimum. Along the sides you may want to have what you do, of course, "portrait, wedding, commercial, boudoir" and your phone number
(godaddy.com is a good domain host/10.99$ a year and you're hosted for a year with an e-mail account)

[tomd]

how will you track the effectiveness of the billboard? In other words how will you monitor your advertising cost versus increase in business revenue (bang for the buck - ROI )

Will you track web traffic, phone calls, bookings, etc.? To do this you will need a base line as a comparison.
Increased traffic and increased revenue are very different. Just because more people will visit your site/store etc., doesn't automatically yield sales.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

I agree with the others that keeping one simple, very powerful image will probably get some of the best results

In your diagram, you put that you're going to put a photo of yourself? DId I read that right. Why do you need to put a photo of yourself up there. Unless you look like some sort of Adoness, no one cares what you look like. THis has always made me laugh when you see real estate ad's and they have some person on there that was shot in Glamour Shots.

Ive never bought or sold a house based on what the realtor looks like. And I've never got my picture taken based on what the photographer looks like. Save your picture for your facebook page.

Might want to see if they can run you a deal on swaping out the ad every month. I agree that 6 months of the same ad will make it seem very monotonous and people will stop looking.

If you could come to a deal with the company, and have the vinyl swapped each month, that might make more people take a look and remember the website. Make sure you have a website that is equally as powerful before you do any of this, otherwise people will just get frustrated and go elsewhere

[Karl Johnston]

Take a load off and play a game or two...
https://advertisers.yellowpages.ca/media/flash/ypg_game_2.swf
https://advertisers.yellowpages.ca/ypgweb/navigateTo?_idMenu=home
I highly recommend a bored night at home reading everything on that website's info and 101 sections. There's some seriously useful stuff

[canonnoob]

canonnoob? :)

Hmm what an idea lol

how will you track the effectiveness of the billboard? In other words how will you monitor your advertising cost versus increase in business revenue (bang for the buck - ROI )

Will you track web traffic, phone calls, bookings, etc.? To do this you will need a base line as a comparison.
Increased traffic and increased revenue are very different. Just because more people will visit your site/store etc., doesn't automatically yield sales.

I track my website right now using google analytics so website views Im covered there. But i will want to see a larger flow of phone calls and bookings.

[canonnoob]

I agree with the others that keeping one simple, very powerful image will probably get some of the best results

In your diagram, you put that you're going to put a photo of yourself? DId I read that right. Why do you need to put a photo of yourself up there. Unless you look like some sort of Adoness, no one cares what you look like. THis has always made me laugh when you see real estate ad's and they have some person on there that was shot in Glamour Shots.

Ive never bought or sold a house based on what the realtor looks like. And I've never got my picture taken based on what the photographer looks like. Save your picture for your facebook page.

Might want to see if they can run you a deal on swaping out the ad every month. I agree that 6 months of the same ad will make it seem very monotonous and people will stop looking.

If you could come to a deal with the company, and have the vinyl swapped each month, that might make more people take a look and remember the website. Make sure you have a website that is equally as powerful before you do any of this, otherwise people will just get frustrated and go elsewhere

No photo of myself.. just a photo that I took that represents me in a sense... one idea was a photo of the arch (in STL) for several reasons, it represents where im from and who I am, and it shows exactly the type of work I am capable of. Along with the other shot which would show a portait or sport work.

ill look into changing the vinyl that makes alot of sense..


See this is why I love this place.. so many great thoughts

[canonnoob]

Let me ask you all this... Do you all think that DavidWelkerphotography.com for example is too much? I mean yes it gets my name out there but is that going to be too much?

[elisesanchez]

I love billboards that are witty and simple. I don't think you need to waste space with a self portrait (no offense). Since this is such a big expense, I would put a lot of thought into the design.

[canonnoob]

hey elise... read the whole thread.. there isnt going to be a self portait. lol

[golfecho]

I know you are looking for more clients, but ask yourself the big "what if?" What if it generates way more clients and/or business than you can handle? Do you have a "rapid expansion" plan? How about partners or employees that can be brought in quickly to cover the surge?

I know these sound like "nice to have" problems, but don't forget to at least consider them.

(Reminds me of the old saw about the dog that chases the car . . . what does he do if he catches it??)

[canonnoob]

lol... totally a great question. and yes I have considered it. I have several people on hold if it does get huge and too much to handle as second shooters/ assitants and other needs.

nice analogy with the dog..

[Rubi Jane]

Let me ask you all this... Do you all think that DavidWelkerphotography.com for example is too much? I mean yes it gets my name out there but is that going to be too much?
Too long, especially for the 2 seconds someone will have to see your billboard.

Billboard has to catch attention, convey a message and provide contact info in a single glance. The most important part of the design has to be the image, ideally one that speaks for its-self and needs no copy or text to explain it. If you need copy keep it to one brief but powerful tag line that means something to the viewer. The only thing left is contact info. Unless you have a very memorable phone number don't include one. The most simplest of urls is what you need.

www.welkerphoto.com is available.

[canonnoob]

Too long, especially for the 2 seconds someone will have to see your billboard.

Billboard has to catch attention, convey a message and provide contact info in a single glance. The most important part of the design has to be the image, ideally one that speaks for its-self and needs no copy or text to explain it. If you need copy keep it to one brief but powerful tag line that means something to the viewer. The only thing left is contact info. Unless you have a very memorable phone number don't include one. The most simplest of urls is what you need.

www.welkerphoto.com (http://www.welkerphoto.com) is available.

my thoughts exactly...

[Metalstrm]

One small tip: It's been somewhat proved that an advert needs to be repeated for at least three times to take hold in a viewer's subconscious. Don't ask me where, but I read this repeatedly. So if you do have the bucks, I suggest doing three billboards with your advert along the same stretch of road but with a good few minutes in between.

[Rubi Jane]

One small tip: It's been somewhat proved that an advert needs to be repeated for at least three times to take hold in a viewer's subconscious. Don't ask me where, but I read this repeatedly. So if you do have the bucks, I suggest doing three billboards with your advert along the same stretch of road but with a good few minutes in between.
Or hope commuters driving by will see the same billboard 3 times during the ad's life.
Repition is one component to advertising as it drives the consumer to recall your message. The more important component is creating a reason to purchase, usually ones that creates emotion, need, or impulse are the strongest.

[Karl Johnston]

I still think you should go with the bikini girls ;)

[canonnoob]

^^That might work... I have decided to hold off on this for several reasons..
1. Money has become tight, I recently bought a 1dmk2n and now coming up in the fall a 300 2.8 IS.
2. I will only be in the area another year or 2..
3. I ordered more cards two weeks ago and didnt even think about the fact that I would change my URL lol