Vehicle Advertising

fredjclaus

There is no money in the budget this year for a new vehicle, but I was told with all the traveling I do in the area advertising on my van would be a great way to drum up business. Does the appearance of the van give an impression of the type of work that is done by the photographer?

Now my van is not a bucket of rust mind you but it is not in the best condition. From what I can see there are a couple issues under the van by the rocker panels because there is a cable that is hanging down. The Rocker panels themselves are starting to rust, and we can't afford the $1500.00 repair right now. Is it worth even spending the 300.00 for nice vehicle advertising or should I just find a different way until I can get put a company vehicle in the budget? Or course I should have ran through a car wash before I took these pictures. That's what you get for living in the Buffalo, NY market.

Snowgirl

Personally I wouldn't spend money on vehicle advertising (see the car magnet thread) unless the vehicle itself was also representative of the quality of my work (mine sure isn't either). The other question is - how long will you keep your current van? Perhaps in the future?

Sam

I have thought about this and my biggest concern is the local LEO's and court renewable resources targeting the vehicle in between court appointed vacations with their hommies.

Sam

Biffbradford

Well, a little TLC shouldn't break the bank. THat brake cable hanging down can be fixed and a little sanding + spray paint would make that rust disappear. A car wash wouldn't hurt either.

PhotosbyKW

I only paid $50.00 for two aprox. 12x20" Magnetic panels (one for each side), so for me, that price was fine. They arrived custom colored to match the truck and look nice. Same guy did my new cards, and if I had known that the new cards would have turned out this nice, then I'd have just duplicated them for the sides, as they are awesome.

I'd recommend keeping the vehicle as clean as possible though.

denisegoldberg

It's not in good condition - so why would you even consider using it to represent your work?

--- Denise

W.W. Webster

denisegoldberg wrote:

It's not in good condition - so why would you even consider using it to represent your work?

I'm staggered that supposed business people can't work such things out for themselves. How do they succeed in business? Beats me!

fredjclaus

Thanks for the advise. The van is in being worked on, and I'm looking at having some t-shirts made.

angevin1

I don't see where the appearance of the Van has much to do with what kind of photography you can deliver. Especially since the Financial bust.

But to think that aesthetics does not play a role in everything we do is a mistake.

Going to do work in your area, considering the weather, I'd think that everyone would expect you to ride in a car that looks much like the one pictured....you can clean it, and it'd look like crap in ten miles.

I dunno about drumming up business that way, with the magnetized signage....I can think of no instance where I've gotten back home and wanted to do business with someone based on signage I saw on their truck or car.

Good Luck~

BradfordBenn

In terms of swag, I have found at work that T-Shirts don't work as well as other things do. Some of the more successful pieces of swag we have given out are:

• Sharpies with or name on them
• Bottle openers
• Lanyards
• Flashlights
• Notepad folios

The reason for the success of these was looking at what our customers use on a daily basis and how we could make it easier with the swag. So it might be worth thinking about what you can give to potential and current clients that will be helpful and useful while still representing you/your brand well.

PhotosbyKW

BradfordBenn wrote:

In terms of swag, I have found at work that T-Shirts don't work as well as other things do. Some of the more successful pieces of swag we have given out are:

• Sharpies with or name on them
• Bottle openers
• Lanyards
• Flashlights
• Notepad folios

The reason for the success of these was looking at what our customers use on a daily basis and how we could make it easier with the swag. So it might be worth thinking about what you can give to potential and current clients that will be helpful and useful while still representing you/your brand well.

You know- I never thought about Lanyards, but now that I do- the sure seem to be popular items for the local college kids to keep their keys on.

fredjclaus

Thanks for the advise everyone. It seems though that I might have misled some people. I wasn't thinking about those magnetic signs as they tend to blow off or get stolen. I was going to have a company put some vinyl graphics on the side windows of the van. My logo and contact information mostly.

Right now though I'm working with an embroidery company to have some nice Polo shirts, and other wearibles made.

fredjclaus

Swag sounds good too, I wonder if I could get some Lanyards made for handouts. I just joined the Chamber of my local town and I bet that would be good handouts for the other members as well.

Snowgirl

fredjclaus wrote:

Swag sounds good too, I wonder if I could get some Lanyards made for handouts. I just joined the Chamber of my local town and I bet that would be good handouts for the other members as well.

Hi Fred. Swag really works - especially if it's something useful that will hang around someone's desk or in a purse and be used for a while. Pens are inexpensive and useful too, as are fridge magnets and notepads (with your contact info. on every page). Signage (e.g. a tent sign) to put out when you're shooting on location is another useful idea - or a banner to hang.

I'm skeptical about vehicle identification for fear of being robbed or at least having my car vandalized, even if there's nothing in it. Plus, here in NB, if your vehicle has signage, it's considered commercial which changes the whole licensing thing etc. etc.

Joining your local Chamber of Commerce is a great idea! Lots of good contacts there. Best of luck with it all.:D