Written By Eva Wen On 18th May 2023
Outdoor advertising is a fantastic way to reach your target audience and build brand awareness in one go. It can also be effective in attracting new customers and generating footfall. Outdoor advertising is where advertisers show advertisements on billboards, signposts, bus benches and more. These advertisements are meant to entice passersby into visiting a specific location. They’re commonly called ads or even wall ads when they appear indoors as well as outdoors. Read on for more information about the ins and outs of this industry term.
What is an outdoor ad?
Outdoor advertising is when companies place ads on billboards, bus shelters, and other surfaces that are visible to the general public. These ads are meant to be seen by as many people as possible, so they are different from other forms of advertising that are focused on reaching a specific target market. In fact, outdoor advertising is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies because of its very wide reach. Even though the quality of light and color may be different, the message on the billboard is exactly the same as it would be if it were printed on a piece of paper. So you can use outdoor advertising for a lot of different purposes, including brand awareness, attracting new customers and generating footfall.
Key benefits of outdoor advertising
- Attracts New Customers. With outdoor ads, you can reach millions of people. This is great for drawing attention and increasing brand awareness. You can also use these ads to find new customers, especially if you have an online store.
- Boosts Sales. When you use outdoor ads to draw attention to your business, you have a much better chance of converting new customers into customers. People are typically more likely to buy something if they already know about it.
- Builds Brand Awareness. People will see your ad and hopefully remember your name and what you do. This is great for creating brand awareness and building a name for your business.
- Generates Footfall. With outdoor ads, you can draw attention to your business and encourage people to visit it. This can be especially useful for brick-and-mortar stores that don’t necessarily generate footfall.
Disadvantages of outdoor advertising
- May Not Reach Specific Audiences. Outdoor advertising is very broad in nature, which means it may not reach a specific target audience.
- Expensive. It can be expensive to place your ads in the right places, and you may have to pay for these ads repeatedly.
- Complicated. It can be complicated to find the right locations and generate traffic to your ads. (See our article on How to get started with outdoor advertising) - May Not Work with Certain Businesses. Some businesses may not work well with outdoor advertising, including those with a focus on online sales.
How to get started with outdoor advertising?
There are many ways to start with outdoor advertising. One way is to scout out locations where you can put up your ads, such as airports, bus stops, and even train stations. Then, you can research the best sizes and formats for your ads, as well as the best locations for them. Once you have your locations and sizes figured out, you can contact ad agencies and design your ads yourself. You can also research ad formats for inspiration and see what types of outdoor ads other businesses have in your niche.
Tips for success in Outdoor Advertising
- Get Creative - With outdoor ads, you don’t have to follow the same formula as you do with digital ads. Use your creativity to come up with new, eye-catching designs that will draw attention.
- Make Multiple Ads - It can take a while for people to notice your ads, so you may have to put up multiple ads in a certain area.
- Consider Day/Night Options - Outdoor ads are often printed on paper and placed on surfaces that are in sunlight all day. This may or may not be the case with your ads.
- Research the Competition - Research your competitors in the same industry, or even outside your niche, to see what they’re doing. This can give you great ideas for your next campaign.
- Stay Local - Most people won’t drive for hours just to see an outdoor ad, so you should stay local as much as possible to maximize your reach.
Outdoor advertising is a great way to reach millions of potential customers and build brand awareness. It can also be effective in attracting new customers and generating footfall. To get started, scout out the locations where you want to put up your ads, figure out the best sizes and formats for your ads, and contact ad agencies or design your ads. You can also research ad formats for inspiration and see what types if outdoor ads other businesses have in your niche.
Eva Wen
Eva Wen is the Digital Marketing Executive at CY Digital Signage.