Make no mistake – if you’re a business of any kind, you want to do all you can to leverage the benefits of an increasingly digital world. This means doubling down on aspects like social media marketing and video advertising and maintaining a great-looking website that’s easy to use.
There are still several excellent physical advertising methods that you can tap into for elements that don’t work as well digitally. In this article, you’ll learn about seven of the best ones!
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Advertising With Physical Methods
Advertising with physical methods means using tangible items or spaces to promote your business. Think flyers, posters, billboards, vehicle wraps, or branded merchandise like pens and tote bags.
These tools work because they’re hard to ignore and stick in people’s minds. A well-placed poster or catchy billboard can grab attention in seconds.
Physical ads often feel more personal, too, especially when handed directly to potential customers. Plus, people are more likely to trust brands they see in real life. If done right, these methods can complement online campaigns and help you stand out.
Image Credit: Pexels
1. Posters and Flyers
Posters and flyers are some of the most basic forms of advertising available – but just because they’re simple doesn’t mean they’re ineffective.
Their strength lies in their flexibility: you can use them in any way you like, whether it’s posting through letterboxes or having someone hand them out in a populated area, to putting up posters in popular restaurants and stores.
When you’re creating your own, make sure you include all of your key details, such as business name and contact information, plainly and clearly, along with a simple graphic. You should also offer a call-to-action to prompt people to reach out.
2. Vehicle Wraps as Physical Advertising
Vehicle wraps are an underrated way of getting your brand out there, and they’re one of the most efficient methods available. What better way to advertise your services than passively, simply by driving around?
Cars and other vehicles naturally catch the eye, so use that. Use brightly colored typography with your logo proudly displayed, and utilize each visible element of the car (hood, doors, and rear) to showcase your message.
One final note: don’t forget to put your contact details in a large font—ensure people can take down your details easily as you drive by.
3. Vinyl Banners
Similar to flyers and posters, custom banners are an effective, affordable option for physical advertising.
They utilize higher-quality material than the former, however, so this is a type of ad you’ll want to put a lot of effort into in terms of graphic design and/or photography. Thankfully, they’re also naturally waterproof and designed to last long, even in poor conditions.
In general, it’s best to keep your vinyl designs simple and concrete. Avoid using a lot of words, and focus on a central element like a photo with a title on the top and key information at the bottom.
Image Credit: Pexels
4. Branded Freebies
Everyone loves free stuff, so fixing your brand’s name and contact details to simple items you can hand out as freebies is a great way to advertise yourself subtly.
Choose items that are more likely to be used in everyday situations or sit on someone’s desk – products such as pens or keyring bottle openers. Every time your potential customer uses that item, they’ll associate it with you.
5. Window Graphics
If you’re a business that operates from a physical store, you should use your windows.
The space provides an excellent opportunity to use window graphics to advertise to your customers; think about how many people walk by your store daily.
Window graphics are brilliant for seasonal promotions and sales, and given the fact that they can be easily peeled off, you can update them regularly.
6. Billboards: Old Fashion Physical Advertising
Finally, we have the classic billboard. It may be one of the oldest, most expensive options available, but it’s unmatched in visibility.
Billboards are great for conveying a bold, grand idea. You should use eye-catching font and an uncluttered space, as this form of advertising is at its best when it delivers an idea quickly following a brief glance of a passerby.
Even though they’re more expensive than many of the other methods detailed above, there are still affordable options.
7. Event Signage
In-person events have diminished significantly following the pandemic, but they still exist, and given that a lot of people have moved online, you have an opportunity here to be unique in your ability to connect with people in real life.
You’ll need a great-looking stall to catch people’s attention, of course, so be sure to invest in crisp signage – whether that be in the form of pop-up tents, tablecloths, bunting, or more. Get creative and see what you can come up with, and you’ll draw plenty of potential customers to you for a chat with this form of physical advertising.
Wrapping Up: Physical Advertising
Hopefully, this short article has given you some food for thought and inspired you to try physical advertising. Just because other methods are available today doesn’t invalidate the old stuff, and with fewer people using physical ads, you’ll be sure to stand out.
