How to get the best from your fleet vehicle graphics
Branded vehicle graphics can be a useful tool for growing your business, but for maximum impact there are some key rules you need to follow.
These days, there is a plethora of marketing tools out there that business owners can take advantage of, from mail drops and e-marketing, to social media and SEO. But one promotional tool that is often overlooked is branded fleet vehicle graphics.
Why vehicle branding?
Involving the application of decals or graphics, commercial vehicle branding offers many advantages over other forms of advertising.
This method of marketing is surprisingly effective; research has shown that it can greatly increase brand recognition, and with branded vehicles receiving up to 3,000 impressions per hour, it can help boost the visibility of your organisation and get you in front of new audiences.
Another advantage of branded vehicles is that they offer more creative freedom, enabling you to essentially create a ‘moving billboard’ that perfectly meets your marketing objectives. What’s more, with a high level of durability, it’s incredibly cost-effective and, when done well, can offer a great return on investment.
With so many benefits, using your company vehicles as a marketing tool is something of a no brainer. However, there are some key rules you should stick to in order to make sure your fleet vehicle graphics have the desired effect, and present your brand in the best possible light.
Start with a strong brand
First things first, you need to start with a strong brand. A clear and strong brand identity will help you to identify your unique selling points, your target audiences, and your key messages – and without this information underpinning the design, it’s likely that your graphics will miss their mark. To have the biggest impact, your van graphics should be part of a wider marketing strategy rather than a standalone activity.
Think of your audience
When planning your design, remember to keep your target audience in mind. Think about who they are, what they’re looking for from a company such as yours, and what information they need to know about your brand. This will inform your design concept and a good designer will be able to help you realise that vision.
Keep it simple
Potential customers are likely to be passing your vehicle at speed, giving you limited time in which to convey your key messages, so in terms of the design, it’s important to keep it both striking and simple. To this end, try to keep your copy to a minimum, as including too much information runs the risk of confusing customers or even causing them to lose interest altogether. Instead, opt for a bold graphic that includes your logo, tagline and critical business information such as your website and contact details.
Choose quality
When it comes to fleet vehicle graphics, the quality of the job is absolutely vital to success. For many people, your branded vehicle will be the first contact they have with your organisation – so it’s important to make a good first impression. A poor-quality finish will look unprofessional and could cause lasting damage to your brand. To avoid this, always opt for a trusted, qualified supplier who is experienced in this area, and preferably one who is a 3M Select Graphic Partner.
Done well, vehicle branding can be a great marketing tool. And by sticking to these key guidelines you can create striking and effective fleet graphics that will attract new customers and help to take your business from strength to strength.