For many companies, it’s hard to get their messages out there.
Every business and brand is competing for attention.
But billboards are a great solution to reaching a wide audience. Although with digitisation, there has been a shift from utilising a traditional billboard to using digital billboards for advertising.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the difference between traditional and digital billboard advertising as well as the advantages of digital billboards and some tips to bear in mind when getting started in digital billboard advertising.
Digital Billboards vs. Traditional Billboards
Traditional Billboards
In this day and age, almost everyone has already passed by and seen a traditional billboard. Today, companies and businesses still use outdoor billboard advertising as part of their marketing campaign to promote their products or services.
However, using this form of advertising has some disadvantages. They can be expensive and they are not always easy to change. If you want to make a single edit to your billboard, you may have to hire someone to do the laborious task.
Digital Billboards
Digital billboards are a great way for businesses to reach out to their customers.
These billboards allow companies to display multiple messages from their advertising campaign. Advertisers can promote products and services, or provide information about special deals and offers. With this, business owners look forward to generating traffic, sales, brand awareness and even leads.
Furthermore, digital outdoor billboards are much more flexible, which we will discuss later in this article.
More so, a digital billboard can rotate through different ads regularly. As a result, people are more likely to see your ad multiple times in a day.
If you’re looking to offer a unique way to reach a large audience with your marketing message, then a billboard ad that showcases videos, images, and even interactive content is the way to go.
The Benefits of Digital Billboard Advertising
There are many benefits of digital billboard marketing and we’ve compiled some of the top advantages in this section of the article.
Digital Billboards Offer More Flexibility When It Comes to Time
One of the things that a traditional outdoor billboard cannot achieve is to be time-bound to the advertisement it’s presenting. It also cannot change the ad in accordance with the appropriate time that is showcased in the advertisement.
But what exactly does this look like?
Imagine a marketing campaign that utilises advertising through digital billboards, where brands and companies have the opportunity to present time-sensitive messaging that need constant updates, as well as messages that need to be showcased in real-time.
For instance, restaurants that only open during certain times of the day can showcase their menu and specialities right before they open.
Specific Locations Can Complement Digital Billboards
Social media ads can provide detailed targeting options and a traditional billboard allows businesses to reach their audience in places like an open field beside a highway or areas near a bus top and so on.
But digital billboard ads can take it up a notch when it comes to outdoor advertising.
Because brands can use videos or animation videos, certain spaces can definitely help advertisements that are displayed on a digital billboard, to amass a lot of attention and hype.
CNN had previously written an article about a billboard in Japan with a giant 3D cat. Take a look at how a side of a building was utilised:
Photo Credit: Courtesy Yunika
This now leads us to our third advantage of using digital billboards…
Digital Billboards Are Eye-Catching, Engaging and Appealing
This type of outdoor billboard is considered to be more effective than traditional billboards in catching the attention of drivers, pedestrians and potential customers.
If businesses want their products or services to shine bright like diamonds at night or to remain interactive during any time of the day, then digital billboards are the best way to advertise their products or services.
Digital Billboards Are Often Cheaper Than Traditional Billboards
When it comes to expenses, digital billboards do not have any material costs (production expenditures) or transportation costs (shipping costs). The only expense that digital billboards could have would be labour, in terms of designing the dynamic advertisement to be displayed on the billboard.
Digital Billboards Do Not Lose Their Quality
Because traditional billboards are usually made from paper or vinyl, once these materials have been exposed to outdoor elements, they can lose their colour, shading and ultimately their quality to aesthetically present the product and messaging being advertised.
Unlike digital billboards, they’re tougher and you don’t necessarily have to worry about the quality of the actual billboard. Instead, your focus, as an advertiser, will solely be on the advertising campaign, the content of your ads and the location of your advertisements.
Tips for Digital Billboard Advertising
Choose High-Traffic Locations Where Your Target Audience Is
When you’re choosing a location for your advertisements, it’s important to find a spot where your potential consumers are likely to see it. This means choosing a location that has a lot of traffic, whether it’s filled with drivers, pedestrians, or transit riders.
Opting for a high-traffic location ensures that your ad will be seen by as many people as possible, and that includes people who may not have otherwise seen it. It’s also important to consider the demographics of the area beforehand, as this can help you target your ads more effectively.
Write Catchy and Interesting Headlines
In order to grab attention, your headlines should be catchy and interesting. They should also be relevant to your target audience.
Make your headlines short, enticing, and straight to the point. This way, most people will be able to read them quickly and easily.
Make Sure Your Product or Service Is Easily Seen in the Advertisement
When you’re designing your ad, it’s important to make sure that it’s visible from a distance. This means using bright colours and large fonts and images in all of your ads, especially if you have multiple messages to share, where each digital ad has its own message.
Consider Adding a Call-To-Action
Your ad should include a call to action, such as “Buy now!”, “Visit our website!” or “Contact Us!”. This helps encourage people to take action after seeing your digital ads.
Consider 3D Content, Motion Graphics and Video
Having 3D content, motion graphics or a video as your advertisement on digital billboards can make ads more engaging and appealing. All of these are a fun and artistic medium that helps to grab the attention of passersby, working individuals, your ideal consumers, etc. bringing about an increase in the visibility or reach of your digital ads.
If applicable to your business, you can consider using 3D content to create a realistic and eye-catching sign, while using motion graphics and videos to create short, engaging stories.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to advertise using social media or pay for a spot in between tv shows, outdoor advertising can definitely help you execute your campaign. Pair this with your other digital marketing efforts, you’ll be able to create some buzz around your brand.
But digital billboard advertising takes your marketing game to another level when reaching a large number of people with your message. By choosing the right location and writing catchy, interesting headlines, you can ensure that your ad is seen by as many people as possible.
If you want to get started with advertising on a digital billboard, you can book a FREE session with us today!
