Want to turn company vehicles into an advertising powerhouse?
Branding for businesses has changed a lot over the years. And one of the most underused tactics out there is fleet graphics. Many business owners completely miss their vehicles as a source of advertising…
This is a massive mistake.
The fact is those company cars, vans, and trucks are already out on the road every day. So why not put them to work building awareness at the same time?
Here’s What’s Covered:
- Why Using Vehicles For Advertising Is A Marketing Goldmine
- Hard-Hitting Stats On Fleet Graphics ROI
- Steps To Using Fleet Graphics For Brand Awareness
- Different Fleet Graphics Options
- Extra Steps To Extend Fleet Graphics Impact
Why Using Vehicles For Advertising Is A Marketing Goldmine
Fleet graphics are among the smartest investments any business can make to gain visibility.
They work 24 hours a day, rain or shine, weekends included.
And unlike digital ads that people scroll past on their phones or TV commercials that they skip… Vehicle graphics cannot be ignored. They’re right there in traffic. In parking lots. On the street.
That’s why putting money into custom fleet graphics should be a priority for any business that is serious about branding, Craftsmen Industries would be a good choice for your branding solutions. Fleet graphics services take ordinary vehicles and turn them into moving billboards that reach thousands of potential customers every day.
Pretty powerful stuff right there.
The best part is that fleet graphics do not require any additional ad spend to keep working.
Once they’re applied, they just keep working month after month.
No recurring fees. No pay-per-click costs. Just brand exposure wherever those vehicles travel.
Hard-Hitting Stats On Fleet Graphics ROI
Let’s take a look at the hard stats because the numbers behind fleet graphics are seriously impressive.
According to 3M, fleet graphics cost as little as $0.15 per 1,000 impressions.
Compare that to online ads that can reach as high as $21 per thousand impressions.
Fleet graphics deliver exposure at a tiny fraction of the price.
The numbers don’t stop there…
A single wrapped vehicle can generate 30,000 to 70,000 impressions per day. Take a minute to think on that.
One vehicle. Tens of thousands of eyeballs every single day.
Over the course of a year? That’s millions and millions of impressions. All from a one-time investment.
According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, out-of-home advertising delivers nearly 4 times more online activations per ad dollar than TV, radio and print combined. Fleet graphics fit right into this category.
What really matters for branding though…
Studies show that 97% of people remember vehicle ads they’ve been exposed to. Ninety-seven percent. Now that is an outstanding rate of recall that almost no other advertising medium can match.
Steps To Using Fleet Graphics For Brand Awareness
Not all fleet graphics are the same. In order to use vehicles to their full branding potential, businesses need to take the right approach.
First off, start with a clear brand message.
The graphics should be able to communicate who the business is and what it does within seconds. Drivers and pedestrians don’t have time to read pages of text. Keep it simple. Keep it bold.
Consistency is key.
Every vehicle in the fleet should be sporting the same brand elements.
- Logo placement
- Colour scheme
- Contact information
- Tagline or value proposition
This creates a consistent brand image across all vehicles that builds recognition over time.
Every time people start seeing the same branded vehicles over and over again, trust starts to develop naturally.
Think about where the vehicles travel.
Where do those company vehicles travel the most? Businesses should consider demographics of those areas.
A landscaping business driving around in suburban neighborhoods is reaching homeowners.
A food delivery service driving around urban centers is reaching a totally different audience.
Route optimization is important for maximizing the return on fleet graphics investment.
Different Fleet Graphics Options
There are a few different approaches to fleet graphics.
Each has their own advantages depending on budget and goals.
Full wraps cover the entire vehicle surface.
They deliver maximum visual impact and offer the most opportunity for branding. Full wraps are ideal for businesses that want to make a statement.
Partial wraps cover specific sections of the vehicle.
They are less expensive than full wraps while still providing significant brand exposure.
Partial wraps are many businesses sweet spot of investment vs. impact.
Decals and lettering are the most budget-friendly approach.
They work well for companies just starting to experiment with fleet branding.
Simple doesn’t equal ineffective.
A well-designed decal or graphic can still turn heads.
The right choice depends on goals and budget.
One thing is for certain…
Regardless of which option is chosen, quality is the most important factor.
Cheap materials fade and peel quickly.
This will end up damaging the brand image rather than helping it.
Professional installation and premium materials are worth it.
Extra Steps To Extend Fleet Graphics Impact
Fleet graphics aren’t a standalone branding tactic.
They should fit into a broader marketing strategy.
Combine it with digital marketing.
The more times that someone sees the same business in multiple touchpoints, the more familiar and trustworthy that brand becomes.
Include a call to action.
Have a website URL or phone number that is large enough to be easily read.
QR codes can be used to capture the attention of a more tech-savvy audience.
Give people a next step to take.
Keep the vehicles clean.
It’s obvious, but it bears repeating.
A dirty vehicle with nice graphics sends the wrong signal about the brand.
Regular washing preserves the professional image.
Track the results.
Ask new customers how they heard about the business.
It’s likely that many will cite seeing the vehicles out and about town. Tracking this is a good way to measure the ROI of the fleet graphics investment.
Wrapping Things Up
Fleet graphics are one of the most cost-effective branding tactics available today. They provide massive reach at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.
They work 24 hours a day and continue to drive brand awareness without any additional spend.
For any businesses looking to increase brand awareness, fleet graphics need to be at or near the top of the list.
The numbers do not lie.
- Low-cost impressions
- High recall
- Continuous exposure
- Professional look and feel
Every vehicle is an opportunity. Every mile driven is potential brand exposure. Smart businesses see this and make their fleets work for them.
The question is not whether fleet graphics work for branding. The data makes that abundantly clear.
The question is why more businesses are not using them yet.