Billboards
Expensive- YES. Worth it? Maybe.
Who is your target audience? Will they see the billboard? Will it move them to call and make a reservation?
To cut down on the expense, try and find complementary businesses like party supply stores, bakeries, or children's clothing stores to split the cost of a billboard with you.
To check out rates in your area, find the outdoor advertising logo that is typically on the bottom of the sign. Lamar and Viacom are two big players. Check your yellow pages under Advertising-Outdoor or look them up online. Contact a sales rep to find out what they have available for how much.
Remember your target audience geographics when picking a location- a bargain isn't much of a bargain if it doesn't drive business for you. Buying a premium location isn't the necessarily the best option either- you will be paying to expose your business to a lot of people who have no need of your services.
This is brand awareness strategy- don't put up billboards if you are not already in the Yellow Pages and/or have a website with an easy-to-remember name. When was the last time you wrote down a phone number off of a billboard? They might remember your name but they are likely to need to look it up when they get home.
Billboards can make your business go through the roof so make sure you are prepared. You don't want to turn a ton of people down or they may be discouraged about calling you next time. However, it could be an opportunity to build a strategic alliance with another moonwalk company. If you are investing in a large amount of equipment, this could be a great way to make a name for yourself.
