Coming up with new and original ideas for advertising can seem a tedious task. The best way to brainstorm is to think: where do I see ads the most when I’m out and about? You might be surprised at how often you consume marketing without even realizing it.
While rental space such as billboards are still options, there are quickly becoming more unique spots to project your business or brand. Renting ad space with other companies is a win/win situation for all involved and can really make a difference when it comes to both local and widespread outreach.
Here are 7 places to keep an eye out for available ad space:
- Bus Ads
Yes, you know you’ve seen them. Purchasing ad space on a bus is an ingenious way of reaching not only a large amount of people at once but also spread across a city or neighborhood. Bus ads make for excellent advertising because they have ample space, are often loud and attractive, and are painted onto a moving vehicle, which is sure to catch one’s eye.
- Promotional Merchandise
Everyone loves free stuff. Whether you are at a convention or have set up a table at the local marathon, places like Printkick make it easy to create SWAG with your brand’s name on them. From pens to sunglasses to holiday merchandise and more, you can basically put your company’s name on anything you like. And no one’s going to turn away a free travel mug.
- Bathroom Stalls
I know, it sounds odd, but if you really think about it, it’s kind of the perfect captive audience. Lots of establishments will rent out ad space on the doors of their stalls such as movie theaters, colleges, and libraries. This is also a great idea for businesses with tighter budgets, as it’s sure to cost less than say renting out a blimp or aerial advertising.
- Sports Arenas & Ball Parks
The best places to advertise are events that can house hundreds or even thousands of people all at once. Not only do you maximize your viewership, but also you can better establish your target audience. If your company is targeted towards a young adult demographic, find the stadium that’s going to play the next big college game. It’s about knowing your audience.
- Movie Theaters
Depending on the branch, many movie theaters now create advertisement slides to project before the previews start to roll. This gives all the early birds something to look at while they wait patiently. Depending on your neighborhood’s theater, they might even run local, low cost commercials beforehand.
- Playbills
Have you ever gone to a touring Broadway show and flipped through the playbill they hand out at the start? You’d be amazed at how those consist mainly of advertisements. While many are for theatrical topics (naturally), oftentimes they will allow local business owners the chance to place an ad within their pages too.
- Train Platforms
Mainly useful for businesses located in larger cities, most subway and train authorities have long, spacious areas available for rent on the platforms. These can be changed out regularly or remain, depending on the lease signed. Like the aforementioned ideas, this is another great way to target a somewhat captive audience while they wait.
Conclusion:
Advertising is absolutely essential, but that doesn’t mean it has to be standard or boring. If you look around, you will see there are hundreds of places available for ad space that you may not have even noticed at first.
Advertising through another party is a symbiotic relationship that many will be happy to accommodate. By paying a nominal fee for space, you could be earning much more revenue simply through word of mouth or subliminal thought.
So next time you’re out, take a moment, look around, and you might be surprised what new ideas you find.
