Truck graphics are probably most well known as fleet graphics, which we all see every time we’re on the highway. We see UPS trucks, supermarket trucks, Wal Mart trucks and so on. If successful, nationwide companies are using truck graphics and fleet graphics, shouldn’t those of us with smaller, local businesses take a page out of their book? Virtually any business can benefit from marketing with truck graphics, but many of us have a difficult time imagining all of the possibilities they come with. We assume the purpose is to drive the truck around town or around our targeted area to advertise. While that method is part of the truck graphics story, which is certainly not the end. Think like an athlete…
If your business has anything at all to do with athletes, sporting goods, outdoor activities, services for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, then listen up! Your target audience is probably one of the biggest in the nation, if not, the world. Who doesn’t love sports?? If you’re simply advertising to them through traditional methods and by driving your truck with its catchy truck graphics around town, you’re missing out on some big opportunities.
Think tailgating! Football fans are notorious for tailgating before and after games, and everyone is allowed to join the party, so take advantage of the happy, excited, sports fan’s party atmosphere and tailgate with them! You could even do double duty and make it an employee outing or a joint business venture. If your truck graphics are parked among the tailgaters, you’ll undoubtedly draw attention, which opens the lines for powerful networking opportunities and relationship building.
There are all different types of sporting events that you could take advantage of to reach a very specific audience, such as parking your truck graphics outside of a boxing event, if you sell gym equipment and boxing equipment. If your business sells outdoor sporting goods, such as hiking equipment, kayaks, etc, park at (and even participate in) crew competitions, sailing events, Iron Man events, and triathlons. Odds are, your competition won’t do the same thing (or at least not every competing company), so you’ll be able to advertise to your target audience while they’re in the sports frame of mind, without the distraction of competing businesses.
Also take advantage of the weather! If your target audience is comprised of athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, then where are they likely to be found on a nice, sunny day? Outside on mountains, fields, courts, the water, etc! So take your truck graphics for a drive by any of these hot spots, park near them for a little while, and reap the benefits!
To advertise to your target audience, it pays to think like your target audience (and in some cases, even act like them)!