Whenever we get the chance we stop drivers of wrapped cars, those whose cars creatively display billboard-like advertising, and ask the drivers if they can sense, spot, feel, or measure the effects of such advertising.
In September we talked to Joel Vinolas, a Solar Consultant for Direct Energy Solar, who was driving an attractively-wrapped Prius.
Direct Energy Solar outputs its entire fleet in attention-getting, business generating car wraps.
Joel is very aware he is driving a car with advertising on it. He sees people looking while at the grocery stores, the gas station, soccer fields or while stopped at intersections. Once in a while he sees people writing down the phone number or URL.
Joe states unequivocally, “It works.”
“Any tips?” we asked.
“Yes. Aside from the obvious branding (make sure your logo and message are readily apparent with a clean, fresh look –ed.), give potential customers who have an immediate need a way to contact you. Conspicuously display your phone number and URL. Don’t expect your car advertising to sell your product for you … it won’t do that, so don’t try. Show your brand and a way to contact you.”
Curious, we asked how Direct Energy Solar KNOWS it works. That yielded more tips on how to set up your car wrap program:
- “I see people writing down the phone number or URL;”
- “I see people taking pictures of the car to capture the data;”
- “That specific phone number is listed on the car wrap only, and we get calls from that phone number;”
- “People who contact us through the website are asked how they learn of us, and many tell us ‘they see the car everywhere!’”
At the low, low cost per impression, and the overwhelming anecdotal evidence they work, it’s no wonder car wraps are the single fastest growing format for business advertising.