Info on Car Adds.

Hi J.,

On rare occasions, I have called in response to a car magnet ad. I remember one time in particular, I called about a magnet I saw on a minivan for a child's arts and crafts "indoor playground". I have to wonder how effective the magnet was though, since sadly, they've gone out of business. The magnets are pretty inexpensive so it may be worth a shot...Maybe consider asking local daycare centers, schools, some pediatrics offices and other businesses that cater to children about whether they might allow you to leave a flyer on their bulletin boards or maybe just business cards in their lobbies. Good luck! It's tough out there right now :)!

Hi J.! This is funny- just yesterday I saw a van with a business card holder under it's window ad, with a little sign that said, please take a card! I thought that was the best idea I'd seen. I googled "vehicle business card holder" and found a ton for less than $10. So I'd say if you're going to advertise - add the cards, OR like someone here added you could buy those magnets at office supply store and add them to the car, BUT that could get cluttered looking. BTW just to mention I am a wahm, my biz is with Uppercase Living, vinyl expressions for home, business, car etc. I'd be happy to help you come up with a design for your window or design a magnet (if you have restricitons where you live)
Also I'd love some information on your Swim school. I'm new to this board but you can email me ____@____.com or check out my site http://reneefuller.uppercaseliving.net
Hope to talk to you soon.
Take care
R.'

Hi J.. I know there are plenty of moms on here with home based businesses, so you will probably get a ton of advice.. when I was looking for something to allow me to stay home with my kids, I remember seeing an Explorer ahead of me in traffic w/ a magnet sign about working from home.. unfortunately, it was too far away and I never got the phone number. So, it has to be big enough to see, and simple enough to remember. I have used both magnets and a larger car decal, and I will say having a large, simple, professional looking decal is the most successful for me. I found a local sign person who put my website and a few short words to get people's attention on the back window of my truck, and I have gotten great response with it. It cost $100., but you can sometimes find cheaper or order what you want off the net and put it on yourself.. I personally bought a few magnets from VistaPrint, and know others who have and not had a problem, but they were not heavy enough and blew off or started to curl and not stick right. Email me if you would like to see what my truck looks like, otherwise, best of luck with your biz.

Happy Summer.

G.

Possibly, at least I could get the name and look them up. Can you tell me about your swim school, I am moving to Port Charlotte soon and my girls will need swim lessons. Thank you, Deb

I called someone with a car magnet ad once. He ended up being a real jerk and really didn't know what he was doing. I knew more about the work than he did. I would never call someone again just because they have an ad on their car. If I need a service I go to the corner hardware and ask or look for business cards at the hardware. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. Business cards in your local businesses in the area also are a great way to advertise. But as far as a magnet on a car. I wouldn't pay any attention to it at all. If you do decide to go with something for your car I would call Crawford Signs on Causeway. He does great work and is very affordable. When I had my ice cream concession I got all of my signs from Mark.

I haven't ever used a business that I saw advertised in that manner, but that is only because I have never seen one that was for a service I needed. I think it would be worth it just to get your name out there. People will see it and and your business name will become more well known throughout your community. The more people who know you are out there, the more business you will have.

Yes this absolutely works. I've personally phoned and/or looked up a web site from car advertising. Also I have large magnets advertising our Medical Training Classes for CNA, CPR instruction and it's working great.
A friend has her car wrapped and says it's money well spent.

http://www.MedicalTrainingClasses.com

of course i think its a great idea .. but thats because this is what i do. If you need help message me and I can get you in contact with our printer and wrapper here at the shop. he can help you with the layouts as well if you are not sure how you would like it to look. We can do just vinyl on the window, magnetics (that can be easily removed if you are in a deed rest. place) or a wrap for the back window or whole car.

vistaprint.com now does car magnents for cheap. they always run deals and you can get one free if you're on their emailing list. I make my baby announcements etc through them. Easy to upload logos or design the whole thing yourself.

J.,

I can't tell you if the ads work or not. But I can tell you if you live in a deed restricted community to check your restrictions. Ours prohibit and form of businees advertising on vehicles. But in our community there is a double standard. We have a resident that has a big truck with advertising for some sort of contracting business since we have lived here (9 yrs). Parks in the drive way. They stat "that is not a business truk"-- then why do you get a business when you call the number?

Anyhow another neighbor worked for maytag for a while as a repair man. He had to bring a Maytag van home. It was too big to park in the garage. The neighbor offered to place a cover or plain magnets over the advertising. NO go. Homeowner's assoc. caused the Lots of problems. He did get alot of questions in regards to Maytag products & services.

So in short I personally go with the magnets, that way if you have to park your car in the driveway you can remove them. If you get a new car/different car it goes with you.

I personally think you should be able to advertise your business without the hassle of homeowner assoc hassels.

You can go to Vista Print and click on Free products, and get yourself one for free+shipping - And yes - I have looked at Car magnet ads, and then looked them up when I got home. I must say though that You should have a website to go along with it - because if all I catch is the name, and I look it up online and can't find anything - I can't call you!
GOOD LUCK!

For YEARS I toted a sign in the back of my truck.
No numbers, it just said "Tarot and Henna Readings".
LOTS of folks asked about it, many became clients.

Now I've retired the weathered sign
and opted for magnets which feature my artwork
(a painting),
as well as the contact info.

The info is an effort to read (live and learn there)
but the art draws folks in,
and I see them reading it.

When I park in a parking lot,
I also tend to make business cards
(which match the magnet) accessible.

The postcards I have are on folks' fridges,
and on bulletin boards at businesses too
because they're so pretty.
I get alot of business from folks
who have seen them displayed for the art!

The other day I saw another great idea.
There was a van beside me at the bank drive-through.
In addition to the standard adverts displayed,
there were small magnets placed to TAKE.
Brilliant, I thought.

I agree though,
that sometimes simple is best,
which is why I've not wrapped my truck.

I can personally attest to using a car-ad at least three times since I've lived here in Florida. Additionally, I do seem to remember businesses (when I need their services) if the car has been well labeled - short and sweet and to the point. The wraps are interesting to look at when you're sitting at a light, but are not really all too good when they're riding down the highway. Another idea, and less obtrusive one at that, would be to get some vinyl lettering - put it across your back window (like in white), even if it's just your website. I've checked out sites many times not knowing what they were - just out of curiosity. Go for it - it's not expensive and if you get even one "sale" from it - it's paid for itself... Good luck!