Truck lettering – That’s a wrap

So you found my searching for truck or vehicle lettering……… what do you want to know?

Vehicle Wraps in Minnesota

A vehicle wrap is the kind of sign that is really a giant digital print that covers your car or truck. You can wrap your vehicle (truck or car) completely or partially. Below are a few samples of partial wraps………

Vehicle lettering can be a very powerful advertising tool for you and your business. Here is a list of ways to effectively use large format vehicle graphics or wraps to make mo’ money……..

1. Get your name out as you drive around on your personal vehicle
2. Advertise using your delivery truck or van
3. Use a wrap to get noticed
4. Park the company car in front of clients homes for the neighbors to see
5. Park the company truck by the road in your neighborhood for your neighbors to see
6. Park the company van by the road in front of your business to increase traffic ( and you don’t need a permit )
7. Generate negative PR if you cause a 15 car pileup and you end up on the news

Generally speaking, the last one is probably the least effective. However, I am reminded of a sign company years ago that had a little problem……….

One day 2 sign guys were putting up a pylon sign for a new business. They decided to break for lunch and drive down the street to a local restaurant. Unfortunately, they neglected to bring the crane down before they took off. These 2 guys jump into the crane truck  and proceeded to remove every power line and traffic light for 2 blocks.

When the news truck arrived to cover the black out that had occurred, these 2 intellectual giants worried about the negative publicity that was about to take place. They didn’t want their company name to appear on TV. So they quickly took off their company work shirts and stood, bare chested, in front of the TV news crew as the reporter covered the breaking news.

To their dismay, that night as they watched the evening news, they were shocked to see 2 shirtless knuckle heads standing in front of a wrecked crane truck emblazoned with the company logo on the doors and the crane itself. The very crane that had effectively removed those annoying traffic lights.

So, you see, you can have effective PR with your company truck. I just don’t recommend you try this method very much.

The sign guy

Installing signs near Minneapolis since 2003

What Kind of Business sign?

One of the first questions we get is “What kind of sign works?”

The Business sign that is right for you….

Let this cheesy little sign video help you answer that question..

 

There you go, a sign for your business is based first on what are you trying to do, then what will the landlord let you do, followed by how big will the city let you have it? Unless you’re in Bloomington, MN where they have an extra little trick.

the sign guy

Signs by RSG – A Family Trade Since 1915 – making lit signs in the twin cities for a while

(763)753-7571 fax (763)753-0102 www.signsbyrsg.com
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

 

Why buy an Electronic Message Center

LED Electronic Message Center Benefits and Advantages

Increased Revenue

1. • Instant increase in sales
2. • Increase impulse buying
3. • Create community awareness
4. • Promote higher profit items
5. • Targeted Marketing
6. • Increase and maximize profits

High Visibility

1. • An Electronic Message Center (EMC) is extremely noticeable by utilizing light,motion, color, graphics and high brightness to grab the attention of passing traffic.

Flexibility

1. • Instantly change messages from the comfort of your office! In Minnesota, this is a bid deal!  An Electronic Message Center provides added flexibility when you want to advertise your time sensitive messages.

Lower Cost Advertising

1. • The cost of advertising with an Electronic Message Center is 40-60% less per thousand viewers than other methods of advertising. Because Electronic Message Centers have the flexibility to change your messages on the go, advertising budgets may be lowered by eliminating or decreasing the purchase of static signs and banners.
2. Replace inefficient advertising expenses, saving even more money

Frequency

1. • An Electronic Message Center helps you reach out to more potential buyers through repetitive advertising.
2. 24/7. Rush hour commutes, vacation travelers & Sunday Drivers

Eye-catching

1. • Moving messages attract
2. • Instant communication
3. • Convey information quickly

Efficiency

1. • LED displays are energy efficient – LED displays are energy efficient reducing costs up to 95% (compared to incandescent systems)
2. • Long LED lamp life – Over 100,000 hours (approx. 10 years)
3. • Weather resistant
4. • Low maintenance
5. • High resolution and clarity

 

In another post, we’ll talk about the advantages of buying vs Leasing.

 

The sign guy

Signs by RSG – the Midwest’s experts on Electronic digital signage.

 

A SMILE IS ALL YOU NEED

As a member of BNI in Minnesota promoting my sign company, I have opportunity to meet tons of business people at networking meetings. I thought that today I would share with you my method for meeting new people and increasing the referrals that I receive………

All I use is a simple SMILE

Anytime you find yourself in a group of people where there is mingling going on and even a slight expectation of meeting new people, then you should be armed with the best possible way to make the most of it.

STAND - Stand up. It is nearly impossible to make a good impression while seated. Seated is a position of inferiority. When you are standing, and the other person is seated, you are in a power position. If however, you both are standing, then you are on equal footing.  It’s awkward to carry on a conversation with someone who is sitting. If you’re sitting at a table, then you are displaying a “leave me alone” attitude.

MAKE EYE CONTACT – Making eye contact is the first step in showing an interest in the other person. It gives you a chance to see the face and get a good clear image of them in your mind. Then, when they tell you their name, you’re in the perfect position to imprint that name to that face. Do you have trouble remembering names? Try this one technique and see how well your name recall improves.

INVITE - Invite the other person to meet other people. One of the biggest fears people have in a networking situation, is meeting new people. People want to feel as if they belong. No better way to help someone to feel a sense of belonging than when they know more people.

Invite them to talk about themselves which leads right into…………….

LISTEN - Listen intently. Listen to their words which will reveal many things about them. Carry on the conversation by being inquisitive and asking about the last thought they spoke about. Ask open ended questions. You could carry on a conversation for hours by listening to a person talk about their favorite subject, THEM!!  The neat thing about listening to them, you increase their enjoyment. When I do this one thing, listen, I end up having some of the best conversations and leave with a genuine friend. One person even thanked me and said, “You are one of the best conversationalist I have met.” I barely said anything.

Another time, at a BNI meeting. I applied  this listening technique with a young woman I had met. Later on during my 10 minute training, I mentioned how you could make anyone talk about themselves at great length. This same lady interjected and said, “But what if they’re like me and don’t like to talk about themselves?” I replied by reciting all of the things she had told me about herself just half an hour earlier. “Oh, I get it.” was the response as I saw understanding run across her face.

ENTHUSIASM - This is the key. If you’re excited about being someplace others will notice it and want to be around you. People like to be around happy people. Ask yourself who would you rather be with at a social gathering? Positive people attract more friends, make more money and generally have more fun.

You may say that you’re just getting fair weather friends. True, but if you gather enough fair weather friends, you’re likely to catch some true friends as well.

Whether you’re in business or not, you really need to have people around you. A pleasant SMILE is a great way to make friends quickly, have fun and to make more money.

Spencer Blackwelder – sign guy & Asst. Director for BNI Minnesota.
www.signsbyrsg.com

5 ways to make money

This is not another self help blog, it is a help your business blog.

Here it is. 5 ways to make money with your business.

BANNER – cheap, no excuses.
VEHICLE WRAP – drive your sign everywhere
DIGITAL SIGNAGE – specific is terrific. If the big boys are doing it shouldn’t you
FLAGS – attracts attention
BNI – this is not a sign, but you should be meeting people anyway

You should act now before the cash runs out. People need to drive in, not past your store.

 

the sign guy

Signs by RSG – A Family Trade Since 1915

(763)753-7571 fax (763)753-0102 www.signsbyrsg.com
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Editorial: Sign, sign, everywhere a sign…but what is it? – Crookston, MN – Crookston Times

Editorial: Sign, sign, everywhere a sign…but what is it? – Crookston, MN – Crookston Times.

A Ramsey Sign blogger

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 2,800 times in 2010. That’s about 7 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 18 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 83 posts. There were 31 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 12mb. That’s about 3 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was October 25th with 41 views. The most popular post that day was Free Banner Sign.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were 1harga.com, facebook.com, en.wordpress.com, statistics.bestproceed.com, and tips-tools-tutorials.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for vehicle graphics, cool vehicle graphics, fail signs, cheap led signs, and wall signs minnesota.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Free Banner Sign June 2010

2

Vehicle Graphics September 2008
1 comment

3

Sign Gallery February 2010
1 comment

4

Signs Signs Signs September 2008
1 comment

5

Contact the Sign guy August 2008
2 comments

Vehicle Wraps make Mo’ Money

Hey 2011, that’s a wrap. A Vehicle Wrap that is. Now that it’s 2012, what is your plan to increase business revenue in 2012.

this Forest Lake, MN business has a wrap

A recent client of ours decided to approach that question in a different way. They decided that since they were driving everywhere, their name should be on their van. So, they had us make some custom vehicle graphics.

3/4 wrap

State Farm in Fridley did the same thing

Both of these are examples of 3/4 wrap. This is the kind where you only cover part of the vehicle instead of every part. This saves them money,  but still has a great effect on the visibility.

Fridley State Farm car wrap

This year, think about all of the places to put your business name. Your cars, trucks, walls & by the road. Another thing these business owners do is park these vehicles where the traffic will see them. If you go to a clients place, park where their neighbors will see it too.

the sign guy

Signs by RSG – A Family Trade Since 1915 – wrapping trucks since ….. I don’t remember

(763)753-7571 fax (763)753-0102 www.signsbyrsg.com
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

 

Everyone is in sales

St. Cloud, MN this is for you

I know people who abhor selling. They actually abhor salespeople. I think all of us cringe when we have a salesman on the line. However, we’re all in sales!!Yes, that is right, you are in sales. You’re selling products, services or ideas and sometimes even yourself.

You and I are salespeople in every part of our lives. Of course in business, but consider the selling we do at home with our families, with our friends. In political discussions and, oh my, Religious discussions. In these situations, we usually resort to argumentation, and nobody likes this kind of sales.

A good salesperson builds a positive relationship with their prospect. A good salesperson never argues his points with his prospect. A good salesperson will never yell at his prospect. A good salesperson shows benefits

The definition of sales:

The process by which you show other people the benefits of your product, service or ideas.

How well you do the above definitition determines if a sale takes place.

Mora, do you have someone to sell to?

Of course I was going to bring this around to signs. Specifically, digital signs. You may call them dynamic displays. A road sign is one of the best ways to attract new customers. People on which you can practice your selling skills.

When is the best time to get these folks into your store? When they’re driving right in front of it!

 

time & temp

the sign guy

Signs by RSG – A Family Trade Since 1915

(763)753-7571 fax (763)753-0102 www.signsbyrsg.com
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Metrodome roof collapse

What does the metrodome roof collapse have to do with signs in Minnesota?

Lots, because whatever caused the metrodome to collapse, can also cause your sign to fall. What was it? SNOW, LOTS & LOTS OF SNOW.

The reason I bring this up is because as I have been going around town, I have been seeing lots of channel letters on raceways and awnings still covered with snow.

snow damage

As you can see, the white fluffy stuff ain’t so light when it gets stuck on top. Your wall sign or awning could be experiencing some stress from the snow load. We had a call this week about an awning bending due to the snow. The first thing I told them to do was to brush it off.

That is what you should do as well. Go out side and brush off your awning today. My wife (baby doll) and I were outside of a popular Roseville, MN mall and I noticed as we walked outside of the mall, all of the snow just hanging off the awnings waiting to fall on top of some unsuspecting pedestrian. Though I think it would make a great YouTube video, I doubt the victim would find it as funny.

Here is another photo of why to take a look at your wall sign…………

snow damage

www.signsbyrsg.com is a family trade since 1915 and serves the Minneapolis / St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. The signs in this post are from around the twin cities.

763-753-7571