- What are inflatables?
- Why advertise with inflatables?
- Do I Lease, Rent or Buy?
- How do I plan for a grand opening, open house or
other promotional event?
- Where can giant inflatables be displayed?
- Will I need a local permit?
Inflatables
are the trade or industry name typically given to large Advertising Balloons and
other items used to draw attention to a location or event. The items are
inflated or powered by a cold air fan(s) and are often in the shape of giant hot
air balloons, characters like gorillas and dinosaurs, objects such as giant cell
phones, etc. Air Dancers - the air powered nylon character shaped creations
that dance whip around - are also sometimes classified as inflatables.
You need to promote a special event, grand
opening, sale, etc. Think about the advertising alternatives:
Radio. How many radio
commercials do you hear while driving. How many radio
commercials do you actually LISTEN TO while driving. Driving is
an activity that requires intense visual sensitivity and
concentration - vision becomes the primary sense and hearing
takes on the secondary role. When drivers are concentrating on
rush hour traffic, radio ads can become lost in the chatter.
That is why radio ads are repeated over and over again for weeks
at a time.
Also, unless you hear the radio
ad just as you are passing by the place of business, it becomes
very difficult to connect the event with the location.
Inflatables are visually striking. It is impossible NOT to
notice see a 30ft. Balloon or Gorilla announcing your event.
With the Balloon, potential customers see the advertisement at
the location of the business or event. A visual connection is
made and is much more likely to be remembered.
Newspapers. Newspapers are a
good advertising media because of the massive distribution,
However, newspapers suffer some of the same problems that radio
ads suffer. The mind becomes "trained" to ignore advertisements,
there is no connection between the event and the location, and
it is easy to forget once the paper is set down.
Billboards. When advertising on
a billboard, you are at the mercy of the few locations where
billboards are placed. An Advertising Inflatable or Searchlight
IS a giant billboard, ON LOCATION.
Television. If you have the
budget to advertise on the major networks, during the time slots
when your key audience is watching - do it. Give us a call
anyways - you have plenty of budget to throw in a couple
balloons and searchlights.
Direct Mail. Direct mail can
offer a better return than newspaper advertising because it is
much more targeted. The trick is in getting the mailers to the
demographic groups that are most likely to produce customers.
Direct mail can become costly for widespread distribution.
For retail applications, most
business results from people that live or work nearby and
regularly pass by your location. Inflatables can be the most
effective way to get your message out and get your business
noticed by the exact group of potential customers that will
account for the majority of your business - without having to
guess on the demographics.
Permanent storefront signage.
Most storefront signs are just not big enough or different
enough to draw attention.
Inflatable Advertising Balloons are the most
effective way to visually promote your business or
event - on your location - to the target group of
potential customers who will produce most of your revenue.
Now consider the costs associated with the abovementioned methods of
advertising. Inflatable Advertising Balloons can also be the most
cost effective.
The question to rent or buy largely comes down to cost and
how much you plan to use the item. Many customers prefer to purchase a custom
banner with their company name, logo, and message and rent the Advertising
Balloon to display it on. The banner can be re-used in a store window, as a
temporary sign, or any number of applications.
Banner Balloon Company promotions sells and rents Inflatable Advertising
Balloons, signs, and searchlights. We can help you determine whether renting or
buying is right for you.
Many organizations simply
want an inflatable or Searchlight to increase visibility and traffic
to their location. Other organizations plan an actual event like an
Open house or Grand Opening. The following is a checklist of some of
the things you will need to consider to plan a promotional event.
-
What type of event is
it? Open House, Grand Opening, Sale, etc.
-
How long will the event
run?
-
Will the event be held
primarily indoors or outdoors?
-
Will the event primarily take
place during daylight hours? night? both?
-
Will you want to serve soft
drinks? snacks? catering?
-
Will you have any types of
entertainment? games for the kids?
-
How much room is available for the
event?
-
Do you have a firm budget?
-
Is power available?
-
Are you aware of any local restrictions
on the use of inflatables.
Depending on the answers to the above
questions you may want to consider:
-
Type of primary advertising device.
Inflatable Balloon? Inflatable Character? Searchlight?
-
The appropriate size of the inflatable?
-
The location of the inflatable. Ground?
Roof?
-
A tent(s).
-
Chairs and Tables.
-
Catering or Concessions.
-
Costumed Characters.
-
Children's moon jumps.
-
A generator if power is not readily
available.
-
Permits
-
Banners.
-
Temporary signage.
-
Direct mail / brochures / advertising
pieces.
Banner Balloon Company promotions will manage the entire process from planning
to execution.
This really depends on the type of inflatable. Inflatable
Advertising Balloons (including hot air balloon styles and character styles) can
be displayed on grassy and hard surfaces and in most cases on roof tops.
Searchlights can be used on most grassy and hard surfaces. Certain searchlights,
such as the one and four beam models that run off standard current, can be
mounted on rooftops as well.
With the exception of the Blimps, Inflatables and Searchlights need accessible
electrical power (standard current). We can supply power generators where power
is not available.
Depending on local codes and the municipality in which your
business resides, you may need a permit. In most cases, Big Sign will take care
of applying for and obtaining the permit, saving you the hassle and time
required to do so.
Copyright © 2010 BannerBalloonCo.com. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/20/10
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