Over the past two decades, we’ve seen a great deal of attention go towards the platform of the Internet. Advertisers of all shapes and sizes have tried to get the word out about their businesses on every platform imaginable. Advertising on the web is so popular, actually, that it can be hard to stand out from the huge and very loud crowd.
That’s why taking a look at some more traditional methods, like the billboard, might yield better results. Billboard advertising is sure to get your business or product in front of hundreds or thousands of eyes a day, and the competition isn’t nearly as fierce.
However, if you’re going to put up a billboard you need to know a few things about proper billboard design.
1. Focus On One Big Idea
A car passing by your billboard will have about ten seconds, at most, to look at your advertisement. This is not a huge amount of time, though it does make them a better driver.
If you want to connect with your viewer, you need to ensure that you’re using this time diplomatically. A driver won’t have the time (or the desire) to process multiple ideas, appreciate nuance, or understand complexity.
You need to throw one big idea up there and make sure that there’s a one-hundred percent success rate at a driver understanding what you’re trying to say.
Think about what your goal from the billboard is. Do you want people to visit a website, or stop into a store? Are you trying to get out brand awareness, or are you hoping this billboard will lead to a direct sale?
The message you put out will depend on what you’re trying to achieve, so make sure you lock down what your big idea is before you start designing.
2. Ensure Your Design is Eye-Catching
A huge billboard is no time to get shy and meek. This is the time to display your colors loud and proud. Many people zone out while driving down the highway, so you’ll want to take the time to make your billboard something that will catch their eye and mind.
Using bright, attractive colors is one of the best ways to do this. Pick colors that will grab people and make them feel good. If you’re using an image, make sure it’s bold and attention-grabbing. Your font should also be quite large, legible, and easy to read from far away.
This is no time to get conservative. Go big!
3. Short & Sweet
When it comes to the copy for your billboard, it’s best to keep things as short and simple as possible as well. Your driver will not have a lot of time to look at your billboard.
It’s better if they can read the whole thing without even processing that they’ve looked at it.
Limit punctuation in your messaging and edit your message don to the barest bones. If you need a rule to follow, it’s best to keep your billboard to ten words or less in total.
Tips for Billboard Design
If you’re trying to make an impression on the roadways, it’s best to keep the above tips for billboard design in mind.
Need help getting the word out about your business? Reach out to us anytime for assistance.
