Dawn Cook's blog about Road Rage, got me thinking about vehicle advertising. While driving to an appt this a.m., I counted well over 100 vehicles with magnetic signs or some type of advertising (agents, landscapers, stores, restaurants, delivery service, pizza, computer repair - you get the point).
I'm a very cautious driver. Sometimes overly cautions, but always keenly aware that my company name, phone number and website are advertised on my vehicle. I drive a lot of miles and yes, sometimes I do get upset at other drivers behavior. So much so in fact that I have actually considered rolling down my window and explaining the rules of the road on more than one occasion. Then, I am reminded that my phone number is right below my window and the idiot driver could actually call me, email me, find me and stalk me (or worse) for the rest of my life.
Would it be worth it to correct their unfortunate miseducation? Obviously, they failed to learn the rules of the road before they were given their license or perhaps it's been so long that they have forgotten?
Marci Toliver shared an experience where someone actually pulled a gun on her. WOW! I can't even begin to imagine what that may have been like.
So - I'll ask the question - is vehicle advertising worth the exposure OR are we merely asking for trouble?
Calie,
This is an interesting question, and I found this blog minutes after I just ordered a sign for my car! Hmmmm. Is this an omen? Guess it will make me more polite behind the wheel:)
Just the other day, I was in North Scottsdale and almost witnessed a PT Cruiser ( with REMAX all over including the famous balloon) crash into a Chevy Silverado with Realty Executives painted on the Truck. It was on the intersection of FLW and Scottsdale Rd. Fortunately, nothing happened b/c pf great breaks on the vehicles worked well and nothing happened. I can not see any relationship amongst the two of them down the road.
Interesting consideration. On the other hand, could your driving ever cause someone to call you to do business with you? Hmmmm I don't think that would work in my case..
Judi
I agree that it makes me pay attention to my driving, and I find myself "letting people cut in" way moe often than I used to. I wave a lot more too. And I try to follow up my mailings by making sure I'm driving the neighborhoods just after they go out.
I know it makes some of you ladies nervous, but at least here in Boise we don't seem to have those troubles. I can think of six or seven women in my office with graphics and have never heard a story of any problems.
Calie - What a great topic. Often in the real estate industry we put ourselves out there with the best of intentions to promote ourselves and often we do that with our picture or on the web with our picture and profile so that potential clients know that we are people not just a name working for a company. I have often thought about this exposure and knowing the people can be people; could I be setting myself up for some who doesn't like or does like the way I look, talk, my opinions, etc.
In the end, we have to put ourselves out there and pray that God will protect us from anyone who might do us harm. I think that keeping your windows rolled up and opinions to ourselves is a prudent think to do when our names and phone numbers are blazed all over our cars so that God doesn't have to work overtime.
Be well and be smart!
James
I never was able to target that any particular contact was only from the car ads (when we had them) but yes, its all part of branding and repeat name recognition. But when it comes right down to it, who has a pencil & paper handy (except agents) when they are driving to jot down phone numbers. We didn't list the phone number but our easier to remember web address instead.
I have my website address rather than my phone number on my truck, along with my slogan. Don't even have my name on there. People DO read it, though - I've had them mention it.
What a Great question you pose? I have my vehicles and team members vehicles wrapped with our names and phone numbers and yes I have received nasty calls from people accusing my team of driving errors and such. I will say though it is worth the effort good and bad.!
calie,
Thanks for the post. I really see this no differently than your Internet exposure or printed media advertising exposure.
But everybody sees it one way or the other.
I cannot say that I've ever gotten a sale off it directly. (Wow! What a car! Will you list my house?) But I can say that people honk, wave and chastise me later when we talk saying that I didn't see them. My wife is constantly told by her friends where they see me. (Which sometimes is funny because there is another red/white MINI in Olathe and they confuse them. Isn't that great. I'm so branded EVERY MINI cooper is me!)
Of course, I've seen some vehicle advertisements that look bad or uncomplimentary. If you are not a designer, have a designer come up with yours. Enjoy it if you do it.
Thanks for the post Calie. You have given me a lot to think about.
Shawn Martin
Martin Home Inspection Services
www.martininspect.com
Great topic! I actually had my vehicle "wrapped" with my company logo and phone number. I even had "Toll Free:" and "Cell"
I am also in Arizona. I was travelling from Chandler to Scottsdale on the 101 and I unknowingly cut off a car that was speeding...,must have been speeding, I say.
Anyway, I am oblivious to the cut-off and just driving along when my cell phone rings.
"This is Karen, can I help you?"
"I'm following you bitch and I'm going to teach you a lesson."
I looked in my rearview mirrors but tere were a hundred cars behnd me, I decided not to let this jerk-off rattle my cage, so I remaned calm and kept an eye out for anyone that was hehind me "too long."
However, the next day I got some Goo-Gone and removed the cool "wrapping" signage from my SUV I dont think I got a single client from that vehicle wrap anyway...just a lot of aggravatiom
Calie,
I have magnetic signs on my car. I have to agree that it makes me think twice before I let some of the crazy drivers on the road know what I think about them, but I have to say I don't think any of my clients have come from the signs and I'm thinking of taking them off, I have a black car and I have noticed that the paint under the sign is changing colors. :( In today's world I don't think we can be to careful. Of course a God as my co-pilot (poor guy) I guess I shouldn't worry. :) He should!
Good post thanks for making us think.
I have never used any vehicle advertising, we work enough and I wouldn't want the feeling that every minute is being watched. Like many I can be annoying at times. For example if someone rides up on my fast flashing their headlights, my thought is to slow down and make them crawl. If I feel like twisting it a little I will even flash them a smile in my rear view mirror.
Oh I forgot to mention, on my other vehicle, my truck, I'm fully wrapped. I can't contribute anything from it directly, but nearly every day I drive it someone comments about it or about real estate so it's just a matter of time I guess:
I drive reckless because I'm jotting down the email addy's from the advertising. Go figure.
Cause / effect?
From all of the responses and the emails I've received, this is a hot topic!
As Angela Wagner stated above," Publicity is still Publicity". Women should be more careful than men in what type of advertising. Perhaps website only? I just don't know. I love the wrapped look and to be honest, I think the professional image that it conveys is worth every look and wierd call.
Take a second look at Michael J. Nelson's 5 car commando above. WOW! Susan Milner's 4x4s are definitely speaking volumes! Definitely would not be able to miss them coming down the road. Even if I didn't have the need for their services, I'll tell you I would definitely remember their "presence" and if someone asked me if I knew a Realtor(r) I would be able to recall their advertising...absolutely! Have I done it -you bet.
On the flip side, if someone with vehicle advertising does cut me off, cuss me out or irritate me - I am likely to remember it and not do business with them in the future. I can recall an incident several years ago where a local plumber acted less then civil toward me in a parking lot. To this day, I will not recommend his service. It's sad, but true. (what goes around comes around).
Does it matter what type of advertising? Does it make a difference if the car is wrapped, magnetic signed or a vinyl sticker?
According to Yahoo - ad·ver·tis·ing
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Isn't advertising merely a form of written communication and isn't that the purpose after all?
Aside from all the issues during drive time mentioned here, I've always wondered how sellers feel about having such a vehicle in their drive when they're interviewing listing agents prior to listing. Some sellers may not want the neighbors to know they are moving, especially if they are preparing for a job change or a divorce.
I don't have any real estate stuff on the WEENR mobile, but neighbors in my farm area know my SUV (with the WEENR plate) and will comment about, "I saw you at the house on _____. Are they moving?"
Elaine - You know, I've actually had clients ask if I had any vehicle advertising and would I mind removing it before our appointment...for that exact reason - they didn't want their neighbors knowing ...
Another great question to ponder... Would an agent remove their advertising for a perspective client? Obviously a wrapped vehicle would pose an entirely different issue, but what about magnetic signs?
OH!!! Thank you to everyone for your incredible responses. I was so excited this a.m. when I got up and saw I had my first *Feature* post. I even did a little happy dance (which absolutely perplexed my entire family, but hey - you understand .... ) THANK YOU, THANK YOU ;-)
Calie, I've only had the plates for less than 3 weeks, so no added business yet. However, my friends and clients love them and think they are really cool! My clients that have seen them thought it was just another way that I think outside the box.
You might want to check your state's website and see if they offer the plates under the specialty plates section. It was $30 for the plate ($22 going to TAR) and then $40 to personalize it, and with the help of AR, I had many ideas from people on how to personalize them.
Hey Calie, Great post and congrats on the featured blog!
I don't think it is ever, in any way, worth involving yourself and/or your vehicle with another on the road. Signs or no signs, there are a lot of stress-out people out there who can 'flip-out' in a nano-second! What good does it do anyway?
When I see agressive driving, I get the heck out of the way!
VAL
Val - Thanks for the congrats. I'm still dancing :-) Talk about stress, think about driving in Arizona in the middle of summer on a freeway going nowhere and no air conditioning or worse, a Phoenician in New York during the winter trying to get to work in the snow. I can feel the stress.
Teri - I'm not sure if people look for Realtor specifically, but I do know that I feel more comfortable calling upon service people (or whoever) to come to my house if I have seen their vehicle at a neighbor's home. It's not an actual recommendation, but in a sense it could be.
Calie,
I've had logos & names/numbers on my PT Cruiser for 6 years... No problems, altho it makes it harder to speed thru school zones!
I'd do it again, but keep it tasteful... We have enough fully wrapped vehicles already!
I have a question for those who do use the magnetic signs or the car wrap. Do you feel there's any additional risk that your vehicle will be broken into while you're inside getting groceries etc? Many people know that agents use & keep with them a lot of techie toys. Our cars can also be roaming offices with clients files which often contain bank account numbers or SS numbers.
I realize that all cars can be subject to theft if a laptop can be seen, but if I were a thief and saw a Realtor's car, I would think the probability of finding something of value just increased a hundred-fold.
I think for stagers, like myself, it may be a little different because it can be a little harder to find us and there aren't as many of us out there. I think as far as advertising dollars go for stagers, it's a good idea. I'm planning on adding them to my back and side rear windows of my car but because of this posting, I think I'll put my website and either my office number (NOT my cell number) or no phone number at all. I'm in the book so they can jot down my company name and look me up if they don't have time to write down the entire website address.
Good things to think about. . . thanks.