Posters, flyers, and pamphlets are excellent ways to promote your business, but they’re not long-term. Whether you hang them or pass them out, soon after, they’re going to be faded or thrown away. In this article, we discuss How to Boost Your Branding Game with Wall Decals.
For more effective branding, you need something that has remarkable longevity. Wall decals are the answer.
Table of Contents
Wait, Stickers?
Decals are a form of sticker, yes, but they are designed with heavier paper in multiple layers, so they last much longer. These aren’t your niece’s or nephew’s stickers that fall off minutes after you apply them. Decals can last for years, even outdoors.
They have three layers. There’s a thick protective paper on the front, the decal and visual content, and then another protective paper on the back. They’re so well-protected that most decals can withstand the elements, including rain or snow.
Of course, you don’t have to place them outside, but it’s nice to know you have the option.
How to Brand Your Business With Wall Decals
Wall decals work similarly to other forms of advertisement, like billboards. If they’re positioned well, they will draw people to your business. They work best for local branding, but you can scale up for a larger company. Ultimately, the point is to serve as one of several steps in a larger branding campaign for a person, firm, or company.
The key is finding an attractive visual theme that resonates with your audience.
1. Get Outside Help
You may be creative. You may have talent. You may have a long history of marketing experience. None of that matters. Decals are something you want to leave to the professionals.
Not only will they walk you through the design process, but they’ll also help you choose the right decals, the right sizes, and the types of materials to use. Removable and permanent decals might also incorporate specialty materials and features, such as UV protection or eco-solvent inks.
But it’s unlikely you know the decal manufacturing process, including the technologies involved, to do it on your own. Graphic designers are always a good bet when you’re creating a public advert, too.
2. Make It Identifiable
Be sure when designing your decals to include identifiable characteristics of your business and brand, like your logo. You’d be surprised how many people get caught up in creating a unique visual experience and forget something so important.
Try to use your logo, colors, common graphic elements, matching typography, and much more. These are all things that signify your brand.
3. Explore Your Area
Whether you do it yourself or an employee helps, you should scout local places to hang the decals. Bear in mind that there are some areas where you will not be able to stick to your decal, mostly private property. You’ll also want to check local regulations to ensure you can’t be fined for placing them around your city or town.
You want heavily trafficked areas, where the decals will be in clear view.
4. Network, Network, Network
They don’t all have to be placed outside. One of the best locations to hang a decal is inside a local business, not just your own. This is where networking plays a huge role. You can facilitate relationships with local business owners and negotiate a deal. You’ll display promotions for their business, and in return, they’ll display yours.
When business owners agree, expect them to control where the decal is placed.
5. Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Going for extra-large decals right away isn’t always the ideal option. Yes, they might take up more real estate and be more visible, but there are fewer places to display them. As long as you’re doing so responsibly, smaller decals can be placed just about anywhere. Decals will also stick to a wide variety of surfaces. You can use that to your advantage.
Imagine walking down the sidewalk and every few steps, you see a decal for a local pizza place around the corner. Like a mind worm, every time you see that decal, the idea will sink deeper and deeper. Isn’t that the essence of good marketing?
6. Give Them Away
Want to generate some solid word-of-mouth marketing? Start handing out your decals to customers who come in. It allows them to show off their brand spirit, but if they do use it, there’s a chance someone they know will see the decal. That alone might draw their attention, or they may spark up a conversation and get a recommendation.
7. Use Them on Your Packaging
Whether you run a coffee shop and use paper cups, or a bakery with boxes and bags, or something else entirely, you can repurpose the decals by sticking them to your packaging. If you already have custom packaging, this might not be necessary. If you don’t, however, and you’re using generic supplies, it’s a good way to add some character.
8. Tag Your Vehicle
Yes, this tip will depend on what kind of vehicle you own and how attached you are. You may be heavily opposed to putting decals and bumper stickers on it. If you’re okay with it, then it’s another excellent place to boost your branding efforts. As you commute, people will see the brand information.
You’ll need to make sure you’re driving safely and avoiding conflict, as people remember that stuff too.
9. Leverage Social Media
Start a hashtag or trend on social media to see all the places where your decals might be featured. Encourage customers to place them out in the world — responsibly, of course — and then participate by taking photos and tagging your business. If you’re feeling creative, you might come up with many other viral campaigns to boost the visibility of your decals and brand.
Remember, they don’t necessarily have to stick the decals to a surface, which may or may not be illegal depending on the location. They can always take a picture of the decal as-is, with the scenery in the background.
10. Have Fun
Is it business? Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun while you’re doing the work. Unleash your whimsical and creative side when developing the decals. Invite your workers to join you in placing them around the city or town. Have an impromptu celebration to promote the new campaign and decals!
Ready to Begin?
It’s true, decals are like tougher stickers. But they’re a much better marketing element than conventional ones. They last for years, even outdoors, and can be placed on just about any surface or material. Best of all, once you have the visuals down, they’re cheap to reproduce.
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Author Bio
Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. She was the creative director at a prominent digital marketing agency prior to becoming a full-time freelance designer. Eleanor lives in Philadelphia with her husband and pup, Bear.