A custom banner is one of the least expensive forms of advertising, and yet it creates quite a bit of attention, especially if the message you are giving is exciting. By putting together a complete campaign using your custom banner as the base you can create real interest in what you have to say. How can you do this?



In business we all know it is about marketing. A complete marketing plan includes all aspects of your image and identity. Part of marketing is the image that you promote for your business and how the public perceives you. There are many ways that you can create public interest and therefore bring in more customers. The place to start is within your own community.

Do not use your custom banner to promote your business within your community

Banners can be used for many things. A sale, a grand opening, to promote a new product, but what if you used your custom sign for something other than your own business? Crazy idea, isn't it? Or is it? What if, instead of creating a custom banner that lauded your business name, you used that banner to promote an annual award in you community. Even better, what if it is an award that you have created?

What kind of annual award? Well, that would be up to you. You could present it to an employee for contributions to the industry. For a consumer who comes up with a unique way to use your product. You could make an award in memorium of someone who meant a lot to you. Promote the positive aspects of that person by finding those same traits in someone else. You could have people in the community nominate a likely candidate. Use the custom banner to announce the annual award and, of course, be sure to let people know that the award is being sponsored by your business.

Use the custom banner to help create buzz about your award

Place the custom banner in a prominent place to attract the most attention possible. You can do a press release to create even more interest. The press loves to hear about new happenings in the community. They would send someone to do a story about the award. This would be another part of your marketing plan. Do not use this as a chance to put on a commercial for your business. It is perfectly acceptable to let them know the business is sponsoring the award. By keeping the award in the community you are building a relationship with your prospective clients as well as being actively involved in your community. All of this helps to create a positive image in the minds of the community.

Of course this is a business, so the bottom line is important as well. It is easy to keep your expenses down. You start with an inexpesive custom banner. You spend some time putting together a press release, the cost involved being your time and, if you used the post office, the price of postage. The award does not have to be a huge hit to the budget either. You can present something as simple as a certificate or something elaborate. That is your choice.

Many people just enjoy being recognized and getting their 15 minutes of fame. Once you have presented the award the first time you can build on it by reminding people of the previous winners. If you have a very limited time for people to be eligible it created a sense of urgency, which builds the excitement. Each year more people will become involved. The media will catch onto the story even quicker and will promote your business for you. There is always the potential for your annual award to reach beyond your community, if that is what you want to do. And all of this from one little custom banner.