Harford County Signs and Banners Blog

As the end of the calendar year looms, you are no doubt looking at plans and budgets for next year. If you do even one trade show or exhibit during the year, consider the image you portray there.

Is it a table with brochures and a candy jar? Hopefully not. Your image at a show is what people will remember. So make your trade show exhibit signage eye-catching and on point with your key messages.

Prominently feature your logo at least once within your space. It should be at or above the visitor’s eye level. Draw your customer in with visually appealing signage that is easy to read. Snappy graphics and digital quality photographs are a must.  

The exhibit can be portable with graphics on a foldable board, or it can be much more elaborate and feature digital signage that customizes your message for each show you attend. Regardless of the size or media, you can make a good impression within a reasonable budget. Make sure whatever you choose will look clean and consistent every time, no matter who sets it up. Use your exhibit signage to communicate your pride as a business owner and your image will be remembered.  

 

You can prepare your business for the holidays with plenty of inventory, great specials and seasonal decorations... but your communication is the key to success. From your outdoor sign to your employees, you can spread good cheer with a little attention to detail. Here are a few ideas:

• Spruce up your outdoor and window signage with a good cleaning or paint touch-up to make it sparkle. If you feel you must add seasonal decoration to it, keep it simple. A sprig of pine or some plain white lights will send the message that you’re in the spirit, but won’t detract from your image.
• Inside, make your store or office a haven from other harried environments. Think about the little nuances that would make your guests feel relaxed – whether it’s a tray of cookies and hot chocolate as they browse, or added sales help to make their visit more efficient. Communicate these amenities both with a personal greeting and clear, eye-catching signage.
• Double-check all indoor signs to be sure the offers or instructions are clear. This will minimize confusion for both guests and employees, and speed up service.
• Have employees check any “Bah, humbug” attitudes at the door. A smile begets a smile, and you want your visitors to leave your establishment feeling cheerful. After all, the message your employees send to customers is just as important as the messaging on your signs!

 

The holiday season is upon us. The crowds are gathering, and signs are screaming “Bargains!”

Is your signage ready? If not, don’t feel like you’ve missed the sleigh ride. You still have options and a little time. Some attractive lawn signs will work wonders to draw customers into your store. Simple point-of-purchase signs will also communicate your messages clearly. Both can be done quickly, easily and at a reasonable price.    

Of course, if you have a digital sign, you’re living the holiday sign dream. This is the most cost-efficient, updatable medium of communication, and holiday time is the time to cash in on these benefits. You can change the signage with the change of specials, inventory, new offers, and more. As we mentioned in our last blog post, the flexibility and technology really bring you the ROI. Whether you sell toys, show tickets or Santa photos, with some easy-to-use software, your message is at your fingertips. And with that worry aside, you can spend more time spreading good cheer with satisfied customers.

This is the time of year that forecasters predict market growth figures, and the digital signage industry is no different. While recent announcements have cited many different numbers, they all point to growth. ABI Research estimates the industry will more than triple in dollar volume - from $1.3 billion in 2010 to $4.5 billion by 2016. Intel predicted 10 million media players and 22 million digital signs by 2015.

Why such positive growth for such a high-ticket item?

It’s like a circle. The key reasons are flexibility, technology and ROI. Digital signage gives you flexible messages, the technology just continues to evolve to make it easier, and users are seeing a return on their investment because of the message flexibility.
 
If you’re a retailer, you’ve seen the impact already – either in your own store or at competitors’ locations. Corporate and transportation industries are also among the top areas to utilize digital signage. In Harford County, you can see it from sporting facilities and athletic clubs to banks, schools and churches. It is anticipated that the healthcare and hospitality sectors will become major players in the industry in the coming years. These industries see the circle of results from flexibility, technology and ROI and back again.

Are you the Leo of your neighborhood? The Taurus of your industry? Reveal your Maryland business personality in your sign. Not your astrology sign, but your company signage.

Different types of signs can work together to communicate for you. From monument signs and channel letters to vinyl or digital signage, each can serve a purpose in your business. For example, choose a less expensive material for promotional events or one-time messages. Vinyl, posters or lawn signs are ideal. For image signs, like your store front, choose a material that will last and grab the attention of your customer. Monument signs are great solutions, as are lighted dimensional letters. Or, you can choose to use one type of sign for everything from name recognition to advertising. This would be a great opportunity for a digital sign, which offers both messaging flexibility and a very professional (and sturdy) presentation.  

Whatever your sign personality, work with a reputable sign manufacturer to get the most from your signage. The company should have expertise in sign materials, and be able to show you samples of each. You should also look at finished products for other clients before committing to a material. The sign company should also be able to make a sound recommendation to meet your goals.

Make your sign company part of your team, and watch your business personality become clear.