Harford County Signs and Banners Blog

Your Maryland business sign is a first impression. It speaks to your customer and conveys your business image. For example, if your target audience is the young 18-29 year old tech-savvy consumer, your signage should reflect that. It should be “hip,” technology-driven printing or digital images. On the other hand, if you are a conservative bank, the signage might be bold and confident, giving your customer the feeling of trust and responsibility. Speak the language of your customers, and they will be more likely to listen.  

If possible, your sign should include your logo or identity mark. If you don’t have one, create one – even if it’s a special typeface associated with your company name. This logo should appear on everything your customer sees – from the sign to the letterhead, business cards and website. It says clearly, “I am a professional.” 

Even the materials you choose for your sign speak to the customer. Consider the location, size and climate, as well as maintenance needs. You want your sign to look new for years to come, not weathered or dirty. In Maryland, sun exposure and moisture are two environmental factors that will dictate sign material. Be prepared to keep the sign clean, so that it continues to speak well for your business - because first impressions count.

   

The grass probably is greener on the other side of that lawn sign. It’s true. Lawn signs can improve your business by increasing awareness and focusing your message. Best of all, they are cost-effective.  

A good lawn sign puts your company name front and center. It offers a concise message with a bright graphic. Consider the sign a mini-billboard. Communicate your company name and call-to-action – you have less than five seconds-worth of time to get the sign read by drivers.   

Lawn signs can be used at your place of business to announce special promotions or deals, and they can be used at client locations to advertise that you worked there. With zoning permission, they can even be used road side for church signs, medical office signs or law office signs.

Because of their size, portability and re-usability, these signs are a cost-effective way to communicate. Print several with the same message and take advantage of quantity discounts. Place them strategically, where passers-by will see them repeatedly. The goal is to get your message to break through the clutter. 

Try some carefully crafted lawn signs, and watch your business grow!

   

Digital signage has gone to a whole new level with facial recognition technology. It’s being used by The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Kraft Foods, Adidas and even a group of bar owners in Chicago. The technology scans the viewer’s facial features and tailors marketing messages to him or her. According to Christopher O’Malley, director of retail marketing in Intel’s embedded and communications group, “You can put this technology into kiosks, vending machines and digital signs.”

Despite the privacy issues, companies using facial-recognition technology just want to pinpoint a demographic based on age and gender. Then they can target their ads on-the-spot and get more immediate results.

While Harford County businesses, banks and churches may not be ready for facial recognition technology, digital signage itself is popping up all over the county in Maryland office signs, church signs, and medical office signs. Digital signs help to attract the younger generation, who are used to quick snippets of information and changing messages. With a proven higher viewer recall and retention of digitally displayed messages, digital signage content can break through all the media clutter targeted to the younger generation. It works because it’s woven into their lives - from laptop LCD displays to miniature media players.
 
We’re seeing digital signs mostly in retail areas, but the technology is evolving to include the financial, transportation and hospitality industries. With the right signage, software and message, the elusive younger generation will sit up and take notice.