so... small business ownership...

[RitterKreuz]

Those big sticker advertisements you put in the back window of your car to advertise your small business...

what do you guys think?

A. It is a smart, cost effective way to generate revenue and attract customers which might not have otherwise known about your business.

B. Its a tacky self promotion which looks stupid on the back of someones car window, and it says to you ''this person cant to enough business to afford real advertising!"

thinking about putting one of these ads on my car when i get my flight school up and running.

[JBaymore]

Those big sticker advertisements you put in the back window of your car to advertise your small business...

what do you guys think?

A. It is a smart, cost effective way to generate revenue and attract customers which might not have otherwise known about your business.

B. Its a tacky self promotion which looks stupid on the back of someones car window, and it says to you ''this person cant to enough business to afford real advertising!"

thinking about putting one of these ads on my car when i get my flight school up and running.

As a small business owner myself..........

I think it really is "B".  How many people who are driving behind you are going to try to write down the phone number while they are driving?  If anything put it on the sides of the car...for when it is parked.  

Brand awareness might be a point while driving.... but it likely will have minimal impact in that regard.

PLUS ..... if your car is not insured for businees purposes...and you are in an accident and the adjuster sees the sign(s)...... or somehow knows that you have been doing that on the car........ your non-commercial insurance is likely gonna get to suddenly be void.

My $0.02 worth .......and from a USA perspective.

best,

....................john

[Brando14100]

Personally, I never take the time to read them. At least for me, it wouldn't do anything to get me in to see you.

8-)

[BigTruck]

Im gonna say B.  I have yet to take interest in a company that advertises on personal vehicles, looks cheap and just doesn't grab attention while driving down the road, plus it takes away from your cars appreciation in my opinion.  

I would invest in radio advertising and news papers until you have enough money to do maybe local television advertising or even a bill board.  It looks more professional and trustworthy in my opinion.

[ShaneG_old]

I'll say A,  b/c then it looks like you're doing enough buisness to afford all those jazzy decals on your vehicle!
(that and I have them on my work truck! )

[Alonso]

You're putting up a flying school? amazing! 8-) 8-)

Hmmm I don't know about this method... maybe if the design looks very good, people won't think what John said.. "this guy can't afford real advertisement"...

[RitterKreuz]

i should be clear.... i dont mean putting decals all over the vehicle, but instead one decal on the back window measuring about the size of a standard 19 inch monitor in the middle of the rear window.

Name of business
business logo
"motto"
phone number

thats about it. but i dont want it to send the wrong message or look stupid

[TSC.]

It is possible to do it without looking tacky or cheap - it's just not very easy. The majority of these adverts put me off before I've even had a chance to read them.

I'm leaning towards 'B'.

TSC.

[Fozzer]

..take care...

In England it is illegal to place objects in the vehicle windows which may obscure your view outside...

A poster the size of a 19 " Monitor screen in the rear window will obscure your safe view behind...

...and you wont see that Highway Patrol Car rapidly catching up on you.....The Officer of the Law with a big smile on his face, and his note book at the ready!... ...!

P.S. It is illegal here to drive with Snow and/or Ice covering, or partly covering any, or all of the windows.

[Hagar]

..take care...

In England it is illegal to place objects in the vehicle windows which may obscure your view outside...

A poster the size of a 19 " Monitor screen in the rear window will obscure your safe view behind...

I wondered about that but I suppose this means it must be legal. http://www.rentyourrear.co.uk/

Can't say I've ever noticed any. I'm too busy concentrating on my driving to read what people put in their rear windows. You need eyes in the back of your head these days.

[Fozzer]

..take care...

In England it is illegal to place objects in the vehicle windows which may obscure your view outside...

A poster the size of a 19 " Monitor screen in the rear window will obscure your safe view behind...

I wondered about that but I suppose this means it must be legal. http://www.rentyourrear.co.uk/

Can't say I've ever noticed any. I'm too busy concentrating on my driving to read what people put in their rear windows. You need eyes in the back of your head these days.

I would imagine the background to those notices are transparent, Doug....

...but it still looks very large, and very dangerous to me!... ...!

Anything which obscures ones clear view out of all the windows is a bit worrying!

Mums sometimes post small warning notices in their vehicle rear windows; "Baby on board", but I think the background is supposed to be transparent, and not obscure the view behind.......!

At one time, the Police did not take too kindly to spotting large Fluffy Dice dangling in front of the front windows, distracting the Driver and obscuring his/her forward view!... ...!

[Mictheslik]

Foz....there are thousands of trucks and vans and buses driving around that don't even have rear windows, let alone things blocking them. Most cars these days have headrests for the back seats which block the majority of the rear window leaving a small gap which can be aimed for using the mirror.

It is, therefore certainly not illegal to place adverts etc on you rear window. In fact I'm pretty sure it's Ok to have a rear window partly covered in snow, as long as there's adequate visibility

.mic

[Apex]

I'm leaning toward B, but mainly because of the nature of the business, a flight school.

[Fozzer]

Foz....there are thousands of trucks and vans and buses driving around that don't even have rear windows, let alone things blocking them. Most cars these days have headrests for the back seats which block the majority of the rear window leaving a small gap which can be aimed for using the mirror.

It is, therefore certainly not illegal to place adverts etc on you rear window. In fact I'm pretty sure it's Ok to have a rear window partly covered in snow, as long as there's adequate visibility ;)

.mic

During 58 years of driving and Motorcycling, my biggest worry has always been Drivers of other vehicles having inadequate clear visibility out of their vehicles, in all directions.

Objects blocking visibility to the rear of a Motor Vehicle...>>>

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety ... ticle.html

I have been reversed over on my Motorcycle by a driver unable to view behind his vehicle because of blocked visibility in his rear window.

Not a pleasant experience, and very painful and expensive for me.

Vehicles designed with rear windows to aid the driver to view behind the vehicle must be kept clear of obstructions.

Vehicles not designed to have rear facing windows, or vehicles fitted with rear facing windows which are not for the drivers use must be fitted with adequately designed external rear view mirrors suitable for the purpose.
Vans, 'Buses, Trucks, etc.

[Souichiro]

It depends also on the vehicle you are using. A beat down banger won't be good advertisement. Realize that when you put the decal on it represents your business...

I think it's a great idea! Try to park the car near spotter areas ( if there are any) Maybe try flyering around there too ( maybe on the notice board of local cafe's) Do put an E-mail adress on there as well!

Radio advertisements are a thing of the past.. the revenue you'll get from the exposure will be minimal especially since this quite a specific product you're selling.

Try contacting a company that sells gift certificates. perhaps they also sell gift certificates for a first flying lesson. The following step will be getting selected into their pool of associates.

Back to the question however. Yes if you have a proper car and the decal looks proffesional. It's a relatively low investment and when used right will create revenue. Do put an e-mail adress on there or perhaps a website ( create a website!)