I've recently noticed an increase in branded cars driving around our local town. Obviously lots of branded vans for plumbers, electricians etc but one I saw was for a well know 'tax assistance accountancy franchise'. I've also seen one for a firm of solicitors.
I'm thinking about changing my current car and am wondering whether it would be worthwhile getting the new car sign written?
The cost is quite low, around £150, so cost isn't an issue. My main concern is how potential clients will perceive my business. My driving ability is ok, although I would have to watch how often I use my horn.
Do any book-keepers on here have a sign written car or any views as to whether it would be worthwhile for attracting clients?
I purchased some car door signs from Vista Print. Didn't cost a lot and I can remove them when I want as they basically stick to the car doors via magnets.
The signs are particularly effective when filling up at the petrol station or when using the supermarket car park. Quite often I get asked for business cards. I even went to visit my parents the other week and as always parked outside on the road. My parents neighbours came over to say hi, saw the signs on the car and said they did realise I was a book-keeper. They run a local restaurant and had been looking for a book-keeper for a while. Pleased to say they came on board.
I'd certainly recommend getting some form of signage on your car.
I took the leap a while back and got my car sign written. I have my website and phone number on the back, with my logo on the NS and OS front doors and a few services on the rear quarter light window. I could have really gone to town, but I didn't want to go OTT. I've found it's helped raise my profile locally and have had a few calls from it. The whole lot cost about £50 and I think it was money well spent.
I'm not sure if I could handle permanent sign writing on the car - as I use it for social purposes too. So I really like the idea of magnetic signs.
I have to agree that locally it could be a great way of marketing as I don't recall ever seeing a branded bookkeepers / accountants car locally, although I have seen a few on the motorway - but these look like big companies.
I can vouch for those magnetic signs!! Although not a business venture more a 'me and the lads mucking about' (putting numbers on our cars a'la rally cars) they hold up to a lot, even doing 80mph+ down the motorway! :D
Well worth the money, but for gods sake if the mess the order up let them know right away, they have a habbit of 'clipping' the edges of your design... if the do and you notice it, give em a call and complain and they normally send you new ones out plus loads of free stuff! :D
Concidence!......I had noticed this thread but didn't read it as I knew nothing about it although I had thought the idea of having your car 'painted' was a big step......THEN.......this morning I asked my neighbour what he had done with his signs (he has two large door signs) and he showed me his magnetic signs on the back seat. It was new to me and he said it costs him £25 for the pair.....so not a bad idea1
I've not considered this before. How do magnetic signs work - I guess you need to take them off each time you park up somewhere do you? Otherwise there's a chance they may not be there when you return to you car? Or are these super-strength magnets?..
they are really thin material that takes a few seconds to get your nail under a corner to peel off. Although the magnet isn't super strength the size and depth of the sign makes it very stable so it's doubtful that you could lose it even at speed.
Got one of the smaller one's tht I got as a freebie from Vistaprint stored on my fridge door at the moment and when my mother was visiring last week her classic comment was "Ooh, does your firm have personalised fridges!" (From the mouths of babes and old folkes).
Like you though, in some area's I think that if you left it on a car it wouldn't be there when you got back.
The larger signs perhaps on the side of a van would likely not go walkies as people would assume that they are properly printed there (they really are that good) but for a magnet on the back door of a car I think that there is a strong likelihood that it will disappear.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I've had magnets on my car for some months. They have never so much as moved an inch, even going up and down the M1 etc... and they've not been stolen - or even moved about as a prank. One did come off when the car was valeted - I put that down to over-eager car-washing. That said, I've never had an enquiry from someone who noticed them. Everyone who commented on them already knew what I did.
they are really thin material that takes a few seconds to get your nail under a corner to peel off. Although the magnet isn't super strength the size and depth of the sign makes it very stable so it's doubtful that you could lose it even at speed.
Got one of the smaller one's tht I got as a freebie from Vistaprint stored on my fridge door at the moment and when my mother was visiring last week her classic comment was "Ooh, does your firm have personalised fridges!" (From the mouths of babes and old folkes).
Like you though, in some area's I think that if you left it on a car it wouldn't be there when you got back.
The larger signs perhaps on the side of a van would likely not go walkies as people would assume that they are properly printed there (they really are that good) but for a magnet on the back door of a car I think that there is a strong likelihood that it will disappear.
Thanks Shamus. Classic mothers comment there! Like it.
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