How to Use Your Car As a Billboard
If you have a good-looking or interesting car, a large truck or van, or you just like to drive around a lot, you might be able to start a small business using your car as a billboard. Taxis and buses do it regularly. Companies, individuals and organizations in your area might pay you to display advertising messages on your vehicle if you are professional in your approach. You can use your car as a billboard without damaging the exterior or spending too much money.
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Instructions
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Decide on the rates you will charge businesses and individuals for using your service. Be reasonable when you are just starting out. Charge by the day, week or month. You also can charge by the number of miles driven with the ads. Factor in your estimated costs (mostly materials) as well.
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Hire a graphic designer to create a short brochure describing your service and rates, along with professional business cards.
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Look for possible clients. Start with the small businesses in your community. Take a stroll through town to ask small-business owners if they are interested in advertising with you. Leave each of them a brochure and a business card.
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Use magnetized signs on your car as your billboards. These allow you to switch between clients easily--all you have to do is apply and then remove the magnet when you're done with it. Find a car-magnet printer who can fulfill your orders in a timely fashion.
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Have your graphic designer create all your magnets for clients. Get instructions from each client on magnet designs and advertising content.
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Print four copies of each magnet design for each client. Post one on each side of your car and another on the back area, above the bumper or on the trunk lid if there is space (be careful not to cover your license plate). Keep the extra magnet as a backup or to give to the customer.
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Set a scheduled route to follow when driving around to display your client's ads each day. For instance, if you know your downtown area will be packed at 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m., these would be ideal times to drive around that area. Inform your client of your plans.
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Tips & Warnings
Take digital photos of the ads being displayed in public to send to the clients as proof you have honored your agreement.
Examine demographics at ZipSkinny.com to get a better idea of the profile of residents in your area.
Use a white background with black or navy text for your car magnets for the best readability.
