Magnetic Car Signs

[WNYwahd]

I have been considering getting some large magnetic clings custom made for my vehicle to advertise my writing business. Thought I would toss a few questions out into the crowd and see if anyone had any information...

Has anyone tried this? Any results? I live in a fairly rural area, so I won't be getting a ton of exposure. However, being in a rural area is kind of isolates my local market as well in ways. I know of at least 10 at-home businesses within a few minutes of my home and almost everything in town is small business and locally owned. You figure outside of the McDonalds and grocery store in town, the nearest big corporate business is nearly 2 hours away... kinda of a double-edged sword really.

For tax purposes - If there is an advertisement for my business on my vehicle, does that make every trip into town a business trip? I could see how this could go both ways, so figured I'd ask for a judgement call.

And finally, if anyone has done this do you have any recommendations for an online vendor? I have someone locally that can do it, however their prices are quite a bit higher than many prices I have found on the Internet. I suppose I could always try to haggle a bit

Thanks!

[CJWrite]

Originally Posted by WNYwahd

I have been considering getting some large magnetic clings custom made for my vehicle to advertise my writing business. Thought I would toss a few questions out into the crowd and see if anyone had any information...

Has anyone tried this? Any results? I live in a fairly rural area, so I won't be getting a ton of exposure. However, being in a rural area is kind of isolates my local market as well in ways. I know of at least 10 at-home businesses within a few minutes of my home and almost everything in town is small business and locally owned. You figure outside of the McDonalds and grocery store in town, the nearest big corporate business is nearly 2 hours away... kinda of a double-edged sword really.

For tax purposes - If there is an advertisement for my business on my vehicle, does that make every trip into town a business trip? I could see how this could go both ways, so figured I'd ask for a judgement call.

And finally, if anyone has done this do you have any recommendations for an online vendor? I have someone locally that can do it, however their prices are quite a bit higher than many prices I have found on the Internet. I suppose I could always try to haggle a bit

Thanks!

You and I are in roughly the same area, I believe, or at least the same type of area. Honestly, I've advertised and looked for jobs around where I live, and no one seems interested. The small homegrown businesses just dont seem like they're scrambling looking for writers. (I've gotten some pretty weird looks)I think it might be tough trying to land writing services in a little town - a bigger city like Buffalo or New York maybe, but not in a smaller town. If you're still looking to advertise locally, try local online classifieds. Just about every area has one, but they aren't just seen in your town, they're seen by people everywhere.

That's just my experience, though. I've never used any sort of car decoration, so it might actually attract a lot of attention and business!

For tax purposes...that's a toughy. I think the IRS might have a hard time swallowing the fact that every time you drive your car, you're doing it just to advertise. Maybe you could try claiming just 1/2 of the trip...? I know nothing about taxes, though, so I suggest talking to an accountant on that one.

[ktjones]

I would say in regards to taxes, the only time you can write driving off as an expense is if you are truly going somewhere for business. Driving into town with an advertisement on your car doesn't justify that unless you are driving into town to talk to a potential client. Be sure to track your mileage; write it down before you leave and afterwards. Walmart sells this handy mileage book located by the postage materials.

Have you tried other strategies that are free (assuming it would cost you money to make a magnetic car sign). Since you live a rural area, I'm sure the library is visited frequently, so what I would do is either put up flyers there or ask one of the librarians if it would be possible you could hold a "meeting" there in order to reach out to potential clients. It may cost money to "rent" out an office room, but I am not entirely sure.

Ask around and see what other businesses are doing in regards to advertising. Obviously since you are live a rural area, businesses are surviving somehow! I would also try posting an ad in the paper and even making your own newsletter. Make flyers, newsletters, brochures, etc. and see if local stores and businesses would allow you to leave a stack.

That's all I got for now. Good luck!

[WNYwahd]

Yeah... lines up pretty well with what I was thinking... might just stick to business cards and online ads for a while and see how that goes.

I figured the write off was a bit of a stretch at 100% but might check in with an accountant and see if there was a base-line percentage I could claim. It would not take much for it to pay for itself...

[ktjones]

Originally Posted by WNYwahd

Yeah... lines up pretty well with what I was thinking... might just stick to business cards and online ads for a while and see how that goes.

I figured the write off was a bit of a stretch at 100% but might check in with an accountant and see if there was a base-line percentage I could claim. It would not take much for it to pay for itself...

Yeah, I understand what you are saying. I'm always trying to look for ways to advertise that are free or either cost-effective. Plus, the more creative or original you can be, I think the chances of scoring clients for the long-term are better.

[WNYwahd]

I've got business cards in the works and plan on spending a day footing around town doing some self promotion. Plan to call the library and chamber of commerce as well. I was actually leery of the magnets due to the high salt factor on the roads out here. So maybe I'll try some other options first and see what I can rummage up there!

I appreciate the advice given so far

[ErinHill226]

The problem you might run into with a town full of small businesses, is that many of the owners probably have no idea why they would need a writer. In my experience, the only small business owners who hired me were in advertising or marketing in some way, or they were retailers who were formerly in marketing. Everyone else kind of looks at me sideways and wants a long explanation of what it is I actually do. So, the issue with a car magnet is that the people reading might have no idea what you are trying to advertise. I have several family members who own small businesses, and they have shown interest. But, I get a lot of "So...do you write books or something?" "No, I do marketing copy." "Like...commercials?" "Not exactly..."

If I was going to market to the local crowd, I'd probably send a sales letter or something. That will give you more of an opportunity to explain who you are and why they need you.

That said, if the magnet is extremely cheap, it certainly wouldn't HURT anything. If nothing else, it might strike up a conversation if they want to know what it is you do. You could also do more of a vague magnet. Like, instead of "Such and such writing services" you could have something like "Want to make more sales?" with a website or phone number. Then, your website would go into the "this is why content/copy is important" explanation.

[WNYwahd]

The cost being cheap would be subjective... I've found that to get the set I want, I'd be looking just shy of $100. That'd be for both doors and a tailgate.

The teaser approach is actually something I had not thought of... that actually somewhat renews my interest. A lot of my intent was to be a conversation starter and opportuntiy to explain/pitch/hand business card... so that would fit my goals quite well. Do the exact reasons mentioned throughout the thread, I'm not sure the ad itself would capable of much on the conversion front. But if it got my foot in the door it would be a start lol

Still debating... thanks again everyone for the feedback and discussion!

[CJWrite]

Originally Posted by ErinHill226

You could also do more of a vague magnet. Like, instead of "Such and such writing services" you could have something like "Want to make more sales?" with a website or phone number. Then, your website would go into the "this is why content/copy is important" explanation.

That's actually a pretty great idea! I never really thought of it like that. It could work with all different advertising / promotion avenues too, not only car magnets. Curiosity is a powerful thing...

[sage0173]

I ordered one from VistaPrint for my husband's car to advertise his business. It is really nice and I got it when they were running one of their promotions where they offer certain things for free. All I had to pay was shipping. Of course, then you get promotional emails from them every other day, but it's a nice way to get to try out some advertising supplies for not much money .

I don't know about the effectiveness of it because he hasn't put it on yet. I am also not sure about the tax part, but am curious now too.