How to attract more attention - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Jane
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 08:14:34 pm
content: We have a small billboard in front of our workshop so that passing cars or passerby can see details about services we provide. But only billboard with text does not seem to be enough.I am thinking about a sound or light effects so that people walking around can note it more often/easily. Do you have any idea what kind of sound or light effect to use?Thank you for your ideas.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 08:20:07 pm
content: Don't put your billboard in the front of your workshop, but put it in the middle of the road.Preferably combined with some concrete barrier so they can't drive around it.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 08:50:50 pm
content: You didn't say what sort of workshop and what services you provide, are they relevant to car drivers or pedestrians?I would have thought that any sound (and probably most lighting) effects would quickly get you the wrong sort of attention from the neighbours.It's very difficult to present lots of information to passing drivers without them either being distracted, or ignoring it. Surely advertising would be most useful.

author: JohnnyMalaria
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 08:56:54 pm
content: Quote from: Jane on May 11, 2021, 08:14:34 pmCan you post a photo of what it's currently like including the surroundings?

author: Manul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 08:58:55 pm
content: I don't know, personally I'm pissed by overly aggressive billboards and advertisement in general. I go where my friends say that they got a quality service. Good restaurants, good car services, things like that. Choice mostly based on trusted recommendations. In my city there are some companies, like some small computer shop which has no billboard, but somehow half city knows, that it is a good place. How they achieve such status, I'm really not sure, I guess, because of attention to customer and low price.BUT, I may take notice of a billboard which is original. Good artistic design, or a catchy name. As an example, I know from the basics of marketing, that oxymorons can be catchy. In my country, for example, there is a company called "Vertical horizon".Put a Rubens' tube on top of your billboard and light it up! Have something original and catchy. But overall best is to work so good, that people start talking and sharing with their friends.

author: Manul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 09:06:21 pm
content: Sorry, could not resist to post these.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 09:06:39 pm
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on May 11, 2021, 08:20:07 pmAlso megaphone at maximum gain directed into ears with shouting the name of workshop in repeat for every second can help.

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 09:27:43 pm
content: Again, it depends exactly what this "workshop" is all about, I would work on the assumption that 99% of passers-by would be disinterested by electronic design services and not really understand what it is enough to tell friends and family, so you could save yourself some effort by getting rid of it entirely... but a fancy interactive LED display which changes as people walk past may just spark enough interest and show off some capabilities in a more relatable manner. (If not electronics design, then apply some mental gymnastics to apply to your specific area)

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2021, 09:34:55 pm
content: First off; I have to agree with most here, aggressive advertising is often a huge turn off.Second; too much detail often has the opposite effect. People will look at the details and end up thinking that is all you can do. It is sort of like staying at a resort area, say Las Vegas, were the restaurants post the entire menus at the entrance. A partial menu will imply that, that is all the restaurant serves. On the flip side advertising "TODAYS" special can draw people in because people are cheap. If this is a repair shop having useful specials may be a problem so a more general and brief sign might make more sense.Third; people these days don't even understand the concept of repair. So advertising a repair service might not be the best way to draw customers, at least not if additional education i snot provided.Quote from: Jane on May 11, 2021, 08:14:34 pmCage dancers might stop traffic but then some goody too shoes will complain.QuoteYeah you can do that but you haven't told us what business you are involved in. I can see it as waste of time and money. Notably around here there was a chain that use to have blue light specials which for the most part where a joke. They are not around any longer. In the end flashy advertising seems to have become associated with scam artists and unethical businesses. I know most of my junk mail goes directly into the trash.Something to try would be a raffle but there are legal considerations there. People are motivated by the thought of getting something for nothing or very little.

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2021, 03:33:22 pm
content: Just a thought if you're trying to attract the attention of passers-by: One of the most recognizable and irresistible sounds is that of coins hitting the floor/pavement. Not sure how you'd leverage that here but....

author: rhodges
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2021, 05:58:28 pm
content: Epoxy some coins on the sidewalk. That will get some people to stop for a moment.

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2021, 06:06:05 pm
content: Quote from: rhodges on May 13, 2021, 05:58:28 pmWe did that in shopping malls as kids in high school. Some of the stories... early "finders" would form an entitled opinion of ownership with those coins, and loiter around to watch. When a later "finder" kicked them free and the coin(s) when bouncing down the mall, the resulting scramble of what had moments ago looked like disinterested bystanders was hilarious.What folks would do for a quarter or fifty cent piece back in the day!