When it comes to billboards, many people think of the static ads they see when driving around town. And if you’re like us, static billboards don’t exactly grab your attention. That’s where truck advertising comes into play. Rather than a billboard that stays in one spot, an LED truck with an eye-catching ad is hard to ignore.
In fact, 96% of audiences agree that truck graphics have more impact than billboards, and truck advertising results in a 97% message recall, compared to a 19% retention for stationary signs. So, if you’re not already taking advantage of an LED truck, now’s the time to start.
However, before you dive right into your design, you’ll want to focus on one of the most important (yet underrated) parts of truck advertising: route planning. Because what good is your ad if it’s not actually seen by your target audience? The last thing you want to do is spend time and money that you don’t see a return on.
Effective route planning is about more than just circling spots on a map—it’s about using technology to find exactly where your truck advertising campaigns will be most effective. You want your hard work to hit the right roads at the right times, and technology can help you do just that.
Below, we’re sharing more on how you can use technology to maximize the impact of your truck advertising. Whether it’s by using a GPS or artificial intelligence, consider technology to be your new best friend when it comes to creating a billboard on wheels. Take a look so you can ensure your LED truck knows where to go and when!
What Is Truck Advertising?
First thing’s first: what even is truck advertising? If you’re new around here, you might not understand just how incredible this form of advertising can be (but that’s what we’re here for!). Advertising has come a long way in just a few short years. And as technology has advanced, truck advertising has sneakily made its way to the top of the advertising game.
This form of advertising is all about putting ads on the sides of LED trucks. These trucks then hit the road, making their way through cities, neighborhoods, or wherever your organization’s audience is hanging out.
But why is truck advertising so effective? Here are a few of our favorite reasons:
- The visibility. Unlike billboards that are stuck in one spot, LED trucks can move around, ensuring you’ll have no problem reaching your dream customers.
- The reach. With other forms of advertising, you get what you get. But with truck advertising, you can move your ad to places with higher traffic, knowing you’ll get the most bang for your buck.
- The cost-effectiveness. Compared to traditional ads, truck advertising is actually much more affordable. With a lower cost per impression, it’s something businesses big and small can fit inside their budget.
- The flexibility. Not seeing results from your ad? Move it! Don’t like your initial digital design? Change it with the click of a button. Truck advertising offers plenty of flexibility.
As technology continues to change and grow, so does the potential for truck advertising. It’s amazing what putting your ad on wheels can do for your lead generation!
Tech You Can Use for Your Truck Advertising Campaigns
Now let’s get into the real deal—the tech you can use to plan the best routes for your ads. Here are our top recommendations.
GPS and Navigation Systems
First up: GPS and navigation systems. These are going to be the best option for those looking to plan an effective route. They’ll make sure you can weave your way through cities and neighborhoods effectively and update your route if you run into any issues (such as major traffic jams or accidents).
These systems will give you peace of mind knowing your LED truck stays on schedule and reaches as many people as possible. Plus, advanced navigation systems will help you find the best route you can. They’ll even take in things like traffic, fuel consumption, and delivery schedules. This way, you can shorten travel times and operational costs (without having to reach fewer people).
Geofencing and Location-Based Targeting
Next on the list is geofencing and location-based targeting. Geofencing is when you create virtual boundaries around certain areas. When your LED truck enters or exits these areas, it can trigger specific advertising content. This means you’ll only put up ads that are relevant to the people in that area (getting the most out of that time and money we mentioned earlier!).
Location-based targeting also uses GPS data to help you update your message based on the demographics, behaviors, and preferences of people in specific areas. For example, an LED truck might display different ads in a quiet neighborhood compared to a busy downtown.
Big Data Analytics
Big data analytics will give you all the info you need to make better decisions when it comes to your truck advertising campaigns. You’ll be able to see what your consumers like, don’t like, and tend to pay attention to. Once you know these things, you can update your truck advertising accordingly.
These analytics will also show you things like traffic patterns so you can better schedule your LED truck and when it’ll be out and about. And after your campaign is put in park, you can use analytics to look at your reach, engagement, and more. Taking a look at this info will help you see what worked and what needs updating the next time your LED truck hits the road.
Machine Learning and AI
Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are all the rage lately. The good news? They can help you with your truck advertising route, too. ML can actually predict things (like traffic, consumer behavior, and market trends) so you can plan your most effective routes.
AI can also automate your route planning process, as it can analyze data and adjust your routes on the spot. After all, we’re humans—we all make mistakes! AI is simply here to help reduce the chances of those mistakes while increasing efficiency along the way.
AI systems are also known for adapting to sudden changes, like a traffic jam or new construction. Using AI will help you reroute your LED trucks in real-time, making sure your campaign is still effective even if something unexpected pops up.
Why Incorporate Technology Into Your Route Planning?
At this point, you might wonder why using all of this technology is even important. After all, if you know where your audience is at, isn’t that what matters? When it comes down to it, this tech is going to help you get the most out of your truck advertising. Here are our favorite ways how.
Better Reach and Engagement
Those who are familiar with advertising know that reach and engagement are everything. When you plan your truck advertising route with GPS tech and data analytics, you can rest easy knowing your LED truck is making its way through areas packed with consumers. This means your ads will be seen by more people (who are actually interested in your offers!).
Geofencing and location-based targeting will also help you tailor your message based on different areas. If you’re running an ad for a new fitness product, these types of technology will help you find the best routes near gyms or parks to better target fitness fans.
Location-specific ads are going to help you reach more people, leading to higher engagement rates overall. Real-time data is exactly what you need to understand your audience and make sure your ad is something they won’t soon forget.
Lower Costs
Technology will help your route be more effective, of course, but it will also help you cut costs. When you use navigation systems to improve your routes, you’ll minimize travel times and the amount of money you spend on fuel. Then, by ensuring your ads are seen by the right people at the right time, you’ll see a boost in your return on investment as well.
Big data analytics will provide you with plenty of insights into what roads and times of day are best for your truck advertising so you can allocate your resources accordingly. This means you won’t waste any miles, and you can be as strategic as possible with your ad placement.
Real-Time Adjustments
One of the best things about truck advertising is how it allows you to make updates any time you want. It’s a game-changer when it comes to utilizing your budget and truck drivers!
With real-time GPS tracking, your LED truck can say goodbye to traffic jams and hello to wide-open roads. AI and machine learning will also help you see if your ad is doing well or not. If it’s not, you can make some quick adjustments to improve your visibility.
During events like concerts, games, or festivals, your LED truck can be routed to areas where a lot of people are hanging out, maximizing your ad’s impact. And if there should ever be any sort of crisis (like accidents or construction), real-time adjustments will help you adapt without putting a wrench into your campaign.
Getting Started With Truck Advertising
And there you have it! Technology has always been helpful, but when it comes to planning your truck advertising route, it’s going to completely change the game. From navigation systems to the targeting power of geofencing, tech will help you revamp your ads and make sure they reach as many people as possible.
The future of truck advertising is bright—and now’s the perfect time for you to create a mobile campaign of your own. When you leverage this form of advertising (instead of settling for a billboard that never moves), you can squeeze your way ahead of the competition in this ever-changing market.
Need a little help with your truck advertising? Our team is all hands on deck. Contact us today so we can walk you through the process and make sure you feel confident that your ad will turn heads and open wallets!
