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January 1, 2006
4 Min Read
Every display ad you use to promote your self-storage business should be designed to maximize customer responsethats a given. Unfortunately, few operators understand and use the design elements that best attract prospects attention. Following are some tips to make winners of your Yellow Pages and other display ads.
Thumbs Up
Take a look at the accompanying ad for The Storage Center of Coopersville. It embodies the aspects of display-ad design every operator should master.
Location
Since location is often your customers first priority, make it prominent and easy to decipher. Our example uses the facility location as its headline.
Always include a map, and make your map large enough to read. Include landmarks if possible; for example, the Storage Center ad notes its location as Across from Burger King.
Call to Action
Make a special offer, but dont make it too specific in case you want to change it. An offer like Wow! A Free Months Rent! still leaves options in terms of particulars. (And notice how the example uses reverse color type to attract attention.)
Use starbursts or boxes like the one that says Call Manager for Details to draw the eye and drive inquiries.
Graphics
Use graphics to differentiate your ad from those of the competition. The photo in our example not only draws attention, it illustrates excitement about the special offerwith humor.
Always use photos rather than line drawings, which are old-fashioned. No clip art!
Only use a picture of your facility if its unique or necessary for drive-by recognition.
Use credit-card logos instead of listing the cards you accept by name.
Copy Points
First and foremost, you want to emphasize the features that separate you from competition. For the Storage Center, those things are security, service and convenience, with details listed in bullet points. Know your competitive advantages and list them in order of importance to customers. Dont assume prospects will automatically understand your offerings.
Always include your web address in your ad.
Always let customers know whats in it for them, such as any special offers or giveaways.
Include your hours of operation or access.
Thumbs Down
Now lets look at some things you should never do in your ad. Take a look at how the Storage Center ad looks on a page with competitors. Note how it stands out as well as why this ad should get a much greater response than the others. All three of the competing ads have made the same major error: There are no maps or directions to help customers locate the facility. What else have they handled incorrectly?
Westview Enterprises
The facility name should not be the headline.
Its not necessary to list all unit sizes. The ad should simply say, Unit sizes available to fit your needs.
Line drawings are outdated. If you want to show the convenience of drive-up units, use a photo.
Storage R Us
Text overlaid on graphics is very difficult to read.
Photos of unit doors are a waste of space, since every storage facility has them!
Again, the name shouldnt be the headline. The name is only important so customers can find you after making their decisionit isnt critical at first. Furthermore, the name should be graphically represented to match the facility signage (a logo).
Main Street Storage
Font sizes and types need to be varied. Dont make the mistake of thinking copy in all bold or color will stand out. When its all the same, nothing pops.
Avoid green copy on yellow paperits too bland. If you need to use green (perhaps its an important part of your logo), restrict it to the graphic or use white knockout.
In Summary
So lets go over what weve learned about display-ad design:
Make it easy for customers to find your facility.
Make your call to action or unique features stand out above everything else.
Use copy points to differentiate your facility from competitors.
Use eye-catching graphics, and remember that humor sells.
When in doubt, hire a professional graphic designer with Yellow Pages experience.
Sue Weinman, senior account executive, represents the Yellow Pages Division of The Michaels/Wilder Group, an advertising agency that specializes in Yellow Pages, Internet and recruitment advertising. Based in Phoenix, the award-winning firm is celebrating its 16th year of business thanks to a loyal client base that includes hundreds of self-storage owners and managers. For more information, call 800.423.6468; visit www.michaelswilder.com.
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