Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

I'm setting up a Taxi Top advertising business, which is very similar to what you are doing. Here's what I've found. Pricing is dependent upon GRP's (Gross Rating Points), Frequency and Reach. There are mathematical formulas to determine the previous terms, but you will need traffic counts from the City of Chicago to do your calculations.

Pricing is going to be close to other out door media such as Transit ads (ads on buses), Bus Shelter ads, bus benches, and taxi top advertising rates. You might want to try to contact some of those companies and see what they are charging.

As for obtaining clients, yes, contacting companies that are doing billboard advertising is one place to look for clients. Same goes for folks on bus benches, bus shelters, on buses, and even in the coffee sheets, newspaper, even walking along the streets where your van will be driving and approaching those businesses.

One thing you may find as a handicap is the fact that you just have one van. You may need to expand quickly as many out door advertisers count on repetition to build a memorable impression on their potential customer's minds. One van may get lost in the crowd.

I know someone in Chicago who you might be able to talk to, he could even be the same person converting your van. I could put you in touch if you'd like. He may be able to give you some more advice.

I may also know a company that might be interested in placing an ad, but I'd need to know where downtown you are covering.

I hope this helps you.

Darcy Moen
Customer Loyalty Network