We all know about the power of visuals. In fact, we experience it every single day. That’s why so many businesses rely on images to connect to customers through visual marketing.
But did you know that your business signage can be used as visual marketing, with the opportunity to project your messages to a larger audience? We’ll show you how to accomplish visual marketing with your business signs, no matter what your budget is.
What is visual marketing?
Visual marketing is a method of using visual media and design to help get your marketing messages across. The effectiveness of visual marketing stems from the psychology behind the power of visuals.
Traditionally, visual marketing is used by marketers to illustrate a narrative and connect with audiences on a deeper level. You probably see visual marketing in action all the time, as videos on YouTube, pictures on Instagram or a GIF on Facebook.
Why Visual Marketing?
Your logo and brand have to be seen and remembered. Visual marketing helps achieve that. When done well, visual marketing:
- Tells a story
- Makes an impact
- Helps people remember you
You can use visual marketing as a chance to grab onto the psyche of your target audience and resonate with them on a deeper level.
Visual Marketing Statistics
Overall, people prefer visuals. Here’s a few reasons why: Visuals…
- …help people learn. 65% of people are visual learners.
- … last in our memories. This study concluded participants were able to recall 65% of visual information after 3 days, but only 10-20% of just written or spoken information.
- …are efficient. The brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text!
- … trigger emotions. Visual memory and emotions are both encoded in the same part (medial temporal lobe) of the brain.
So what’s all this mean? Simply put, visual marketing is proven to be effective and has the opportunity positively position your brand in the minds of your target.
Avoid These Design Mistakes
Positive positioning can only happen if your design is right. How many times have you seen a flyer or banner so hideous, you just couldn’t look away?
When done wrong, visuals can actually deter your target. That’s not what we want. Visual marketing only works when it’s consistent. That being said, stay away from these visual marketing design mistakes that could end up damaging your brand:
Avoid: Inconsistent design.
Instead: Use a consistent font and color palate. Your designs should always reflect your overall brand in an authentic way. Putting together a corporate design guide for your business will help with this.
Avoid: Clear and blurry images.
Instead: Make sure you have your files in the right resolution. We suggest using a graphic design expert to design corporate graphics. (It’s fast, reliable and you end up with professional images to keep on file for use.)
Avoid: Lack of creativity.
Instead: Think outside the box from time to time. Don’t just depend on your logo. Remember—tell a story.
How can you connect with your audience in a way that’s relatable?
Visual Marketing Ideas for any Budget
Signs are an ideal way to make a splash with your visual marketing. All types of signage work to boost brand exposure, expand your advertising reach and create an established presence in your local community.
But you can also use combine visual marketing with other types of signage if you want to be more creative:
- Educate and inform
- Showcase brand history/legacy
- Promote and align campaigns and sales
- Illustrate a solution to a problem
- Capture attention in a unique way
- Prompt sales with alluring imagery
Types of Signs for Visual Marketing
- Traditional signage
- Exterior signs
- Monument signs
- Directional signs
- Interior signs
- Lobby signs
- Logo signs
- Exterior signs
- Unused real estate
- Vinyl graphics and decals for vehicles
- Wall murals and decals
- Window graphics
- Temporary signage