Signs on vehicles

[Impactdisco]

I've just bought a new van for my disco and am thinking about having it signwritten. I realise the implications of this, but I also think it would be a good promotional tool for the business.

Has anyone on here got there vans done? If so has it made a difference to the amount of enquiries you've received?

Also, could you show me some photos of you vans to give me ideas for how it ought to look?

Thanks!

[Steve Hart]

Hiya,
Last weekend i had both my vans done with graphics and text. If you do it, or you get someone to do it for you make sure it looks really spot on and not just thrown on. While your sat at traffic lights, while your in Asda carpark, while just driving about its a good advertising tool. I've had not loads but a few people ringing me from this. Previously i had them done but the writing was too small so make sure your 'company name' and 'contact' number are easy to read. You will get people saying that its just telling the criminals in the world that they may possible some gear in the back, but if they were going to pinch the van they would anyway without a few signs. If i have time i'll take a few pics later,, Thanks, Hart Promotions, North East...

[CRAZY K]

Hiya,
Last weekend i had both my vans done with graphics and text. If you do it, or you get someone to do it for you make sure it looks really spot on and not just thrown on. While your sat at traffic lights, while your in Asda carpark, while just driving about its a good advertising tool. I've had not loads but a few people ringing me from this. Previously i had them done but the writing was too small so make sure your 'company name' and 'contact' number are easy to read. You will get people saying that its just telling the criminals in the world that they may possible some gear in the back, but if they were going to pinch the van they would anyway without a few signs. If i have time i'll take a few pics later,, Thanks, Hart Promotions, North East...

There was a debate with Rice on this some time ago.

The one thing I have never seen--documented evidence of worthwhile extra business generated by the signs. Did any of the people that rang you book you?

Phone calls and website hits are meaningless unless you get the business.

What happens when you sell the van?

Anyway -your not asking advice--youve done it--see how it goes and tell us if it works in getting paid bookings.

The only thing that springs to mind--its not like your in a business where people are struggling hard to find someone to do the job--the YP is full of them and then theres more Discos on the Internet than you can believe.

CRAZY K

[Steve Hart]

Advertising a funny thing,, reference your comment about the YP and the internet you could say that about any business. There is hundreds of plumbers, gas fitters, joiners, etc on the YP and the internet so don't quite understand what you mean. Advertising is a key thing to get in the work especially for disco's that are just starting out, so I would so do as many advertising things as you can.. We have regular work and also work for a 3 agencies, people have called and booked from the number off the van...
You could also say do any of the people that call you from ads in YP book?

[Impactdisco]

And that's why I think getting a van done may be worthwhile. Whenever you're out in the van, it's in front of their eyes, and they don't need the yellow pages.

My website addy is dead easy to remember (as long as you remember my name...lol) and so they should be able to go straight to it.

Anyway, time will tell.

[Corabar Steve]

What colour is your van James?

I can see your logo looking good on a black van, with your contact details in red,yellow or white.

However if you have a white van, the logo with no background would look washed out so you would have to put a dark background on it (like in your avatar). I don't think this ever looks as good, (ametuerish IMHO) then you'd be better off having nothing.

[CRAZY K]

Advertising a funny thing,, reference your comment about the YP and the internet you could say that about any business. There is hundreds of plumbers, gas fitters, joiners, etc on the YP and the internet so don't quite understand what you mean. Advertising is a key thing to get in the work especially for disco's that are just starting out, so I would so do as many advertising things as you can.. We have regular work and also work for a 3 agencies, people have called and booked from the number off the van...
You could also say do any of the people that call you from ads in YP book?

I should flippin hope so otherwise why bother lining the pockets of YP for nothing:confused:

You would be well advised to check what the payback is against your ad costs---

Obviously as a new business you need to try different things.

I know Rob takes a global view--spend x and get y back--thats fine as long as y is bigger than x :D :D :D

Please to hear you ARE getting bookings off the side of the van.

Sorry I misread post 2 as post 1

Ill go back to bed.;)

CRAZY K

[Impactdisco]

My van is blue, not quite navy but heading that way. As I designed my logo, I could change the background colour.

[Corabar Steve]

It would look good on dark blue.

[rob1963]

I know Rob takes a global view--spend x and get y back--thats fine as long as y is bigger than x :D :D :D
CRAZY K

Crazy, I don't just ensure that y is bigger than x...I ensure that it's at least 15-20 TIMES bigger!

I once considered getting my van sign written, but was advised against it due to the secuirty implications.

Apart from that, it would be harder to sell, due to the time & cost to the buyer of removing it.

[Excalibur]

There are two options which are non-permanent. One is magnetic panels, which can be removed at will by yourself( and possibly others, so a possible hitch there) ,and the other is that signwriters will get adhesive strips made to any design, which come off with a steam cleaner when no longer needed.

[Shaun]

Has anyone on here got there vans done? If so has it made a difference to the amount of enquiries you've received?



Several people have mentioned that they got my contact details from the van. I don't suppose I'll ever know the the true ratio




Also, could you show me some photos of you vans to give me ideas for how it ought to look?


There's a few images on the link below.

http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=10405&highlight=sign

[CRAZY K]

There are two options which are non-permanent. One is magnetic panels, which can be removed at will by yourself( and possibly others, so a possible hitch there) ,and the other is that signwriters will get adhesive strips made to any design, which come off with a steam cleaner when no longer needed.

Ive seen those adhesive strips taken off---leaves an imprint of the name
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Doesnt look clever;)

Unless they have improved the technology:D

CRAZY K

[yourdj]

What happens when you sell the van?

CRAZY K

Any good sign writer can remove them. A good polish too after needed.

You can try using magnetic signs? also good as you can take them off when your at home, which minimizes break ins. I'm doing that when i get a van.

sorry did not read page two :rolleyes:

[CRAZY K]

Any good sign writer can remove them. A good polish too after needed.

You can try using magnetic signs? also good as you can take them off when your at home, which minimizes break ins. I'm doing that when i get a van.

Im not so sure about a quick polish solves the problem---your going to get uneven fading of the paintwork if the stickers are on for years.

Just my opinion as Im not a car body spraying expert but I have had a lot of problems with colour matching on cars due to colour fading.:eek:

CRAZY K

[mb3]

The one thing I have never seen--documented evidence of worthwhile extra business generated by the signs. CRAZY K

In the distant past, I was an electrician during the day. My van was signwritten; nothing special, just name, trade and phone number.

I've lost count of the number of jobs I got from the van... I got dozens of jobs while eating my lunch parked up... people knocking on the window. One tap on the window led to years of regular work for a nursing home... the owner saw my van as he went to post a letter.

It cost under £100 and brought me more work than my Yellow Pages advert ever did. I know that a "tradesman" is a different case... but the principle should still apply.

As far as security goes... a sign saying "electrician" is saying "loads of expensive tools in this van" but I never had a problem... then again I was careful where I parked in the day, and I wasn't out late at night like a DJ. Overnight, the van was reversed right up to the house wall.




Any good sign writer can remove them. A good polish too after needed..

The trick is to warm the vinyl letters with a hairdryer- but only slightly. That way they will peel off easily. If you warm them too much, they'll leave the glue behind, and you'll need to use tar remover to get rid of the glue. 1 second per letter from an inch away is about right.

As the paint under the letters has been covered up, it may show shiny against the rest of the paint if faded... a good polich with T-Cut will solve that.

Car valeters make a fortune removing vinyl letters... my daughter's boy-friend is one... but it's very easy if you know how.



You can try using magnetic signs? also good as you can take them off when your at home, which minimizes break ins. I'm doing that when i get a van.

Magnetic signs also give you a white background on a coloured van... so a blue van with blue text on a white background can look well.

[Mister Musicman]

Please be aware that dishonest people are on the lookout for vehicles containing valuable items. That's why I use a trailer which is securely locked up when not transporting the gear around.

There's a picture of the trailer on the gallery section of my website and I have a message on the reverse saying "NO CHEESE KEPT IN THIS TRAILER OVERNIGHT" - see pic

Advertising always works eventually and this is a good example of showing how pro-active you are.

Good luck

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

[CRAZY K]

In the distant past, I was an electrician during the day. My van was signwritten; nothing special, just name, trade and phone number.

I've lost count of the number of jobs I got from the van... I got dozens of jobs while eating my lunch parked up... people knocking on the window. One tap on the window led to years of regular work for a nursing home... the owner saw my van as he went to post a letter.

It cost under £100 and brought me more work than my Yellow Pages advert ever did. I know that a "tradesman" is a different case... but the principle should still apply.

As far as security goes... a sign saying "electrician" is saying "loads of expensive tools in this van" but I never had a problem... then again I was careful where I parked in the day, and I wasn't out late at night like a DJ. Overnight, the van was reversed right up to the house wall.





The trick is to warm the vinyl letters with a hairdryer- but only slightly. That way they will peel off easily. If you warm them too much, they'll leave the glue behind, and you'll need to use tar remover to get rid of the glue. 1 second per letter from an inch away is about right.

As the paint under the letters has been covered up, it may show shiny against the rest of the paint if faded... a good polich with T-Cut will solve that.

Car valeters make a fortune removing vinyl letters... my daughter's boy-friend is one... but it's very easy if you know how.




Magnetic signs also give you a white background on a coloured van... so a blue van with blue text on a white background can look well.

TWO THINGS

1. Fading paintwork has nothing to do with taking off old signs--

2.We are talking Mobile Disco not Electricians here--take the point but I really dont see people approaching you that often--also Builders and Electricians available to do work reasonably quickly are really hard to find---

Unlike Discos:D

People dont have any trouble at all finding a DJ

Whether they are any good is a different point!

CRAZY K

[dj steady]

get some magnetic signs so you can remove them when your van is left unattended

plus you can just rip em off when you sell the van and put em on your new van.....:D

[djsteve10]

I looked into getting magnetic signs and then i was told there would be alot of messing around as they are prone to flying off when you go over 50Mph

Was definatley a no no for me then lol

[Sam]

I don't think I would ever risk getting a van signed up..
Isn't it a bit like a big ass sign for theifs saying "rob me.. rob me"

[Tony Scott]

I personaly wouldn't have a sign-written van anymore due to thievin' bstards.

Back in the late 80's I had someone get into my sign-written van when it was parked up, fortunately it was a weekend when I was not DJing so was pretty much empty (lost a pair of WEM column 2x12's), it was a Saturday afternoon about 16:30.

Had I had a gig on that night it would have been fully loaded. I'm convinced that it was targeted because it was shouting 'DISCO kit in here....come and get me!'

I don't advertise anywhere and have tried Yellow pgs, all that seemed to attract was people wanting the cheapest deal, not for me.

IMHO an advert on the side of my van is not worth the risk of loosing my kit.

Pretty much all my new work comes from my website via email so I don't need other forms of advertising, that said this is not the case for everyone so I can see the appeal of a bit of cost effective advertising space. :)

[rob1963]

I personaly wouldn't have a sign-written van anymore due to thievin' bstards.

IMHO an advert on the side of my van is not worth the risk of loosing my kit.

Pretty much all my new work comes from my website via email so I don't need other forms of advertising,

I completely agree.

If you have a sign written van, you may as well paint a target on it too.

It's a bit like having loads of extra locks on your garage...it simply advertises the fact that there's something inside worth stealing....and if people want to get in, they WILL.

[mb3]

prone to flying off when you go over 50 mph......

Well... mine stayed on my Escort Van for years, despite driving at speeds up to **ahem** **ahem** well... let's just say 69 mph, officer....



I don't think I would ever risk getting a van signed up..
Isn't it a bit like a big ass sign for theifs saying "rob me.. rob me"


I personaly wouldn't have a sign-written van anymore due to thievin' bstards.......IMHO an advert on the side of my van is not worth the risk of loosing my kit.


It's a pain putting magnetics on and off... but they solve this potential problem.

Of course, plenty of unmarked vans get broken into too.....

[rob1963]

Of course, plenty of unmarked vans get broken into too.....

True...but why increase the chances of your van getting broken into?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[mb3]

True...but why increase the chances of your van getting broken into?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Just pointing out that leaving your van plain doesn't mean you won't get it broken into... :bang:

[CRAZY K]

Just pointing out that leaving your van plain doesn't mean you won't get it broken into... :bang:

Just reduces the chance as opposed to one with Disco on the side.

You could put a message on the side--"all equipment removed" which you often see on commercial vehicles.

:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It's a bit like having loads of extra locks on your garage...it simply advertises the fact that there's something inside worth stealing....

What complete nonsense.

[rob1963]

It's a bit like having loads of extra locks on your garage...it simply advertises the fact that there's something inside worth stealing.


What complete nonsense.

It's not complete nonsense, Darren...it's completely TRUE.

What would a criminal think if they saw a garage with loads of extra locks?

Would they think there was nothing inside worth taking?

I think not!

[Shaun]

You could put a message on the side--"all equipment removed" which you often see on commercial vehicles.



I have something to that effect on the back door of my van.

The van is empty at night and the vehicle has CCTV pointing at it (and recording) to deter vandals. The pros outweigh the cons as far as having my van sign-written. I have absolutely no regrets about having it done, it's already paid for itself with the bookings I've gained directly from the 'advertising' on the vehicle.

[Vectis]

It's not complete nonsense, Darren...it's completely TRUE.

What would a criminal think if they saw a garage with loads of extra locks?

Would they think there was nothing inside worth taking?

I think not!

Depends on the rest of the property IMHO.

If it's an otherwise pikey house with a dirty great lock or t-bar on the garage then it's a fair bet there's a decent motorbike or jetski or maybe a pile of disco gear in there.

If the rest of the house is well protected too - window locks, alarm, prickly bushes etc. then I'd just assume the householder was careful. Or I was in Surrey :D :boxer2:

[rob1963]

Surrey actually has one of the lowest crime rates in the country!

:police:

[Vectis]

Surrey actually has one of the lowest crime rates in the country!

:police:

Depends what you measure. But I'm pretty confident that for most things we could lick you... :o

[mb3]

Surrey actually has one of the lowest crime rates in the country!

:police:

That's because of all the window locks, alarm, prickly bushes etc.

:D

[rob1963]

Depends what you measure. But I'm pretty confident that for most things we could lick you... :o

Possibly.

That's because at your location, the getaway would have to include a big boat or a long swim!

:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It's not complete nonsense, Darren...it's completely TRUE.

What would a criminal think if they saw a garage with loads of extra locks?

Would they think there was nothing inside worth taking?

I think not!

So you think that a thief would rather break into an unprotected garage or one with lots of security?

Most break ins are to do with opportunity. A door left undone, not locked or a window left undone etc.

I don't beleive what you are saying for a moment.

[rob1963]

So you think that a thief would rather break into an unprotected garage or one with lots of security?

One with lots of security...as they know it will have contents worth taking, whereas an unprotected garage is likely to be empty.

I can think of a number of high profile cases where thieves went to great trouble to get through very high levels of security. Why? because their efforts netted many millions of pounds!


I don't believe what you are saying for a moment.

That's fine, but you can't blame be for posting what I honestly believe.

[Corabar Steve]

I can think of a number of high profile cases where thieves went to great trouble to get through very high levels of security. Why? because their efforts netted many millions of pounds!

All where a great deal of planning has gone into the "job".

Not an opportunist doing a smash & grab for some disco gear.

[Sam]

You will know about our security when their teeth sink into you..

[mb3]

:offtopic:

A friend has an answering machine message...

"sorry, we're out at the moment - leave a message. If you're a burglar, pop round, the dog will be happy for a snack"

:ontopic:

A number of cars on my street were broken into the other week. It seems the dear chaps were looking for sat-navs.

We were missed out... I don't know if it's because of the security lights, the two dogs in the garden, or because of the copper who lives next door...

Several vans were broken into... with and without signs on them.

[Impactdisco]

Are we not drifting slightly off subject?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Are we not drifting slightly off subject?

Is the Pope Catholic....?

[Corabar Steve]

Nowt new there then.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

JUst coming back off topic again...I just had a read about break ins etc and the police and government both say that a lot of break ins happen because of opportunist thieves and they recommend proper locks and alarms as visual deterrents firstly as the opportunist will think twice about breaking in to somewhere with alarms, locks and security lighting etc

Rob+theory = out of the window. :sj:

[Excalibur]

JUst coming back off topic again...I just had a read about break ins etc and the police and government both say that a lot of break ins happen because of opportunist thieves and they recommend proper locks and alarms as visual deterrents firstly as the opportunist will think twice about breaking in to somewhere with alarms, locks and security lighting etc

Rob+theory = out of the window. :sj:


Nowt new there then.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[rob1963]

the opportunist will think twice about breaking in to somewhere with alarms, locks and security lighting etc


Ok...that's the opportunist dealt with.

What about the professional thief?



Rob+theory = out of the window. :sj:

Not at all. My original point was that extra locks & security advertise that there's something inside worth taking...and that's a fact.

If there were two identical garages next to each other, one normal & one with a number of extra locks...you wouldn't have to be Einstein to work out which one had the more valuable contents!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Ok...that's the opportunist dealt with.

What about the professional thief?



Not at all. My original point was that extra locks & security advertise that there's something inside worth taking...and that's a fact.

If there were two identical garages next to each other, one normal & one with a number of extra locks...you wouldn't have to be Einstein to work out which one had the more valuable contents!

You points are not based on fact at all Rob, they are based on your belief. You have no proof that what you are saying is true. I've read the police and government sites and pointed out what they say.

A professional thief will have already sussed out where the best place to steal from already is, so having extra locks and security isn't going to make them think there's something more worth stealing.


There seems to be quite a lot of security in banks these days, eg: bullet proof glass to stop people breaking in and getting shot. Surely then that must be encouraging thieves as they know there is something worth stealing? :rolleyes:

I'm going to leave it there, 'cos you are obviously more aware than the relevant authorities are about the facts and figures. :zip:

[rob1963]

Darren,

As far as I can see, you're the only person who has suggested that my comment was "nonsence"...so I'll draw my own conclusions from that, and I'll also leave it there.

:sofa:

[Dragonfly]

"no tools kept in this van overnight!"


personally just makes me really want to have a look to see if they are telling porkies? :D :D :D

[rob1963]

"no tools kept in this van overnight!"


Dave...I might get a similar sign for my van:

"No tools kept in this van overnight...but in the daytime there's one driving it"

:Laugh:

[Dragonfly]

Dave...I might get a similar sign for my van:

"No tools kept in this van overnight...but in the daytime there's one driving it"

:Laugh:

:beerchug: :beerchug: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

[Corabar Steve]

Darren,

As far as I can see, you're the only person who has suggested that my comment was "nonsence"...so I'll draw my own conclusions from that, and I'll also leave it there.

:sofa:

He's not, but I've kept quiet about it until now.

[mb3]

There seems to be quite a lot of security in banks these days, eg: bullet proof glass to stop people breaking in and getting shot. Surely then that must be encouraging thieves as they know there is something worth stealing? :rolleyes:
:

I think that the big sign outside, saying "BANK" just might possibly indicate to the criminal that there may well be large sums of cash inside before they see the locks on the door...

[rob1963]

He's not, but I've kept quiet about it until now.

Whoaaa...that means we're now up to 2 people out of 1,485 who think I was talking nonsence.

That probably makes it my most widely accepted post EVER!

I must be getting better!

:D :D :D

[Corabar Steve]

Or maybe everyone else has gotten fed up with argueing with you http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1860.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Or maybe everyone else has gotten fed up with argueing with you http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1860.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

And not just on this thread....

[rob1963]

Or maybe everyone else has gotten fed up with argueing with you http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1860.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)


And not just on this thread....

And I'm hardly the only person THAT can be said about!

:rolleyes:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

No, I suppose there was Ricesnaps when he was here and Excaliber....

[Dragonfly]

personally don't think having loads of locks says "theres hidden treasure within" and I think opportinist thieving depends on where things are theived from ....... cars in supermarket carparks yes ........... houses sheds etc. my own belief is that most will have an idea before hand what is in there...

I once had 4 breakins in 6 months when I lived in ..............Lincolnshire!!! lol.

I had all my disco gear nicked twice , now i didnt have a driveway then and my front door opened onto the pavement, the police strongly suspected people had seen me unloading my vehicle and loading it .... knew what I did , and had indeed walked passed my living room window and seen what i had ie playstation TV video etc. and thus targeted me because of this.

I was severely told off for turning up at the police station with a cricket bat claiming i had purchased a burglar alarm ..... the justification misguidedly being from a very angry young dragon

"well iff you can't find who has broken in to my house 4 times , im guessing you won't be able to find me when i batter them?"

I think sign writing on vans etc does advertise what you do to the wrong sort of people as well as the right.

plus i have been at a gig (guess where) and came out at the end to find my car trashed every panel kicked in roof doors wing mirrors windows everything.

now my suspicion is i had taken the micky jokingly out of the wrong person although not something i do as a matter of my dj style and certainly cant remember doing it?? or said something that upset someone , to the point my car was parked right outside the fire door the other side of the building from the venue car park so it was a fairly safe bet whos it was although it had no signage.

sadly in this day and age if you have something that someone else doesnt , instead of thinking wow this guy has worked really hard to get all this equipment etc .... the mentality is "I will either steal it , or destroy it!"

I just think its also this kind of thing that sign writing will be like a flashing beacon as to who the van/trailer belongs to .

ive also had 3 lads being caught by a passing police car wheeling my trailor when i had one across a rugby field.

[rob1963]

No, I suppose there was Ricesnaps when he was here and Excaliber....

Hey, watch what you say about Excalibur.....

.....he's the one I employed to disagree with everything I said after Ricesnaps.....err......left for some reason.

:rolleyes:

[Shaun]

Darren,

As far as I can see, you're the only person who has suggested that my comment was "nonsence".



He's not, but I've kept quiet about it until now.


Whoaaa...that means we're now up to 2 people out of 1,485 who think I was talking nonsence.


Make that three people.

Sorry. :o

[rob1963]

Make that three people.

Sorry. :o

No problem, Shaun.

Anything below 10, and I'll be more than happy!

:D :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Hey, watch what you say about Excalibur.....

.....he's the one I employed to disagree with everything I said after Ricesnaps.....err......left for some reason.

:rolleyes:

LMAO.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Make that three people.

Sorry. :o

Plus Dave, that'll be 4. :cool: :D

[mb3]

You can add me... but I was talking nonsense too... so do you add me or deduct me ?

[Excalibur]

No problem, Shaun.

Anything below 10, and I'll be more than happy!

:D :D :D

Five and rising. :D