When it comes to the world of marketing and advertisement it can be overwhelming to stay on top of all the changes that are constantly happening. New technologies and advancements in communication are giving brands and businesses more and more creative ways to connect to their target audience. The digital age has completely reshaped the way that business happens all over the world, as well as introduced new social paradigms that have given marketing and advertising departments new challenges to overcome.

Despite the fact that the modern landscape of advertisement and business is a growing, evolving, and complicated one, there are still certain marketing tools that have lasted the test of time and continue to deliver satisfying results. One of the most well-known methods of advertisement that is still as effective now in 2022 as it was back in the 50s or 60s, is that of OOH, or out-of-home advertisement. 

What is Out of Home Advertisement?

OOH is actually one of the oldest methods of marketing that is still being used with a high degree of effectiveness today. OOH, media relies on outdoor placement and natural exposure to potential customers who interact with the advertisement passively. The most famous example of OOH advertising is the infamous billboard. These massive signs are strategically placed along busy highways, roads, over parking lots, or next to residential areas to grab as much attention as possible. 

If you have been looking into running a successful marketing campaign in Washington DC, here is everything you need to know! 

Why Billboards in DC?

The biggest reason that OOH media is still used today is that it simply works. This form of advertisement has a timeless quality to it that relies on transportation. As long as people are leaving their homes and commuting there will be a viable place for OOH media. When it comes to spreading brand awareness, few methods of marketing can actually compare.

One of the reasons why billboards are so successful is that they represent massive exposure at a rate that is hard to beat. The amount of people that view a billboard is substantial and can quickly rack up to literally millions of interactions throughout the course of a campaign. Put simply, this is one of the most cost-effective ways that a business can get its name out in front of potential customers. 

Why DC?

Washington DC billboards are a great idea because the city itself is optimal for this style of advertising. Not only is Washington DC the largest city in the District of Columbia, but it is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. The population of Washington DC is over 700,000 people, and in 2019 saw over 24 million tourists. 

This makes it a great option for spreading brand awareness through a billboard which has the potential to have over 2 million impressions per-four week campaign.

Tips for a Successful Billboard in Washington DC

If you are thinking of running a billboard campaign in Washington DC, here are some things to keep in mind. 

Price Point

Billboards are great options for smaller businesses or local businesses seeking local recognition. One of the concerns that a smaller or mid-sized business might have is the price point because OOH media isn’t cheap. While the amount of exposure a brand does receive from a billboard for the price is almost unmatched, you do have to be aware of your budget. 

Thankfully there are ways that you can use OOH media without breaking the bank. Not only can you use smaller billboard companies, but you can also find placements that have high exposure but aren’t premium. The more exposure a location has, the higher it’s price point will be. In a city like DC, even less premium placements will still have a high value of exposure.

Style of Billboard

Another factor that can have a big impact on your campaign is the kind of billboard you use. There are a couple of different kinds of billboard experiences to choose from with the most cost-effective being the static, non-digital billboard. These still do a great job at spreading brand recognition and are automatically familiar to any potential customer.

Digital billboards use HUGE LCD panels to display bright, vibrant images that can be changed easily. A digital billboard has the advantage of bringing more possibilities and recognition to the image, however, they are typically more expensive. 

Some digital billboards are even capable of displaying special effects and even sound effects.

Conclusion

Finding a billboard company and location that fit within your budget may be easier than you think in Washington DC. Another benefit of billboards is that they have been used by some of the biggest companies on the planet and bring a certain sense of brand legitimacy to the table. If you are looking to run a marketing campaign in Washington DC, consider using a billboard to spread brand awareness as well as increase brand credibility.