Blog | Vancouver Car Wraps

Vehicle Wraps and Graphics. Why?

Why get a Vehicle Wrap? Need we say more! So many looks, so many options, virtually nothing is impossible.

Vancouver Car Wraps specializes in vehicle wraps, signs, banners, displays, and more. As a local Vancouver based company we’re looking to help BC businesses get more exposure for their business and better advertising value for their dollar using vehicle wraps. The possibilities for your advertising creative are endless. Contact one of our Vancouver Car Wrap representatives to see how we can best help you!

13 Creative Marketing Ideas for your Small Business

Small business usually means small marketing budget. This calls for creative marketing ideas.

Christina Walker of Writtent, understands what that means and outlines 25 marketing ideas that might work for your small business. Here are my top 13 favorites from her list:

Create relevant content on your website. Blog categories or an on-site news/updates are excellent for this.
Reuse content. If you have great content but no one is consuming it, repurpose it. Blog posts can be collated into an ebook, a magazine article could be reprinted and distributed as a booklet….
Enter business award competitions. If you win, you get a badge on your website and a lot more sales. Even if you don’t win, you can still get lots of publicity if you place high enough and broadcast your participation.
Network at your local Chamber of Commerce. This is a classic marketing idea for small businesses because it can yield big dividends. Association with the Chamber will make your events more credible, and you can find new partners or clients, or discover opportunities to teach or speak.
Join associations and use the provided resources, including local networking events, online forums, and job boards.
Build a referral network. Referrals and word of mouth are the most powerful advertising, so build relationships with professionals and other businesses you would happily refer your customers to–and who can send referrals your way, as well.
Make partnerships for co-promotion. Several related but non-competing businesses working together on a promotion can afford bigger ad space, better prizes, and other advertising expenses.
Be a people person. Never stop networking, follow all leads, and participate in conversations wherever you find them. Don’t be afraid of the phone, internet, email, or face-to-face meetings.
Open as many communication channels as appropriate, including but not limited to LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, a toll-free phone number, live chat on your website, email, and related forums and blog comments.
Donate to charities. Send out press releases for each organization and/or time you donate. Alternatively, you can donate a specific percentage of all sales to a certain organization or cause and make customers feel like they’re doing a good turn by purchasing from you.
Survey your customers for great ideas. Listen to what they’re saying on Twitter and Facebook for honest market research.
Use bumper stickers and window decals. In addition to putting on them company vehicles and owners’ cars, give them for free to employees, partners, stakeholders and investors, charities you donate to, and other contacts to display. Go a step further with a partial or full wrap on your company vehicle. You brand will really stand out.
Ask for testimonials and reviews. This includes recommendations on LinkedIn. Create a testimonials page on your website and use the best reviews in as many promotions as makes sense.

Vancouver Car Wraps specializes in vehicle wraps, signs, banners, displays, and more. As a local Vancouver based company we’re looking to help BC businesses get more exposure for their business and better advertising value for their dollar using vehicle wraps. The possibilities for your advertising creative are endless. Contact one of our Vancouver Car Wrap representatives to see how we can best help you!

Tips to Overcome Some of Your Top Small Business Challenges

Being a Small Business, I have learned the value of a budget and using available resources to grow my business. Just as marketing, sales and customer service plus an awesome product are key ingredients to the long term success of my business, so too is creating a budget that keeps my costs in check. Being budget conscious I am thrilled to have access to some very valuable online business resources along the way.

Credit Image: Tax Credits via Flickr

Small Business BC is one of my favorite resources. They have tips and online tools as well as very reasonably priced courses and so much more that I have found helpful along the way. A recent article by Small Business BC highlights 5 challenges that new small businesses face. I found the article very insightful and thought that I would share it with you. Like many businesses, Vancouver Car Wraps shares many of these challenges.

According to Stats Canada, only 51% of businesses survive beyond their first five years. And all too often, the ones that don’t make it end up shutting their doors for very similar reasons.

So how do you keep your small business from becoming the one out of every two that doesn’t succeed? The trick is to know what common challenges your business will likely face as it grows, and be prepared to face those challenges head-on.

1. Finding Time to Write a Business Plan

Business owners spend most of their time working in their business and not on their business. Although it’s important to ensure your customers are happy, it’s equally important for you to develop a business plan.

A business plan outlines the business goals and how the business will attain them. Without a plan you cannot get funding, can easily get off track and spend money on the things that are not going to move your business forward. Spend the time planning for success.

2. Developing an Elevator Pitch

In order to stay competitive, you need to develop your elevator pitch and be prepared to use it.

An elevator pitch is a short summary of your business and its value proposition. A value proposition is the business promise, what benefits a customer can expect by engaging with your business. Develop your elevator pitch and practice saying it – when someone asks what do you you’ll know you’re delivering a consistent message.

3. Attracting and Retaining Customers

Small businesses may find it more challenging to attract and retain customers because they generally don’t have large enough marketing budgets to compete with the advertising dollars that larger companies can spend.

You need to be strategic and creative in how you attract new customers. Online marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing and social media are great ways for you to attract and retain customers if you have a smaller budget.

It’s important while using these tactics that you spend the time differentiating your business from the competition so your message speaks to your consumer markets. If you don’t know who the members of your target market are and where they live, start by polling your existing customers and consider doing additional market research.

4. Understanding Your Financials

A study recently conducted by Intuit Canada reports that 83% of Canadian small businesses face a serious financial literacy skills gap. However, starting your business on sound financial footing is essential to its long-term success.

You need to review and understand your financials on a monthly basis so you know what is coming in and what is going out. Add up all your expenses each month so you know your minimum gross sales needed to cover your expenses. Review your sales over the past year and figure out where your sales are coming from so that you can use that information to project sales moving forward.

If you struggle with understanding finances, hire a bookkeeper or accountant to work with you on monthly reporting.

5. Keeping an Eye on Cashflow

If you have cashflow challenges, your business is in poor health. If your cashflow issues persist, your business may not be able to recover.

As a business owner, you need to dedicate time to managing your cashflow. Know what your cash balance is at all times, and project cashflow six months out. Having projections will prevent you from overspending and keep your finances in check.

One final piece of advice that I would offer to any small business who needs to build their brand but is working with a small advertising budget, is to consider a vehicle wrap. (This ties into #3 above) It’s one of the most cost effective ways that you can get your message out to the businesses and people that matter. If you need convincing, this article should set you straight.

So contact Vancouver Car Wraps. We offer complete in-house support to get you started with our graphic designers, professional installers and sales department. We will be happy to give you a FREE NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE. You have nothing to lose, so give us a call and let our business help your small business build your brand, increase your sales and experience success.

Vehicle Wraps and Bar Fridges oh and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Vehicle wraps are really gaining popularity…and why not? They protect your vehicle’s paint job, they promote your business (at great value compared to traditional advertising) and they showcase your personality. I don’t know about you but I am seeing more and more vehicles (of all shapes and sizes) driving around town advertising their businesses via wraps.

Here at Vancouver Car Wraps we are also beginning to see a new trend in wraps, bar fridges and such. It makes sense really.

Breweries and wineries are the most obvious examples of businesses that can benefit from wrapping their fridges for wine or “pump fridges” for their Kegs. In fact we recently wrapped a pump fridge for Labatt Brewing Company, Vancouver West, in Vancouver. It’s a great way to promote the Budweiser brand too.

Wrapped bar fridges make sense for other businesses too. Are you a Canuck fan? Wouldn’t it be cool if Vancouver sold Vancouver Canuck wrapped bar fridges? How about fridges for special events?

Here is a fridge that we wrapped for the Langley Good Times Cruise-In charity event this past September. What a great idea! It serves two functions by keeping their beverages cool while promoting their event on-site. Now that’s thinking.

Beyond businesses why not consider one for your home? With so many people creating fabulous entertainment areas in their homes, it’s a great idea. You can customize your bar fridge wrap to match your decor or your theme. Perhaps you are hosting a one time event. You are decking out the place (yours or someone else’s) and by including the bar fridge well, that just enhances the “cool” factor. Think SANTA for a Christmas party perhaps?

Really, there are no limits to what can be done. Change your mind about the graphics or color, no problem. With a wrap it’s quick and easy to make a change. You can change your style as often as you like in fact with no harm to your fridge or it’s finishes. So contact the professionals at Vancouver Car Wraps. We will be happy to answer all of your questions and take care of those fridge wrapping needs. Let’s have some fun.

Vancouver Car Wraps wants to thank all of it’s amazing clients and staff for their support and business over this past year. We really value each and everyone of you.

We hope that no matter how or where you celebrate the holidays that you and your families enjoy this special time together, safely.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2014

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From all of the Staff at Vancouver Car Wraps.

Trucks, Semi’s, Vans, RV’s and More…Advertise 24/7 with a Wrap

Trucks, Semi’s, Van’s, RV’s and more…

Trucks, Vans and RV’s in particular are are so popular out West. They appeal not only to the West Coast lifestyle but some like Semi’s, Vans and Trucks, are the workhorses of many businesses. Get them working for you in another way, brand building through advertising.

You won’t miss SWR Drain Service Ltd. as they drive around town to client appointments in their wrapped company vehicles/

Consider a wrap or partial wrap for your vehicle. Not sure that you are ready for a wrap, that’s okay, we can put decals on your vehicles instead.

As you and your staff are driving your vehicles for work or pleasure around town, you will also be advertising your company and building brand awareness. With “mobile advertising” you are a billboard that never sleeps. Because your truck, van, semi or RV has such a large space to cover, you can decide where you want to place your information that delivers the greatest impact.

Wraps, partial wraps and decals can be placed virtually anywhere you can imagine on your vehicle. What is even better is that you are protecting what is arguably one of your largest assets with a wrap. If you ever change your mind about the design, Vancouver Car Wraps professionals can easily remove it and help you design your next one.

Paint jobs can be incredibly expensive. With a wrap, partial wrap or decal you get a high value, budget friendly method of advertising your business 24/7. Picture this Quality Chains Semi or perhaps this Patisserie Lebeau Food Truck and wraps.

These wrap don’t stop working. They advertise your brand and business no matter where the vehicles are parked or at the time of day. Vinyl vehicle wraps protect your paint job, preserves the value of your vehicle and can last for up to seven years. It’s a no brainer.

So while you drive your vehicle around town today, think about the visibility you could be getting right now for your business, with a vehicle wrap, partial wrap or decal.

Vancouver Car Wraps specializes in relationship building in the business of vehicle wraps, signs, banners, displays, and more. As a local Vancouver based company we are looking to help BC businesses get more exposure for their business and better advertising value for their dollar using vehicle wraps. The possibilities for your advertising creative are endless.

Contact one of our Vancouver Car Wrap representatives to see how we can best help you!

You Are Limited Only by Your Imagination

Creativity is the word. We at Vancouver Car Wraps have said it before and we shall say it again, you are only limited by your imagination.

Purses, ipad cover, laptop cases, phone jewelry, motorcycle helmets, skis, you name it, people love to showcase their personal style.

Vehicles are no different. Whatever your vision, we can make it happen. If you need some assistance, our in-house graphic designer can work with you to create the wrap of your dreams. So, make at statement and consider wrapping your vehicle. It’s easy, it will protect your vehicle and it’s much less expensive than a paint job. So…if you change your style next year, it won’t break the bank.

Looking some motivation, why not have a look at LeBron James. His Lamborghini Aventador King’s Pride is custom designed and wrapped to look exactly like King James’s newest shoe, the Nike King’s Pride.

Check out LeBron James’ Lamborghini wrap here.

The good news is that you don’t need to be King James or take home his salary to make a statement.

Still not convinced? Contact us for a FREE, no obligation quote!

Bombay Hair’s Branding is “da Bomb”

This week Vancouver Car Wraps wrapped a company vehicle for a very interesting local company named Bombay Hair.

We love how the vehicle turned out and we are thrilled and honoured that they came to us to have the work done.

Bombay Hair started their Company in December 0f 2012 with the goal of providing high quality hair extensions at an affordable price, something apparently lacking in the Lower mainland’s marketplace. I am not really the demographic client that this company is looking for (I am a guy) but I really respect how this company is building their brand.

First and foremost, they understand that women want to be part of a “club”, in this case a Bombay Bombshell! Who doesn’t want to feel courageous and gorgeous and smart?

Bombay Hair products are sold exclusively online via their very cool website. They have started to include “how to” youtube links and are also active on social media platforms that make strategic sense for their very visual business. They have a large following on instagram and are also using Facebook and Twitter to engage with their communities. They even have an in house office where they offer something called their “Meet & Match Service”. This allows you an opportunity to match your hair and take your extension sets home with you. Obviously not everyone has access to their Richmond BC office. Bombay Hair has thought about that problem and has a solution in hand. Virtual clients just send an email to Bombay Hair with an included picture of their hair taken in natural light. Bombay Hair staff match the client up.

This young company has really thought things through, from the business to the implementation to the marking on a budget. In fact, they are already expanding into professional styling tools and hair care products at prices they claim are “non-professional”. They must be doing something write.

The final marketing piece is their company vehicle wrap and that’s where Vancouver Car Wraps stepped in.

Being mobile allows their brand to be gain exposure in the neighborhoods and communities that matter to them. Not only are wraps cost effective but they protect the vehicle at the same time. Should the company at any time wish to change their look, it can be easily done at a fraction of the cost of a paint job.

So check out Bombay Hair. We think you will be as impressed as we are!

Vancouver Car Wraps specializes in vehicle wraps, signs, banners, displays, and more. We want to help you design the coolest vehicle wrap for your business or perhaps as a holiday gift for your loved one this year. Please give us a call. We can provide you with a free no obligation quote.

This Christmas Wrap Your Loved Ones in Love

Christmas is just around the corner and while not everyone celebrates this particular holiday, many do. Not sure what to get your loved ones this year for Christmas? Getting stressed ? We can help.

Think outside of the giftbox (sorry, couldn’t resist) this year.

Personalization and customization is key. No matter your style, let it shine.

Wraps are an excellent gift to give out this year. When the word “Wrap” is mentioned, vehicles most often come to mind but there is so much more that you can wrap.

These days pretty much anything can be wrapped. Think about it. You can get a laptop or scooter wrapped for your friends. Perhaps you son or daughter wants a cool bike helmet wrapped. How about a bar fridge for your next party?

Furniture, bikes, boats, you name it, it can be wrapped. Color and design options are unlimited. You can design your own wrap or you can work with our in-house graphic designer to create an amazing wrap for you.

Now just because you can wrap pretty much anything doesn’t mean you should discount the obvious. The gift of a car wrap for a loved one remains an excellent idea. Not only is the gift thoughtful and personal but a wrap protects the vehicle. You don’t have to purchase a full wrap. A partial wrap or a decal might be just the ticket.

So this Christmas consider the gift a wrap for the people you love. They will love you for it.

Vancouver Car Wraps specializes in vehicle wraps, signs, banners, displays, and more. We want to help you design the coolest Christmas gift for your loved one this year. Please remember that if you wait until the last minute, we may not be able to accommodate you, so act now and give us a call. We look forward to helping you create the best gift possible for your loved one this year.

Vancouver Car Wraps, a Relationship Business

If I told you that Vancouver Car Wraps wasn’t really in the vehicle wrap business, would you be confused? Of course you would.

Actually we are in the relationship business.

Photo: Venchito Tampon digitalphilippines.net

That’s right, the relationship business and here is why. There are so many reasons that a company can lose a client or potential:

They felt that prices were too high or unfair
They had an unresolved complaint
They left because they felt that the company didn’t care about them
They weren’t happy with the quality of the product
They went to a competitor

For a small business like ours, any one of these reasons can make or break us.

We know that we at Vancouver Car Wraps still have work to do, we probably always will, because complacence is simply not an option. We are trying very hard to be the best relationship company in the business of Wraps, Decals and Signs.

We value all of our clients. If you have been referred to us by an associate, friend or previous client, it means so much to us. It means that we have delivered on our promise of great service and care. It means that we have created a relationship of trust with you, one that you value enough to pass along. Thank you for that.

In the spirit of relationship building and to ensure ongoing our delivery of top notch customer service to you, we are pleased to introduce our two newest Sales Associates, Nevin Burkholder and Troy Dragon. Both of these gentlemen come to Vancouver Car Wraps with proven histories of delivering the highest quality of service in extremely competitive industries.

Are you considering a vehicle wrap or decal, signage or more, please reach out to Nevin and Troy. They are excited to work with you.

Vancouver Car Wraps specializes in relationship building in the business of vehicle wraps, signs, banners, displays, and more. As a local Vancouver based company we’re looking to help BC businesses get more exposure for their business and better advertising value for their dollar using vehicle wraps. The possibilities for your advertising creative are endless. Contact one of our Vancouver Car Wrap representatives to see how we can best help you!

The Value of Fleet Vehicle Graphics and Wraps

VEHICLE WRAPS are becoming extremely popular not only for individuals who want to express their personality, but for small businesses trying to promote their brand. Large companies love the concept of wraps for their fleet of company vehicles too. The benefits are obvious to any company with a fleet of vehicles used to support their business and services.

Here are just a few of the benefits that can be realized by wrapping your company’s fleet of vehicles:

– Vehicle graphics and wraps can be tailored to the specific demographics
– Vehicle graphics and wraps work as mobile advertising along traffic routes. Spread the word.
– Vehicle graphics and wraps create an impact but also include contact information to get the word out.
– Vehicle graphics and wraps help prolong the life of a company’s expensive assets, their fleet of vehicles
– Vehicle graphics and wraps can inexpensively be changed and updated as needed. Much more cost effective than a paint job
– Vehicle graphics wraps can protect the vehicle from scratches and rust

Need more convincing? One Public Relation Specialist shares a story about the success of a client who has 30 company vehicles which they wrapped:

Heart ‘n Home Hospice & Palliative Care has taken office signage to a new level by “going mobile.” Rather than conventional (and stationary) out-of-home billboards, we produced “traveling billboards.”

Our 30 company vehicles (26 Nissan Versas and 6 Jeep Patriots) are wrapped with graphics and key messages, including toll-free phone number and website. Our staff members love their company cars, and they have become skilled at answering questions from the public.

The result: heightened awareness of hospice, greater visibility throughout the community, referrals have increased (by 1 to 3 per quarter), and the business vehicles are a meaningful benefit for 160 employees.

Since “going mobile” in 2009, Heart ‘n Home has received many favorable comments, along with a few questions regarding confidentiality. While our vehicles do not violate HIPAA regulations, they are not used for patient transportation, and employees are trained to park away from the home. (Of the more than 3,000 patients we’ve served, we’ve only had two requests regarding patient privacy.)

Our vehicles also shout Heart ‘n Home’s pride in having received the 2011 Top 100 Best Places to Work, a national award sponsored by Modern Healthcare Magazine. “We credit this achievement in large part to our excellent staff. They always do what’s right for our patients and their families,” say Heart ‘n Home Owners Cindy Lee, Kristopher Stice, and Todd Stice. “They are our ambassadors, truly dedicated to providing legendary service every day, every time.”

With some 30 hospices in the valley alone, “going mobile” has enabled the company to stand out. “We want people to recognize our vehicles at a glance and to call us,” said Todd Stice.GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA

“A resource on hospice and related topics is among our greatest strengths. Plus, by significantly reducing expenses, we are able to expand our reach to provide hospice services to an ever-increasing population whose financial resources are limited. At the same time, we provide safe, fuel-efficient vehicles to our employees. Our great-looking vehicles help promote the company’s brand and our reputation as a great place to work.”