![Bend in the roadway along the southern reaches of the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Linville, North Carolina. Original image from Carol M. Highsmiths America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.](https://www.billboardsin.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Blue-Ridge-Mountains.jpeg)
Billboards in Rural Areas
Billboards have a long history, with the first billboard having been leased way back in 1867, and whether traditional or digital, billboards are still among the most effective modes of advertising in the 21st century. Large, colorful, and distinct, billboards are nearly impossible to ignore. Due to their enormous size, billboards tend to be associated with large national corporations, yet local advertisers invest in billboard advertising the most, as 7 out of 10 billboard ads promote local businesses. Starting a billboard ad campaign in your local rural community is an effective and lucrative way to market your business.
Impressions
When advertising in rural areas, you want as many people as possible to see your ad, and one of the major benefits of billboards is that they can’t be skipped, turned off, or blocked. They’re even difficult for most consumers to ignore, as 96% of consumers see outdoor ads. Additionally, 71% of consumers are exposed to outdoor ads regularly. Billboard advertising doesn’t target any one specific demographic, meaning billboard ads are able to reach a wider audience than most other advertising media. Billboard advertising also gives credibility to your brand, since consumers perceive traditional advertising as being more trustworthy than non-traditional advertising: Billboards have the highest level of trust among consumers at 82%.
Cost
For many businesses, cost is the most important factor to consider when it’s time to buy ads. If possible, business owners hope to have a little bit of money go a long way, putting cheap ads in the minds of consumers. In terms of cost-per-thousand impressions, billboards rank as the most cost efficient ad format, even when including digital advertising. According to the OAAA, billboards cost $3 to $6 per impression, the lowest of any ad format, and billboards help local advertisers reach consumers for 80% less cost than local TV ads and for 50% less than local radio advertising. Since billboards are such an efficient advertising medium, they also excel at promoting consumer interaction through influencing purchase decisions.
Your Local Community
As a local advertiser, you want people from the local community to be interested in your business. Billboard ads are cost-effective and reach a wide audience, and they’re also effective when it comes to bringing consumers to your website or store. Out-of-home ads are the way to go if you’re trying to bring consumers from a particular location to your store, which is why billboard advertising in your rural community is an effective mode of marketing. While rural areas sprawl, 89% of Americans drive private vehicles and drive roughly 200 miles per week, so billboard ads excel at reaching as many local consumers as possible. Additionally, 32% of consumers have visited a retailer they saw on a billboard later the same week, which means billboards will bring local consumers to your store, and fast.
Billboards are an excellent medium for attracting future customers to your local business. To begin making a stunning outdoor ad, check out BillboardsIn.com now to get started.