Promotional campaigns are exciting, but let’s not pretend they’re easy. There’s so much to manage and timings to get right, yet some people still try to manage their promotional vehicle campaigns alone. They’ll hire a wrap company here, outsource logistics there, and hope it all comes together – which inevitably leads to problems!
This article covers what typically goes wrong when you choose the DIY route, and why it’s always best to choose an experienced team to help with your brand activation.
1. A design that doesn’t fit
Promotional vehicles act as billboards and backdrops for live events. But to show your brand at its best and encourage social sharing, you’ll need to get the design right.
Issues arise when designers aren’t used to 2D templates or vehicle-specific layouts. After all, how many regularly work with vintage vehicles like H-Vans and Piaggio Apes?
At Promohire, we constantly wrap unique vehicles. In fact, the wrap is included in the hire cost! Check out our promotional vehicle design 101 for design advice.
Below: A very carefully planned vehicle wrap design.
2. Logistical nightmares
A promo vehicle commands attention, right until you break down or can’t fit through a narrow street – preventing your band activation from starting. So, find someone who’ll plan your route carefully and factor in travelling time. You should also get a driver who can handle the quirks of your promotional vehicle.
Promohire provides a driver as standard and transports vintage vehicles by loader, reducing the chance of a breakdown. Read our logistics guide for more on how we can get your promotional campaign moving.
Below: Transporting the Witcher van with a loader.
3. Venue restrictions
Many venues limit noise levels, food samples, and when you can set up – also providing an early access window. If you’re handling your promotional campaign solo, then you’ll need to find venues that suit your brand and what you want to achieve.
Then there’s how you’ll power your vehicle. Some venues supply 16-amp sockets that limit what you can do with your brand activation, at the same time refusing the use of a generator.
We can liaise with each venue as part of a location consultancy service, getting this all sorted on your behalf. That means no surprises – just a high-impact promotional campaign that does what you need it to!
Below: Sage in place, preparing to go live with an indoor activation.
4. Trouble generating excitement
Planning to use in-house staff for your brand activation? Even the most well-meaning staff can grow tired in just a few hours, leaving them checked out for the rest of the event! This is where agency staff really come into their own.
Promotional staff are used to long days of engagement (it’s literally what they do!) and can keep the passion going. They know just how to excite your guests too, encouraging people to participate, scan QR codes and even sign up to deals and newsletters.
Below: SHEIN's brand ambassadors and a hired Santa build excitement.
5. Getting campaign extras together
If you need A-boards, branded deckchairs, event banners and other collateral, you’ll need to brief a local printer and hope for the best. But a trusted large format printing specialist will know what to do, and they’ll work to resolve the issue if something's off.
Promohire works in conjunction with Raccoon; a forward-thinking printing company that specialises in brand activations, vehicle wraps, and vehicle conversions. You can also visit the branding store to customise your items and buy them online.
6. More suppliers, additional stress
If you source your promotional vehicle from one company, your wrap from another, and a driver from a third, then who’s managing the full timeline? What happens if your campaign vehicle has a suite of appliances but lacks a strong energy setup?
This is where DIY promotional campaigns unravel. It becomes your job to coordinate the different suppliers, and when things go wrong, it’s you who pays the price.
Working with one provider and outsourcing your campaign management means everything’s coordinated for you.
Don’t worry – we’re here to help!
At Promohire, we do more than supply a promotional hire vehicle. Our team will fully brand your vehicle of choice and provide a driver at no additional cost.
If we’ve convinced you to work with the experts, then look no further. Just click below to see the services we offer, then get in touch to get your activation moving!
