'Roadside advertising'

[RJ]

So..... if we are confident that we won't get ourselves prosecuted......

The next thing to think about is the quality of the display. It would be a shame if we advertised at the same level as some of the Garden Fete events you see on the side of the road.... black and white writing on an A4 or sometimes even an A3 on a hardboard backing with small wooden post for support.

There are some really good large plastic banner type signs being produced now. Saw one recently on railings advertising a play for a local theatre. Another was printed on a mesh type banner, which would survive windy conditions. I reckon it would be worth paying, say, £30+ for a generic type banner advertising orienteering with the website, in the general location of the next O event.

Colourful images and background. Orienteering in large print. Event next weekend.... see website.....

[AndyC]

Sounds a lot to get in 0.6 sq m and still be readable from a car

[Billy Whizz]

A sign one metre wide by 60cm high is a big sign, assuredly readable from a passing vehicle, hopefully without distracting the driver to the detriment of her/his driving. Windage (of a sign that large) would likely be the highest risk mitigated by reinforcement at the 'anchor' points/sides and 3 supports.

[DaveK]

I was really looking, in the original post, to see if any clubs had tried such an approach, but the responses suggest not much at least. We are such a 'hidden' sport - nobody much sees what we do from the 'outside' - except with urban 'O' events maybe. I do, though, agree, that dare I say an 'holistic' approach to advertising the sport needs to be taken generally. Roadside banners seem so obvious an opportunity, given that so many other event organisers use this form of free (and presumably reasonably effective) form of advertising.

[EddieH]

Dave, I reiterate SunlitForres' point. We usually put up large banners the week before an event. We have such a good relationship with the local council through schools' work that none of us are worried about beaurocracy. We definitely get some people who come because of these banners, but have never analysed it.

[SeanC]

Dave

DFOK have been using a large roadside banner for about a year now. Not sure how big, but it's roughly twice the size of the standard "BOF" orienteering banner - designed to be readable by motorists driving past at 30 mphish in built up areas.

We did a survey of newcomers at last year's Bexley Series and found that 15% of newcomers came after seeing the roadside banners outside Danson Park/Hall Place. I think there was about 30 people who responded. Quite happy with that as roadside banners are a relatively low cost and low effort form of advertising. However I know the banner raised the profile of the sport - friends in my wife's hockey club talked about orienteering... they didn't go but it shows that awareness has been raised and people are more likely to respond to future publicity because of this.

Our banner is in two parts - the first bit says "come and try orienteering here" (plus the website address), and the second is blank. We sow on the month, day and date onto the second part (our equipment officer ordered a third poster with numbers, months and days). I think the whole lot cost about £150, but you can also get cheap banners made especially for one event. If anyone wants more info please PM me.

A few things we found out ... which seem a bit obvious now...

- for council areas such as parks you need to allow lots of time to get permissions.
- location is important. A 30 mph road in a busy urban area is ideal as this will be seen by potentially thousands per day. Entrances to popular parks are also good as this will be targetting regular visitors and locals, who are more likely to try something just because it is in their backyard. Mote Park, Maidstone or Knole Park Sevenoaks would be ideal places. Remote forest car parks used just by orienteers - like Hemstead Forest, probably not so good.
- A big banner also helps orienteers find the events - especally beginners who may not know what an O sign is.
- fast roads in rural areas, unless on a bend or roundabout probably wont alwyas be seen, but still worth a go due to numbers of cars.