Digital billboards are a cost-effective way to connect with your local audience. They stand out with features like real-time updates, location-based targeting, and time-specific ads. Here’s why they work:
- Real-Time Updates: Instantly change your message for flash sales, events, or commuter-specific ads.
- Local Community Focus: Highlight events, achievements, or local causes to build a connection.
- Multiple Messages: Rotate ads throughout the day to keep content fresh.
- Flexible Budgets: Start campaigns with as little as $20/day using pay-per-play pricing.
- Measurable Results: Track impressions and performance in real-time to refine your approach.
Whether you’re promoting a small business, an event, or a cause, digital billboards let you reach the right people at the right time. With easy setup, remote control, and live analytics, they’re a powerful tool for local growth.
How Digital Billboards Connect with Local Viewers
Real-Time Updates and Messages
Digital billboards shine when it comes to delivering timely promotions and announcements. Their ability to update in real-time makes them perfect for flash sales, event reminders, emergency alerts, or even tailored messages for morning and evening commuters.
"It’s not a social media thing that you see on your phone. It’s not word-of-mouth. It’s big and bold and out there in public. I would say this is the first step of looking big and public".
This bold presence ensures your message is seen by a broad audience, right when it matters most.
Local Events and Community Features
Digital billboards can also foster a sense of community by highlighting local achievements and events. Whether it’s celebrating a high school sports win, promoting a charity drive, or announcing a neighborhood festival, these displays connect with locals on a personal level.
Location-Based Ad Targeting
Strategic placement is just as important as timing. Kimberly Pinkson, owner of Pretty In Pinkston, emphasizes how precise billboard placement can make a brand stand out.
Position ads near busy landmarks during peak hours, prioritize locations based on impressions and cost-per-thousand (CPM), and tailor content to fit the character of each neighborhood. This targeted approach ensures your message hits home.
Next, discover how to create billboard messages that truly connect with your audience.
602: An Expert’s Guide To Digital Billboards | Gabriel Smith …
Writing Billboard Messages That Connect Locally
To make the most of your billboard, it’s not just about where you place it – your message needs to hit home, too.
Tips for Designing Your Message
- Keep headlines short – 6 words or less.
- Use high-contrast colors, like white text on a dark background.
- Pick sans-serif fonts sized at least 70 pt for readability.
- Focus on one clear call-to-action.
- Test visibility from 100 feet away.
Make sure your design complements the local vibe and grabs attention along commuter routes.
Timing Ads Around Local Events
- Start teaser ads about a week before the event.
- Increase ad frequency on the day of the event, especially during the morning rush.
- Follow up with post-event messages to keep the buzz going.
Coordinate your schedule with the community calendar for maximum impact.
"Working with Blip has given Mr. Charlie’s the momentum to get our new location on the map while accelerating growth for our original location."
Adding Interactive Features
- Include QR codes that lead to landing pages.
- Encourage engagement with branded hashtags or live social media feeds.
- Use countdown timers to build anticipation for sales or openings.
"With Blip’s format, we drove 200 scans via QR in 48 hours", says Ray Bowens.
sbb-itb-2e2e93f
Running Cost-Effective Digital Billboard Ads
Once you’ve created messages that connect with your audience, it’s time to make the most of your budget.
Pay‑Per‑Play Pricing Explained
With pay‑per‑play pricing, you can start with budgets as low as $20 per day. Bids are placed every 10 minutes, helping you secure local spots at competitive rates. This approach ensures your spending is concentrated on the most valuable placements in your area.
"Billboards are one of the most impactful ways to advertise, and with Blip, you spend a fraction of what you would end up paying elsewhere." – Ray Bowens, Founder, Hashtag-Vape
Measuring Ad Performance
Blip’s dashboard makes it easy to monitor your ad’s performance. You can track impressions and CPM by location and time, giving you the insights needed to refine and improve your campaigns.
Launch in Four Steps
- Upload your artwork or choose a template, then select locations using the interactive map.
- Set your daily budget and schedule.
- Complete the two-step approval process (a 90-minute review followed by final approval in 1–3 days).
- Launch your campaign and start reaching your audience.
"Blip works for us. It’s a different medium, and it brings a lot of exposure. It sets us apart." – Kimberly Pinkson, Owner, Pretty In Pinkston
Digital vs. Print Billboard Advertising
Once you’ve nailed cost-effective digital campaigns, it’s worth comparing digital and print billboards to understand why digital often stands out for local reach and engagement.
Comparing Digital and Print Billboards
Here are the main differences between digital and print billboard advertising:
- Real-time updates vs. fixed content: Digital billboards let you update messages instantly, while print designs stay the same until replaced.
- Rotating ads vs. static designs: Digital boards can display multiple ads in rotation, whereas print supports just one design at a time.
- Targeting by time vs. location-only placement: Digital options allow for time-specific targeting, while print relies on location alone.
- Pay-per-play vs. upfront production costs: With digital, you pay for each play, while print requires a one-time production expense.
- Live data vs. estimates: Digital billboards provide real-time performance metrics, while print relies on estimated audience reach.
These differences show how digital billboards offer flexibility and measurable outcomes, making them a strong choice for local businesses.
Conclusion: Using Digital Billboards for Local Growth
Digital billboards offer small businesses a way to take control of their advertising with features like remote updates, location-specific targeting, and flexible pay-per-play budgets starting at just $20 per day. These tools make it easier to connect with local audiences and track performance in real-time.
Getting started is simple: create an account, pick your locations, set a budget, and upload your design. With live analytics, you can adjust your messaging to make the most of your local reach.
Start today and turn foot traffic into loyal customers while building your brand within your community.
