Applied Signs Home Blog Home

Pinterest – Worth The Bother?

May 3rd, 2012
 
Billed as a “virtual pinboard to organize
and share the things you love”, Pinterest.com had 104 millions visits in March alone, and is now the 3rd biggest social network in the USA, behind Facebook and Twitter.  However many are surprised that such a simple concept could be whipping the online community into such a frenzy, and marketers are wondering if its worth their while joining in on the pinning craze…

You may be hoping the answer is no! Another social network to add to your marketing strategy may seem like just one too many, especially when you consider the inevitable learning curve and time commitment.  But studies suggest that you can’t afford to miss out on Pinterest’s traffic.  One such study finds that Pinterest’s referral clicks bring more revenue than clicks from Facebook or Twitter, for both first-touch and multi-touch visitors.  Another piece of research shows that while the user base in the UK is small, 29% of those users are in the affluent  highest income bracket.

However, with such a fast growing phenomenon as Pinterest, unknown to many web users before this year, marketers should act early to make use of the site’s popularity before the bubble potentially bursts, and to benefit from being an early mover in their brand space.

But how best to use Pinterest for brand awareness and revenue generation?

  • create separate themed boards for each category of product or service you want to showcase
  • be selective with your images, only note-worthy, beautiful, funny or inspiring images get shared or go viral
  • optimize your images according to these guidelines
  • make full use of the description area with each image, using hashtags and links to your website – linking to the most relevant individual webpage for each image
  • if your product offering doesn’t lend itself to image sharing, how about pinning industry-relevant infographics or photos of your staff or customers – take a look at this recruitment firm‘s pin boards or this charity‘s pages for examples
  • consider a competition to acquire followers e.g. BMI’s Pinterest Lottery
  •  be inspired by the best! Here is one of my personal favourites…

If you do decide to take the plunge, you won’t beat Hubspot’s  detailed guide to using Pinterest for business.  Happy pinning :)

 

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Creative QR Codes For Event Marketing

June 21st, 2011
By now we will all be familiar with QR codes and their rapid increase in popularity which has mirrored the meteoric growth smartphone ownership in Europe and the USA.  These mini ‘barcodes’ which originated in Japan allow smartphone users to go instantly to any website or webpage simply by ‘scanning’ the code with their phone’s camera.  The most common uses of QR codes are as a replacement for web addresses in print ads or on business cards.

 

But there has to be more to this technology right?  How can you tailor these codes so yours stands out from the monochrome crowd?  And how can you go one step further so that your QR codes are an eye-catcing branding tool as well as a technical shortcut?  The BBC first included their logo in a QR Code in 2008, and recently Louis Vuitton hired artist Takashi Murakami to create the colourful branded QR code pictured above.  Suggestions on how to create your own QR code incorporating a simple logo can be found here.

On a strategic level, Nomadic Display have laid out some ways in which QR codes can help you use combine mobile marketing in your next event marketing drive by:

  • incorporating QR codes in your tradeshow graphics
  • saving on literature print costs
  • achieving greener event status
  • generating buzz around your event or booth
  • integrating your social media channels
  • capturing leads & getting them online

The article is well worth a read and can be found in full on the Nomadic Display Blog


 

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Some Recent Work: Display Stands, Signage & Marketing Displays

June 20th, 2011
Novelty Red Carpet Cut Out Stand – Dublin Airport Shopping
Novelty Head Cut Out Stand Dublin Airport

INMO Conference Stage Backdrop

INMO conference stage backdrop Kilkenny

Irish Rail Display With Touchscreen & Telephone
Irish Rail Display with Live Telephone Line

Nokia Shopfront Signage
Nokia Shopfront Signage

Oracle Portable Flatscreen TV Stand

Oracel Portable Flatscreen TV Stand
Schneider Electric Exhibition Display
Schneider Electric Exhibition Display

Rebrandable Credit Union Stand with Phone

Rebrandable Portable Credit Union Stand with Phone

PIBA Angled Endcap Stage Backdrop
PIBA Diagonal Stage Backdrop

Teagasc Glasslook Reception Sign
Teagasc Glasslook Sign

 

Teagasc Hanging Sign
Teagasc Hanging Sign

Teagasc Outdoor Sign

Teagasc Outdoor Sign

For details on any of these items email info@appliedsigns.ie.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

New Products: Outdoor Banners & Rotating Spin Banners

June 17th, 2011
New for Summer 2011: a range of ultra-lightweight and instant banners for outdoor use.  Choose from the Rectangular Pop Up Banner and the novel Spin Banner. 

Outdoor Rotating Lantern Banners

 

The rotating Spin Banners have already seen a lot of interest due to the following features:

  • New in Ireland.
  • Turns gently in the wind.
  • 3 faces – can advertise three different logos or products.
  • Easy Assembly.
  • Light and easy to carry and store.
  • Supplied with carry bag, indoor stand or outdoor ground spike.
  • Top quality vivid fabric print.

The Rectangular Banners give a more traditional presence and benefit from the following features:

 

  • Instand branding (less than 1 second to pop up).
  • Double sided.
  • Light and portable.
  • Supplied in a durable carry bag.
  • Supplied with ground stakes.
  • Top quality vivid fabric print.

 

 

For pricing & leadtime details contact info@appliedsigns.ie or call 01 8712300.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

A Backdrop Fit For a Queen

May 18th, 2011

You can just about see it but trust us, the Queen was impressed with the Pop Up Display Stand Backdrop we provided for Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Croke Park today :)   If you would like something similar contact for details.  Available to hire and buy.

pop up display stand at croke park - queens visit

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Pull Up Banner Stands for UCD

June 16th, 2010

Have a look at these  Nomadic Swift Pull Up Banners we recently created for UCD’s Sport campaign:

Pull Up Banner Stand Pull Up Banner Stand Pull Up Banner Stand Pull Up Banner Stand

Pull Up Banner Stand Pull Up Banner Stand Pull Up Banner StandPull Up Banner Stand

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Pop Up Display Units for Optilase & Dunlop

June 16th, 2010

Have a look at the recent Pop-Up Display Stands we created. These stands are ideal for any exhibition or conference and are easily transportable and reusable too!

Curved Pop Up Display Stand

Curved Pop Up Display Unit

Curved Pop Up Display Stand

Curved Pop Up Display Stand

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Banner Stands for GAA, KBC and Aer Lingus:

June 16th, 2010

Our pull-up banner stands can be standard, extra-wide, or double-sided. Contact us to find out more!

Extra-wide pull up banner display stand for GAA

Extra-wide pull up banner display stand for GAA

Swift Pull Up Banner Stand for KBC

Swift Pull Up Banner Stand for KBC

Economy Pull Up Banner Stand

Economy Pull Up Banner Stand

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Some recent work: Pop Up Displays and Pull Up Banner Stands…

June 15th, 2010

Here is a glimpse of our recent work:

Alltech c33 Curved Pop Up Display and Counter Wrap

Alltech c33 Curved Pop Up Display and Counter Wrap

Curved Pop Up Display Exhibition Stand with Counter Wrap

Curved Pop Up Display Exhibition Stand with Counter Wrap

Pull Up Banner Stand

Pull Up Banner Stand

Economy Pull Up Banner Stand

Economy Pull Up Banner Stand

Wide Pull Up Banner Unit

Wide Pull Up Banner Unit

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Banner Stands for “3″

June 15th, 2010

We recently cread a variety of pull up banner stands for 3 mobile. These display stands are either standard size or extra wide:

Pull Up Banner Stand
Pull Up Banner Stand
Pull Up Banner Stand
Pull Up Banner Stand

Pull Up Banner Stand

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

« Previous Entries