There are millions of people that travel via public transport every day. It’s no surprise that a percentage of them travel by train. This includes subway trains, commuter rail, or even Amtrak.
Either way, train advertising might be something your business can consider. This may depend on where you are located and if there is a rail service available in your area. We’ll talk about how train advertising can be effective.
There are different kinds of train advertising we’ll be taking a look at. Which ones will be the best option for you? If your brand is looking to spread the word to local commuters, you’ll want to be strategic on where these ads are placed.
Let’s take a look at the following train advertisement types and why they are important.
Backlit dioramas
These are located on the platforms of train stations. This is another version of a standalone ad that you’d see at bus stops. So they are not digital ads that won’t switch from one to the other.
They will be lit up so they are more visible. Even if the station is lit, it may not be enough for the ad to be visible to the naked eye. If you are looking for your ad to be noticeable, this type might be good to have.
Two-sheet
These are print ads that will be found on the platforms. Particularly, they will be located close to where people are waiting for the train. These are not lit like the dioramas, but they are large enough for people to notice.
If you have an idea for a two-sheet ad, you can make it as clean as possible in terms of design. It will be a bit larger in size, so you’ll have quite a bit of space to work with.
Exterior/Train car
Why not let your ad go everywhere. From station to station, your ad will be viewed by commuters. That’s because it’s found on the train car itself.
The cost may be a bit high compared to ads that will stay in one place. It also may depend on how long the route the train runs from end to end. Keep this in mind as you are considering your options for train advertising.
The good news is that you’ll be able to put it to good use if you’ve got the budget. You may have a business that is located just outside of one of the stations on the route in question. For example, if you have a business located near one of the Green Line stations of Boston’s “T”, it could make sense to specify which station they need to travel to.
Interior car cards
These are ads found inside the train. These will be vertical or horizontal ads that are fixed to the interior of the train. Travelers will be looking at them while they are on the move.
Some will look at the ad for a lengthy period of time or a short one depending on the destination. Still, you’ll want to make it as minimal as possible in terms of design. Plus, you’ll want to make it memorable so people can leave with the contact information or anything else stuck in their mind.
You don’t have to go overboard in the messaging. You don’t need to write a whole book. Just because some riders will stay awhile longer than others, doesn’t mean the ad has to be long.
You’ll want the design to be minimalistic and a bit enticing depending on what you’re offering. The goal here is to get them to think for a bit and then take action.
Urban panels
These are located outside or at the entrance of a train station. Some of these panels are standalone or digital. You’ll be able to see the ad as you are heading up or down the stairs.
These ads are smaller in size compared to some of the others. This means you will need to be as minimal as possible with the ads you’re running.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering the idea of train advertising, these are the five types you might want to consider. One of them may be effective enough to get the message out there. Commuters that are on public transport may spend a bit of time looking at the ad and get them thinking.
Each ad type will come with its own size. However, it’s also important to note that more space can mean more cash. Consider how much you plan on spending in terms of train ads.
Knowing where to put them will be key. It may be a good idea to place them on a platform. But if you want to be a little creative and spend more money, putting it on a train car would be sufficient.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
