When someone hears the word “advertising”, the most common things that he can associate it with are the television, the radio and the internet. All these things can provide advertisements right at the homes of the consumers. But what happens now when the consumers do not spend most of their time inside their homes? This is where outdoor advertising comes in. Outdoor advertising is the kind of advertising which uses resources that can be seen even if the target market spends most of their time outdoors. This makes use of new techniques that do not involve the television and the radio, but such techniques are as effective as the traditional advertising.

Unlike the ads seen on the television, heard over the radio and browsed on the internet, outdoor ads cannot be within the control of the consumers. It is not like in the conventional advertising where consumers can turn off their television or radio if they feel that the commercials are boring. Because they make use of billboards, posters, streamers and tarpaulins, outdoor ads can never be within the control of the public consumers, instead they will be under the control of the advertisers only. It is the prerogative of the advertisers where and how to show the advertisement, and the public cannot do anything about it except to look at the ad or not.

But although it may seem that the public has the option of whether to look at the ads or not, they are actually left with just a little choice. Outdoor ads are strategically located in areas where it is expected that a lot of people can see it. Usually, an area where traffic can easily build up is a great location for outdoor advertisements. It is during traffic hours that drivers, motorists and passengers cannot help themselves but stare at the big billboards that contain the endorsement for certain products and services. The ads on the other hand, have a distinct characteristic which makes the messages they convey linger on the minds of those who have seen the ads.

This kind of advertising is very powerful and it works in a very subtle way. It serves as a great way to promote a product or a service without being too persistent, unlike tv commercials which can be seen almost too frequently all throughout the day. This out-of-home advertising is everywhere, and it goes with the consumers everywhere they go, that is why it is very difficult for them to ignore advertisements like this. Its efficiency and competence does not come from the number of times that it is shown in tv, but on the completeness of the ad itself. The creativity and the passion exerted in the making of the ad makes it influential, not only to the minds but to the affection of the consumers as well.

Outdoor advertising definitely is a commanding way of making a name for a business or a company. It will be great help to small businesses who are starting small and aiming big. The public may not notice it but through outdoor advertising, their consumer beliefs are slowly being affected and influenced.