To logo or not to logo, that is the question.

[doc_choc]

We are looking to purchase new delivery van and are considering whether it is advantageous to wrap it with a vinyl logo for marketing purposes. However, having seen a few crazy deliver vehicle maneuvers on the roads of late, including a pizza delivery van driver working the lip liner pencil while doing in excess of 70mph. I was wondering if this could be detrimental to a brand/business image if the drivers are less than sensible?

Would you logo up, or keep a low profile?

[HC_Charlie]

Hello @doc_choc thanks for your post. If you can afford it, I wouldn't miss the marketing opportunity and add the logo to the outside of the vehicle. A plain nondescript van won't do anything to protect your business, and may actually harm it but not instilling much confidence if your van pulls up outside a person's home or business.

If you're worried about a bad employee/driver...you wouldn't want a bad employee driving around in a plain unmarked vehicle anyway, so best to try and screen for quality employees. If they cause an accident or damage, your business would still be liable.

[CareyJo]

Agreed!!

[BrianaJo]

I also vote for logo-ing it. The more people see your branding the more you stay top of mind. 

[CareyJo]

10000000%

[Lovewell]

We’ve been VERY hesitant to logo anything even though you actually can use it

as a tax write off! 

We aren’t into it however I think it can attract business and be super fun! You could even be like “tag us if you see the van” and come in and get 10% off or something! Might be fun. 

[CareyJo]

We've had our vehicle wrapped since we bought it 8 years ago.  I think I've only had 2 or 3 phone calls in that time of someone complaining about my husband's driving.  What they don't tell you on the phone is that they're doing 55 in an 80 and THEY are the road hazard but want to complain about everyone else.

We put over 150 miles per day on that truck and everyone, I mean EVERYONE knows that truck.  It's how people identify us because it is a one of a kind.

When we opened our doors, I was insistent on being branded with our logo on everything we did and being consistent about it.  Then, during Book Club we read about how vital that is to your business.  I think it was in Worth Every Penny.  That's what instantly came to mind.  I was so proud of myself for having done something before I knew how important it was.

Every piece of marketing we use has the same, identical logo on it and we don't allow anyone to alter it when we have something made.  Consistency is absolutely key.  When we hand someone a business card in public, they take one look at it and go "I've seen your truck!" and the truck is not on the card.  That's how well it works!

My husband and I just had a discussion about this yesterday because he wants to change the wrap.  I told him what I will allow him to do with it because people will literally not know it's us if he doesn't.

[balmonte]

Logo it of course, its a moving billboard for your brand. While you're at it, add a QR Code people can scan and get to your website or social media.

[Minion]

Agreeing  Logo it!  The positives far outweigh any negatives..  The only thing I would be concerned about Is if it were an employee driving it  Then I would honestly want to pull a driving abstract for them prior.

[Bronze_Palms]

I love the idea of wrapping the vehicle! That could be a tax write-off, as well!

If you end up having an employee drive the vehicle, I would write up a contract that discusses the need to follow the rules of the road while driving a company vehicle because behavior behind the wheel will reflect on the business, not the employee driving it.

I'd create a landing page called "[YourBrandName].com/drive" (something really simple for them to search) that collects a person's email address and gifts them x% off or gives a freebie that is high value & low ticket to add to the back and sides of the vehicle.

Maybe if you end up getting a wrap, you can post how it turned out! I've been flirting w this idea as well!