How Your Business Can Get 10,000 Views A Day - The Sports Banner

Just imagine for a second you are working in a local business here in Rhode Island. Your job is to get the word out, advertise your business, build up a client base, establish a brand and an identity so your local business can thrive here in Rhode Island. Now imagine going into your boss’s office and stating “I found a way to get our business 10,000 views a day.” The solution – a professionally designed sports sponsorship banner.

For years, sport banners have served as an effective marketing and advertising method for small to large businesses here in Rhode Island. Local sports teams, such as Little League®, Cal Ripken youth baseball, AAU teams have connected with local businesses for league support. Most, if not all of these teams are non-profit and rely on sponsorship money to pay for league fees, equipment, umpires, field upgrades, uniforms, and day to day operational needs. Sports sponsorship banners can be hung in the field of play, next to the snack shack, in the entrance of the ball park, draped over the backside of the bleachers, and next to the scoreboard.

From roughly the end of March (weather permitting) until the middle of October (again weather permitting), ball fields from Woonsocket to Westerly to Block Island are filled most days with players, coaches, families, and fans watching baseball games. Add friendship tournaments, AAU tournaments, District and State tournaments to the already busy regular season games. End result, you have baseball fields filled with spectators and potential customers for roughly 75% of the year. Fans and families who walk into the ball field, where banners for ice cream parlors, nail salons, and computer repair shops are displayed next to the bleacher seats. Spectators that look out into the field of play for their son or daughter who is playing center field and notice the outfield fence peppered with banners for law firms, auto detailing, dog training, pizza, and painting services. Spectators that visit the snack shack and walk by a colorful banner promoting a local business.

I contacted North Kingstown Wickford Little League's sign and sponsorship banner company for many years running, Signarama. President Joe Lomastro was kind enough to answer a few questions for me and here is an excerpt from our conversation. Joe's answers are in BOLD.

1. What information is the most critical for the banner?
Name, logo, phone#, and definitely website.
2. Physical address or website, which is more important or are they equally important?
Website-you can get the physical address from just about any business website. People like to look at the websites on their phone, while at the games during a game break.
3. Does it pay to have a logo and why ?
Yes. If you are trying to brand your company, it makes it easier for potential customers to recognize you with a creatively designed logo.
4. Color scheme, which colors pop especially on a typically white backdrop?
Contrast is important. Dark blue, black, red all show up good on white. Lighter colors by themselves will not show good. But with a dark outline, lighter colors are more likely to show up.
5. Are they a good investment and why? How can sponsors use these banners to drive traffic to their businesses or websites?
Yes. People with kids playing sports typically spend a lot of time at the field. There is down time in a game. People will look around and see who is supporting their child. Today is all about the cell phone. When I have time when I am waiting for something I’m usually on my phone. It’s a good way to drive people to your website.
6. What advice would you give a sponsor to then ask the league?
Is my sports banner going on the main field? Or is it a baseball field that is used for one game a week? Will the banner be used over and over again each year?
7. Any thoughts on font, size, spacing?
Easy to read font. Remember most banners are in the outfield. May not be visible if the lettering is too small.

Thanks to Joe Lomastro of Signarama - NK for his great insight. Signarama is located at 6855 Post Rd., North Kingstown, at www.signaramank.com, and at 401-886-5000.