Street Posters. The Secret to Street Buzz

Street posters are the unsung hero of OOH advertising in New Zealand. They're versatile and effective, offering an affordable and impactful way to connect with your audience.

But there's a catch. There's more to nailing a street poster campaign than just deciding how many posters you need and then slapping some art on a wall. Dominating the streets requires a solid dose of smart strategy, design, and placement. Get it wrong and you could face fines, squandered resources, and a campaign that falls flat on its face.

At Shout Media, we have over 10 years of promoting bands, brands, events, charities, and more under our belt. So, we know a thing or two about making street poster advertising work! In this article, we share the do’s and don’ts of this form of advertising.

The Do’s of Street Posters

Want your posters to do the heavy lifting? Here are some tried-and-true steps for getting it right:

1. Prioritise Eye-Catching Design

You've got approximately three seconds to grab someone's attention. So, you want to make those three seconds count! A simple recipe for attention grabbing is a dash of bold colours, a sprinkle of simple fonts, and a pinch of striking visuals. 

Say you're creating street posters for exhibitions and the arts. There's no point in overcapitalising on aesthetics if nobody can figure out when or where to show up. Exercise creativity and focus equally! Ensure the designs are clean with your key messages or event names bold enough to read from a distance.

2. Choose High-Traffic Locations

Your street posters need to be located where the people are; plain and simple. Think high-traffic locations, such as busy streets, shopping centres, or café-heavy neighbourhoods. The good news is that New Zealand has a well-established street poster network that’s perfect for connecting with your people. 

No matter which cities you'd like to advertise in, there’s bound to be a perfect spot for your message. Make sure you find it!

3. Comply with Local Regulations

This one’s not exactly concerning the 'fun stuff', but it's a biggie, nonetheless. New Zealand councils enforce strict rules regarding acceptable and unacceptable street poster placement. For instance, sticking your poster on a lamppost or bus stop in Auckland without permission will probably land you a hefty fine. 

There are designated areas for street posters and you need to obtain a licence to legally claim your slice. It's not just fines that you face if you can't comply. Your brand's reputation can be at stake, too.

4. Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Consider what you want people to do when they see your street poster. Buy a ticket? Scan a QR code? Check out your website? Make sure your message is as actionable as it is visible, allowing your audience to act quickly, so you can see results faster!

The Don’ts of Street Posters

Poor attention to detail can ruin even the best-intentioned street poster campaigns. Here are some examples of what not to do:

1. Overload with Information

So much to say, so little space. We get it. But, your street posters need to be simple and easy to read to be effective and create a lasting impact. If you use too much text or too many fancy design elements, it can make it hard for your audience to keep their mind focused on your campaign message. 

Less is truly more. Stick to the key bits: what, where, when, and how.

2. Neglect Timing

Timing is key! Jump the gun by putting up your posters too early, and people might forget before the event. Procrastinate and get them up too late, and you’re likely to miss the magic window. For gigs, exhibitions, or community events, 2–4 weeks beforehand is often the sweet spot. 

And it's not just about when your posters go up. You also need to decide how many posters you need and consider production lead time.

3. Skip Testing Your Design

Think your poster looks great? You might be the only one. Test it! Show it to friends, colleagues, or people within your target audience and ask them to report back. Is it easy to understand? Can they decipher it from afar? Does the QR code work seamlessly? 

Don’t gamble your entire street poster campaign on something you haven’t tried in the real world.

New Zealand's Trusted Partner in Street Poster Advertising

Street posters can make or break your campaign. By following these do’s and don’ts, you stand a great chance of capturing attention for all the right reasons. However, by leaning on Shout Media, you stand the absolute best chance! 

With over a decade of experience in street poster advertising in Zealand’s top cities, we're here to help create winning posters you can afford that deliver your message perfectly and generate epic results. Contact us today!