Bull City Signs, LLC  |  Articles

Thinking about rebranding your Durham area business?

Sometimes it becomes necessary to rebrand your business. This might be because the current brand was established without planning out the consequences, the current brand has an outdated look, change in management or ownership or you just got bored with the current brand. Regardless of the circumstances rebranding should be handled carefully as to not confuse or alienate your Durham, NC area customers. Get Started with a Plan Rebranding doesn’t mean starting over however, you should think of it that way. By looking at your color scheme, font, image, readability and theme you can help develop a plan on how…

Interior Signage – Thinking inside the box

Gone are the days when the expectation for an interior sign, for your Durham, NC area business, is just simple functionality. Interior signs today need to be sensitive to the environment they are going in, the aesthetic of the room and the needs of the client. When looking to have interior signage created for your Durham, NC area business you should think, …well; inside the box: how to decorate inside the box and how to make the inside of the box translate to those that are outside the box. Getting More than just a Certificate of Occupancy While it is…

Series: Using coupons, offers and specials properly – Part 3

One of the challenges that Durham, NC area businesses face is converting a shopper into a sale. When you further explore the fact that there is so much competition for the same product or service, getting that shopper to commit to the sale becomes even more challenging. One of the more proven concepts for conversion is the call to action. In the last article we looked at the need of having your call to action to be competitive as part of the three basic parts of an effective call to action. This article we will look at the third successful…

Series: Using coupons, offers and specials properly – Part 2

One of the challenges that Durham, NC area businesses face is converting a shopper into a sale. When you further explore the fact that there is so much competition for the same product or service, getting that shopper to commit to the sale becomes even more challenging. One of the more proven concepts for conversion is the call to action. In the last article we looked at the need of having your call to action with an expiration as part of the three basic parts of an effective call to action. This article we will look at the second successful…

Using coupons, offers and specials properly

One of the challenges that Durham, NC area businesses face is converting a shopper into a sale. When you further explore the fact that there is so much competition for the same product or service, getting that shopper to commit to the sale becomes an even greater challenge. One of the more proven concepts for conversion is the call to action. Over the next few articles we will explore what the call to action is and how to best utilize it for your Riverside, area business. What is a call to action? A call to action is, simply put, is…

How can you say thank you to those who are gone?

On Memorial Day we are challenged to pause, remember and say thanks to those fallen military who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today in this great country. Amid ceremonies, gatherings, picnics and sales we might get lost in the “holiday” rather than it’s meaning. As a veteran, author and staff writer for Bull city signs; I would like to present an article answering the thought: How can you say thank you to those who are gone? All Gave Some, but Some Gave All In this popular song we are reminded that while…

Have you taken the time to claim your business listing?

Have you taken the time to claim your business listings?  Have you taken the time to claim your business listings? Because your competitor may have already grabbed up your business name! Every day businesses in the Durham, NC area fall prey to unclaimed business listings that their competitors swoop in and take from them unknowingly. This allows your competitors to give your potential customers the impression that they are talking to you, but they’re actually talking to your competitor! In this article will look at why this is and what you can do. Why Does This Happen  In this global…

Importance of chores

The importance of chores Just about every business owner in the Durham, NC area will tell you that one of the greatest frustrations and challenges that are faced in day-to-day operations; is hiring quality personnel. Trying to find someone that has a specific skill set for this type of business is difficult; being that it takes years of training, unquestionable work ethics and a follow-through attitude to excel. Nowadays, as business owners, it seems like we would be just happy if we could find a few applicants that would simply follow instructions. It’s no secret in this industry, and other…

Providing a Memberable Customer Experience

A successful, completed project for your small business in the Durham, NC area is more than just finishing the task; much more. The process used to completion must be considered. In fact, a successful, completed project actually starts with the first contact that you make with your client, accompanied by the process that you follow throughout, and the process of completion that you end up with. This will make sure that your customer is not only satisfied with your workmanship; but the process as well. The process for a successful project, in many cases, is just as important as the…

What’s on the menu?

Trying to make sure that your products and services are competitive is a challenge that every small business owner in the Durham, NC area deals with. Even if you are diligently making sure that your products and services are competitive for your small business, how you convey that information quickly and efficiently to your potential customer; could be the deciding factor of whether or not you get the sale. One of the challenges in answering the phone for employees is to be able to quickly and efficiently convey product and service pricing to your potential customers. In a previous article…

Are you asking for the sale? – Part 2

Make sure to read part one – Click Here The business phone for your Durham, NC area business should never be treated like a triage helpline. So often employees work only to resolve the call to free up time for the next caller. It should be rather that the person that is on the phone; is currently your single most important customer. An informational call can easily be turned into a sales call. If they are inquiring about a product, ask “when they might come in? Or can I hold a product for you?” If it is a service call:…

You won’t get what you don’t ask for – Part 1

You’ve taken the time to sit down with a marketing professional to put together an advertising campaign that really helps set your business apart from your competition. Your vehicles have been wrapped, you have your billboards in place, signage looks fantastic, you have a great looking and functional website, Google AdWords and social media campaigns online. You’ve made sure your shelves stocked and employees hired, POS systems are good to go; you’re ready for the phone to start ringing… Or are you? How you interact with customers when they call into your Durham, NC area business is just as important…

Reasons we are thankful in 2018

During this holiday season it is important to be reminded about the many things that Bull City Signs serving Durham. NC; has to be thankful for. Even as the end of the year continues to approach, we find ourselves echoing our thankfulness as we look back across 2018. Bull City Signs would like to express a few things, as we reflect on our trials and successes of 2018, that we find ourselves to be very thankful for: Our customers No business can be successful without customers, ours is no different. Perhaps the thing that we are most grateful for is…

Wow With Walls

Wall art, also called printed wallpaper, is quickly becoming a popular way to add life to boring walls within your business in Durham, NC. Whether one wall or all the walls in your business, you can finally add that splash of color that makes your business unique. Let’s take a look at the some of the uses and features of printed vinyl wall coverings. Get Creative Consider printed vinyl wall coverings as a blank canvas for which to paint on, only without the mistakes. With printed vinyl wall coverings we correct any issues on the computer before printing out onto…

Window Graphics options for your Durham, NC Business

One of the challenges that businesses in Durham, NC face is trying to find creative ways to let customers know where they are; and what they do. Often times businesses will look at a variety of different options such as websites, newspaper ads, flyers, commercials and more; but neglect to look at the unused real estate that is right in front of them. Window graphics is a great way to help put out some of the most important information about your Durham, NC business using attention grabbing graphics. Whether your business is in a strip mall or standalone establishment, chances…

Some Best Practices for Political Yard Signs and Banners

It’s that time of year again when the political landscape begins to take over. With political yard signs covering the landscape, it’s easy to get your message lost in the mix. Regardless of who you want to win the political election, when creating political yard signs and banners, you want to make sure that the message about your favorite candidate can easily be seen. Here are some useful tips when putting together political yard signs and political banners in the Durham, NC area. Being Seen is Been Known It’s no secret that the majority of people that go to the…

Security considerations for home-based businesses in Durham, NC

For small businesses in the Durham, NC area that choose to work from their home many essential items are needed to get set up: computers, fax machine, paper shredder, desks, increased internet speeds and storage for inventory just to name a few. However, many forget the added security needed to properly secure your investment. Home security for your Durham, NC home based business, having alarm system is only the first step of creating a secure and safe environment within your home. Home security is a mindset, more than it is a piece of equipment, because it represents a process of…

Sticking out from the Competition in Durham NC

One of the challenges that businesses face in the Durham NC area is keeping the branding of the business continually fresh in people’s minds. When it comes to brand recognition or name branding, custom stickers are a great way to help a business towards becoming a household name. You only need to look at Nascar as a prime example of how a simple sticker can help make your brand… stick. Marketing, A Sticky Situation Stickers of all types, shapes and sizes have been used for the branding of products and services for years; and while that is to your advantage…

5 Simple Ways A Small Business Can Find and Hire Quality People (Part 2)

Before reading this article, you should have already read the first two points of the 5 Great Ways Small Businesses Can Locate and Hire Quality People. This important article features some of the hiring techniques that Bull City Signs, serving Durham, NC and surrounding areas, utilizes when selecting talent for their graphic design and sign installation service. Let’s look at the next three ways that small businesses can locate and hire quality people in the Durham, NC area. Offer Current Employees an Incentive for Referrals People usually hang out with friends of like mind and personality, so if you trust…

5 Simple Ways A Small Business Can Find and Hire Quality People (Part 1)

Small business owners in the Durham, NC area know how difficult it can be to find and hire quality people. While there are many job search sites such as: Craigslist, ziprecruiter.com, monster.com, and jobs.com; they can often produce under or over qualified applicants. Often for local businesses looking for quality people, old-school or traditional methods can yield the best results. This is an area where the owners at Bull City Signs excel. Our high standards rely on finding and retaining quality graphic design and installation personnel. Here, our people are as important as our product; as one is no good…

The Silent Seller – Your Lobby Sign.

It hangs there, a quiet representative of who you are, what you do and how well you do it; it is… the silent seller – the lobby sign. When it comes to branding, a creatively designed and quality constructed lobby sign can help set the tone for your Durham, NC area business. First Impressions Can often Mean the Most A lobby sign for your Durham, NC area business is usually one of the first things that they see when they come in, creating that first impression; so make it a good one. A lobby sign that is illuminated or has…

Your Reputation and Your Review Resources – Part 2

In the previous article we looked at how different review services can both help and hurt your Durham, NC area business. With today’s ever-changing internet marketplace, everyone has the opportunity to let others know about their business experiences. As a business owner in the Durham, NC. area, accepting this reality can benefit your business, helping in both the short and long-term success of your business. As we have seen there are so many resources available on the Internet for potential customers to both use and abuse, so is important to understand a little bit about these review resources and how…

Your Reputation and Your Review Resources – Part 1

In today’s ever-changing internet market, everyone gets an opportunity to have their say. As a business in the Durham, NC area, accepting this reality will benefit your business in both the short and long-term success of your business. With so many resources available on the Internet for potential customers to both use and abuse is important to understand a little bit about these review resources and how they can both benefit and hurt your business. Take a look at the five most common customer resources used to review your Durham, NC area business. Google While Google did not pioneer the…

Targeting Tourism in the Durham NC area

Tourism is an important part of the financial infrastructure for the Durham NC area. For many businesses, tourism is a major portion of the annual revenue that the business would bring in; not to mention the wholesalers that provide products to these businesses. Because we all work together to keep Durham NC a thriving economy, it is important to look at a few things about targeting tourism with your signs and marketing materials. Understanding Our Role in the Community Even if your business is not directly influenced by tourists visiting your office, you probably do business with those companies that…

Dealing with Zoning Regulations in Durham NC

Having a sign, banner or yard sign created to help get the message out about your business in the Durham, NC area is a great idea. However, before you spend the money to have a signs, banners and yard signs professionally created by Bull City Signs; you should determine if there are any city ordinances or restrictions placed by the landlord or property management company. It puts a bad taste in your mouth to spend good money on a great product only to be fined or told to permanently remove your advertising product. In this article we will look at…

5 things ever Durham NC business needs to succeed

At Bull City Signs serving the Durham, NC area; we have been in the business arena long enough to see businesses come and go. Many businesses we were sad to see go because they had a great service at a reasonable price, but lacked the business structure needed to sustain. With that in mind here are a few things we see that are a must for every small business to get started: A Clear Vision We’ve all heard the adage: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” ~Benjamin Franklin. As we said before there are many people…

Is Google Banning Home Businesses in Durham NC?

When owning a small business in the Durham NC area, overhead is a large part of a company’s potential growth variables. A recent trend in the Durham NC area is to save money by working from home. This may be because you don’t have a need for a customer to visit you or you might even have a building in the backyard that will sufficiently house your manufacturing. Either way, more and more people are working in a home-based business environment. For the most part, marketing decisions to let the Durham NC area community know the services that you offer…

Tips on finding the right sign company for your Durham, NC business

If you are needing to have an electric sign, banner or ADA signage made, you have some choices out there. You want to make sure that you are getting the right company that will partner with your brand while not compromising on quality. You google “sign companies in Durham, NC” and immediately you are overwhelmed with a huge selection of sign companies,  and they all say they’re the best. How do you know who really is the best? You could speak with multiple sign companies until you got that “warm, fuzzy feeling” that told you that this was the right…

The Power of the Millennial Buyer in Durham NC

An important factor in today’s advertising mindset is the need to acknowledge the influence of Millennials in your advertising and how you interact with them in a business transaction. This generation of shoppers has developed their own habits, responses and language that Durham, NC businesses must understand if they are to remain competitive. Whether you are selling fidget spinners, plumbing services or cars; the Millennial generation buying habits should be identified and understood as to take advantage of this valuable purchasing demographic. In this article will look at some of the buying habits and strategies necessary to help your business…

Making the Most with Vehicle Magnets

One of the common mistakes that we often see here at Bull City Signs in Durham, NC. is when someone creates a vehicle magnet that has their entire life story on it. While one might think putting more words on a single magnet is a good way to save money, but it actually costs you money! If your vehicle magnet that so cluttered with text or images that it’s not easily seen… What good is it? In this useful article from Bull City Signs in Durham, NC. we will look at some simple tips to make your vehicle magnet stand…

Why does the phonebook have so many businesses starting with the letter A

Have you ever looked in the Durham, NC area phonebook for a plumber and noted that there were so many businesses that started with the letter “A”? A & A plumbing, A1 Plumbing, AA Plumbing , A AAA Plumbing,  A Better Plumber, ACME Plumbing… The answer is a direct reflection of how businesses have had to react to popular methods of marketing that were available at that time. In this article were going to look at how these types of marketing trends have affected business owners in the Durham, NC area and how even now marketing trends are changing that…

Retractable Banners – Close-up and Personal

Retractable banners for your Durham, NC business are a great way to get your message out in a budget friendly way. Whether used in front of your store, at a display table, on the showroom floor or at a tradeshow these versatile retractable banners are perfect to give your business that dynamic representation that sets you apart from your competition. Bull City Signs is known to be your one stop shop for quality interior and exterior signs; but did you also know that we specialize in retractable banners? Check out this useful information about retractable banners. Retractable Banner vs. Regular…

Understanding Consumer Trends

An area that is in continual flux is the buying habits and consumer trends that many industry’s experience throughout an extended period of time. Businesses that have been operating for more than 20 years typically have seen a major shift in consumer buying patterns 4-6 times (varying based upon retail or wholesale exposure) that has caused them to rethink or reorganize their business model. It is important to identify these trends for your particular market in order to make sure that you are getting your message out appropriately to your customers in the Durham, NC area. Many of these trends…

Cost-effective options rather than a full vehicle wrap.

When making a decision on whether to have your vehicle professionally wrapped or just lettered with the name of your company, there are a few things to consider. This article will reflect more on what is available in Durham, NC for budget minded customers that are looking for a great way to get their message out on their company, corporate or fleet vehicles… while still being easy on the wallet. Technology Has Come A Long Way Just five years ago your choices for getting information and graphics onto your vehicle were: single colored letters or vehicle wrap. This is because…

Understanding how a Facebook business page functions

Part of getting better visibility for your business in Durham, NC is the proper utilization of available tools in the social media marketing industry. One of the more confusing is understanding how a Facebook business page functions. Made up of a complicated set of algorithms, this type of marketing must be utilized within the guidelines that Facebook has laid out in order to see the response that you’re looking for. In this article for Bull City Signs’ staff writer and small business consultant, Rick Brewer, covers some basic understanding on Facebook business page functions and tips on better utilization to…

Marketing Research on Signs

How customers view your business in Durham NC is not just by a nice logo or a catchy marketing phrase… but rather a complete experience that effects whether customers will remember and choose to do business with you. This full experience should motivate everything you do; from signage to get them in the door to customer service that leaves them with an experience they will tell others. Bull City Signs not only desires to present this image to its own customers but, help you provide this same experience for your customers as well. When taking this full experience approach to…

Should I utilize social media for my business?

So you went to the big corporate marketing seminar in Las Vegas and heard the motivational speaker tell you in social media was the golden path to success. You rushed home to Durham NC and created a Facebook account and waited for the money to roll in… and waited… and waited… and waited. You know you heard him right… even drew big circle around it in your notepad… So why is it working? Bull City Signs knows that while there are many paths to success the same equation doesn’t work for every business in the Durham NC area. Careful analysis…

The Facts about Advertisement Frequency in Durham

Consider your own buying habits; have you ever immediately bought a product after learning about it? If you are like most people in Durham, NC, probably not. Marketing and phycology research abounds with data that suggest that many products or services require a certain frequency of exposure to build trust or brand recognition. This article will dig into this marketing enigma and help you to understand the facts about frequency when advertising your business. Third Time’s Charm in Durham, NC It is a number that has been proven again and again, in marketing and in life; people need to see…

5 Sign Products Business Owners Forget To Print… But Should Have

When business owners in the Durham, NC. area are setting up their store, showroom or general business location there are some standard things you will need such as: desks, chairs, phones and pens; however those will help you get your message out. When you’re thinking about signage, there are several different ways to let the Durham, NC. community know where you are and what you do such as: outdoor signs and banners; but don’t forget about these following five sign products that business owners often forget to have printed, but should have. Attention Grabbing Signs for Foot Traffic If your…

What is the Psychology of Colors?

Over the last 100 years advertising has developed into its own art form. Advertising artists utilize effective slogans, persuasive statements and color manipulation to create their masterpieces. You only need to look to some of the larger companies seen in the Durham, NC. area to see this art form and practice. One area in advertising that is very effective but often overlooked by small businesses is the psychology of colors. Colors are able to cause the mind to think and view products, services and conditions differently.  In some cases a spontaneous action is created as a result of the color…

Utilizing floor graphics for your business

If you want to have a successful business branding is a very important factor, from business cards to billboards if you want to to be a household name you need to put your message out in creative, thought provoking manner. You can save yourself some money as well as help brand your name further by simply utilizing the square footage around in and around your business. Window graphics, wall material graphics, overhang signage, sandwich boards and vehicle wraps are all great ways to utilize the square footage and you are already paying for them… Why not make it more effective?…

Why Should I Consider Window Graphics?

One of the challenges that business owners in Durham, NC. face is trying to find creative methods to make potential customers aware of where they are and what they do. There are a variety of different options for getting the message out such as websites, newspaper ads, flyers, commercials and more; but you probably already have quite a bit of unused real estate that is right in front of you. Window graphics are a great way for you to get out some of the most important information about your business and/or put attention grabbing graphics; on the very front of…

What’s the big deal about a website?

There are numerous things that have become industry standards when having a business in the Durham, NC. area over the years: a good business card, a good location, reviews, social media presence… All of these are good but a website is the uniting factor that brings all of these other advertising venues together. In this digital economy that we live in having a website is probably the most important asset to your business, it lends for credibility as well as a first impression that will provide customers the information that they need in order to do business with you. In…

Tips for Creating A Great Business Card in Durham, NC.

You’ve heard since you were a child that first impressions are the most important, this statement couldn’t be any truer than in the business community where competition is so high and reputations are on the line. The first impression of your company, business or even hobby should reflect only a sample of what’s ahead; which brings us to the business card. After a handshake, the business card is the next step in presenting your business and what it represents. If your business card is printed with a Desk Jet on paper that you purchased from Walmart you could pat yourself…

Location: A Key Decision

One of the key decisions for a company to make is selecting the proper location for their business within Durham, NC. Naturally the type of business will help with the decision-making process, but here are a few areas to consider: The type of business in Durham, NC. Commercial (non-retail) If you have a non-retail business in Durham, NC. which is primarily the manufacturing of products, having no need for customer access, then an industrial Park would be a great fit. Most industrial parks are designed in a cookie-cutter way but it saves from having to build from scratch. The majority…

Tips for creating the perfect vinyl banner

If you want to find out how Bull City Signs in Durham, NC. can print the perfect vinyl banner for you there are a few “vinyl banner basics” that you should know. When Bull City Signs is asked to create a vinyl banner; selecting the right thickness and material is key. To ensure that you always get the right product for your vinyl banner needs, Bull City Signs traditionally ask a few questions to ensure that you get the product that suits your needs. Questions like:     What will the vinyl banner be used for?     How long does the…

Seeing the Larger Picture in Your Advertising Materials

One of the benefits of choosing a professional Sign and Graphics Company in Durham, NC. is keeping focus on the larger picture. This means that, while we can, create individual products that are stunning and attention grabbing such as signs, banners, business cards, and more; it is better to step back and consider these products as extensions of a similar theme rather than individual products. To put it simply your business cards ought to have a similar look to your banners, flyers and so on. To help keep this big picture mindset, let’s take a look at a few things…

Choosing the Right Font

Selecting the best font for your logo, slogan, sign, banner or print media in Durham, NC.is a crucial decision; one that many rush through without taking into consideration the impact of their choice. Bull City Signs recognizes that in this mobile minded generation, people are getting around faster and needing to absorb information at a glance; it is vital that you present your message in a way that is eye-catching in addition to being easily legible (readable).Fonts for Logos Bull City Signs has to admit that devising an original logo concept in this modern day can be extremely challenging. Just…

Vinyl Banner – Best design practices

One of the common mistakes that we often see here at Bull City Signs in Durham, NC. is when someone creates a vinyl banner that has their entire life story on it. While one might think putting more words on a single banner is a good way to save money, it actually can cost you money! If you have a banner that so cluttered with text that it’s not easily seen… What good is it? In this useful article from Bull City Signs in Durham, NC. we will look at some simple tips to make your vinyl banner stand out!…

The Importance of Name Branding: Part 3 – The Colors

Once you have chosen the right logo/brand you will want to ensure that you have it ready in formats that will work with printing, signs, vehicle graphics, a website, social media, business cards, etc. Your logo needs to be available for all the different types of companies that will need it. To save money the cost minded business owners in Durham N.C. will want to use companies that offer the best price utilizing the best materials. Bull City Signs serving Durham N.C. area works very hard to become your first and best choice for all of your sign and printing…

Should I invest in the Yellow Pages?

Once upon a time we used devices called telephones, sent documents with something called a fax, listened to music on things called cassettes and looked up businesses in something called a phone book. Big hair and big ads were the name of the game and anybody who was anybody was listed in the Yellow Pages. But in this modern day of instantaneous information, do people still let their fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages? In this article we will look at the viability of a yellow page listing for your local Durham N.C. business. The Evolution of the…

The Importance of Name Branding: Part 2 – The Slogan

As we continue to discuss the proper branding of your business we should have in mind that branding is an art, crafted from multiple factors such as visual recognition, sight/sign association and how easy it is to remember. In the previous article we focused on some best practices for logo creation; this article addresses the proper use of slogans. Slogans can be a great way to brand your image because a properly written slogan can further define, not only the service/ product that you provide, but the projected attitude as well. Attitude you say? Oh yes. Give your slogan a…

The Importance of Name Branding: Part 1 – The Logo

The Dictionary’s meaning of branding is: A mark that’s burned in to the skin of the animal (like a cow) to identify the owner. From the marketing perspective within the Durham, NC. area this is just what you need to accomplish; your company name or logo to stick out and become easily noticed and remembered by your customer (or as the definition says… “Burned” in to the thoughts of the customer so they will remember you.) Here are a few helpful tips when thinking about branding your company within the Durham, NC. area. Have a Professional Logo Designed! At Bull…