Go Green and Save Some Green with LED Signage

One of the major buzzwords of this age is “green” in the sense that everyone is thinking energy conservation and reducing their carbon footprint. New products are being developed to reduce energy consumption and costs. It really is a great movement that is bound to produce the best results for people and the environment in the long run. When it comes to going green, every little bit counts. Even the sign industry is going green.

Greening Your Signs

As the world veers closer and closer to an energy crises, a big concern for business owners is how they can save money by cutting down on energy consumption with the use of more efficient equipment. Experts are hard at work in coming up with newer and better technology that are more energy-efficient. LED diodes are one of the technologies that is having a major impact in reducing energy consumption.

Most people will agree that when it comes to any electric equipment they buy, it all goes down to how much power they consume at the end of the day. Any equipment that consumes massive amounts of power will hurt the business budget and add to overall operating costs—no frugal business owner wants this. When it comes to selecting a business sign and going Green, LEDs makes good sense for the ratio of power input to light output.

LED Lights and Reduced Power Usage

Modern day LED diodes are true winners because they consume a lot less energy as compared to incandescent light bulbs. This is why LED diodes are utilized in LED boards that are gaining widespread use across all industries. Normal signage solutions are known to consume up to 3x more power as compared to LED signs that are of a similar size. With the world going crazy for the “Go Green” slogan, it just makes economic sense why LED signs are quickly gaining a following and slowly but surely taking the place of traditional reader boards.

Using Digital LED Billboards

It is clear that LED displays cut down on power consumption and offer major savings to businesses that use them, but just how effective are they when viewed from a marketing perspective? It is a given that they are marvelous when it comes to displaying messages from the company but it is also important to note that in marketing, the medium is the message and using LED signs can send your customers the message that you took great pains to use power-saving options to deliver your business message to them.

Another thing that adds to the points in favor of LED signs is that they are sturdy and LED diodes take a good long while to die as opposed to more traditional bulbs used for signs. Granted, you may pay more for an LED sign at the very beginning but once you see how much money you save in your electric bill, and how your sales increase to the reliable advertising, you will see that the initial investment is well worth it. In fact, the return on investment for LED signs is very quick so you will emerge a winner in more ways than one with this green signage option.  

How to Avoid a One Night Stand

A man and a woman who met online are having their first phone conversation.  Here's how it goes: 

Lady: "Hi, I'm getting married this summer.  There are five other potential suitors coming out this week and I need to set time for you to come out so you can tell me why I should marry you."

Gentleman: "Wow, okay.  I thought maybe we could just grab dinner...."

Lady: "Oh no. No time for that.  I have to get this done.  I just need you to come out because I'll be choosing a spouse by next week.  This wedding has to happen this summer!"

Gentleman: "Being this is such a big decision, don't you think you should maybe learn a little about me before I come out?"

Lady: "Look, I really just want to set as many of these appointments as possible.  I have Wed and Thursday open right now.  Which is best for you?"  

Does this seem absolutely insane to you?  Maybe because it is!  But this is exactly how many sign shoppers approach their LED Sign project.  

So What's The Problem?

The problem is that whether you want it or not, you will have a significant relationship with your sign dealer, and it's not all that different from a marriage.  You will live with this sign till death or relocation do you part, right?  

The Sign Buyer who is only interested in getting quotes, without investing the time to become educated, is setting themselves up for a one night stand.

Tons Of Companies Are Up For A One-Night Stand

Don't get me wrong.  There's no shortage of companies who are happy scribble down a number, slap the sign in, then disappear into the abyss....just like in the dating world.  But is that what you really want?  Many people don't realize that's exactly what they're attracting when they make these two fundamental mistakes.

The Two Biggest Mistakes of LED Sign Shoppers

Mistake #1: They Don't Take Time To Educate Themselves

Information is power.  This is just as true with LED Signs as with anything else.  Time and time again we've seen that the educated consumer is the happiest client on earth for the following reasons: 

1.  They are typically delighted with their sign and options

2.  They plan more thoroughly

3.  They invest every dollar of their project wisely

Mistake #2:  They Make Decisions Based Solely On Price

Price is a huge factor, but basing your decision based on price alone is like walking down the isle with the most "attractive" person regardless of their character.  So if price isn't everything, what else is there?  

Ironically, its seems that the same qualities that make for a great spouse also make for a great sign dealer. 

4 Qualities Of Great Sign Dealers...and Spouses

1.  They Put You First

2.  They Are Only Interested in A Long Term Relationship

3.  They Work to Constantly Improve Themselves

4.  They Keep No Secrets 

This begs the question, how can you tell the good from the bad?...or more likely the differences between good, better, and best?

There are several ways.  First, check references.  Second, check the BBB and other public forums.  Third, follow your gut...sometimes you get that feeling and personally, I've always done better to follow it. 

So, you might be wondering, 'What is the right way to go about getting a quote?'.  Great question, here's what we suggest:

5 Stages of Sign Courtship

Step One: Determine what sign is right for you

Step Two: Study the options and accessories

Step Three: Vet the sign dealer

Step Four: Request a quote

Step Five:  Sure up the Numbers

Well, hopefully you've found this helpful.  If you are considering installing a LED Sign this year, we wish you the best in finding the sign dealer equivalent of Mr. or Mrs. Right!

Please feel free to leave questions or comments below.

LED Displays and Their Economic Impact

Take a good look around and you can see that more and more businesses are turning to LED signs as their on-premise signage. It is enough to make you wonder what the point is and if these do indeed help communicate with potential customers better than traditional advertising methods to improved store performance. 

It has to be said that some business generally like high-traffic locations. These are the kinds of businesses that make use of message boards as a way to inform potential customers about where they are and what they have to offer. Take for instance businesses like gas stations that use signs to indicate petrol prices and advertise promos and products. Car dealers also make use of supplemental signs as a way to tell the public about their services and offers. The reason they do so is that informing the public of such information is integral to the success of their business as it helps increase traffic and sales.

Electronic Message Boards and Their Benefits

It is plain to see then that the true value of a highly-visible or corner location rests on the ability of a business to make use of signs to draw in potential customers. This is where electronic message boards come into play – they can be controlled to make sure that the most relevant messages are displayed to the public at a moments notice. The best part is they can be customized to provide messages with information that is vital to the target market of the business any time of day.

Traditional reader boards used to come with plastic letters that had to be changed manually by employees every time they change the message on the board. They worked out well enough though the letters did have a tendency to fly off when the wind and rains came down too hard; they would also be frequent victims of vandals. Repairing the damages and changing the message was time consuming plus maintaining consistency across chain retailers could be very messy and extremely tough to maintain. It is plain to see why most business breathed a sigh of relief when the electronic message boards came into existence and gained widespread use in business.

Benefits for Business and Communities

Back in 2011, Freeborg, Moeller, and Drury came out with a report entitled “EMC and Digital Sign Issues.” In the report, they pointed out a wide range of community and business impacts that would come with the use of electronic message boards. For businesses specifically, the major benefits include a more pronounced ease in the changing of the messages which means that businesses are more efficient when it comes to respond to the needs of their prospective customers. It also enhanced the ability of businesses to add images to their messages which also help to increase sales.

When it came to communities, they listed even more benefits, such as the increase of tax revenues that are brought about by increased business sales. These signs also work to improve business viability and this means the signs can bring about a reduction in blight and vacancies in community areas. There have been some concerns about digital message boards and accidents on the road but so far, the fear is misplaced, according to 5 major studies conducted between 2007 and 2010.

Good Practices to Add Years to Your LED Display

Most experts will tell you that digital sign boards and other LED-based signs are as sturdy as anything and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear, especially since they are outside and exposed to nature’s mood swings. You know how it can be blistering hot one day and raining cats and dogs the next, complete with winds that could blow a house apart. Aside from nature’s weather follies, there are a number of other factors that could wreak havoc with the circuits and general well-being of your digital LED signs.

There really is no major different between a digital sign solution and other pieces of circuitry in that they all have parts and components that are susceptible to damage from lack of maintenance, accumulation of dirt and moisture, etc. If you look at it closely, there are really so many things that can affect the efficiency and well-being of your digital signs, but this does not mean that you should just sit back and let the damage happen. After all, it is not like you are completely powerless and there are some things you can learn that will help you take care of your sign boards. A little bit of know-how and some time and effort on your part can save you from a world of pain and prevent your digital signs from going on the blink.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Have a look at some basic care and maintenance tips below that you can apply to your LED signs. They really are quite simple and can save you from hundreds of dollars in repair fees as well as days or even weeks of aggravation.

• Regular cleaning – A layer of dirt can do a number on your signs and not just because it can make the sign look ugly. Dirt can move inside inside the display and cause untold damage. To prevent this, ensure that you schedule a cleaning for your LED signs every couple of weeks. When you do this, most dust and dirt that can cause damage to your signs are cleaned away. When you clean your signs, make sure you clean from corner to corner and really get into all the little nooks and crannies. It is okay if you can't get all the dirt out but it helps to get as much of it off as you can.
• Regular maintenance – There is no getting around the fact that every system demands maintenance from time to time. This is especially true for equipment that are made to stay outdoors. What you can do is schedule maintenance work every several months so that an expert can check for loose or damaged parts and make any replacements when necessary. Maintenance can also include repainting or just judging the state of the circuits and the LED diodes.

If you want your LED signs to stay in tiptop shape and if you want to avoid the aggravation that comes with repair fees and the lack of signage for your business, you owe it to yourself to spend a few moments caring for your investment by following the tips listed above. 

Sign Codes and Traffic Safety

It is common practice for city planners to use sign codes that are developed by other cities (and therefore do not have real bearing to their own cities) or they make use of extremely strict rules because they believe signs are “eyesores” and will cause injuries and accidents by distracted drivers.

This is really not the case especially when good signage is installed. After all, not all signs are created equal and some are just better than others. There are simply some signs that are built better and designed better so they still convey the right message but are easy on the eyes and never distracting. These signs were made with the city’s needs in mind and are made to direct and grab attention but never distract.

Static Signs of the Yester-year

For generation upon generation, signs have been static. They really only ever displayed one message and some of them would carry the same signs and messages for years. However, leaps and bounds made in technology used for information display in recent years have changed that and business owners and city planners can now opt for digital signs. These signs are particularly useful when used as on- and off-premise signs for businesses. These on-premise signs have the ability to display a wide variety of messages so they allow a business to really “talk” to old and potential customers alike.

These digital signs represent a massive shift and advancement in communication technology that have an impressive ability to deliver valuable marketing information to customers. After all, there is nothing quite like an attractive sign that you can use to convey to potential customers why they need to do business with you. You can use the signs to tell them about new deals and promos as well as advertise brand new products on display and for sale within the hour.

Traffic Concerns and LED Signage

There is no denying that such signs can bring a world of good to business but some groups have their concerns about such signs especially when it comes to traffic safety and business signs that change content in a regular basis. These groups state that drivers might get distracted seeing as they might feel the need to take their eyes off the road and read what new message these business signs have put up for them instead.

These safety concerns are usually addressed by way of local regulations concerning electronic LED sign boards; they might limit or prohibit the use of these on-premise signs. The fact of the matter is that these regulations mostly stem from the local level and there is no scientific research data or national based surveys and research that support the implementation of such regulations.

In fact, what these city planners and city managers fail to take into account is that their static signs might just be doing more harm than good. To put it plainly, signs do NOT distract drivers or cause accidents - it is small or hidden signs that are the real culprits for road accidents among other reasons.

For businesses that are having issues with sign codes in your respective cities, you may pay a visit to the United States Sign Council. They have lots of information that you can use to counter bad sign codes in your city.

LED Signs for Auto Dealerships

These days, marketing has evolved into something else, and as always, the Internet is to blame. With the rising popularity of the Internet for almost every entertainment need, the TV and the radio have lost their former marketing glory. TV commercials don’t get viewed as often as they used to because it’s more convenient to recorded television shows. The radio industry has suffered a similar fate with the popularity of subscription radio services and mobile devices. Newspapers have struggled to stay afloat, reducing publication frequency and weathering the decline of circulation. People prefer taking out their tablets and reading the news from the Internet.

What does this have to do with auto dealership? It means that traditional advertising won’t work as well as it used to, and that it’s important to look for alternatives. One effective alternative is using outdoor electronic display or LED sign advertising. In fact, LED sign advertising is more cost-effective than other forms of advertising. There’s no need to put in numbers and other geeky marketing data here, but LED sign advertising, like that which is offered by LED Sign Authority, has been proven to be cheaper per thousand impressions or CPM. This is the kind of advertisement people see without intending to. They’re probably just driving to work, and then they see your LED sign and say, “Oh, that’s a nice offer.”    

The LED Sign Authority Displays we offer to auto dealerships ensure that you get to showcase your monthly, weekly, and even daily specials and also be able to highlight community activities that increase floor traffic. What makes LED Signs different from traditional advert media and campaigns is that things can be changed very quickly. There is no need  to take weeks or even months to plan an ad campaign because digital messages that really speak to potential buyers can be loaded in mere minutes.

Auto dealers can further increase the return on investment of their LED signs by using them to market the high-margin services they offer. With the flexibility of these LED signs, dealers have the ability to display different and multiple messages within the day about offers that customers may be unaware of. It will be a significant opportunity to make customers know about service department specials, customer loyalty programs, special financing opportunities, rental cars, and specific vehicles.

Benefits of LED Sign Advertising

The benefits of LED signs go far beyond just increasing recognition and awareness in prospective buyers but go as far as saving you money. Since they are energy efficient, they also lower operating costs in comparison to obsolete bulb signs. Outdoor electronic displays eat up less electricity, which means you will enjoy significantly lower operating costs, thus yielding a better return on investment. High quality LED signs are cost-efficient and may even qualify you for rebates from your local power companies. 

Purchasing an LED Sign

Not all outdoor electronic displays are of the same quality though. It’s important to do a lot of research about LED sign companies before choosing one. Some important details to know are what warranty they offer, how good their customer service is, how they work with repairs, what after sales services they provide, and of course, the price range of their products. Doing your homework is important if you don’t want to blow your marketing budget on an outdoor electronic display that doesn't do the job. An LED sign is indeed a powerful tool but it will only be as good as the services that come with it. Before you buy anything, make sure you have all your bases covered and that you have asked the right questions.

How Fire Departments Can Finance a LED Sign

FEMA offers the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) each year to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations including equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. Fire department personnel who have questions about the AFG Program can reach the Program staff by telephone at 1-866-274-0960, or by e-mail at firegrants@dhs.gov. Go to their site to sign up for grant email alerts. http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant-program-info/assistance-firefighters-grants-e-mail-alert-signup Also check with the US Forest Service, Rural Housing Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as private groups like the First Responder Institute for other grants available.

Maltese Cross LED Sign

Increase Campus Safety with LED Emergency Notification Displays

The April 2007 Virginia Tech shootings which claimed the lives of 33 people, including the gunman's, had a chilling effect on the higher education community, but also compelled many of the nation’s school districts to take another look at their K-12 security strategies and explore improvements to their emergency notification systems.  Virginia Tech was faulted by the Department of Education for violating the Clery Act and not informing students and faculty that a shooting had occurred until two hours after the event. Following this tragedy, Virginia Tech installed over 330 LED signs campus wide in libraries, classrooms, dorms, hallways, and other common areas.with the ability to provide daily messages as well as mass notifications in an emergency

Your campus's safety and security can change in a second. You can respond quickly with mass notification LED displays to broadcast safety concerns, terrorism alerts, severe weather alerts, news, and any other emergency announcements within seconds. Systems are self-contained and fully operational regardless of Internet connectivity or cellular network availability. Displays can provide flashing, visible alerts as well as audible alerts to direct the attention of students, faculty and staff to the displayed messages.  The visual mass notification reaches out to everyone within your campus. A fire erupts in the middle school cafeteria. A suspicious stranger is reported lurking on the grounds of the high school. Or in an extreme case, a crime suspect on school grounds puts everybody in the building in danger. When an emergency strikes, these systems allow officials to immediately notify everyone involved with real-time information and instructions on what they should do.

LED Signs Posted Campus Wide

Benefits of Mass Notification LED Displays

• Rapid mass notification of campus population
• Color coding of messages is possible
• Capable of flashing urgent messages
• Provides messaging when mobile coverage is unavailable
• No need for users to register
• No user cost
• Centrally synchronized clocks
• Operates even when the system is down

Message Types used in LED Mass Notification

• Security Danger
• Weather Alerts
• Severe Storm Warnings
• Tornado/Hurricane
• Current Weather & Temperature
• Shelter Locations
• Facility Locations
• Fire Alarm
• Gas Leak
• Class Cancellations
• News & Events
• Morale Boosting Messages
• City, State, & National News
• Department Announcements
• There are no limitations to the types of messages and possible uses around your campus.

Emergency Messages

A LED mass notification system, which links a school technology infrastructure with a comprehensive emergency response strategy, can save lives. LED Sign Authority provides a complete line of indoor Mass Notification LED Displays.

Fiber Optic LED Sign Communication

Fiber Optics is a communication method using a fiber optic cable that utilizes light instead of electrical impulses to send information from the computer to the LED sign. A signal converter is required on the computer and also at the LED sign to change the signal to light and then back to an electrical pulse. This system is very robust for noise immunity, which means the speed can be very fast over long distances. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232. The Key difference between Fiber Optic and Ethernet is the distance is better with Fiber Optic.

When should I use it?

• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Installation cost is not an issue.
• Need access to the sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 2.5 miles.
• When communication reliability is mandatory and installation costs are not a factor

Benefits:

• Long distance capability up to 2.5 miles between stations
• Files load quickly to sign.
• Ethernet networks are common
• Immune to electromagnetic interference

Considerations:

• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.
• Can be expensive to run and repair if damaged.

Wireless Ethernet LED Sign Communication

Ethernet/wireless is sometimes called WiFi or 802.11. It is Ethernet over an RF network and uses off the shelf RF equipment bought at the local computer stores (similar to the wireless used on your laptop). Typically there is data encryption or Key’s used to access the network to prevent Hackers accessing the network. In utilizing this type of network, initially there is some setup involved to get the LED sign talking with the master transmitting unit . The distance for the device is limited to 100 feet or less and the broadcast antenna must be located outside the building to be effective. The speed of the network is very good and is suitable for movie and picture files.

When should I use it?

• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Need access to the LED sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Direct wire cable methods can not be used due to High installation costs
• Excessive RF interference is not present at the LED sign or the transmitter location. This can be caused by Cell phone towers, radio stations, TV stations, wireless handsets and numerous other wireless devices prevalent on the market today.

Benefits:

• Direct wire cable is not required reducing installation cost.
• Ethernet networks are common
• Multiple signs can be controlled from single network
• Files load quickly to sign.

Considerations:

• Installer should be familiar with computer networks to link the network to the signs IP address.
• Clear “Line of Site” (no buildings or metal walls between access points) required between transmitter and receiver. 
• Connectivity and performance and subject to interference by many factors such as: obstructions (such as: weather, uneven terrain, large metal structures, water towers, trees, vehicles, radio signals) in between the sign antenna and the transmitter, distance between the antennas, position of the antennas, etc. A site survey is strongly recommended before installation.
• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.

Ethernet TCP/IP LED Sign Communication

Ethernet is a wired communication method allowing an Ethernet communication card (installed in your computer) to communicate with the LED display over a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN). TCP/IP over Ethernet network is another term used for this. Ethernet is a very fast communication method. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred to a LED sign in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232.

When should I use it?

• Ethernet Network is already available (LAN or WAN).
• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Need access to the LED sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 300 feet.

Benefits:

• Cable is inexpensive 
• Ethernet networks are common
• Multiple signs can be controlled from single network
• Files load quickly to sign.

Considerations:

• Installer should be familiar with computer networks to link the network to the signs IP address.
• Recommended for distances less that 300 feet
• Will need to be able to run a CAT5 cable between the sign and network connection. The may be obstacles in the way such as sidewalks or parking lots.
• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.

What is RS232 LED Sign Communication?

How you communicate with your sign is an important factor in setting up your sign system. One of the most common methods for indoor scrolling LED signs that typically display only  text messages is RS232.  

RS232 is a cable method for connecting a display directly to a computers serial com port using a 9 pin plug. The serial port on a PC is a full-duplex device, meaning that it can send and receive data at the same time. The RS232 serial interface is a point-to-point communication: one port, one device or one computer, one sign. Hence with this method, only one sign can be connected to the computer at any given time. This communication method requires software be installed on the designated computer which will control the messages sent to the sign. It has a maximum distance restriction of 50 feet (15m), but  is a simple connection system that is relatively easy to install and use. 

When should I use it?

• When the distance between the computer running the display software and the display are less than 50 feet (15m).
• When your computer has an available RS232 serial port or you can utilize a USB adapter that converts the USB of your laptop to RS232.
• When temporarily communicating to the sign using a computer or laptop.
• When only sending text files and not picture files, because this method is typically slow for large amounts of data
• When you are interested in a low cost, simple communication method and installation costs are not a factor.

Benefits:

• Easy to use
• Easy to install
• Inexpensive 

Considerations:

• Newer model laptops may not have a serial port which would require the use of a USB to serial port adapter.
• Only one sign can be connected at a time
• Recommended for distances less that 50 feet
• Not recommended for sending movie, picture or large data files.

How Can LED Signs Improve Your Church Message?

Outdoor LED signs are an affordable, state-of-the-art way to communicate church programs and ministry news to the local community. Churches are not just places where people go to attend service- they’re also gathering places where people go to find inspiration. As such, outdoor LED church signs can serve as helpful tools for the entire community and make your church a landmark.  Place Outdoor Electronic displays on; facility monuments, roadside pylons, parking lots, and walkways between buildings to:

• Advertise parish activity schedules of the day/week/month
• Highlight important ideas from church bulletins
• Promote religious spirit and special events
• Welcome new parish members
• Display community involvement and events
• Post Service Times
• Fund Raise
• Display a Verse of the Day or Inspirational Messages
• Display Time & Temperature
• Present Public Service Announcements, Amber Alerts, Etc.

Of course, your LED sign can’t display all these amazing messages for you unless you know how to operate it. Odds are you’re not wanting to spend hours learning to operate a new software program. So look for a LED sign that has easy to use software, or one that can upload messages you create in programs you are already familiar with such as Microsoft PowerPoint or stills and animation images you download online.

Some people are afraid LED signs being turned on for long periods will cause their electric bill to shoot up. Nothing can be further from the truth. Advances in outdoor LED technology provide you with a virtually maintenance-free product. Solid-state LED diodes last for over 100,000 hours of continuous operation, consume less than 1/40 the power and outlast comparable-sized incandescent message centers.

Simply put, LED Signs make it easy to get your Church message out where they will be seen.

Changeable Marquee Sign with Blow Away Letters

You want your business to grow. You have something to sell. Is your marquee business sign communicating this to the traffic driving past your location day after day? Is your message getting noticed? Or is your business being passed by because the old blow away letters are not presenting a professional image. Perhaps it’s time to make a change.

Why do we call them blow away letters? Because they blow away (or get stolen). Another terrible problem is....you never seem to have enough characters. Most changeable letter kits provide more vowels and primary consonants than the lesser used alphabet. But if they give you more of one character it is at the expense of another. Most sign writers resort to being creative and turning their P’s upside down for B’s, or add some black tape to an F to make an E.

What is the solution? 

Here are 2 strategies you can use to eliminate this problem...

1. buy a larger character kit
2. buy an Electronic Message Center and present a professional image.

What can a LED Sign do for your Church?

Do you ever sit down at night and ponder making the switch a LED signs for your church? Maybe you are head of your local parish and your followers have been put you in charge of selecting a  LED display. 

Where do you start? 

Well did you know that a study by the National Evangelistic Association found that "10% of the adults who join American congregations each year decide to visit for the first time after seeing the Church Sign"?  These where not family or friends of current church goers, but complete outsiders. People passing by that had no knowledge of the congregation, but saw the signs message and decided to attend a service. Mass media such as newspapers, flyers and TV ads only brought in a dismal 1.6%.

FACT: 10% of adults attended a congregations service for the first time after seeing a church sign with a clear message.

FACT: 1 in 10 people notice and read a traditional sign while 9 in 10 will notice and read a LED Sign.

We understand that a new church sign is a significant investment for your church. As the leading provider of LED Outdoor Signs in the USA, we have seen first hand how a new church sign can positively impact a church's finances. 

What could be your financial return on your investment in a new church sign?

What if you purchased a new LED sign and for our example spend $15000. In return, attendance increased and two new families joined the congregation each month. With exponential growth and each family contributing $100 each month to the collection plate. In less than one year your LED Sign would be paid for.

Want more information?

Let one of our knowledgeable experts in the industry guide you every step of the way to create a Church Sign that is tastefully made and will serve as community landmark for years to come. 

How to Buy an Outdoor LED Sign

You want to buy an Outdoor LED Sign?  For business owners, it's one of the most important transaction they'll make. That's why doing it right the first time is so important. Sometimes, buying a display can feel like a dizzying set of rules and regulations. Luckily, armed with the right knowledge and know-how, you can start realizing your businesses potential.  There are so many LED display options available, that sometimes it is best to take it step by step. Hope this helps!

1. Survey Your Site

In order to get an understanding for your signage needs it is critical to get the "lay of the land" and determine your locations specific advantages and/or challenges. Take stock of what you location offers. Some things to examine include but are not limited to

• Existing signage
• Distance of signage from the street and viewing distance
• Obstacles in the signs line of site
• Elevation of sign structure
• Lanes of traffic
• Steed of traffic
• Location of utilities

Visit a few signs in the neighborhood to gauge the competition and see firsthand what you want. Pay attention to overall layout, size, color and resolution. 

2. Permit/Zoning Consultation

Research the laws for electronic signs in your area. What, if any are the restrictions? Many towns have specific regulations about the type or size of outdoor signs businesses may erect. If the zoning laws in your area prevent you from installing the type of sign you desire, you may need to apply for a variance to the existing code. Sign companies should be familiar not only with local regulations, but also with the process for applying for a variance. Hiring an experienced sign professional can help you navigate the zoning process saving you time and money.

3. Determine your Budget

Buying an electronic sign need not be a horror. Today's consumer has so much information (at least, the information is available), as to make the experience of buying a sign less stressful. This transformation will occur, however, only if you obey a rule taught to every first-grade student: DO YOUR HOMEWORK. 

• What is you monthly advertising budget? Business owners sometime forget that your sign is first and foremost advertising. Including an electronic sign in your advertising budget may be less sexy than a TV commercial or radio ad, but its twice as smart. Just as all business owners know that advertising is not free. Often times, the budget does not allow us to do all of the advertising we would like so we must carefully consider the various advertising options that are available to us and invest in the advertisement media that makes the most financial sense. When compared to other advertising costs such as radio, newspaper, television and direct mail, an electronic sign is inexpensive. For example, the cost per 1,000 exposures with an electronic sign is only a few pennies a day. In addition, an electronic message center cultivates long term awareness of a business to a local demographic.

• If financing, think about the sort of down-payment you'll be able to afford. Have a general idea in mind. A down payment establishes equity, or ownership, in a sign. That's also money that you don't have to pay interest on. The more of a down payment you're able to make on your  sign, the less money you'll ultimately pay on your sign. Apply to several lenders within a two week period so that the inquiries do not damage your credit report.

• Check out lease options. These often have lower monthly payments that can easily fit into your business's advertising budget. Lease financing adds another source of credit, allowing you to preserve your cash and established borrowing capacity with banks for other needs. Even "soft costs" such as training, shipping, installation, and maintenance agreements can usually be included. In addition your monthly lease payment can be deducted as an operating expense lowering your tax burden.

• As a business owner, you know that signs are not an expense -- they are an investment. Calculate your expected Return on Investment (ROI). How much increased traffic can you expect to gain form a good sign? The Small Business Association (SBA) statistics show that an LED sign increases business between 15 and 150 percent. Put those numbers into a ROI calculator and see how quickly a sign can pay for itself.  Do you expect your income to increase over the next couple years? If your income has increased by 3% for several years in a row and you hold a good share in a safe industry, you can probably rest assured that buying an expensive but still reasonable sign is possible. Many business owners buy relatively expensive and then grow into their lease with the increased traffic.

Before considering the purchase of a LED sign, it is wise to establish the amount you are willing to spend or, if taking a loan, calculate your maximum monthly payment.  You can work out a loan with your bank, but it is also possible to walk into a sign company with financing already secured through a lease company.  Leasing options can generally be obtained without having to indicate a specific make or model of sign ahead of time. 

Don't forget to consider the costs of tax, permits, installation and training for your new outdoor LED sign. As a very broad, general rule, and depending upon where you live, freight, tax, permits, assorted fees and installation costs will add roughly 10 to 20 percent to the purchase price. This makes the price of a $30,000 sign actually about $36,000 and, if you're financing the deal, you will be paying interest on that additional amount. You should be able to afford the sign as well as its installation costs. It always pays to shop around, so check rates with other lenders to compare. 

4. Use Helpful Internet Tools

There is a lot of information available on the internet but, many professionals will tell you, most buyers simply don't use that available information to their best advantage. To help, we've developed a Buyers Guides for refining your search. Contact us and we will be happy to email one to you.  Another useful area of information will be the various websites for other manufacturers. Often, you can learn specifics about the features of that manufacturer's signs. 

5. Research the Right Sign

Many professionals will tell you that this is where huge numbers of buyers make their biggest mistakes. They don't buy the sign that is best for their needs, but instead get side tracked on price by taking the position that you must have the best deal possible. That sign will be worth what you pay for it, on that day, at that time, and sales managers, particularly those at larger sign companies, tend to have very accurate reads on current market conditions and therefore sign valuations. If you deceive yourself into comparing apples and oranges and placing the same value on both, it will only lead to difficulties later.

Figuring out how much you want to spend was the easy part; now you have to find the sign that's right for you. Most buyers (yes, most), are not really sure what's out there or even what they need and want. Start to think about what you're really looking for in a sign. You probably already have a vague idea, but the angel's in the details. There are a couple things in particular that you should give good thought to:

• First, think about the distance the average viewer will be from the sign. In addition, factors such as as traffic speed, sign height, size and resolution can affect how easily the sign can be viewed.

• What will your business need in several years? Maybe you're just starting up right now, but are there are plans for expansion in the future?

• What tradeoffs are you willing to make? In other words, what are your priorities and what are you willing to compromise on? Do you need a workhorse more than a sign with state of the art technology? Do you care more about sign size over color? Full color LED signs can be more effective for some applications but not all. If you sell insurance there are probably no color pictures that will help you sell your product and text messages will work very effectively. But if you sell cars, color pictures can help you sell and may justify the added cost. What are you willing to sacrifice when it's crunch time?

6. Find a Good Sign Company. 

The sign representative should be: amiable, open, interested, relaxed, confident, and qualified. Learn the representatives experience, and training. A very good sign company will use their experience to sell the right sign to the right buyer — you.

• When you do find your company, go into detail when describing what you want in a sign — type, size and resolution. What you want to display and your locations needs. You site survey should help with this.
• Choose a sign company that specializes in the electronic signs. LED signs have special issues that require special expertise. You will often find faster turnaround, higher quality execution, and better pricing when working with such a company. Working with people who are particularly knowledgeable about the issues surrounding a given application and circumstances can save you time and money.
• Where are their signs made? Is it a USA made product sold through a network of factory trained dealers that can assist you before and after the sale with local support. Is it built by American workers familiar with the local codes and marketplace. Or is it an import where fabrication methods, software and support may be questionable.
• What communication method do you need? There are many different ways to communicate with your electronic message center. Understanding the requirements of the LED display in this regard will help in choosing the right technology for your application. Some installations may have specific requirements. Your sales representative should be able to help you select the method will work best for your application and experience.

Talking to an LED sign professional for help you find the the right sign for your company.

• Call Toll Free 1-800-282-0950
• Fill Out Our Easy Online Financing Form
• Free No Obligation Consultation

With that, good luck, good shopping and good business.

Special Tips

Allow for Updates if Needed - If you expect to upgrade in the future, look for a design that is easy to update or change. In many cases, updates can even be made by your staff instead of returning the sign to the manufacture.

Consider Stock Signs - Although most Electronic message centers are custom made, it is possible to find pre-made LED signs. Buying stock LED signs can be much cheaper than having a sign custom-made.

Be Prepared to Wait During the Summer - Sign companies are generally busiest during the summer. Expect longer turnaround times during this time of the year.

What You Need to Install a Sign

Most states require that hardwired electric signs and/or neon be installed by a State Licensed Sign Specialist. To qualify for a license they must be at least 18 years of age, have over 4,000 hours of experience, obtained over a period of not less than 2 years, related to manufacture, installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring, and must take and pass the Sign Specialist examination.

The sign specialist is actively in charge of and responsible for code compliance of all installations, connection, and repair of electric signs and related wiring. To ensure your sign permitting goes smoothly and your electric sign is installed properly, ask if your sign contractor employ's a Licensed Sign Specialist.

Selecting Content for Your Electronic Display

In this day and age age where competition among businesses and other institutions is fierce, an electronic display may be just what you need to help you stand out from the crowd. Electronic displays will make sure that people notice or even discover your business. The Small Business Association notes that a new LED sign can turn your location into a landmark. Wouldn't you want your business to be the focal point in town all the while letting people know what your company is about with eye catching messages? Besides, LED displays are so easy to program that you can pretty much get your message out at the drop of a hat. Communication is the key when it comes to good business and electronic displays are the most cost efficient way for you to do just that.

What do you say?

Indeed, the ability of these electronic displays to convey messages to an audience is truly remarkable but it does give some a dilemma such as what to advertise on a display. It might seem rather daunting but it is far easier than you think. Check out some suggestions below:

• For banks and other financial institutions, you can use your electronic signage to display current interest rates or exchange rates. Remind customers that they offer vehicle financing, sell saving bonds or that the drive thru is open.
• Convenience stores can advertise specials, show fuel prices, or give a holiday greeting.
• Restaurants can use these signs to display their menu items in full color that will leave customers drooling. In the morning rush hour feature breakfast specials, in the evening feature dinner specials. Schedule your messages to suit the time of day.
• Cinemas can use their displays to show movie times and ticket prices or announce coming movies.
• Auto dealers may use these signs to display their new arrivals, promote their auto repair services or make a public service announcement.

That said, when you invest in an electronic display you improve communication and connect with people right on your doorstep. That can do a lot to drive business through your front door.