When you tug on emotions with vehicle graphics it’s one of the most effective ways to reach consumers and leave a lasting impression. Advertising has always taken advantage of appealing to the emotions of consumers. People seldom make buying decisions based on logic alone. They choose a product or service based on an emotional appeal or connection and then justify the decision with logic.
Sentimental television ads move us, the fear of missing out motivates us to act, and we’re greedy to take advantage of a special offer. But how do you create emotion on a vehicle graphic? How do you really tug on emotions with vehicle graphics?
To answer that question, let’s look at 4 ways to tug on emotions with vehicle graphics.
4 Ways to Tug on Emotions with Vehicle Graphics
Creating the FOMO
FOMO, the fear of missing out. People are motivated to act when they believe they will gain a benefit or avoid a loss. An online retailer might show how many items remain in stock or set a countdown on a special offer. They could promote early-bird discounts or show what a consumer missed out on after an offer closed to motivate the prospect to act on the next offer.
There are tons of examples of using the fear of missing out in vehicle graphics. The food industry is an excellent example. Food trucks wrapped with appetizing images of their offerings, semi-trailers hauling fresh fruit and vegetables that aren’t 53-foot of blank space but show those fruits and vegetables, and restaurants that share photos of their catering, all create a fear of missing out in consumers.
Any business can share the problems they solve with images and a few words. A heating and cooling company that offers 24/7 emergency service and then shows an image of a family huddling together in a freezing home certainly creates emotion.
A pest control company showing a technician disposing of gruesome bugs in your home, a business advertising a guaranteed price, or free if not on time, can all create a FOMO response from potential customers. 
Here’s an example of a strong FOMO message on a vehicle wrap for Winslow Hypnosis. This wrap saves lives by making an emotional appeal. They help people quit smoking.
Building Trust with Vehicle Graphics
Someone once told me that we’re all looking for people (and businesses) we can trust. There may be nothing more important to a business’s success than building trust.
Online retailers offer 100% money-back guarantees, promote free trials of their products, and still others, use transparency to create trust.
Your fleet could display everything mentioned in the previous paragraph on a vehicle. If your organization offers those promotions, you probably should include them in your vehicle graphic design. However, if you don’t, there are other ways to create trust on a vehicle graphic. Have you won awards, been certified, or represent a well-known brand? If so, share it on your vehicles.
How long have you been in business? For example, TKO Graphix has been helping organizations with fleet graphics for 35 years. We’re proud to have served so many businesses for so many years, and that builds trust.
You could also use statistics such as more than 1,000 served or a 5-star Google review rating. You could even share one or two customer testimonials, and one of the best ways to build trust using vehicle graphics is to show real human faces.
Share the Benefits with Vehicle Graphics
Marketing and salespeople often get the benefits of a product or service confused with what the product or service is. They only share the product and what it does . However, people don’t buy because of what something is, they buy because of what it does for them. For example, a gutter helmet company might promote “Never clean your gutters again!” A replacement window business with tilt-in windows could use “No More Ladders.” What could your business share? How could you tug on emotions with vehicle graphics?
Here are three excellent examples of sharing benefits on fleet graphics.
Speedy Café, “Fresh Fast Fun!“
Need a snack, cup of coffee, or cola? Do you want your treat to be stale, slow, and dull? No, of course not! You want it fresh, fast, and fun. The alliteration of words is always nice too and makes it easy to remember.
Curbside Clips “Let Us Come To You!”
Okay, so do you want to wrangle your pet into a crate while trying to calm their anxiety, and then deal with other animals at the groomers shop or let the groomer come to you? It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it?
Corner Bakery “You Click We Cater.”
If you’re in charge of catering an event, whether it’s home, work, or church, you most likely have a lot on your plate. Catering is just one of the boxes to check on your event to-do list. So, anything that makes it easier to order catering is a good find.
Pro Tip: Sharing the benefits with emotional images of your product is a win-win.
Having Fun with Vehicle Graphics
So, who doesn’t like to have fun? It may be the most positive of all emotions. When we’re having fun, we think good thoughts, and if your fleet vehicles are fun, people most likely will think good things about you and your business. There are plenty of ways to have fun with video, print, and banner ads, but what about vehicle graphics? How can you have fun with vehicle graphics?
To begin with, fun doesn’t have to be funny. It can be, but it isn’t necessary. For example, I love Brown County, Indiana. If you haven’t been there, it is one of the premier destinations for viewing fall foliage in America. When I see the Brown County Vacation Rentals van it reminds me of all the fun I’ve had there.
TKO Graphix wrapped Santa’s jeep! It’s his official last-mile transportation. I was privileged to spend some time with Santa and his vehicle, and I can tell you he spreads cheer wherever he goes. If that isn’t fun I don’t know what is!
This bright pink, polka-dot van will put a smile on your face. Who doesn’t love cupcakes?
Is your business fun? What could you share about your organization that would make people smile? Because if you bring a smile to people’s faces, they’ll remember you.
We Can Help You Tug on Emotions with Vehicle Graphics
There are more emotions you could stir with your vehicle graphics, such as leadership, values, surprise, joy, and pride. When people make an emotional connection with your vehicle graphics, you make a lasting impression with your audience, and isn’t that what advertising should do?
If you’d like to explore how to tug on emotions with vehicle graphics, we can help. We have a team of outstanding creative vehicle graphic designers that know how to bring out the best in your vehicle graphics.
If we can answer any questions, don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
TKO Graphix is a national fleet and vehicle graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service graphics solutions such as design, digital printing, screen printing, installation and removal of fleet graphics, vehicle graphics, and commercial graphics.
