Car Wrap Advertising – Companies Really Pay to Wrap your Car with Ads?
We could all use a little extra money. Whether you have some unexpected expenses or need to start setting aside a little money for an emergency fund. Perhaps, you just want some extra spending cash. Regardless of the reason, you must admit, easy money sounds too good to be true. Take car wrap advertising. Companies actually pay you to wrap your car as a mobile billboard, seriously.
So, How Does Car Wrap Advertising Work?
Here’s how this process works. Companies that want to advertise go through car wrapping brokers to find willing drivers. These brokers recruit online, and through automotive businesses that specialize in car wrapping. If you interested in having your vehicle wrapped, you sign up with one of these advertising agencies.
The first step is giving information about your car and daily driving patterns. The brokers want to know the type of vehicle you drive, your daily commute route, and how many hours a day you spend driving. This is the necessary information that advertisers have to consider. It allows them to find a driver that can actually get the advertisements out to a large enough audience. If you don’t drive much, you may not be eligible for car wrapping.
After you fill out your application, you will be considered. Your information will be entered into their database. When an ad comes along that matches your profile, you will be contacted. Once contacted, they will give you the details of the steps you need to take, the pay, etc. To get the ad on the car, a vinyl auto wrap is used. The material is typically a vinyl decal, but it actually looks like paintwork was applied to your car. Depending on the advertisement, the vinyl may cover part – or even all of your vehicle’s painted surfaces.
What are the Requirements?
Generally, companies look for specific kind of cars and people who commute several hours a day on busy routes. With this said, where you live and drive plays a huge part in whether or not you can get in on this opportunity. To be considered and get paid, you’ll need to meet some requirements. These vary by company, but here are some general requirements you’ll need to be considered:
- You have to be 18 years or older with a current, valid driver’s license.
- Must have a clean driving record.
- You must have car insurance.
- Your car must be kept clean and be undamaged in any way
- Vehicle must be no more than ten years old in most cases
- You have to agree to keep the ad on your car for the entire duration of the contract.
- There may be a minimum millage you have to drive each month, usually between 800 to 1,000 miles.
- You have to either have GPS or agree to install a unit provided by the company. This is so they can keep track of your driving coverage.
- Must be able, and willing, to sign a legal contract.
You will always be notified of any and all requirements before you are given an assignment.
Top 10 Legitimate Car Wrap Advertising Companies
AdsToGo.ca
This is a Canadian based company. Their website lacks specifics on exactly what they offer. They do say, “We offer a money-making opportunity for something you’re already doing.” You must apply to get all the details.
Here’s where to apply: http://www.adstogo.ca
Ads2Go.net
This is different than the Canadian based AdsToGo. This one is based in the United States.
On their website, they state, “We help ADVERTISERS in the USA get Great exposure for their products and services by advertising on other people’s cars! DRIVERS get paid for the same driving they already do! Everybody wins!”
Ads2go gives clients the opportunity to advertise in neighborhoods, parking lots, or in the middle of the busiest highways during rush hour. It brings the best of traditional outdoor media together with the targeting and impact of direct marketing. Their website claims “Ads2go will probably be the most affordable effective advertising you do.” Drivers are given this advice: “Do you want to make bucks every month? If you’re a good driver, have insurance, and your car is NOT a Corvette (magnets don’t stick to fiberglass), you’re probably eligible.”
Apply here: http://www.ads2go.net/
Carvertise
This is one of the most well-known car wrapping companies and was established in 2012. Their website says, “We are an award-winning marketing firm that matches brands with high-mileage car owners who want to drive with an ad decal on their car. Through this mutually beneficial relationship, brands use Carvertise to get their message seen in certain geographic locations while drivers join us to make money for something they already do.”
The company offers partial and full wraps. Partial wraps cover both sides and may include bumper decals. Full wraps include decals on the entire body including all windows except the windshield. Depending on your driving habits and the size of the wrap, the company pays you between $100 and $200 a month via direct deposit. Typical advertising campaigns last between two and six months, the website states.
To qualify, you must drive a 2008-model vehicle or newer, have a clean driving record and commute at least 30 miles per day. Fill out a driver application and sit tight for the company to get back to you when a campaign is available in your area.
“WE BELIEVE THAT the future is owned by brands who adapt quickly, strive for first place, and embrace being different. With cities now relying on rideshare cars for mass transportation, a new global class of vehicles has been created that gives advertisers a new way of reaching their audience. Precise geographical targeting, with large and creative graphics for maximum visual impact, all while being data-driven and trackable; a secret marketing weapon has been created for brands bold enough to be first.” Mac Macleod CEO
Where to apply: https://carvertise.com/drivers/
Carwraps
CarWraps is a Canadian based company. According to their website, “CarWraps.ca is all about Vinyl Wraps: Complete Color Changes, Commercial Wraps, Custom Wraps, Interior Wraps, Accents, Paint Protection Film and others. Making car enthusiast’s cars unique or enhancing large corporation fleet graphics, we love and are proud of what we do!”
They don’t provide many details on what they offer, but you can contact them for information.
Where to apply: http://carwraps.ca/#contact
FreeCarMedia
FreeCarMedia is another solid company that pays you to wrap your car and drive. According to their website, “A rear window advertisement typically pays between $50+ per month. If your entire vehicle is wrapped, you can get paid up to $400 a month.” With this company, you apply, and if you are chosen, they will send you the car wrapping or decals with instructions on how to apply them to your vehicle.
Where to apply: http://freecarmedia.com/new-application
MyFreeCar
Simply sign up to start getting paid up to $400 per month. Complete the application form and you are entered into the driver database. Once your driving stats match a suitable sponsor, you will be contacted to start getting paid to drive. The program is designed for you to drive your normal daily routine. There is no additional driving that you have to do to be in order to be selected for the program. Payments vary depending upon the campaign and the sizeof the advertisement. There are other factors, such as location, model and age of your car as well as mileage driven. Payments are made for each completed month that you advertise. Payments are made typically through PayPal or by check.
Where to apply: http://myfreecar.com/
Nickelytics
Nickelytics is geared toward ride-share drivers who clock 30 miles or more every day. The company uses mileage logs with ride-share apps to ensure you meet the standards. The company provides three different wrap options: Back windshield, light wrap and full wrap. The light wrap includes only doors whereas the full wrap covers the entire body plus the rear window. Depending on the wrap and your mileage, you can earn up to $500 a month.
Your car must be less than ten years old. The majority of your miles need to be logged in one of the company’s eight major markets, which are primarily in Florida, Colorado, Louisiana and Maine.
According to the website, “Nickelytics’ design team will create the wrap and cover all of the associated costs. Rideshare services don’t have a problem with this, so it’s a win-win for people who are already driving for work. We’ll even send out a professional to install the product and remove it whenever you’re finished!”
Where to apply: https://www.nickelytics.com/drive#
PayMeForDriving
This company operates out of the mid-west United States. They are headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. If you live near there, you might want to give them a try. You just fill out the form on their homepage, and they will contact you. The website says: “Thank you for your interest in Pay Me for Drivings mobile advertising program! Simply Fill out the form below completely, your application will be reviewed and when approved with one of our partners, someone will contact you to schedule a time to install the advertisement on your vehicle. Thank You from all of us at Pay Me For Driving!”
Where to apply: http://www.apply.paymefordriving.com
StickerRide
StickerRide is an app that is available in many countries around the world, not just the USA. Instead of having your car wrapped with an advertisement, you will instead have ad stickers applied to your vehicle. The amount of money you can earn with Sticker Ride depends on which campaigns you are chosen for, as well as the miles you log. You will earn points for your mileage, which can then be converted into actual money. Additional points and earnings can also be accumulated by participating in various tasks during your campaign. A task could be as simple as taking a photo of your car in a popular location.
According to the website: “Our app helps you earn money as you drive! Compensate for your vehicle expenses
such as gas, car washes, and parking by driving with us. Ready for more? Take parts in quests and flashmobs to increase your earnings. With StickerRide, each trip becomes an opportunity! Download StickerRide app for iOS or Android and register your car. It is completely safe and we guarantee data confidentiality. You can also calculate your approximate earning level before the registration process. This depends on many factors: car type, location, daily driven miles, etc.”
Wrapify
Wrapify looks like a great company for a newbie to start with. The upfront offer appears to be straightforward and honest with no hype. There are no claims you can make a bunch of money every month, only to find out it is not true when you take the offer. They do say you can make up to $500 a month with them, but that is the high end. On average, you can at least make a few hundred dollars each month. Also, the opportunities are increasing as they are becoming more popular with advertisers.
According to its website, Wrapify operates nationwide and has wrapped more than 250,000 vehicles. “Some cities and regions are much busier than others,” the website states. “Generally speaking, larger cities and towns have higher odds of getting campaigns compared to smaller cities and less crowded towns.” To be considered, you need to be 21 or older; own a 2010 vehicle or newer; drive 50-plus miles per day; successfully complete a background check.
Where to apply: https://drive.wrapify.com/
How to Find More Car Advertising Opportunities
The ten companies listed above are by no means the only choices available. Many car wrap advertising opportunities are in local markets and individual metropolitan areas. The easiest way to find more companies that offer free car media is to contact car wrapping companies in your area. A simple Google search will show you what is available.
You can also keep an eye on Craigslist and local newspapers for these paid opportunities.
How do I get Paid for Advertising on my Car?
How much can you make?
What you can make from car wrapping depends on different factors. For example, the kind of car you drive, your daily driving habits, the routes where you drive each day, and whether the ad covers the whole car or just a small part. Generally, you can expect to earn between $200 to $1000 a month for each car wrap! That’s pretty easy money considering all you have to drive like you normally would.
How much you’ll make by placing ads on your car depends on a few things:
- The company you’re working with
- The length of your contract
- What type(s) of advertising you’ll have on your car
- The company that’s advertising
- How often you drive
- What kind of car you drive and what condition it’s in
- Where you drive
Some people get paid $50 a month, while others can earn up to $1,000. If you qualify, it will still be extra money that you weren’t making before. It doesn’t get much easier than placing some ads on your car and then driving it as you normally would, right?
Free Cars?
There are cases where you don’t even have to use your own car. Sometimes, companies will actually give you an already wrapped car for free. It is known as the “Free Car” promotion.
Basically, the company will lease or purchase a car and wrap it with their own ad. Some companies have a whole fleet of their own vehicles. Applications are carefully screened, looking for eligible drivers who meet their criteria. They will give a wrapped car for free under certain conditions and if you qualify. The advertising company still owns the car, but you get to drive it for free instead of being paid for using your own vehicle. It’s a pretty nice deal – if you qualify.
Unfortunately, “Free Car” advertising is becoming obsolete. Companies now realize paying people a few hundred dollars a month to use their own cars is a much more economical way of advertising.
Beware of Car Wrap Advertising Scams
How to spot a car wrap scam
You might see an ad on a job board or on social media. Often, it starts with an unsolicited contact. Someone might send you a message — maybe because they saw your profile or resume on a job site.
How the scam works
The message says you’ll make a couple hundred bucks. But when the “company” sends you a check, it’s for much more than that — a couple thousand dollars. They tell you to deposit the check, keep part of it as your share, and wire the rest to another company that will wrap your car.
Weeks after you wire the money, the check bounces and your bank tells you it was a fake. The money you kept as “your share” disappears, and the money you wired is long gone — no getting it back. On top of that, you’re on the hook for paying your bank back for the bounced check fees. And, of course, no one’s wrapping your car.
How you can tell it’s a scam
If you get a message urging you to deposit a check and wire money back, it’s a scam. Every time. No matter the story. And if this were a legitimate car wrap opportunity, wouldn’t the company directly pay the car-wrapping vendor, instead of asking you to do it? (www.consumer.ftc.gov)
Can Wrapping a Car Damage it?
Modern cast-vinyl wraps are designed to be long-term removable. This means the adhesive is not permanent and designed to be romoved at some point in the future. The color and laminate coatings are also designed to last for no more than 10 years. Regardless, it’s not fun to remove the vinyl wrap a few years after it was applied. Usually, citrus-based chemicals are used that will dissolve the adhesive and not damage automobile paint. I mean, the material is designed to eventually be removed withoud damaging the car or its paint job, right? Still, it is a good idea to establish at the start who is responsible for the cost of removal.
The Bottom Line
Car wrap advertising is one of the easiest ways you can make extra cash. After all, you’re just driving around like you normally would – only getting paid a few hundred bucks to do it. Obviously, you can’t expect to get rich, but you definitely can make an extra $300 to $500 a month. That’s money you didn’t have before, so it’s cash in your pocket. If you are interested in getting your car wrapped, contact a few of the companies listed above and see what opportunities there have available. Just make sure you are aware of cheats and protect yourself against the scammers.
Car wrap advertising is in no way a primary source of income. However, it is an incredibly easy way to earn extra money, without having to put in extra work. If you live in a big city, or do a lot of driving, you are most likely to get accepted for an advertising campaign. Be patient. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while for a match between you and an advertiser. Car wrap advertising is becoming quite popular. There are more and more people looking to make some extra money by having their cars wrapped for extra cash.