Top Mistakes to Avoid During Media Buying for Outdoor Ads

Running an outdoor campaign can be incredibly rewarding—if executed correctly. However, the process of media buying for outdoor ads is often where brands make costly errors. From poor location choices to rushed vendor deals, small missteps can lead to big losses in visibility, impact, and budget.

At MyHoardings, we’ve managed campaigns across India for brands of every scale, and we’ve seen firsthand how the right buying decisions lead to strong returns. Here are the most common mistakes advertisers make during outdoor media buying—and how to avoid them.

1. 📍 Choosing the Wrong Location

Location is everything in outdoor advertising. Yet many advertisers pick sites based on price or convenience rather than audience relevance. A hoarding on a quiet road might cost less, but if it doesn’t get enough footfall or vehicular traffic, your message gets wasted.

Tip: Choose locations based on your target audience’s movement patterns, not just visibility or cost.

2. 🕓 Booking Too Late

OOH media inventory fills up quickly—especially in high-demand areas and during peak seasons (festivals, elections, sales, etc.). Brands that delay booking often end up compromising on quality or overpaying for last-minute space.

Tip: Start the media buying process at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially for premium spaces.

3. 🛠️ Ignoring Site Inspection

Trusting vendor photos or mockups without physically inspecting the site can be risky. You might end up with a hoarding that’s partially blocked by a tree, hidden behind another structure, or facing the wrong direction.

Tip: Always request recent geo-tagged photos or have your media agency verify the site in person.

4. 📊 Not Asking for Proof of Display

Without monitoring or proof, there’s no guarantee your ad is actually live—or displayed correctly. Some vendors might delay installations or cut short your display period without notice.

Tip: Insist on geo-tagged images and date-stamped photos. At MyHoardings, we provide end-to-end monitoring reports for complete transparency.

5. 🤝 Failing to Negotiate Properly

Media rates vary widely depending on location, format, and demand. Accepting quoted rates without negotiation can lead to overpaying, especially for multi-site campaigns.

Tip: Work with a media partner who knows the local market and can negotiate bundled rates or added exposure.

6. 🧭 No Audience Targeting Strategy

Blanket outdoor campaigns often result in poor ROI. Without aligning your ad placements with your audience’s behaviors and geography, your campaign becomes more about presence than performance.

Tip: During media buying for outdoor ads, define clear audience parameters—age, occupation, travel routes—and tailor your placements accordingly.

7. 📦 Overlooking Format Variety

Sticking only to hoardings might limit your campaign’s creativity and reach. Many brands forget to diversify using buses, metro panels, airport ads, or digital screens.

Tip: Explore a media mix that blends large formats with transit and digital OOH for stronger brand recall.

🧠 The Smarter Way: Let MyHoardings Handle It

Avoiding these mistakes is easier when you have a team that understands outdoor media inside and out. MyHoardings ensures smart buying decisions through:

• Vendor verification and price benchmarking

• Location audits and audience targeting

• Creative format planning

• Transparent reporting and monitoring

📞 Plan with Confidence

Get expert help avoiding costly errors in your next outdoor campaign.
📧 business@myhoardings.com | 📞 9953847639
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