Example of Not for-Profit Persuasive Messaging

One of the most infamous athletes of our generation, Tim Tebow has drawn his fair share of fans and enemies. One select group of fans, however, went to an extreme level, funding a billboard in Jacksonville — Tebow’s home state — urging the team owners and coaches to “Start Tim Tebow”. We can’t really draw a verdict as to if the billboard was a success or waste of money, but Tebow did end up starting for the Broncos. If it did lead to his starting role, here are a few reasons why this is an effective, yet very simple, example of persuasive messaging:

First, it’s a huge billboard, on a major highway outside of Jacksonville. As a result, many people can see it. It raises public awareness towards the issue. And to a good portion of Floridians, this is an important topic. Tebow was nothing short of a hero as a student-athlete at Florida.

Secondly, the billboard gets right to the point, there’s no questioning the opinion of those behind the message. They want Tebow to start, and they’re not ashamed to push this platform to all the drivers on the major bypass.

Thirdly, and finally, the simplicity of the advertisement is a feat that can easily be overlooked, but one we shouldn’t fail to recognize. There’s no name of the advertisers, no one to take credit for the billboard. It’s only the text, a picture of Tebow, and a white background. Without anything to detract or distract from the message, we get the point quickly. And for good reason: drivers can probably only look at the billboard for a few seconds before returning their gaze to the road. As a result, the message has to be succinct. Clearly, it is.