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How to Create a Promotional Campaign Budget

Creating a budget is an essential part of your campaign journey. You want the most for your money and results that pay off for your brand. Getting costs together can be challenging, so we’ve made it easy by putting all the resources you need in one place.

Here are the steps to getting a price that works, so you can fully commit to your campaign and get things moving.

Budgeting to Plan for a Retail Promotion

Step 1: Explore prices for promotional vehicle hire

Not everyone knows which vehicle to choose, and in many cases, it can come down to the cost of hire. Although getting a number for this is more like a starting point, it's a great way to see if a vehicle-based campaign is right for you.

Start by browsing our promotional fleet, which is one of the largest in the UK. From vintage Airstreams, H-Vans and Piaggio Apes to modern double-deckers and taxis, we have a diverse range available – so we’re confident you’ll find the perfect match.

Once you’ve found one you like, our budget calculator will give you an immediate estimate based on hire days and activation or ‘logistic’ days, excluding VAT.

Try our budget calculator to see if your preferred vehicle is right for you!

The budget calculator, set up to give a quote for Airstream hire

Step 2: Learn how we charge for logistics

We’ll fully wrap your vehicle in your logos and imagery, and provide a driver who can move your vehicle to each venue in the South East, all at no extra cost.

If your campaign is further afield or involves a UK tour, then logistics will cost more because of the extra work involved and the need for hotels and other expenses.

Example: A weekend activation in Birmingham will have 4 logistics days instead of 2 because we’ll drive up the day before, then take the vehicle back the day after your activation.

We recommend seeing how logistics are charged for more info and to learn why some projects naturally cost more than others.

An ice cream van drives past the London Eye

Step 3: See our vehicle design & build process

Once you’ve picked your vehicle and event dates, try to book as early as possible. This gives us time to fully customise its interior based on your requirements, bringing even your most ambitious ideas to life.

We can do this because we have everyone from designers and CAD specialists to in-house carpenters, engineers and metal fabricators. In terms of your budget, we can also find cost-effective ways to create what you need, using affordable materials.

Our vehicle design and build guide explains how our skilled teams build vehicles for brands and provides a look at our reliable three-step process. It also touches on how costs can depend on the project’s scope and your vehicle’s size.

Charlotte Tilbury Airstream

Step 4: Consider the cost of campaign support

Even a simple activation will have a lot of moving parts, and it can take more than just a great vehicle to get people invested. Think about…

  • Locations: Have a particular venue in mind? If so, then you may need us to check that it’s right for your vehicle and what you’d like to achieve. We can consult on your preferred locations or manage the whole booking process, liaising with site owners.
  • Staffing: As the faces of your campaign, event staff must be friendly and always up for a challenge. We have a vast network of experienced staff who’ve worked with our vehicle before and know the challenges of a good campaign.
  • Sampling & fulfilment: If you’re giving out freebies, you’ll need somewhere to stock your products safely until the day you need them. We can store them at the right temperature, deliver them with your vehicle, and restock your event via support van.
  • Content capture: Save the best moments as high-res images and video reels. You could even arrange a landmark tour or pre-event studio day to generate buzz and maximise the rate of return.

Strong support ensures every campaign day is one to remember! Click the link below to see how we charge for these services. You can then add those figures to the estimate from the budget calculator for a better idea of how much you’ll spend.

See our support costs here – Promotional Vehicle Costs and Services, Explained

Tribe Vehicle Campaign Event Staff

Step 5: Add those costs to your campaign plan

Next, put these potential costs into a document or file, as outlined in the 8 steps to prepare for a vehicle-based activation. Despite being rough costs, they can now form the basis for a budget plan or presentation.

If everything’s within budget so far, you could consider making your activation extra special. Gamification, photo moments and immersive elements can be highly cost-effective, or you could contact social media influencers. You’ll find more ideas in our article: How to Supercharge Your Activation

Now put this info into a campaign brief or deck. This will ensure all parties know exactly what’s expected. If you need help, here’s what to include in your vehicle hire brief.

2021 MAC Piaggio 6 SHEIN Easter Bus 11

Start your promotional campaign budget now

Our budget calculator makes it easy to get started. Just head to over to our pricing page (via the link below), choose your vehicle and use the sliders to select your hire and activation period. You’ll get an immediate price for vehicle hire excluding VAT, with the cost of the branded wrap and standard logistics included.

Once you have the costs together, it’s time to reach out to a member of our team. Together, we can build a campaign that takes your brand further than ever!

Check Out Our Budget Calculator