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Do yard signs work?

by J50
20 replies
I'm started to become interested in yard signs, and think there's big potential in them. For a low-medium trafficed area say 100-150 cars a day, how many phone leads a week would you expect to generate for a local service business?

Does anyone have long term experience with this kind of marketing? Please share your experiences with us!

Thanks.
#signs #work #yard
  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by J50 View Post

    I'm started to become interested in yard signs, and think there's big potential in them. For a low-medium trafficed area say 100-150 cars a day, how many phone leads a week would you expect to generate for a local service business?

    Does anyone have long term experience with this kind of marketing? Please share your experiences with us!

    Thanks.
    First, many cities and communities have regs about yard signs, and may not be permitted. The ones that do regulate signs, they have certain allowances...

    which is why you see the ROOFING JOB done by signs in front of a home, in this area, they are allowed 30 days to display that sign. You won't see any signs like Joe's Oil Change at end of street...

    because most cities are very strict on signage, and IT IS a revenue source with fees and permits.

    So first thing, check your local laws. No sense paying a fine larger than what the income would be from it.

    Even political yard signs have a short life span, depending on the city.

    There is a reason you don't see yards full of advertising.

    GordonJ
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  • Profile picture of the author TaxMaster
    Right that was my sentiment. I see them all of the time when contractors provide services to people like roofing, paving driveways etc, but I don't know where/how you would be able to just get away with a sign like that for something unrelated. Although garage sale signs run rampant everywhere? Maybe that's a look the other way sort of deal.
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by TaxMaster View Post

      Right that was my sentiment. I see them all of the time when contractors provide services to people like roofing, paving driveways etc, but I don't know where/how you would be able to just get away with a sign like that for something unrelated. Although garage sale signs run rampant everywhere? Maybe that's a look the other way sort of deal.
      It isn't yet rampant, but, many cities are passing ordinances requiring a garage/yard sale to get a permit.

      Some folks have an ongoing garage sale, and it is (was) a way to get around a business license...as some are buying in bulk, like pallets of returns to put in their garage sales.

      Also, many of those "We buy ugly houses" and or "Make Money Call" signs stuck on telephone poles are getting fined, as more and more smaller/medium cities continue to need new revenue sources.

      Knee jerk reaction from all places struggling, raise taxes/fees/licenses. Find a way to take from the people, even more than they do already.

      ONE way to use signage to boost interest, is through a Co-Op venture, where the sign is posted inside or in the window of a business. Example: Dry Cleaners with flyers/signs for Alterations/Shoe Repair. Shoe guy has sign for Dry Cleaners. Stand in between, make some moolah.

      GordonJ
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      • Profile picture of the author Ron Lafuddy
        Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

        It isn't yet rampant, but, many cities are passing ordinances requiring a garage/yard sale to get a permit.

        Some folks have an ongoing garage sale, and it is (was) a way to get around a business license...as some are buying in bulk, like pallets of returns to put in their garage sales.

        Also, many of those "We buy ugly houses" and or "Make Money Call" signs stuck on telephone poles are getting fined, as more and more smaller/medium cities continue to need new revenue sources.

        Knee jerk reaction from all places struggling, raise taxes/fees/licenses. Find a way to take from the people, even more than they do already.

        ONE way to use signage to boost interest, is through a Co-Op venture, where the sign is posted inside or in the window of a business. Example: Dry Cleaners with flyers/signs for Alterations/Shoe Repair. Shoe guy has sign for Dry Cleaners. Stand in between, make some moolah.

        GordonJ
        Yes, they are but they have always been, as well.

        Some of us can remember when New York City almost went broke in the mid 70's. And, them boyz were even taxing "air rights" at the time.

        Many communities are crying about money. But, when one observes the size and scope of their "enforcement" and "security"operations, we see that money itself is not the issue but HOW it is being used.

        Speaking about signs, years ago, a wayward malcontent (who will remain nameless) put up "Cash for Houses" signs around town. He worked at night, the varmint, bolting his large metal signs into wooden utility poles. making them nearly impossible to remove.

        The local authorities attempted to track him down, using the phone number on his signs. They discovered that the service terminated to an empty building where an answering machine had been set up. One that could be accessed remotely.

        Tracking the name on the account records with the phone company, turned up a defunct business. The owner was long dead. The P.O. Box where the phone bills were delivered to, was also under the name of the defunct business.

        Hmmmmmm...

        A "country lady" lives and works in a rural community that requires a business permit to run a business out of the home. She runs her "little" eBay business out of a "retired" horse barn. From the outside, it looks like like any other old run down barn. Not something that would catch your eye, for sure. The inside though, is something completely different and very stylish.

        There will always be folks "workin' the cracks". They are the "fly low generation" eh, Gordon?


        Gee Whiz! All this talk about taxes, fees and licenses, reminds me of one of my favorite old melodies. Excuse me while I turn up the stereo, kick back and have a listen.

        Snap...snap...snap...snap...

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  • Profile picture of the author webisland
    If you have product which is related to local market then yard sign will work definitely but for global products you should to marketing online only
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  • Profile picture of the author webmirror
    If you are advertising in local market it will work but for global clients i dont think its going to work
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author DABK
        You've been watching too many movies, friend. There's no way, none, I tell you, that a webmirror and a webisland would be the creation of one mind, let alone of a mind that used them on the same forum, on the same thread, one after the other. People are too smart or too honest for that! (Think about it, half the people in the world are above average in intelligence!)


        Originally Posted by yukon View Post

        I wonder If this is the same guy with multiple forum profiles.











        Captain Phillips - "I AM THE CAPTAIN NOW" - YouTube
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      • Profile picture of the author sunsetcoder
        [QUOTE=yukon;10858966]I wonder If this is the same guy with multiple forum profiles.

        Sorry to say sir But sometimes two people can share same views but admin can only confirm these things but i dont think anyone have time to create multiple profiles here and waste his/her precious time
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  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Originally Posted by J50 View Post

    I'm started to become interested in yard signs, and think there's big potential in them. For a low-medium trafficed area say 100-150 cars a day, how many phone leads a week would you expect to generate for a local service business?

    Does anyone have long term experience with this kind of marketing? Please share your experiences with us!
    With any signage it is a numbers game coupled with the right message.

    As Gordon mentioned there are different restrictions and we get a lot of roofing, painting or construction signs whilst and shortly after a company has done some trade work on a property.

    The biggest explosion of street signage I've noticed is trailerable LED signs that usually get set up on commercial property advertising some special on a short term basis.

    These are most noticeable on roads with daily traffic in the 20-40K range and the businesses utilising their application have relatively large stores in the locality of the signage.

    There is probably a by-law that is being broken with this type of signage.

    I often notice these type of mobile billboards deposited in a car park or adjacent to a shopping mall carpark and the mall may not even have shop advertising as a tenant.

    It seems like the advertisers know what they can get away with and they push the regulations to the limit.

    As for low traffic locations you probably should consider that it takes maybe 7-8 impressions before a person notices the signage and then it is debatable whether they remember what they noticed.

    From a lead generation point of view you would be better going door to door or letter boxing an area where the business is working as well as placing the local signs otherwise the returns may be very minimal.

    One roofing company in my area does put their signage to good use but they also use postcards and door to door sales people to call on adjacent properties to where they are working.

    I used them years ago but the sales person still calls in to ask for referrals whenever they are in the area.

    The signs are only a small part of the whole marketing system.

    Best regards,

    Ozi
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  • Profile picture of the author MerinaMark
    Colorful Yard Signs are a powerful and lightweight tool for quick outdoor placement of advertisements and messages about a business or special event.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      Copying the first phrase on esign.com's meta description id, however, only quick, nothing powerful about it. Actually, it's a sure way to make sure people ignore you.

      Originally Posted by MerinaMark View Post

      Colorful Yard Signs are a powerful and lightweight tool for quick outdoor placement of advertisements and messages about a business or special event.
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      • Profile picture of the author MerinaMark
        Signs become most popular in every industry to promote their brand and products by using trad show displays or by hanging carved signs outside of their shops. Even little shops are using eye-catching and beautiful banners and signs to attracts folk to their shop. signage competition are increasing day by day. people introducing new technologies and machines in Signs industry. now it is difficult to beat the completion in sign industry
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  • Profile picture of the author bbminded
    Local service businesses can benefit greatly by wrapping their vehicle in a branded printed vinyl wrap. Rolling billboard!!


    Originally Posted by J50 View Post

    I'm started to become interested in yard signs, and think there's big potential in them. For a low-medium trafficed area say 100-150 cars a day, how many phone leads a week would you expect to generate for a local service business?

    Does anyone have long term experience with this kind of marketing? Please share your experiences with us!

    Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author xjokker
    Signs work good for branding your business name out in the community, having your name recognized in the local community will compliment your other marketing efforts.
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  • Profile picture of the author ukpropinvest
    Banned
    For what? You'll find it hard to sell $10m+ Picasso's this way but might be great for cheap services.
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  • Profile picture of the author bestchoicegranite
    We used signage for our business when we first got started and it worked great. We'll throw up the odd sign when we're slow, but for the most part SEO and social media are keeping us very busy.

    100-150 cars per day? I'm sure you can find a better intersection to post your sign.
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  • Profile picture of the author dgaunn4114
    yard signs absolutely work if they are in high traffic areas, particularly if they are written in a sort of vagabond non-salesy style.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Bridgen
    Yes signs work when I was in the service industry I had many signs all over the place and yes It worked. But it would relate to your business. But yes signs work. A friend of mine with big wooden storks he puts on the lawn when a child is born works very well. Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Asking if yard signs work, is like asking if fire is good.

    What are you selling? Who are you selling to? Are you online? Local? Retail?a service business?

    Answers won't mean anything, unless we know these things.
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    One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

    What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Bridgen
    Claude I agree If I had a sign for rocket building not a lot of work in that field here in Brampton But I think I said in the service industry. Also I was shopping the other day and this person had a coat with his business on his back Now that works very well also. It is still a sign
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