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Should someone with a part-time home business put a sign in their lawn?
My sister and I started a part-time administrative support business. We also have full-time jobs. Should we put a sign in our yard letting people know of our business? The only negative would be that no one would be home during the week. However, a sign is one of the most effective advertising methods. So far we've developed a website, posted flyers and business cards at libraries and local businesses and placed newspaper ads. I think the sign could help us attract more clients.

Asked by synops20
Posted: Saturday, June 09, 2007  |  Found in Advertising & PR


More answers by Roy Williams
Answer by Roy Williams
Absolutely. Most sign shops can sell you a real-estate type sign that pushes into the ground and is easily moved. Leave it in your yard awhile, then convince a business on a busy street to let you stick it in their dirt for a few days. Move it from place to place about once a week. Signs become invisible after about 7 days when they're no longer "new" anymore. If you're successful at convincing businesses to let you put your sign in their yard for a week, buy a second, third and fourth sign. The name of your business is irrelevant. Name only what you do and add a phone number. Speak plainly. Don't be ambiguous. "Administrative Support" is vague. Be concrete. "Clocks Repaired. 555-5555" "I do laundry. 555-5555" Professional Seamstress. 555-5555" That's it. Be sure to have an answering machine with a message that lets the caller know they've called the right place. Good luck.
Roy Williams is the founder and president of international ad agency Wizard of Ads. He's also the author of numerous books on improving advertising efforts, including The Wizard of Ads and Secret Formulas of the Wizard of Ads.


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