yard signs

[tycoon]

I bought 25 yards signs and plan on putting them on corners, telephone poles etc. Any of you done this before? Good, bad results? Legal problems?

[MASTERMOWER]

In most places, if its public land, its technically illegal. Around here even posting something to a telephone poles is a no-no. I dunno how well governments enforce these laws, but I would just place the signs in your customers lawns (w/ permission). Rotate them every week and give the customer something with perceived value for free. This practice would lead to increased density...probably something you'd like to have in Birmingham. IMO, I think it looks trashy to see scrub oufits advertising on poles or signs placed next to busy intersections.

[tycoon]

I think its trashy too, in certain areas. In lower class areas its great advertising. I have a commercial account with 6 fast food stores. I toy with the idea of mowing all six for free, just once so that I can put my sign up for a few days. All these stores are on busy intersections.

[Georges Lawn & Mulch]

Place them in the yards that you maintain with the owners permission of course. That way potential customers can see your work and ask the homewner for references. Should be no legal issues on private property with the owners permission.

[Bulldog26]

I have used signs this year and have gotten great results. I would never use a tel. pole but at for way stops at a few stop lights and in front of some neighborhoods. I have 15 out in about 8 square mile of my home and if nothing else people with know the bus. name. Make sure the signs look very professional.
bt

[tycoon]

I put 8 out last night. The signs look good. My logo is four colors, so I didn't get it printed w/ the logo. It was about 12 per sign if I did that. Anyway I put them on 4 poles, in an area where lots of other signs were placed. I put one in an entrance to a mountain of garden homes. And I put tree out at very busy intersection on the way to town, and on the way back. We'll see how it goes.

[jbpo]

I've considered the same thing, but other lco's in the area steal the signs within a couple of days. I don't know if it would be worth it.

[bobkessler]

I like door hangars much better than signs. That way you can easily include a coupon, etc. My guys were SUPPOSED to cloverleaf each account we did, everytime we were there. Some guys always did it, some guys never did it, some guys did it when they felt like it.
Florida requires sign posting whenever any pesticides are applied to a lawn, ornamentals, etc. We used those for advertising also. Hard to track results.
I think it's important to understand how to "key" your advertising. That means being able to track how many responses you get on any particular advertising effort. One way is to use a different phone number for each different type ad. That way if say line 2 rings, and you have no other ads with that number running, you know where that call is being generated from. An easier way is to include some specific coupon. When the customer calls you can ask him where he got your number from.
Here is the most cost effective way to advertise. This is no secret and these surveys have been around for years.

1. referrals (hint; compensate your current customers)
2. truck lettering (believe it)
3. flyers, door hangars, etc.
4. newspaper and similar media
5. website (mainly landscaping but maintenance also; CHEAP)
6. direct mail (consider a 2% return as big)
7. yellow pages (expensive when considering results)
8. TV/radio... getting cheaper

You absolutely must track your advertising dollars or you are lost!