I know I’ve been talking a lot lately about Bandit Signs and how to use them. Well, I really see the need in getting this information out there with spring being here, the new investors I see out there and the mistakes being made by them
I’ve done a couple of videos on Bandit Signs which I’m sure you’ve seen by now where i gave helpful tips. If you haven’t visit Youtube, I’m user name 1EPHB and you can see them there. In this post I’m covering the Top 10 Bandit Sign Mistakes investors are making and how to correct them.
Lets get started:
BREAKING THE LAW – I can’t stress this enough! Know your locations laws. If they are outlawed then look to other means for getting your message out. We as real estate investors already have a negative image we’re fighting so don’t make it worse by breaking the law. ****Solution**** Use 4×6 postcards with your message on them and post them on message boards at your church, grocery store, laundromat, community center or any place where they have a message board.
WRONG SIZE – When using bandit signs you want to make sure your signs are able to be noticed by those who pass them by. I’ve seen signs that were 12×18; these may be cheaper but they are also harder to see by potential clients who are passing by in their cars. ****Solution**** Spend a few dollars more and get the signs 18×24. The cost will be more than the smaller signs but order 50 and not 100. The larger signs are easier to see plus you have the added advantage of more space for your message.
SAYING TOO MUCH – Investors often have too much to say on their signs. Depending on who you’re marketing to, sellers or buyers, you must not have a long message or they may pass your sign trying to read all of it and not get your number off of it. ****Solution**** Make your message short and to the point. Use 1 liners, you don’t have to use a complete sentence.
THE WRONG MESSAGE – In many cases I see the old tried and true “We Buy Houses” message on the majority of the Bandit Signs out there. Ask yourself, does that really work? Most people in any decent size city with real estate investors has seen this message SO much that it’s not effective any more. When it comes to messages for buyers most investors will use the “For Sale By Owner” signs. This is another one that doesn’t garner much attention anymore. ****Solution****
- (A Couple Messages for Sellers)
- Sell Me Your House Today
- Need To Sell I’m Buying
- (A Couple Messages For Buyers)
- Help! Buy My House
- Tired Homeowner Sale
SIGN PLACEMENT – I see signs placed wrong all the time. I understand many times you may be placing them out late at night, in a rush or in an area with other signs so you’re trying to get the best placement possible so that your sign is noticed. ****Solution**** Place your signs in areas where people have to stop and look at them like traffic lights, stop signs, freeway exists, gas stations (if possible). Place your signs in an area where you don’t have to compete for views, if there are 3 or 4 other signs there find another place to put your sign. Place them in position so that they can be easily viewed and read by those who will pass them by. Never and I do mean Never put your sign in the middle of the block where people don’t have to stop, if you do, then you just wasted your time and your sign.
NO NUMBER – Believe it or not I’ve actually seen Bandit Signs with a message and no contact info. ****Solution**** Always, Always, Always, Always make sure you have your contact number on your signs. If possible make your number as large as possible so that it fills up a whole line. As an added twist put your number first, on the top of your signs. If you have a website, a short easy to remember website add it to your sign if it works and looks good.
OVERKILL – investors, especially beginners will fall victim to this. This is when you see a particular Bandit Sign at every corner you come to. You see it so much it’s annoying. ****Solution**** When using Bandit Signs to attract sellers target a specific area and put out 5 to 10 signs. Avoid the urge of wanting to blanket as much of the city as possible. By targeting specific areas at a time you can better track your leads and learn that area, plus you can avoid getting calls for areas you don’t want to deal with.
COLORS – I’ve seen signs in black & white, blue & yellow, red & green, and purple & white. Some colors just wont cut it, some might. ****Solution**** When deciding on your colors for your signs use those that you know will work. yellow & black, red & white, blue & white and try the new hot colors hot pink and black.
FALSE MESSAGE – I’ve seen signs that say “I’ll buy your house in 2 days” and other stuff like that. ****Solution**** Don’t say things on your sign that you can’t fulfill. If you do and you don’t perform the word will get around and your leads will dry up.
NO MARKETING – How many so-called real estate investors do you know that say they invest but yet they don’t do any marketing. ****Solution**** As long as Bandit Signs are not against the law in your area you are fighting an uphill battle by not using them. They can be your key to getting leads and massively increasing your real estate investing business.
Get them and use them. Get them here www.BanditSigns.com
Please share your thoughts or comments and let me know if you witness any other mistakes investors make with their Bandit signs.
John Glover is a full time real estate investor in NW Ohio specializing in Wholesales, Subject 2’s, Rehab flips, working with Private Lenders and web based marketing.
http://toledoinvestmentdeals.com
