Anyone Ever Put Signage At Their Residence?

[DavidSR]

Hi guys,

Honestly, I don't have too much experience with paid shoots or clients other than family members and thus have trouble getting my name out there to the public. I do not have a studio, so I have been advertising in Craigslist, but most people on their will not pay my prices (which are not high at all).

So my question is if anyone has ever had any signs made and put on a stake on their yard for their neighbors to see along with any traffic that might come through. Even if my street is the only one who see's the sign I think this should bring me more business through word of mouth. Any thoughts? Am I going about this all wrong? I just don't want myself to appear tacky in advertising on my lawn.

Thank you!!!!

[CosmoKid]

unless you are a home contractor, lawn advertising seems tacky to me. you will also have to check with your town as in my town you need a permit for a lawn sign which runs $70/month.

how about church bulletins?
HS sports yearbook?

[RDKirk]

So my question is if anyone has ever had any signs made and put on a stake on their yard for their neighbors to see along with any traffic that might come through. Even if my street is the only one who see's the sign I think this should bring me more business through word of mouth. Any thoughts? Am I going about this all wrong? I just don't want myself to appear tacky in advertising on my lawn.

As mentioned, your town or neighborhood may have something to say about that. In my area, I would not have to pay a fee, but my sign could not be any larger than one square foot, and would have to be a sign identifying my home as my place of business, not a "billboard"--which is what your sign would be.

What business would you expect the sign to bring? Walk-by traffic? But your home is not your studio, so that would be a waste. Word of mouth will come from work done for satisfied customers, not from a sign on the street.

Yes, if your home is not your studio, I would consider it tacky.

If your work is good enough, consider establishing relationships with local business people who can display enlargements and your "lift cards." These could be beauty shops (if you do model headshots), restaurants, et cetera.

[ssim]

I know a couple of photographers that bought huge houses with extra large lots and converted most of the house and yard into studio space. They do not have one bit of signage on the house. You can find their address in the yellow pages or on the net. Their reason is that if they put a sign on the house it simply tells others that it contains expensive equipment.

I don't see signage for photography on your residence is going to going to generate drive by business. I wouldn't hang a sign on my house if I could, which I can't by city bylaw.

[Mhappy]

I agree with everyone else - a sign in front of your house isn't a great idea... I especially agree with the poster that said having a sign outside your house also advertises that there's expensive equipment in your house.

I don't think Craigslist is a great way to advertise (especially if you don't have a website to direct people too) because when people go on sites like Craigslist, e-bay, kijiji... they're on there because they're looking for a deal. I bet people wouldn't think your price is expensive if you had your prices up on a website, or facebook or something like that.
Why don't you try putting an ad in your local newspaper??

[DavidSR]

Thanks for the comments everyone!! The first thing I thought about was...if I put a sign out everyone will know I have some equipment of value in my house!! An ad in the school yearbook or in the newspaper is a very good idea. I will have to look into that.

Thanks again for the help!!

[LeeSC]

Another idea would be to make up a nice flyer advertising a "special" and attach a business card. Place them in the paperboxes around your town.

[golfecho]

Another idea would be to make up a nice flyer advertising a "special" and attach a business card. Place them in the paperboxes around your town.

Important to note "paperboxes" here . . . it is technically illegal to place privately delivered items in a mailbox that is for US Mail. I've never heard of anyone enforcing it, but I'm fairly certain this is still true . . .

[jungleland26]

In my opinion, it is in very poor taste to use your home as a place for signage...It's disrespectful to your neighbors as well...

[motofan]

not sure if I missed it, but putting a sign on your front yard announcing you are a photographer and are based out of that particular house, could aid in some shady folk fulfilling their shopping list of "things to steal". Not saying it would happen, but one could assume that if you are a "pro/am photographer" you'll likely have $2000+++ worth of gear in the house quite often. Asking for trouble IMO depending on where you live.

[jungleland26]

not sure if I missed it, but putting a sign on your front yard announcing you are a photographer and are based out of that particular house, could aid in some shady folk fulfilling their shopping list of "things to steal". Not saying it would happen, but one could assume that if you are a "pro/am photographer" you'll likely have $2000+++ worth of gear in the house quite often. Asking for trouble IMO depending on where you live.


Great point...However, I think unlikely that it would happen...nevertheless, it is saying "hey I've got a lot of expensive **** in here"