Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:04:41:
…but not for your wife!
I think that’s great, though! Your wife is really supporting you and she probably feels important by having her hand in your business.
(sigh - from a single guy…)
DaveR
Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 10, 2001 at 02:13:13:
Boy, I’m really starting to get the itch for this business! It feels good to be able to take all of this stuff in and feel like I’m starting to build! (Have been overwhelmed with PARALYSIS for many years now!)
SO…I wanted to post one message today before going to bed VERY late after searching through strings and strings about bandit signs:
It seems to me that in IL, the bandit signs don’t run into many problems (or at least problems don’t run into the bandit signs!) So it sounds like a winner to me. Right now, with no capital, but lots of time I might just start with making my own signs weatherproof or not and just keep at it putting them up over and over. With the potential for them to be taken away, I can’t afford buying and replacing coroplast! Thoughts on this-any new ideas? (Did search archives so pretty confident about it.)
What I’d REALLY like for all you REI vets to chew apart is my toll free number idea. I decided this morning to just TAKE it while it was there and forget about researching the whole 800 or 888 vanity # thing. Some of these websites advertise to get you an 800 or 888 vanity for the small fee of $10 to $20 THOUSAND!!! Phew. I guess I can go with that, but the bandit sings will have to wait! (har-har!)
So I grabbed one that spells the name of the company I’d like to use:
Dalero1
Nothing special. My name is David Lee Rosengarden, so go figure that 1 out! 
I was able to locate an 866 number. Now, how many of you know that 866 is toll free? How many people do you think know this as well? I’m sure over time it will be more well known, but I wonder if it will ever be as widely known as 800 or 888.
Anyway, I wanted the # behind the toll free area code to spell Dalero1 (325-3761) I got it! (So I think. The company says that it takes 2 weeks to process and someone could own it already. I won’t know until confirmation comes in.)
So I took the 866 number because 866 spells (of all things) “UNO”
I thought that was neat: (UNO) DALERO-1
But then I’m thinking about bandit signs. Is that something that would be effective. I know we won’t know until I put it to the test, but what about your initial reactions?
Oh well! Whatever ya’ll say, I guess it don’t matter at this point. I ordered the thing. Now I’m just thinking I’m always going to have to caption the number with the text “Toll Free” as someone who goes home to call me after seeing my sign figures out that “UNO” spells out 866 and that sounds like a long distance call to them! Too expensive!
Bummer! We shall see…
Thanx for your time, as always!
DaveR
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by Rob FL
Posted by Rob FL on November 10, 2001 at 18:47:59:
I saw a 1-866 number today on a bandit sign. It also had an extension number at the end. I said to myself “Gee whiz that number is so long I can’t even remember it.” And of course many people don’t have time to write while driving. Even UNO DALERO 1 is not that easy to remember since it doesn’t really have a meaning to anyone but you.
My opinion is to have the bandit sign ring to my cell phone. The call has a local area code, so all the caller needs to remember is 7 digits. I have “we buy houses” signs on my truck. These also contain my cell phone number. Several times each month I get a call from someone as I am driving down the road (often they are right behind or next to me). Many times if I don’t pick up they won’t leave a message. How many times do you plan on answering the 1-866 number? Better get called ID.
As for bandit signs, I buy them cheap since 85% of them end up disappearing within 3 days of being put out. I get coroplast from a local plastics dealer. 100 blank white signs = $42. I buy metal stakes from Home Depot. 100 stakes = $20. I then have my assistant (my wife) use a wide-tipped magic marker ($3 at Office Depot) and write my message on them. It costs me $65 for 100 signs.
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by MSchmidt (IL)
Posted by MSchmidt (IL) on November 10, 2001 at 12:19:20:
I agree with the other comments on the toll free part. As for Illinois not having many problems with bandit signs, that is really town or county specific. Just about all of them have a ordinance about signs, but not all of them enforce the ordinance. Best way to find out is put up a half dozen signs and see what happens. In most cases you will get a call telling you to take them down if it’s a problem, in some cases you will get a fine, some may never bother calling you. Better to test the waters before you put up 100 signs only to find out they now are a $25 EACH violation.
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by Doug (ON)
Posted by Doug (ON) on November 10, 2001 at 10:37:49:
If you’re really concerned that people won’t know that 866 is toll free, why not just add the words: “Call Toll Free” to your sign above the number?
Doug
Keep it… - Posted by David Alexander
Posted by David Alexander on November 10, 2001 at 03:31:37:
simple…
folks that see your signs will stop and write the number down or come back by.
Get a voicemail in the sky or have it ring to your cell phone.
You’ll have plenty of time to start branding your marketing if you choose to do so… but, later.
At first spend your money on things that will turn you dollars.
Signs (whether you make them or not)
Flyers
Postcards
Ads
Personally I wouldn’t make anything, it too time consuming and you should spending your money doing deals… don’t trip over pennies to get to dollars.
I put out approx. 150 signs a week… I also buy a house a week from signs… This budget costs approx. 1,000 per month including the folks I pay to put them out… and replacement of losses… I never touch a thing…
If you only did 25% as good, It would “Change your Life”
Figure out what type of marketing works for you and your personality first… then after it is working for you start tweaking it to make it work better.
Don’t do what I call playing business… alot of folks think they are in business becuase they have business cards, a telephone line ect… and spend there time on the stuff that doesnt produce a profit.
Figure out how to make money first… get creative and tweak second.
David Alexander
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:01:30:
Rob FL,
Thanx for the info and opinion.
So you really think 866 numbers will be seen as too long? Even if I add the caption toll free? The web sites did warn about 866 and 877 #'s not being recognized as anything much more than a different area code.
UNO DALERO 1 wouldn’t have meaning to anybody…yet…but don’t you think it still might make it a little easier to remember than a series of digits?
Anyway, I know what everybody is saying about focus on the marketing and turning up business (hence making a profit) before “playing” business. I don’t want paralysis and probably don’t need much of a marketing image with Realtors, but for my signs, flyers, biz cards, etc., I wanted to make it “pretty” and memorable. You know, kind of like proper set up before releasing the “finished product.”
(Here come the vets, tearin’ this post to shreds…)
DaveR
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by BR
Posted by BR on November 11, 2001 at 17:29:06:
Rob,
I agree that cheaper is better but I don’t understand why you guys put them on the ground. I put mine high on a utility pole so it takes some effort to take them down. With careful placement(read experience) I have signs that have been in place for six months. You are correct in that signs placed on the ground are good for about three days here also.
Rob… - Posted by David Alexander
Posted by David Alexander on November 10, 2001 at 23:01:30:
The metal stakes… a 100 for 20 bucks? It sounds hard to believe… There wooden ones cost .30 - .50 each… Where do we find the metal ones?
Also, markering up a 100 signs… that’s alot of elbow grease… maybe a For sale or two… 
Your time has to be better spent buying houses.
David Alexander
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:06:24:
So have you been hit with fines? BUMMER! Now this sounds like a POOR idea.
Can I get registered, or permission first before I go on an EXPENSIVE testing run?
Also, what exact comments to you agree with on the toll free # thing?
OH, BTW, I will be having the toll free ring direct to my cell which has voice mail, just in case.
DaveR
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:08:49:
Thanks Doug,
I think I did mention or ask about this in another post (including “Toll free” on my sings, cards, etc.) I think I will just make it standard to do that on all printing of the #. Big companies do that even with their 800 or 888 #'s. I guess it just drives home the idea of making an effort by spending for service.
DaveR
Re: Keep it… - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:11:29:
I will have the # going into my cell which has vm just in case.
I know what you mean about “tweakin’” Guilty of it all my life and reason I am not successful to date. What I am trying to accomplish here, however, is the right set up for my cards, flyers, signs, web, etc. Marketing is definately the BIGGEST key to all this and I just want to have the best image going into it before I spend money on all the marketing material.
DaveR (did I already respond to this…lost track…)
Re: Keep it… - Posted by Fred K.B.
Posted by Fred K.B. on November 10, 2001 at 10:26:14:
We just ordered an 888 number, it seems that most folks know that it’s a toll free number.
My take on the mnemonics is that they are terrible. Unless it gets drilled into the head and makes sense, like 800-collect, or 1-800-cash-now, they are just a pain. Your family and friends, who know your unique last name already, will benefit from the fancy vanity number, but to anyone who doesn’t know you the name just won’t stick. I just read it minutes ago and all I can remember is that it starts with a “D”.
And let’s say I’m in a car and I see your sign, and I’m interested because I really need to sell my house. Do you think I want to sit there with my cell phone and figure out “D, ahh, that’s 3…” Ain’t gonna happen.
Personally if I’m going through the yellow pages looking for a vendor, and one has a digit number and another one some 800-too-cute thing, I dial the number vendor. But then I’m kind of odd…
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by Rob FL
Posted by Rob FL on November 11, 2001 at 20:21:17:
I saw another sign this afternoon. It had a 1-866 number and right under it were the words “free call”.
I’d say do whatever you think will work. Experiment with it. If it doesn’t work, then try something else. I’ve been tinkering with my marketing methods and just about everything else in my business for years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to change things. Just keep at it.
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by Rob FL
Posted by Rob FL on November 11, 2001 at 20:17:48:
I do both actually.
I also use a 3 foot stepladder. This allows me to nail them into utility poles about 10 foot off the ground.
Some times metal stakes are necessary though because (1) there isn’t always a pole around where I want to put my sign and (2) alot of the poles around my area are concrete.
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:03:04:
Please explain “careful placement” if you would share.
Now I’m thinking, SAVINGS FROM PURCHASING STAKES!!! How do you attatch your signs and to what, and where?
DaveR
Re: Rob… - Posted by Rob FL
Posted by Rob FL on November 10, 2001 at 23:59:53:
The stakes come in long sections which have to be cut down. The section can be cut into 6 stakes. I find them on the concrete aisle. I buy them and my wife cuts them and makes the signs. Too tedious for me.
Re: Keep it… - Posted by drosengarden
Posted by drosengarden on November 11, 2001 at 18:16:58:
Yeah! You seem kinda odd!
Well, hmmm…this idea seems to have stunk to the higest of holy places. Responses not too positive. Of course, that never means anything, I understand. Even Noah didn’t get ANY good responses, but was the ONLY one right!
Driving by, you AIN’T gonna remember a stinkin’ 7-9 digit number EITHER. I think a word or two might be something you could remember quicker as you whiz by my sign and are too lazy to turn around OR even if you’re MOTIVATED, the mnemonics helped jogged your memory by time you got the pen and paper out.
Also, can we think of it as a better way to prove motivation? Like a filter? If they want to call, they’ll decode the puzzle and thus making an initial proof that they’re motivated? (Or no?)
Generally, though, don’t vendors with the cutsie numbers also have the digits printed, just for wierdos like you?
I guess that I like to figure things out like that (like when I’m calling a mnemonic #). It “challenges” my dexterity. Then again, that might make me “wierd” too! NAH!
DaveR
Re: Toll free # and bandit signs - Posted by BR
Posted by BR on November 11, 2001 at 21:01:42:
Most people place them at high traffic intersections where they get the most exposure. They also draw the most attention from competitors at these intersections. That’s why they don’t last long. I like to target specific subdivisions so I place them on utility poles at places a little less conspicuous to the general public, but right in the face of my target area… like across the street from the entrance to that subdivision. My signs face the entrance upon egress but are not as visible to the passers by. The perfect spot is as just described but on a pole where the ground below is not well kept, as in high weeds etc… This situation doesn’t always exist so the next best thing is to put them 10-15’ high using ring shank roofing nails with the plastic caps. If you don’t have the wooden poles you can use plastic cable ties. You can find them about 12" long at places like Home Depot…just put two together. Really big ones about two feet long can be found at Electrical Supplies.