Bandit Signs is another tool you can use to generate leads for your real estate investing company
You’re driving home from work and you notice a couple of signs on the side of an intersection, staked into the grass. The signs say all kinds of things, from an ad for a local political candidate to “home for rent.” These signs are called bandit signs. And they’re called that because, well, they’re pretty much illegal in most cities.
However many people find them worth the trouble because they are very simplistic and can capture the attention of drivers in high-traffic areas. Those looking to flip homes use bandit signs often and you’ve probably seen more than one sign that reads “We Buy Houses for Cash” followed by a phone number. They are a great way to get the attention of a large group of people throughout the day, however you should proceed with caution because of the legality of it all.
A lot goes into making your first few bandit signs and then once you get the hang of it, it becomes an easy advertising channel you can always count on to bring you leads. We’ll take you through the entire process of using bandit signs to help your marketing efforts, as well as go over the legal aspect of it. So if you’re interested in getting a ton of leads with little cost upfront, read on!
Remember check local laws and regulations before using this strategy
Creating a Bandit Sign
The Look
Making a bandit sign is fairly easy, but one of the more critical aspects of creating a bandit sign is the material. You’ll want to print on a corrugated plastic sign, as these signs can handle all kinds of weather. The size can be 18 in. x 24 in. or 12 in. x 18 in.
The larger sign will catch drivers attention more, but they are more likely to be taken down by locals or the authorities. The smaller signs last longer and they are cheaper as well, but are harder to see from the road and won’t catch the same kind of attention. Whichever size you decide you can get them printed at a local printer, or online.
The copy should be simplistic. You’ll want drivers to be able to read it from far away as well as quickly, so the less text the better! When crafting your message, think of who you are trying to reach. Your customer doesn’t want to talk to a real estate agent. They may be in a tough spot or may just be looking for someone who they can work with quickly and painlessly. You’ll attract the kind of lead you’re looking for by mentioning words like “cash” or “fast.” Here are some examples:
Sell House Now
Cash Tomorrow
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
I’m Buying Homes
for Cash
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
Quickly Sell
Your Home!
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
Including verbs and calls to action will entice your audience to act sooner. A fabricated sense of urgency works wonders and has been used in advertising and marketing for centuries. Don’t try to fit in a long, complicated message on a teeny, tiny poster! Follow KISS – Keep It Short and Sweet.
The background color can be white or it can be bright, like a yellow. You’ll want your sign to attract attention so it should really pop. You may notice that a lot of the signs you’ve seen before aren’t exactly examples of great graphic design. That’s purposeful. You want to seem approachable through your signage. Some experts even suggest hand writing each poster to give off the impression of even more approachability.
If you don’t feel like hand writing each sign, which is totally understandable, you can choose a font that looks handwritten. By creating a painfully simple sign, you’re telling potential customers that you just want to get a deal done.
The phone number on the sign is essential. Don’t pull a rookie mistake and put your own personal cell phone number or home phone number on any signs. This number is how potential customers will call you, but also how angry locals and the authorities will reach you, too.
For that reason, and also for a data analysis reason which we’ll discuss later, it’s best practice to use a google voice number. A google voice number will send callers to your computer and will allow you to record a voicemail greeting and listen to voicemails, too. This way you can know exactly who has called you and you’re also protecting yourself. Don’t use your own cell phone or home phone to call these people back, too. Wait until you know they can be trusted.
When it comes to putting your signs up, you can use zip ties or heavy duty stapler guns, as well as stakes or wire that can be pitched into the ground. If you are going to put your sign on a telephone poll, there are two important things you should know about. One, the higher you put it, the better. They’ll stay up longer because they are harder to get to. Two, you unfortunately may have to pay a heftier fine for a telephone poll sign depending on your location. This is something you’ll need to research on your own, as every town and city has different rules for bandit signs.
As for quantity of signs, you should get a large amount. Seasoned bandit sign users suggest 50 a week. Be prepared to go around at least once a week to put them up. That may sound like a lot, but it’s because signs come and go. Sometimes angry community members take them down because they think that they are an eyesore. Other times authorities remove them. Regardless of how they make it down, you should prepare to lose the majority of your signs and know that you’ll be printing fairly regularly.
This all being said, this still isn’t a particularly expensive form of marketing. Compared to a big billboard or a print ad, bandit signs are a steal when it comes to less money coming out of your pocket.
The Location
So you have your signs, now where do you put them? You need to be strategic when it comes to putting your signs around town. You don’t want to plaster your entire target region with your signs. That will turn an annoyed townsperson into a pissed off townsperson who will report you. Some good places to start are:
- Neighborhoods in your budget or target area
- Intersections
- Places with a ton of foot traffic like Target and malls
- Stop/Yield signs
Basically any place where you find yourself driving and then stopped for a prolonged period of time. Think to yourself where you’ve seen signs before and scope those spots out!
Be aware of the existing environment of where you want to put your signs. If there are too many signs it’s not a good place to be yours. Why compete when you can find a slightly lesser popular intersection where you can be the only message?
On a similar note, don’t cover up anyone else’s signs, or put yours in front of someone else’s. Fellow flippers regularly check on their signs and they’ll notice. You should be working with, not against, fellow flippers. You already have their number from seeing their signs, why not give them a call and network? You’re sure to teach each other a thing or two.
Lastly, many flippers don’t actually put these signs out themselves. They’re too busy following leads, checking in on the progress of their projects, developing other marketing strategies, etc. Instead, they have an intern, a high-schooler or someone looking to complete odd jobs do it for them. Posting 50+ signs every week around town takes time. We highly recommend hiring someone to help so that you can have those extra hours to work on another aspect of your business.
How to Generate Leads Using Bandit Signs
Now is time to use bandit signs to generate real estate leads.
At this point you may think that you’re all set. Soon your google voice number will be ringing off the hook! But there are still a few more things you can do to really squeeze everything you can out of your bandit signs.
The great thing about google voice is that you have statistics behind the calls. You can create even more data by having certain signs in certain sections each have their own google voice number.
For example, the areas in the North have one number and then the areas in the South have a different number. If you find that all your calls are coming from the South number, that means it’s time to scope out more spots in the South and remove some from the North. No point putting signs in a neighborhood that isn’t working for you and this will save you time and money!
When creating your voicemail greeting, get as much information as you can upfront for efficiency purposes. Have them give their name, their address and when you should call them back. That way you can do a little background research on the property before calling. The quicker you buy their home, the happier the seller will be, and then you have an advocate who can vouch for you in their own circles.
Bandit Sign Rules and Regulations
As mentioned earlier, bandit signs are almost entirely illegal across the United States. Here, in Houston, there are serious consequences. Houston will not only fines you up to $500, but a warrant can be issued for your arrest for breaking Chapter 29 of Houston’s code of ordinances. Yikes! Obviously, no one wants to pay that much and certainly no one wants to get arrested. But here’s the thing — when you use a google voice number and you are careful to not post any personal information on your signs, it’s hard for city officials to track you down.
Feeling nervous? Don’t! There are two ways to use bandit signs that are 100% legal that you can explore.
First, you can ask landowners if you can place your signs on their front lawns. If they are near a stop sign or an intersection for example they are in a prime spot for your sign. The only downside is you may have to pay a small fee to the landowner.
Second, you can hire someone to hold your sign at an intersection. This way they aren’t placed on public property and you may even get more attention by having a person present. The downside to this one is having to pay that person to hold the sign.
Should I Try Bandit Signs Out?
Think of it this way. One bandit sign might cost you $5, and that includes print and a local kid to help you put it up. That single bandit sign may result in a $75,000 sale. You can’t beat that margin! It’s for this reason that many flippers are willing to take the risk. It’s all about doing your due diligence. If you use a google number, pick great spots with lots of traffic and are aware of the consequences in your city, it may be an avenue worth exploring.
What has your experience with bandits signs been like? Share with us in the comments!
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