It doesn’t matter how cheap we sell you your political yard signs, what matters is how you get the most bang for you buck. Here’s our handy dandy guide on placing yard signs for maximum effectiveness.
Place signs in your district
This may sound stupid, but putting your signs outside of your district will say to some voters that you don’t know your own boundaries. Usually, the board of elections or secretary of state can provide you with maps of the district. Pay attention. It also helps to identify which are the highest turnout precincts- look at historical data to help plan.
Only place signs when it’s legal to place signs
Many jurisdictions have a window of time where posting political signs is ok. Usually, it’s 30 days before an election or a primary. Again, check with your local Board of Elections- or your local zoning administrator.
Place signs where it’s legal to post political signs
In most places, it’s not legal to place your signs on public property, like highway on ramps, or on the lawn at city hall. Yes, lots of candidates do it, but, if your signs are going to be removed, why spend the time and money. Our philosophy is only place them on private property owned by supporters, with their permission. Always have a check box on your donation page if they want a sign- and, have a place online where supporters can request a sign.
When canvassing on main roads with high traffic, ask to place signs
One sign on a major street with thousands of cars traveling by is worth 10 signs on a side street with low traffic. Always be thinking how many people will see my sign, and walk those areas yourself.
Ask your party
Usually, the local political party will have a list of people who are willing to place signs for candidates of their own party. Make sure you get to those places first. The party faithful are also often well connected. You can also ask politicians who aren’t running in the same cycle as you for their friends and spots.
Don’t get lost in the ocean
There are always spots where everyone plants their flag. Often, by not putting a sign in the sea you make a bigger statement.
How to best use your big signs
When it comes to political signs, one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why we sell polybags and coroplast board signs. Use the bigger signs on roads with higher speedlimits- so they can be seen and read. And don’t forget interstate highways- often times, there are yards that back up to highways- with a fence- get permission, and put your sign or banner, on the fence facing the highway.
Don’t waste exterior signs inside
Your polybag signs and coroplast signs are for outdoor use. You pay extra for that. For store windows, or interior signs, look to post posters which can be bought for considerably less (especially if you buy it from us at PC Signs).
Think different
While most candidates put their name on signs, sometimes it pays to put an issue, or even spoof your opposition. One well funded incumbent in Dayton was flummoxed when her no-name opponent posted a sign that mirrored hers in color and design- and asked a question. Her followers went crazy trying to move her signs away- only to find that the opposition signs caught back up.
Another candidate bought large trash cans and wrapped them with stickers suggesting that he was all about cleaning things up- and you could start with putting the campaign signs in his cans after the election. Note- these cans cost the same as at least 20 signs, so you have to be strategic.
We can also help you with large banners to hang on fences, at campaign rallies, or on the side of supporters buildings. We’ve also seen candidates take these and mount them on the back of a pickup truck- and drive them all over town.
Street corner politics is alive and well- one candidate we know sets up his smoker on the corner at 6am and starts slow cooking BBQ Port (he did beef brisket in an area where Muslim refugees had moved) and stood the corner all day- until around 5 when it was ready to give away his sandwiches. All day- he met people, handed out signs and literature- while his wife (a clown by profession) painted kids faces. He got a few large flags to fly from PC Signs to stake his corner.
After the election
There may be rules about how long after an election a campaign sign can stay up, so check. But, if you collect all your signs the day after, many voters will notice- and you’ll have signs and stakes for your next campaign. That’s one reason putting a date on your sign isn’t always a great idea.