Bandit Signs for Success
In targeting people going through hardships in a specific area of town, the use of bandit signs may be effective. Bandit signs are signs posted on intersections that state a quick attention getting tag line followed by a call to action.
Ex: ‘WE BUY HOUSES CASH, AS-IS, WITHIN 72 HOURS. CALL XXX-XXXX.
The person driving will notice the tag line and have a way to contact the investor or bird dog.
Helpful Tip: You will want to check with your local city to determine the legality of bandit signs. Some cities may impose fines for their usage. Even if there is no ordinance against this method, certain neighborhoods may have rules against it, and may have employees come around and pick up your sign. Regardless of regulations, a responsible investor will put them out on Friday nights and pick up on Sunday nights.
Also, when utilizing bandit signs, it’s a good idea to have a bandit phone. A bandit phone is a disposable, pre-paid phone used mainly for recorded messages. Or you can use online call forwarding services, such as Ringcentral.com, that gives you a unique, untraceable phone number. The following are good reasons to use bandit phones:
· To keep your personal phone information private
· To avoid the frustrations of late night prank calls
· To separate your business calls from your real estate calls
· Tracking leads ( if you only use your bandit phone for bandit signs, then you will know how many leads you are generating with it)
· It’s a tax deduction
When obtaining a bandit phone or call forwarding service, many people wonder what works better: A local number or an 800 number? The benefit to an 800# is that it makes your organization look bigger and more professional. But this benefit can also be a detriment as some people feel intimidated to call a large company in their predicament. Plus, people may take comfort calling someone who is in town with whom they can sit down and speak with face to face. A local phone number definitely gives you a local feel and is easier for some people to call.
Good luck and happy investing.
Comments (8)
Ah...The large fine day. I remember it well! I never liked bandit signs despite having some decent results with them. Mailers done well are a much better use of marketing dollars and much less effort.
Bryan Hancock, over 14 years ago
The phone number is definitely more important, as it's a sign where you are calling an action. But I've gotten a good number of leads from putting our website on our bandits as well.
Brooks Conkle, over 14 years ago
Jaime- I stopped with bandit signs because I was threatened with a large fine if I put another one out. But I did answer the phone calls myself through a ring central number. Unfortunately, I would call back from my office phone, which made me easy to track and fine. Bottom line is Austin is not a good area for bandit signs. Also, I had some good success with bandit signs. It was worth the time and money investment.
Tom Bukacek, over 14 years ago
Jaime Vasquez, over 14 years ago
Tom, Have you bought many deals from the bandit signs? Are you taking the calls directly or are they filtered thru some automated answering service?
Jaime Vasquez, over 14 years ago
What are people's thoughts about adding a website to a bandit sign? Too much information or a way to add credibility?
Tom Bukacek, over 14 years ago
Plus...You can add a code to the Ring Central number so that you know when a seller is calling :)
Bryan Hancock, over 14 years ago
Couldn't agree more on the use of a local phone number. In these difficult economic times where people have been taken advantage of so many times, they want to know that this is a company or person they can lookup by phone number. I would suggest even further to get your business registered with the BBB at the phone number you are using for the signs. Build trust, and then deliver and people will build your business for you!
Kevin Kaczmarek, over 14 years ago