Do you want to kill it with some well-placed bandit signs but aren’t sure where to start?
Andrew “The Maestro” Massaro here, and today I’ve got some tips that will have you rocking bandit signs in no time. As you’ll see, the main takeaway is that frequency and consistency is key!
Let’s get down to business…
Benefits of Bandits
Bandit signs are those small plastic signs you see around town staked into the ground or nailed to a pole. They advertise everything from roof cleaning to dog walking. And they can be great for a real estate investing business because they’re low-cost, durable and have high visibility when strategically placed.
True story…
When an out-of-state rental property owner visited his property after a tenant had moved out, he found out that the tenant had done some significant damage to the property. But he didn’t know anyone in the area and was feeling stuck. But, he saw my investor friend’s bandit sign, called the number and my buddy investor made $15,000 wholesaling the property!
So, what makes a great bandit sign that will draw the attention of motivated sellers like that property owner?
Time to talk design and placement.
Making Winning Bandit Signs
I’ve got a few tips to help you design your signs, but the bottom line with all these tips is keep it simple.
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Use a handwritten, black font. Make the sign look homemade, not mass produced.
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Consider the color. White signs are perfect in warmer climates but won’t be visible in snow. If snow is an issue, I prefer yellow.
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Create smaller signs. Smaller signs are cheaper and stay up longer. The most common size is 18 by 24 inches.
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Keep your message simple. The most effective message I’ve used is “I buy houses for cash!” If you want to add a little interest use $ (a dollar sign) in place of the S, but remember, keep it simple.
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Make sure you always include your phone number.
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Order your signs online. I like to use SuperCheapSigns.com.
Sign Placement
I’ve discovered 4 keys to bandit sign placement: consistency, timing, economy and strategy.
1. Consistency
Studies have shown that a consumer (or seller, in our case) must see your ad a minimum of 3 times before they pick up the phone and call you. That means that you MUST keep your marketing cranking each month without fail. Don’t just put out your signs once or put them out sporadically. Have a plan and remember that your marketing machine can NEVER be turned off.
2. Timing
Put up your signs so that they will stay as long as possible. If you put signs up on Thursday or Friday evening they are more likely to stay up all weekend and increase the number of people who see the ads and the number of times those people see the ads. (Plus, Code Enforcement doesn’t work on the weekend, meaning the signs you put out Friday evening won’t be an issue.)
3. Economy
Hire someone from Craigslist, for example, to print, build and place your signs. You can save a few hundred dollars this way and give someone else a small side business.
4. Strategy
Target a specific area where you know there are a number of motivated buyers. You can’t saturate an area too much. Low-income neighborhoods are often good places to put bandit signs because they tend to have many motivated sellers.
Don’t let anyone tell you bandit signs don’t work. They most certainly do. As my 4 tips suggest, frequency and consistency are paramount.
Now, go place some today.
What’s Your Bandit?
Do you have any awesome bandit success stories? I’d love to hear them! Share below.
1. Design – Get yourself a batch of awesome bandits.
2. Strategize – Decide on a neighborhood where you’re likely to find motivated sellers. Talk to other investors in your area if you need advice.
3. Plant – Put an ad on Craigslist to hire someone to do all the actual legwork.
4. Repeat – Remember, consistency is key.
5. Watch Growth – Hopefully you’ll start—and never stop—getting calls.
Andrew Massaro
, also known as "The Maestro", is the founder of Wholesale Coaching, Inc. and is one of the most sought-after wholesale and REO coaches in the U.S. A University of Florida graduate, Andrewís house flipping career started in 2005, during one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring real estate booms in recent memory.
After many years of success flipping houses in Tampa Bay, Andrew began also pursuing his passion and purpose: hands on, one-on-one coaching and mentoring other investors. Through Wholesale Coaching, students interact with and are coached by Andrew, personally. He has the unique ability to teach and guide his fellow investors to the results they desire. The one-on-one interaction and partnership is the key and what really sets him apart from others who offer coaching.
Andrew is also a loving husband, father to a beautiful little girl, Charlie Lynn, and an active board member of Current of Tampa Bay, a non-profit focusing on humanitarian efforts and showing love to underprivileged individuals.