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This question is about entrepreneur.
How to start a yard sign business
To start a yard sign business, you need to create a website and utilize digital marketing, set up your payment structure, and build your card inventory. For details on each of these steps and others you can take to start a yard sign business, use this guide:
Create a website and utilize digital marketing. Websites are critical for yard sign businesses.
While you may initially build your customer base for your yard sign business with people you know in your local community - neighbors, friends, acquaintances, etc. - to really get the word out about your business you are going to need a website.
Websites are fairly simple to design these days, but if you have the start-up capital, it is recommended you hire a professional web designer to create your website. This will help your business to stand out and look professional.
On your website you should include:
Photos of your yard signs
Prices for various-sized signs
The customization work you are able to do with yard signs (colors, shapes, sizes, fonts, etc.)
Your contact information
Links to social media accounts
You should also include details about how long your process of creating a customized yard sign takes your business, so customers know what to expect regarding wait times.
Then create social media business accounts on various sites, like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Here you can further promote your yard signs by showing pictures of your work. You should also encourage customers to post pictures of your work with hashtags containing your business name, and links to your social media accounts, or website.
Word-of-mouth marketing is big with a yard sign business, meaning you are probably going to get a lot of work through referrals, but you need an online footprint to establish your yard sign business and keep it growing.
Set up your payment structure. There are many different ways to collect payment for your yard sign business.
If you are set up bookkeeping-wise, you can always accept cash or checks. However, if you want to make things easier and streamline your payment options, you can always use digital platforms.
Here are some suggestions for app payment options:
PayPal
Venmo
CashApp
Zelle
Stripe
It is a good idea to select a few of these options because some customers may have one app, but not another.
You can also use a payment system of credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods, such as Apple Pay, via your website. If you go this route, you should definitely hire someone to help you set this up, unless you have the experience.
Build your card inventory. This is very important, and you should do some local market research to help you with this step.
You need to find out what kinds of cardstock, colors, and designs are popular in your town, city, or community. You need to purchase materials and colors that are on trend in your local area.
Black letters and numbers are a staple of yard signs, and always a safe bet to have in your inventory. But you should also select a range of colors to have for your customers.
Here are the most popular requests for yard signs:
Signs for birthdays
Signs for graduations
Signs for anniversaries
These occasions usually call for bright colors and details, such as candles, cupcakes, balloons, etc. Try to choose some bright colors to have on hand, but start small if you are working on a budget.
Once your yard sign business is up and running, and profitable, you can then stock up on inventory.
You are also going to need H stakes for your signs, these can be found online easily. Here are some common sizes:
30 x 10 inches
30 x 6 inches
15 x 6 inches
2 x 30 inches
2 x 15 inches
Initially, you should have at least 100 stakes in your inventory when starting your yard sign business.
Costs of starting a yard sign business and other helpful tips
You can start a yard sign business for as little as $3,000. However, most yard sign businesses cost in the $4,000 to $10,000 range to start. This all comes down to your decisions on inventory, marketing, and your website.
Here are some other things to consider when starting your yard sign business:
Obtaining an Employee Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes
Checking your local and state requirements concerning business licenses
You might need to obtain a home business occupation permit depending on your location
Liability insurance is something most businesses have and you should consider it
Setting up a business bank account
Research if you need to collect sales tax in your area
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