How many of you Stagers have been working at a house, only to be interrupted by neighbors wanting to know everything about the new owners? Or perhaps they wonder if you are moving in? They also sometimes want to know what you're doing and if you could possibly stop by and look at their house. Or have you ever gotten the suspicious eye from someone who thinks you are stealing from the home?
These are just a few scenarios we've run into over the last few years while staging homes in the Portland, Oregon area. Of course, it didn't help that we had a big white box truck with no signage on it. It was understandable that it looked questionable.
We finally got lettering on our truck and are very excited about finally looking official - in addition to the new advertising opportunities it will garner.
I've seen many fellow Stagers who drive cars and/or SUVs with lettering. Please share how effective this has been in marketing your company. Do you get many leads from this type of visibility? Has advertising on your vehicle helped awareness and led to many jobs?
I'm sure there are many others who are pondering to take this step, but aren't sure if it is worth the investment.
And don't forget to pass along any good stories about the neighbors! =)
Hi David!
I drive a Matrix:) with a little sign on the back. I paid 40.00 dollars to have it made and so far, this brought me the biggest return of investment. So far I got 2 jobs, 1 big vacant over 1 million and the other one a lived-in. Both clients called me while we were stuck on a highway. ( I was thinking that if I had more time just drivng around or better sitting in the traffic will bring me more clients:))
Got few leads and inquiries also, so all in all, the best 40 dollars spent so far.
Hi David - Love the signage -- looks really great! I'm hesitant to put signage on my car (not that I drive THAT badly but my Mini Cooper really does scoot along . . . ) so we had signs made we can put on the front lawn while I'm there waiting for the truck to arrive (that does have signage) or if the painters are there, etc. It has cut down on those sweet neighbors bringing over cookies -- except when the hunky moving guys are there in the summer . . . they seem to attract more attention than my signs!
hi David ~ your truck advertising looks fantastic. I've hesitated to put any signage on my vehicle because I've heard that sometimes, people will target your vehicle for a minor fender-bender thinking your company may have deep pockets. Just in case, I concentrate my marketing efforts in other areas. However, to answer your question -- neighbors are always asking me about staging, am I the new neighbor, what's the list price going to be, etc. and they're always interested when I say we're staging the property. If they want to come inside to see it, then I just let them know when the first Open House will be, or give them the Listing Agent's contact details.
Monica ~ Great testimonial. Thanks for sharing your experience. Seems like that was a wonderful investment for you.
Margaret ~ Thanks for your comments. I understand being hesitant to put signage on your car, but the lawn sign idea is a great alternative and one I hadn't thought of before. See you at the next meeting!
Maureen ~ Thank you! Your marketing efforts seem to be working well for you, so I get why you'd avoid putting signage on your vehicle. And yes - they do always wonder if we're the new neighbor. Nope - just the Stagers!
Ok, I'm jealous! We outsource our moving, so I don't have a big truck like that. I keep having visions of it, so maybe someday. In the meantime I do have lettering on my van. I get calls all the time. I've had many jobs and many conversations as a result. I agree that this is some of the best marketing dollars I've spent!
I have magnetic signs for the sides of my Jeep and I've had lots of inquiries when I go to yard sales in the summer. Only one so far has turned into a job, but that at least paid for the signs. I don't use the signs in winter with all the salt and dirt on the car. What I've noticed most is how I'm much more aware of my driving with my name on the side of the vehicle. I love your truck, looks great!
I love the truck!!! Looks so professional. I once had the police come into the house I was staging. I'm not sure why since we were taking things in and not out, but he was checking on us anyway. It made me feel better about staging that vacant knowing my stuff was probably going to be ok. hahahha. Anyway, I love the truck. Congratulations.
The truck looks great. As for signage for my vehicle - I had it but, it now has an old phone # rendering it useless. I did meet a broker once while at a gas station and a painter who ran over and gave me his business cards. Other than that, I couldn't tell you whether or not home owners saw it and called as a result. If they did see it, they didn't mention it.
Kathy
I'm still toying with the idea of putting signage on the back window of my SUV. It is relatively inexpensive to do, so could be worthwhile.
Margaret - how do you fit your toolbox in a MINI ? (lol)
Signage on my van is the best marketing money I have spent. Since I'm in a small town people will frequently say..."oh are you the lady with the van." I also have card pockets on the van so that people can take a business card when I'm not around. My driving billboard has paid for itself many times over. The exposure alone is worth the cost.
I love your truck David. Don't see that happening anytime soon but it certainly would save on multiple vehicles and trips.
David...your truck looks great! I had vinyl lettering put on the back window of my SUV about a month after I started my business. Best advertising dollars I've ever spent! Within the first week of having the signage, I was out shoe shopping on a Sunday afternoon, and a lady took down my phone number while I was inside the store. She called me a few days later and it resulted in a $5000 interior decorating job. That MORE than paid for the lettering, AND the new shoes (LOL)!!
Melissa ~ Keep the positive visions and it will manifest. It's worked for us time and time again. And thanks for letting us know about your van lettering. Seems to be very cost effective way to market.
Sharon ~ Thanks for your feedback. Even having something that's not permanent can be effective. And keeps you driving safer =)
Chrissie ~ Thanks so much! I find it comforting the police would come check in on you - we haven't had that experience yet!!!
Kathy ~ Hopefully you can get the phone number updated. I always try to ask any new calls where they heard about us so we can track what is working in our marketing. I'll be excited when I get the first one from our truck signage!
Sandi ~ Based on the feedback here seems like it is a great place to invest your money. And one job will more than cover the expense. Good Luck!
Ginger ~ Thanks for sharing your experience. Your driving billboard seems to work very well for you. Keep your eye out for good deals on used trucks and you just may end up with one!
Nicole ~ Love your story. You should go shoe shopping more often! =)
David: Love the truck, love the signage. It looks very professional. I think you will get a lot of work because of it. Congrats!
Michelle ~ Thanks! Time to start taking some local road trips! =)
HI David, love your truck, one day my dream will come true and I will have one too!
I am having one of my vehicles signed this week. Still not sure I can drive without having those around me calling me to complain about my driving! LOL!!!
I was networking with someone this morning and they just happened to mention someone in their complex is a stager but she doesn't have any work as the vehicle is always parked at home. That's not good advertising. :(
Well, after hearing some of these stories, I think I will have to put signage on my van. However, my business colors don't go with the van color! So, I guess I will have to paint the whole thing. Sounds worth it though!
Michelle ~ Perhaps getting your signs will be the inspiration you need to be a perfect driver! =) The good thing about a smaller vehicle is you'll drive it around more. We only drive our truck for jobs, so it doesn't get out as much as our car. But it's still great advertising.
Pangaea ~ I think you should paint your van lime green and put your cool design down the side. How fun would that be!!!
Wow, what a great truck..I think you made the right decision adding the lettering. I am brand new in the staging business and I am looking for any way I can get my name out there, so I think I too will look into getting a vehicle sign.
I know of a stager here in town that was getting ready to buy a truck and had already struck up a deal with a realtor whom she works with quite a bit. They had agreed to a monthly payment for the realtor to advertise on the back of her truck. The monthly payment happened to be about the same as her truck payment! Talk about creative financing! I plan to do that when I get a truck.
Luci ~ Thanks. After all the feedback on this post I think you should get a vehicle sign.
Leanne ~ Great idea that's a win/win for both parties. More people should look into this concept for financing.
I want a truck!!! I only inventory accessories, not furniture, so I pile everything in my car. I have very colorful magnetic signs, and I ALWAYS see people reading them when I'm stopped at lights. So far the only call I've had was from a cleaning lady trying to pick up business.
Patsy ~ Thanks for your comments. Sounds like you have some nice signs. Good luck on acquiring that truck!
Wow, thanks for this post. I've been thinking about making some signs for my car but wasn't sure if I should have them made for the side doors or the back window. I don't know if having two signs on both sides and then lettering on my back window will make my volvo s40 look "cluttered" What would you propose? After reading all these comments, it seems like it is a good idea to have them made. They are inexpensive, which is a really good thing.