I would recommend getting going on your own website right away as it takes time to get listed in the search engines. I have a ton of articles on the site about how to get that going.

To answer your questions, I use a solo A-Frame sign for my martial arts school but not any lawn signs as you’ve described. Don makes some great points in his comments about the pro’s and con’s.

As for lead boxes, I’ve considered this idea but it seems to be really over done in my area – especially by martial arts schools and gyms. I spoke to a local martial arts instructor who routinely uses these and he recommends them; especially if you’re teaching kids.

Here is a company that makes them: http://www.future-fitness.com/samples/future-fitness/lead-boxes.html

Hope it helps!

I’m familiar with bandit signs, though mostly from a real estate standpoint–though I do see martial arts studios using them, particularly to promote summer camps. First off, they do work, although people who use them report real peaks and valleys. That is, they’ll work for awhile, then calls drop off, then they start working again. There’s no apparent pattern. (Not day of week, or month of year, etc.)

Second, keep the message short and sweet. Easily understandable. For instance, I’d suggest the bandit signs promote karate, not Kenpo. Why? People understand what karate is. Far fewer understand Kenpo. Use a phone number; it’s easier for people driving past. A web site is OK, but that requires writing information down, then waiting until the person reaches a computer and then hopefully remembers to pull out the slip of paper and find the site. And preferably have the calls go (or forwarded to) your cell phone, not an answering machine. People like an immediate response. With an answering machine, you’ll quickly get frustrated with all the hang-ups.

Here’s one source for bandit signs (there are a lot). Not a recommendation, but I have had a number of people suggest this one, and there’s a lot of good information on it: http://witnessdesigns.com/newhome.html

Third, you may run into some problems with the local police, etc. Nothing major, but different areas have different policies and different levels of vigilance on such postings.

Fourth, actually putting up the signs is time- and labor-intensive. You can do it, or find someone else to do it. Craigslist is one good source. But if you hire someone else to put them up, you have to specify where (which roads and which intersections). And require the person putting up the signs to take digital photos of each sign, so you can verify it’s been put up.

Fifth, put the signs at intersections and heavily traveled (slower traffic) areas. People will need a few seconds at least to read the sign; they won’t do it if they’re going along at 60 mph.

Sixth, most such signs will stay up 2-4 days before being taken down. Some will last much longer, but recognize that many will be up for only a few days. So, set a schedule. For example, put 50 up each weekend. Friday evenings seem to be the preferred time, rather than mid-week, though it doesn’t hurt to test. Then each week revisit those locations and refresh the signs as necessary.

Hope that helps.

I love reading your blog and all of the great advice you have to offer.

I was wondering if you might consider doing a post about answering phone calls? I know that emails are quite popular; but we do still get phone calls, and I’d like to see a higher percentage of those phone calls turn into customers. What are some key things to keep in mind when speaking with a potential customer over the phone?

Thank you,
JJ

Great question. I’ve been working on a series of blog posts on search engine optimization and will have the first post live shortly. The techniques will not only work for Google, but for all the major search engines. More soon!

http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/contact/

That way I can better diagnose what might be causing this specific to your format. I have a hunch I already know what it is (it’s probably a combination of about 5 things, actually) but want to confirm. Thanks!