Effective Advertising with Custom Signs

Over the past twenty years there have been a lot of changes in real estate marketing, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the effectiveness of one of the oldest forms of real estate promotion, custom real estate signs.

It is easy to see that the reason why signs work so well for advertising and directing traffic for real estate, is that they have their primary focus on simplicity and are easily customizable. When someone is looking for a home, they are always on the lookout, even if it is subconsciously. Seeing a sign posted in a yard will effectively trigger their curiosity and drive potential buyers to your open houses or to call for appointments. It may be a simple marketing technique but in today's complex world, sometimes a little subtlety goes a long way.

Although the internet is a viable marketing tool, seeing is believing and custom signs at the actual properties or directing buyers to the home are extremely useful tools. Choosing the right ones, or designing your own has simply gotten easier with the advent of websites dedicated to helping you get what you need to properly market your properties. Nowadays you can order your signs and have them shipped directly to your door, making marketing a snap.

Taking the convenience of internet ordering systems and the proven effectiveness of custom real estate signs and combining them; well, you just can’t lose. Real estate signs are easy to use, often reusable, and extremely durable and are time tested methods for getting buyers to your property. It definitely simplifies fulfilling your advertising needs.

If you are out to dominate your market, then custom signage is the way to stick out in people’s minds, and when they are interested in your ad, in turn you become their go to agency for all of their real estate needs. We can help you choose layouts that will be the most effective for your needs as well as generating a message that is unique to you. With real estate signs, you get the exposure you need to be successful.

Use Typography To Boost Sign Effectiveness

How critical is typography in sign design?

Very.

Next to color, typography is the next most important sign design element. Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make the language it forms most appealing to transparent learning and recognition.

The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces or font, point size, line length, leading, adjusting the spaces between groups of letters (tracking) and adjusting the space between pairs of letters.

Often, people get confused between typefaces and font. Typefaces are a family of fonts, such as Helvetica Regular, Helvetica Italic, Helvetica Bold, and Helvetica Neue.

A font, on the other hand, is one weight or style within a typeface family, such as Helvetica regular.

Graphic designers usually decide on the typefaces for printed and other material, including real estate yard signs. But if you’re into custom made signs, you may not have time to consult with a graphic designer.

Or you may want to avoid the expense of a graphic designer. Either way, it’s critical you understand the basics of typography and typefaces.

Functions of Typefaces

Typefaces perform a key communications function. Choosing the right typeface not only makes your signs—and printed material—look aesthetically pleasing. It also makes them more legible and readable.

Typefaces fall into one of two general categories—serif and sans serif:

• Serif typefaces are the more traditional typefaces. You see used often on signs and printed matter. These typefaces have a short line or finishing stroke at the end.

These typefaces have been in use since printing began. Considered traditional typefaces, they include Cambria, Times New Roman, and Palatino. All are popular.

• Slab serif typefaces have thick block-like serifs. These may be either blunt and angular or rounded. Slab serif typefaces include Courier, Rockwell, and Rockwell Extra Bold.

• Sans serif typefaces lack end lines or finishing strokes. These typefaces became popular in the 19^th century. Hence, they are considered modern. This category includes Eurostile, Calibri, Century Gothic, and Optima.

Understanding the basics of typography can help you design real estate signs that make people sit up and take notice, such as when you create open house signs. You can find plenty of information on typography on the Web.

The typography of your sign dramatically affects its readability and effectiveness. If you’re having trouble deciding on a typeface for you sign consult the experts at RSI.