I have been drawing yard signs for politicians, but I don’t have a professional yard sign myself.
For yard signs, I have noticed most are very similar. They are just small rectangular pieces of plywood with text on them.
I really like the yard signs my sister-in-law makes for my brother. She has designed a yard sign that is different from most yard signs out there. It can draw attention to it easily because of its shape and size. It also includes his name prominently in the yard sign, making it clear which yard sign belongs to him without having to compare his name with other names on yard signs around town.
My favorite design she made was one she posted online this past summer before an event he had at our church for high school kids called “Wild about Jesus.” She incorporated the words “wild” and “about Jesus” into an image of a mountain lion. When I asked why she did it, she said, “I thought the yard sign could be fun since he is the only candidate who has run for office in this district who’s not afraid to talk about his Christian faith.”
My favorite yard sign design is one my sister-in-law made to support her brother when he ran for Congress in 2014. She created a yard sign that stands out from others because of its shape and its creativity. The yard sign features his name very prominently, making it clear which yard sign belongs to him without having to compare his name with other names on yard signs around town. What makes the yard sign so creative are the words used, especially the fact that they are combined in a way to create an image of a mountain lion’s head with the words “wild about Jesus” surrounding it.
Can yard signs be effective tools in political campaigning? Why or why not?
Yard signs are very ineffective marketing tools, especially for yard signs. Yard sign costs are low enough that many campaigns might put them up simply because their competitors have yard signs out there. Yard signs don’t get looked at nearly as often as other forms of advertising do, but yard sign distribution is labor-intensive, so yard signs become expensive when you try to reach a lot of people. With yard signs, quantity doesn’t equal quality.
The effectiveness of yard signs does vary, depending on the yard sign design. Obviously yard signs with high-quality designs will catch attention more than yard signs without high-quality designs. However, yard signs that get attention do not necessarily win votes. Yard signs can really only influence people who are already undecided or slightly leaning toward your candidate before they see the yard sign. Yard signs may be effective in helping solidify a vote for someone if their constituents have recently seen yard signs for other opponents and the yard sign helps them to remember why they don’t like those opponents and what issues they disagreed with them about.
Can yard signs be effective tools in political campaigning? Why or why not?
I think so, yes – it is good to remind everyone of who you are, even if there are other yard signs in the vicinity.
What do you think is the best yard sign design?
That’s too hard – what are some yard signs that are effective?
I like yard signs with bold colors and simple text. I don’t always agree, but yard signs for Libertarian candidates seem to be well made.
Can yard signs be effective tools in political campaigning? Why or why not?
It depends on who sees them – If people aren’t paying attention they likely wouldn’t notice a yard sign over a campaign billboard that has a catchy slogan. Also yard signs should not replace other forms of communication that can be more effective depending on the candidate and their demographic. Signs may work really well for yard signs for example.
Conclusion:
Yard signs are very ineffective marketing tools, especially for yard signs. Yard sign costs are low enough that many campaigns might put them up simply because their competitors have yard signs out there. Yard signs don’t get looked at nearly as often as other forms of advertising do, but yard sign distribution is labor-intensive, so yard signs become expensive when you try to reach a lot of people. With yard signs, quantity doesn’t equal quality.
