Darn it, can we explore this local business?

Hi,

According to the article linked to below "Ten Commandments lawn signs [are] flying off the shelves in La Crosse." In the resulting thread at FR someone says they'd like to have such a sign on their yard.

So...

Could this be turned into a local product? Maybe combine the 11 Commandments with a house address so the ambulance can find you in the event of an emergency?

What effect would the rules of homeowners' associations have on this idea? How should one do the marketing? The creation of the signs?

Prayerfully,

- Boyd


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/703056/posts

Hey Boyd,

Any of the election sign / for sale sign printers could print these up for you. I think that some places even have the 10 Commandments as an "in stock" item. Do a google search on "election signs" and you'll find a bunch of suppliers. Prices run about $3-5 each in qtys of 100+.

I'm sure you could customize the sign, but doubt street addresses would be the right thing. Maybe something with a title like: "Munfordville believes in the 10 Commandments" (insert your own community) followed by the commandments themselves.

I personally tend to shy away from anything that makes merchandise out of scripture, but I do know wherever this "commandments controversy" raises its head, these signs tend to pop up.
(The above is not a veiled suggestion to stir up your own controversy. Just my observation. : )

Best Wishes,

Jim Erskine
Homeway Press

Hi,

I think you've just helped me figure out what I was born to do!

Best,

- Boyd

Can ya turn a profit at rabble rousing?

(hmm. Actually, you CAN, now that I think of it!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! (goshdarn troublemaker, you gave me another idea!))


The Five Minute Mentor

Hi,

Are they called rabble because when they're roused they make a sound like "Rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble rabble..."

No wait, they go "Murmur murmur murmur murmur murmur murmur murmur...."

Or does it depend on how rabble-ized they are?

Best,

- Boyd

Boyd,

Here's a way that could work but you would probably need to adapt it.

Remember my friend, publicity pro Mike Van Norden's cool idea when he heard the controversy over what to name the Dallas Cowboys football stadium?

He put up a quick voting website, sent out some press releases and received 100,000 visitors to a new website in 10 days.

You could do something similar with this.

Ron

P.S. Small plug :-) I also wrote a special report and gave numerous case studies (both good and bad examples) of other people have turned controversal topics into cash. You get it free when you get Mike Van Norden's and my free advertising and publcity ebook.

I forgot to put a link.

No B.S. Guide to Free Advertising and Publicity Ebook

http://free-publicity.com/nobsr.htm

Boyd,

To answer your question about home owner's association's jurisdiction on lawn signs:

I've been doing painted address numbers on curbs for quite a while and quite successfully (over $1000 every week for about 6 hours work a day). I'm constantly asked about homeowner's associations "approval" for what I do.

I've checked into this and found that the associations have say over the home and yard, but not the street or curb, since that is city or county property.

In the areas where I paint addresses that are governed by associations, lawn signs of any type are NOT allowed including political signs around election time (and I never see any).

I work in areas where security guards patrol and have never been questioned.

I'm also asked by renters about if the owner of their home would approve or allow the curb address. The answer is the same - they own the home and yard, but not the street or curb, so it's always the decision of the occupant of the home. I can't imagine a home owner objecting to his address being clearly visible anyway!

The yard signs would need approval by home owner's associations and that is doubtful.

Lawrence

> > What effect would the rules of homeowners'
> associations have on this idea? How should
> one do the marketing? The creation of the
> signs?

> Prayerfully,

> - Boyd