Garage Sales ; Spread the Word 

OK, so you are strong enough, your family and friends will participate, you have a great location, and an amazing assortment of items. You have chosen a date and checked out city ordinances. Now you need to get the word out. Very few successful sales happen when someone simply sets up shop and waits for people to drive by. In order to attract the most customers, advertising is an absolute necessity. The most obvious and effective solution is to run a classified ad in the local newspaper.

Local Newspapers/ Flyers

Local newspapers’ classified advertising sections are the best places to tell people you’ll be open for business. Don’t just advertise in your daily newspaper;
place ads in the weekly newspapers and shoppers that serve your town. Check newspaper deadlines for taking ads so you are sure to get your ad there on time. Write a catchy ad, but not one that is too cute. Tell people what kinds of items you have, and be sure to give them the dates, times, and place for the sale. An ad might read: “Follow the signs to 225 Yucca
(corner of Payne) July 11 and 12 for the sale you’ve been waiting for. Like-new toys, baby clothes, linens, books, fishing and ski equipment, crutches, plus much more, reasonable prices. 8 a.m. to noon both days. If you’ll be holding your sale regardless of the weather, add “rain or shine” to let people know that it’s still on, even if the weather is disagreeable. ” If you live in a community which has no local paper or shopper, you will need to post flyers with permission, of course, in supermarkets, coffee shops, churches, Laundromats—any place with a bulletin board in your community.

Radio

Radio stations will sometimes run a public service announcement the day of your sale. Ask them. Word of mouth helps, too. Announce your sale to friends and if permissible, at meetings of organizations to which you belong. Many people love garage sales and will be eager to come to yours. Don’t neglect
to tell them about it.

Signs

in addition to classified ads. Make fliers with the exact same information as your ad and post them at grocery stores, schools, libraries, or churches – any place with a “community events” bulletin board. There are also places where you can advertise on the Web for free. And don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth advertising! On the day of the sale put up signs, too, pointing toward your house from main streets in town. Make the signs colorful, and put your address on them in big letters and numbers.

Before hanging signs anywhere, you need to check with your local government for regulations and restrictions on sign placement. Some places are very picky about when, where and how you can hang signs and some are more lax, but regardless, it’s important to inquire before placing anything. At the least, you could have your signs removed; at the worst, you could be charged a penalty fee for putting them up in the first place. If it’s okay to hang signs, don’t hang them too far in advance; they can be a neighborhood eyesore.

Directions and Location

If your house is hard to find, include directions in the ad. Don’t put your phone number in the ad unless you are willing to answer many phone calls. Be prepared for callers who want to come for a preview.

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