Expert: Peter Gabany - 12/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Peter

I am designing a sign to sell carnivorous plants that I plan to put on the road side to direct cars to my house. How important are the words “For Sale” or “Sale” in the sign? Initially I just designed the sign without those words as I assumed that people would understand that they were for sale when they saw a sign on the road. I thought that adding “For Sale” or “Sale” may make the ad more wordy and distract people from what it is that I am selling. However, people suggested that I add these words.

My initial ad read like below with the words “Carnivorous Plants” in bigger print so that they spanned all the way across the page.


Carnivorous Plants

Wick system makes them easy to grow.
Saves time watering & reduces the
risk of the plant drying out & dying.


Should I add the words “For Sale” or “Sale” and if so, would they be best above the words “Carnivorous Plants” or below them?

I have 3 different ways how the ad could be laid out at http://www.advantagein.com/cp/signs.htm where I have also added a photo. Which way is best if any?

Your help would be appreciated
Regards Richard.

ANSWER: Well the glaring problem is the idea that one might buy a plant that is apt to die. Remove any reference.

How about

Explore one of the wonders of nature
Carnivorous Plants for sale (in larger type)
New system makes care a breeze

That about does it.


Let me  know how this works.

Pete



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Peter

Thanks for your suggestion which was very valuable as I changed my mind today as a result of it. I was going to print the signs but thought I would think about it more. I will probably remove the part that says "& reduces the risk of the plant drying out & dying." based on your advise.
Some people suggested that I put "For sale" first so opinions do vary. I am not sure how much different it makes?

I am not sure if there is much advantage in adding "Explore one of the wonders of nature" though as I thought I would have to be brief and to the point in a sign. I thought that the less words the better. I also think it would be important to mention "saves time watering" and I am still thinking of stating "makes them easy to grow"
I like your suggestion to add the word "New" in front and I took your advise on my preferred sign.

I am seeking a few people's opinions on what sign to use so I uploaded a few versions including yours at http://www.advantagein.com/cp/signs2.pdf
Based on these other suggestions do your think another one may be better? My preferred option based on your feedback and other people's feedback is the sign on the bottom left hand corner of the table. What headings in bold print would be the best and what should I should write underneath?

Capillary wick systems have been around for a while. However, part of my set up could be considered a new idea and it would be new to many people. I do not know anyone selling carnivorous plants with this system so I thought that the word "New" may gain interest. A few weeks back I used the work “unique”. However, I then removed it as I realized other capillary systems are around although plants are not normally sold with them.

Your help is appreciated
Regards Richard.

ANSWER: Bottom right version of either page does it for me.

Happy Christmas

Pete

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Peter

Thanks for your suggestions. I wish you season's greetings as well.

If I add the words "New" and "System" I could make them smaller or even smaller again than in the example? If I put too little information people may misunderstand. On a longer version of the sign I could add "Plants eat pests". However, this may be too much for on the road side?

I have uploaded 4 versions of the sign with print to scale. The longer ones towards the end could be used on a notice board and shorter ones on a road sign. Do you favor any in particular 1. for the roadside and 2 for a noticeboard, and do have any more suggestions? The text of different signs could be arranged.

Please see
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign8a4.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign8ta4.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign8t2a4.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign8t3a4.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign9a4.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign10a4.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/sign11a4.pdf


Three different versions of the pages with more information about the plants but with no instructions are at below. Do you favor any particular?

http://www.advantagein.com/cp/printnoinstructions.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/printnoinstructions2.pdf
http://www.advantagein.com/cp/printnoinstructions3.pdf

I have a similar one with instructions with less in the heading and finer print.

Your help is appreciated
Regards Richard.

Answer
Richard,

Most any of these work. And while one may work a bit better than the other it is a crap shoot as to which one will pull the most. I hope that you have a website and if so - put the URL on the sign where you can do all sorts of explaining.

Happy Christmas

Pete