LOOKING for MORE THAN CASH, (at your yard or garage sale?)

Was on my  way to bed ,the other night and saw a post (looking for help and suggestions for a successful yard or garage sale) I couldn't resist and then thought further....THIS IS A GREAT IDEA and perhaps I should share it with others!  Be sure to incorporate certain EYE catching words.  For instance: any antiques? collectibles? tools, be sure when you advertise to highlight and mention the HOT items. I use a local paper we have that is known for advertising weekly yard/garage sales; EVERYONE grabs for the paper Wed when its released (for subscribers) freebies are delivered on Thursday to homes; early bird gets the worm so I know here? folks map and plan out their days for Fri and Sat and they PLAN for POWER SHOPPING!  hahah

A GREAT suggestion ( a KIT, if you will that I designed) that has worked VERY well for me for several years is: co-opping or partnering (the yard or garage sellers) with a local Realtor (ME)! I have yard sale/realtor assist packets and when the season begins; I offer to pay for the sellers weekly ad in the paper, PLUS I do flyers, blast out emails (of course every resource has the HOT items in bold or listed in the beginning.  Then I make it festive, like a party; just like when I do open houses or brokers opens.  Purchase the colorful plastic flags that the car dealers use? You know to sort of ROPE OFF an area? Put some up the driveway or around the yard or garage, whatever works for your venue. I offer to pay for and help plan and set up IN EXCHANGE for allowing MY NAME and SIGN to be right in the midst of the sale; I announce on my advertising that "This Yard/home/garage/estate sale is SPONSORED by your local Broker/Realtor: Patti Puckett  815-378-8642.  I ask permission to have a presence during the sale (each day) I would be there personally some of the time and/or I might have a son/daughter/neighbor anyone that will either volunteer OR get paid CHEAPLY to walk around with my cards to hand out; OR incorporate giveaways or door prizes and have a set up to collect names and phone numbers for leads and have a couple of prizes.  Let your imagination run wild.  The sky is the limit; it can be lots of fun---an excellent way to meet people, build repore, get leads, assist the seller  (remember I want to make her/him HAPPY and pleased that they chose me to sponsor them; I don't want them to feel I was an intrusion or irritating.

Plan for the Event; by that I mean...secure the garage or yard sale that you are sponsoring a few weeks (at least) in advance.  This give you enough time to run the ad, put out additional forms of advertising from: "COMING NEXT WEEK" (signs)  flyers...posting on a blog, your website, in local grocery stores, etc, blasting out emails in your address book etc etc

You can either RE-GIFT something from your own personal reserve (for your drawings/raffles  or...) this gives you time to share this with local merchants that MIGHT be willing to donate something in exchange for (advertising their name in your ad/ads)

The sky is the limit with ideas, add ons, etc  You can make this as intimate or grand as your envision. Either way; you can earn THOUSANDS of DOLLARS at each and every yard/garage sale you sponsor; if you prepare for the event.  ONE LEAD can produce how much money $$$$ for you? You will walk away with LEADS from the drawing/raffle---------LEADS from mingling and conversing with buyers and attendees--------REFERRALS and perhaps ongoing relationship with the HOST/HOSTESS of the event---------and you might want to have some FREE STUFF to hand out intermittantly throughout the event---garage and yard salers are notorious for searching out anything for FREE!!!!!!!!!  Could be candy for children or have bottles of water with your biz card taped to the label, or cups of kool-aid; again let your thoughts and ideas run wild.

Hugs

Patti Puckett

Broker/Realtor,Independent Student Advisor with Nouveau Riche/Investor

815-378-8642