My Peace signs project did better than I could have expected. (click here for the orignal topic posts).
I designed the signs on Monday evening, cut the stencil and ordered the material on Tuesday, and printed 50 signs on Wednesday. I posted a "Free Peace Signs" notice on a local community bbs (CraigsList.org). On Thursday I got calls from two of the newspapers in town, and on Friday the evening paper (SF Examiner) ran a cover story that ran to a half of page 6. Nice color pic of me holding a couple of signs. The morning paper (SF Chronicle) ran a paragraph about me in amongst a story on what businesses were doing about the war.
So the upshot -- people do pay attention to signs, and doing something "for the community" is an easy way to get publicity. I have no idea how to turn all that publicity into paying the rent... but I guess it will all be good i the long run. I did update my website and put a link there for people who wanted to get one of the signs...
But guess what... very few people want to come get a free sign. I've had better luck walking around and giving them to people and asking a donation. Considering that two major daily papers ran the info on them, the response has been about 20 requests.
I think I'm going to print 50 more signs on Monday, and take the shop truck out near one of the subway stations, and catch people walking home from work. I'm guessing it will be easier to SELL these signs to people for $5 than it is to GIVE the signs away.
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Scooter, you definately might want to go with the sell option, as alot of people will take something just because it's free, then it collects dust in the garage. If they pay something for it, it might be more dear to them. I've done this sort of thing before, with bigger signs, but the signs were free, upon free installation. That way, I knew they got put up. I had upwards of ten locations for these 4x4 signs, each with a different message, and a quick- change mounting system. I would occasionally rotate them. Jim.
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
I have found that as a rule people do not appreciate free things. It devalues the object, sometimes even devalues the giver. Unless there is a very large emotional factor. Then value is added because the emotion gets transferred to the object.
i.e. When I gave away free flag decals after 9/11 they were valued. First they were very hard to get, and the emotion was running high. The flag, first and foremost, became a symbol of common pain. A show of American solidarity and love for each other, we were united, there was not something to counteract the flag. (Like a "Long Live Osama" bumpersticker).
This time it's different, sadly. The flag symbolizes "support for being at war" and the Peace signs symbolize "support for not having this war". (yes, there are great additional issues and other sub-categories, I am aware, give it a rest)
So, again sadly, the issue has become politicized. And money comes in the picture. Politicians have a self serving purpose for having their sign in your yard. They give it to you to do this for them. People who want a peace sign have a purpose to show their opposition to this war. They will pay you to do this. You are not in the business of "bringing about peace" if they put "your" free sign up. You are a provider of signs for their agenda.
Do you see the difference?
Sell them, ask for a donation that COVERS ALL YOUR COST at having made it, but don't give them away without some payback.
This may be difficult, because you would have to change policy in midstream. If you are called on that change, be straight forward and say you found you cannot afford to give them away forever. But that way beats having the project bomb because the underlying premise is not understood. There is a need for the signs. Provide them. It's your job. The fact that you personally support the "Peace" side of the issue does not mean you have to "give" them what they want.
Just MHO - Please send my 2 cents soon.
[ March 30, 2003, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: Myra Grozinger ]
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Up the hiway from me about half a mile on the right is a pond with cows surrounding and ducks and geese that eagerly come to any car that stops assuming they have bread or other goodies. Someone planted a sign there on the side of the road reading "Geese for Peace."
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
those are good ideas; thank you all for the encouragement and support!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Good job Scooter! I think curious minds may want to follow my 30 second search...so to save them 29 seconds...
[ March 30, 2003, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Scooter, have you thought about making a donation to the red cross? You could "sell" them for $10 & up (any donation above $10) & declare that all "profit" goes to the Red Cross!
