How to Advertise a Garage Sale

Garage sale shopping is a popular and usually eco-friendly pastime. Garage sales extend the useful lives of goods and keep unwanted items out of dumps and landfills. Hosting one rewards the host with a decluttered home and cash. However, they take a great deal of work to operate. In order to ensure the highest return for effort, it is necessary to advertise ahead of time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Advertise the Usual Way

1. Select a date and a rain date. Advertise virally by telling friends, family and acquaintances about the sale.
2. Contact the local newspaper’s classified ad department. Find out about placement deadlines, fees and cancellation procedures.
3. Write the ad. Include relevant information such as: date(s), time(s) and address. Include special directions for getting there and parking, if appropriate. Also include a brief listing of items with the biggest appeal to garage salers.
4. Place the ad with the newspaper and pay the fees. Watch for the ad and let the paper know if there were any errors.
5. Make large signs from poster board and markers. Use large print and clear arrows to direct potential customers. Set these up in a small perimeter around the sale.

Advertise in Non-Traditional Outlets

6. Write an ad to be placed on the local Craigslist site. Title the ad to include the city (or neighborhood) and date of the sale. Inside the ad, list key sellers like electronics, baby clothes and toys. Be sure to include directions from major roadways and any necessary parking information. Post the ad one or two days before the sale begins.
7. Design paper ads to be placed in neighborhood locations. Use color, graphics and a list of key sellers to generate attention. These can be made on the computer and printed out on standard paper or a heavier weight cardstock. One half of the sheet should be plenty.
8. Get permission and tack up the ads wherever it is allowed. Check with the managers of local grocery stores, recreation districts, Laundromats, drugstores, etc.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a list of the locations of all poster board and printed ads. Follow the list and remove all the ads after the sale is complete.
• Do not include contact information unless you are okay with being contacted. Garage salers searching on Craigslist commonly respond to ads.
• It is important to check with the town or village ahead of time to make sure the way you advertise your sale does not violate any local ordinances.