How to Plan a Community Yard Sale

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The first step in having a successful community yard sale is to invite as many neighbors as possible to participate. Put an invitation together so people can check their calendars, plan on the date, and respond to you if they plan to participate.

The invitation may read similar to this:

"Join the fun of our Community Yard Sale!"
Who: Anyone who would like to participate.
When: List the date you have chosen to hold the sale.
Time: List the time you have chosen to hold the sale.
Setup: Setup begins at 7am on the date of the sale (or whatever time you choose). Bring your treasures and join us to make some extra cash!
ADVERTISING: An ad should be placed in the local newspapers/shopping guides. If participants have a specific article they would like mentioned in the ads, list a deadline.
Each person will be responsible for pricing and managing their own goods.
RAIN: If it rains ... list what your plans are if it rains on the scheduled day.
QUESTIONS: List how people can reach you if they have a question about the sale.

Make your flyer colorful, legible, and fun. Copy and distribute.
Step 2

Distribute one flyer to each neighbor. Do not put flyers in the mail box, this violates postal regulations. Instead, hand the invitation directly to your neighbors, or attach to their door knob with a rubber band. Invitation flyers must be handed out several weeks in advance of the sale to allow people to get their sale items organized.
Step 3

If your neighborhood happens to be a townhouse community or apartment complex where it would be difficult for each neighbor to display goods at their individual address, locate a large flat area such as a common grassy area or unused section of pavement, to hold your sale. Remember to get approval from the property manager before choosing a neutral location.
Step 4

Keep a list of which neighbors are planning to participate. Give each participant something to identify their house, such as a few balloons or a bright colored ribbon.
Step 5

Advertise the sale! How will people know that this great event is taking place if you don't advertise?

Design a simple flyer including the event date, time and location. Post them around town about 2 weeks ahead of your scheduled date. Remember to get permission before posting anything. Great places to post flyers include anywhere there is a lot of foot traffic such as the local library, grocery store, convenience store, gas station, post office and fast food restaurants. Many places have a community bulletin board designated for community use. Remember, ask before posting!

Also use the power of email. Send a note to all of your local contacts and ask them to spread the word as well.
Step 6

Place an ad in the newspaper/shopping guides you mentioned in your invitation. The ad should list the date, time, location, and any specific items you wish to mention. Call your local newspaper/shopping guide at least one week in advance of the event.

The ad could read something like this: "Large Community Yard Sale! Saturday, July 12, 8am-2pm, houses marked with balloons on Quail Street, Something for everyone."

Newspaper staff are very knowledgeable and creative. If you need a bit of help with your ad, just tell them so. They will design wording and read it back to you for confirmation. The newspaper staff will also give you the total cost when placing the ad; usually charged per word. Have a credit card handy for immediate payment.

If you wish, ask each neighbor to contribute a few dollars to help cover the cost of the newspaper ads. Check your ads to make sure the information is accurate and correct.
Step 7

The day before your Community Yard Sale, call or visit those who are participating. Remind them of the scheduled time and ask them to place the balloons or ribbon (distributed earlier) in a highly visible location to tell shoppers they are participating in the sale.
Step 8

The evening before your sale, display large visible signs marking the event. Post signs at the end of your street and at busy intersections. Make arrows in bright colors to direct shoppers to your sale.

Signs should be free-standing and not stapled or nailed to utility poles.
Step 9

The morning of your event, set up and sell those unused items. Have FUN while making some extra cash. Remember, one person's trash is usually another person's treasure!