A common mistake candidates make is buying more signs than their organization can handle. They see that it doesn't cost too much more to get an extra 500 or so signs. Why not order a large number to get more visibility?
But then the signs show up. At some point the candidate or campaign manager has an "oh shit" moment and realizes that they need to place another 700 signs that are sitting in the back room collecting dust.
So they recruit a volunteer to be the sign manager. Then they get a crew of volunteers to place signs all over creation. Maybe you run a phone bank to ask people if they'll put one in their yard. The sign crew goes out every weekend or several times a week putting up new ones and replacing those that disappeared.
Pretty soon you realize that half your volunteer efforts are going toward placing those damn signs. Those are volunteers who could be knocking on doors, making phone calls to undecided voters, or doing something useful. Not good!
Don't buy more signs than you can handle!
Other campaigns have the volunteers and staff to place all the signs they want and go overboard. I see this every year in Springfield, most often from any candidate endorsed by the local Republican organization. Party foot soldiers spam the town with endless signs in front of rental housing, abandoned lots, and public medians.
Springfield mayoral candidate Mike Coffey is the latest example but he's by no means the only offender. One wonders how seriously he'll take city beautification after letting his supporters clutter the town with signs.
Signs do not equal votes! Spamming all creation with illegally placed signs is for crackpots like Scott Lee Cohen and machine-backed candidates. You might gain a few votes but you'll probably lose more.
When I worked for the '04 Kerry campaign in Illinois we had the opposite problem. Every day I heard from angry supporters demanding a sign. We had nothing since Illinois wasn't a swing state. I finally started telling people that their sign was sent to Wisconsin or Missouri where the race was closer. They could buy one online if they wanted it that badly. People understood that in a Presidential race but local candidates can't get away with that excuse.
People expect signs. You'll piss people off if you don't have them. More importantly, political leaders will take a lack of yard signs as a sign (eyes rolling) that a campaign isn't serious.
The trick is finding the porridge that's just right. Buy enough to supply those who want one in their front yard, have a little visibility, and show that you have supporters. That's all you need your signs to accomplish. Putting up an extra 1,000 yard signs never won an election.
And finally, take your signs down after election day! After I ran for county board I had dozens of people commenting and thanking me for going to each house and taking signs away within two days after the election. People will remember it if you ever run again.
No, I'm not going to end my post by linking that damn Tesla song, but here's Bob Dylan littering with signs. Don't do that either.
Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Bob Dylan