One of the most important ways candidates for various offices or positions can get noticed is by purchasing campaign lawn signs.
When passers-by on the street see a politician's name it often sparks interest, and can lead to a successful outcome on election day.
However, deciding to use campaign signs as a strategy is just the first step of the process.
According to many sign experts, there are several factors to take into account.
At WinningCampaigns.
org, Kirby Ralston writes that one of the most important elements when posting campaign signs is location.
It is also important to take into consideration what sign laws are in place.
"Location is very important and certainly a key element when considering sites for your campaign signs," writes Ralston.
"Putting your signs in a high traffic area is important, but make certain that your municipality or state does not restrict your placement of the signs.
None of us need to start off our campaign with a city or state sign violation.
" Another place that Ralston suggests is near elementary schools.
Every time parents pick up or drop off a student, they will not doubt see the sign and instantly think of the candidate being promoted.
Putting it near the schools also ties a candidate's name to educational issues, an important aspect of many elections.
At wikiHow.
com, Sarah Teresa suggests spreading political yard signs by recruiting those involved in the campaign to post the signs on their lawns.
By giving out signs to as many people as possible, different areas of the town or city will be exposed to the candidate's names.
It is also important to make the sign stick out.
In order to do so, Teresa suggests being upfront and not afraid to prominently announce a candidates presence.
"To make a real impression, a candidate should be first and biggest with yard signs," Teresa writes.
"That means choosing a weekend and raising the yard signs all at once.
This will have a more dramatic impact and create a sense of momentum for your campaign (not to mention scaring the daylights out of your opponent).
" When creating the political campaign lawn sign, the words a candidate uses should be memorable but also get right to the point.
When potential voters pass by a sign, it is important that they know what office the person is running for and be able to make out the name in a clear way.
It is also important that the name on the sign match the name on the ballot.
"Your last name must be of primary importance, but your first name or nickname could play an important role as well.
You want your sign to be remembered, more importantly, you want to be remembered," writes Ralston.
"If two or more candidates are running with the same last name in your community, you must separate yourself by displaying your first name on the sign.
Most importantly is to use your name as it will be printed on the ballot.
" Lettering can also be important.
The font of the sign should be readable to the public from as far a distance as possible.
This can often mean that signs appear bold and in easily distinguishable colors.
For example, if the background of a sign is blue, then white letters will most prominently stick out.
By having an easy-to-read font, there is less of a risk of confusing people passing by who may take a glance.
No matter what office a candidate is running for, signs can often be the difference between winning and losing.
The more a candidate's name is part of a town or city's landscape, the more people will take notice and vote.