That's not a sign.
Do you think you will be getting a lot sales this morning because of the sign? Are you hammering the sign on the post because you are truly trying to attract street traffic, or because that's what you're supposed to do?
Everyone posts a sign somewhere; maybe even two. Some are on red or yellow poster board, trying to grab the eye's attention. Neon green seems to be a popular color. In the last few years I have seen the addition of balloons tied to the signs or nearby poles. Anything that is not too expensive to give the audience something to notice.
Have a look at the above sign again. Notice there are no arrows, no directions, no address. Nothing but the words "Garage Sale!" The sign is being nailed right where the garage sale is going on. But let's be realistic. If the street or foot traffic are able to see that sign (thin black lettering on a small white board, right at eye level), then they have probably already taken a gander at the four piles of men's and women's slacks, seven pairs of argyle socks, the baby bouncy seat, 1960's entertainment center and coffee table, plaid futon couch and the Arizona-style rocking chair with no backing (wow, that sounds familiar). If people can see the obvious garage or yard sale before ever knowing there was one, why make the little sign?
Sure. Maybe the garage is set back behind the house. Those are hard to see from the street. If that sign, however, is the only one this guy had, and only posted it right in front of the house, then the sales are going to be lower than expected (only because we all expect to make thousands on our yard sales...then we start bargaining, trading, buying from our neighbor's yard sales, buying breakfast and lunch from Carl's Jr., and so on).
Why not try something a bit different? Why not . . . go bigger? Try something like that for a garage sale and see what happens. Maybe post two or three in some strategic locations, and see if you don't grab a few more customers than you bargained for. Hopefully those customers won't be police or city people, depending on the rules your town might have about signage.
A sign like this would be inexpensive, and maybe cheaper than buying that cardboard from Wal-Mart or Walgreens. What about a large bit of cardboard, probably for a dishwasher or something large like that? Trace out the letters, use a bold color, give the letters an outline, and cut it out. You are only limited by the size of the cardboard. Even plywood is still cheap. That would be tougher to cut, with a bit more work, but if you already have the tools you're fine. The wood signs would even survive the day and be ready for you another time.
You have to be creative if you want more attention. No, you don't need to do something like that to get some attention, some looks; that will always happen. But to separate yourself from the rest you have to take some risks. You have to be original. Yard Sale Cruising is a Saturday morning ritual for a lot of people. There are a lot sales going on each weekend. Why not yours? Why shouldn't yours be the center of attention? You can't get the money if you can't get them there.
There is a lot more you can do than this. You can't even read the sign up close.
Now, about having stuff worth selling. Well, that's a whole other story.
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