subject: How To Change Your Life With A Few Billboard Signs [print this page] Author: Frank Rolfe Author: Frank Rolfe
You drive by billboards every day, and never think much about them other than to read the ads. But did you know that those same billboards could dramatically improve your life? Well, they can. Just a few billboard signs, if you own them, can significantly change your life for the better. And it's not as hard to do as you think.How billboards workBillboards are a very easy business model. You rent the right to build and operate the sign from the land owner. You build the sign. You rent the advertising space out and, after paying a few bills, you keep the difference. The "difference" can range from a few thousand dollars per year to over $100,000 per sign.It's a business model that's been working for over 100 years, and has created two of the Forbes 400 - Artie Moreno and John Kluge - as well as been the foundation for Ted Turner's empire.Opportunities still aboundEven though most of the great locations in the major cities have been taken, there is still significant opportunity in the industry. Every time a property is rezoned, or a highway built, there are new billboard spots. And they are everywhere once you get out of the big city. And even in the heart of the city, there are underperforming signs you can buy.One of the best opportunities right now are small wooden billboards in smaller to mid-size markets. You can build these for $4,000 to $8,000, and they cash flow about $3,000 per year each. If you owned just four of these signs, you'd have an extra $1,000 per month in your pocket. Ten would give you $30,000 in additional cash flow. There are some individuals out there that have 100 signs or more, yielding over $300,000 in cash flow per year.It's not expensive to get into the businessThe total cost of the tools needed to be in the billboard business is under $100. It's a game of strategy, not of who has the biggest checking account. It's also a business in which the big, public companies have no advantage over the individual. There are no scale issues or barrier to entry. In fact, often the small guy has a distinct advantage over the big company, as the small guy can move faster in negotiations and may bond with the land owner better.It does not take time away from your day job or familyThe billboard business is something that can easily be done on nights and weekends. And even then, it is not all that time intensive. When you build a sign, you do it one time for your entire life. And when you rent the advertising space on a sign, you only do that one time per year. It's a business that revolves around thought and strategy, and not a whole lot of time in the field. Many people manage their billboard empire on a couple hours a week.But it can be your day jobMany people have turned their billboard hobby into a career. That option is always open to you, if that's what you want to do. In addition, the skills you learn in your billboard business may allow you to find a career at a large billboard company. There are three publicly traded billboard companies in the U.S. - Lamar, CBS and Clear Channel - as well as a host of large independents.And it's a lot of funOne of the benefits of the billboard business is that it is very enjoyable and rewarding. It is a true win/win business in which everyone involved is happy. You help advertisers sell their goods and services, and at the same time, help land owners maximize their income from their property. It is never boring, and involves mostly getting out of the office and into the field. There are no unhappy moments, no stress and no worry.ConclusionThe outdoor billboard business is a fantastic use of your time. You spare time, properly focused, can yield great financial and satisfaction rewards through billboards. Just a hand full of these things can dramatically change your life for the better. And it opens a tremendous number of doors that you may never have even considered. Don't just keep driving by billboards - give them some real thought. You'll be glad you did. About the Author:
Frank Rolfe started his billboard empire from his coffee table. Using unique strategies he developed from desperate competition with much larger adversaries, Rolfe eventually owned more billboard units than any private individual in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Rolfe's has authored the Billboard Self Study Course and conducts Bootcamps twice per year. More information can be found at http://www.outdoorbillboard.com or call 573-535-0206.
