DIY Marketing Magic: How I Turned a Vinyl Banner into a Sandwich Board in My Dining Room
When I started this whole author journey, one thing was clear: I wasn’t going to throw money at fancy marketing to start out. Let's be real, there are a ton of companies out there happy to take your money in exchange for a few likes—but those paid likes? Not my crowd. So, I decided to get creative (a.k.a. crafty) and make the most of what I had to begin exposing my brand organically to my market.
For my first book event, I ordered a super affordable vinyl banner that hung on a wall. When the event ended, I faced the dilemma: what on earth do I do with this thing now?
From Banner to Sandwich Board...in the Dining Room
After my next promotional event, I knew my banner needed to be displayed better. As I thought about different ways to utilize it, I pictured a giant picture frame—something solid, like an oversized easel, and portable. I needed something sturdy (to survive the occasional gust of wind), and versatile enough to work on a table or by a door. Cue the lightbulb moment: I’ll make my own sandwich board sign! Lucky for me, my woodworking skills came in handy. I picked up some “tinker toys” (aka bits of lumber, screws, and a mistinted paint sample) from the local hardware store, shoved the dining table to the side, and got to work.
Bits and pieces of lumber, some screws, a paint sample and my Oliver the Owl promotional banner.
Saturday Night, Tools, and a Giant Banner
So, there I was, on a Saturday night, building a giant sandwich board in my dining room. But hey, doesn’t everyone do this instead of Netflix?
With my vinyl banner stretched out on the dining room floor, I dove in. First, I built a rectangular frame, making sure it perfectly fit my 30”x48” banner. Power drill? Check. Handsaw? Check. With a few holes drilled and the sides perfectly squared up, I popped in the screws and the sandwich board was taking shape. I finished it off by adding easel legs to the back that could swing out when it needed to stand alone at an event. And because it’s all about the branding, next I painted it to match my banner. I decided to add cording I had on hand through the legs at the base to control how far the easel leg expanded, just for some extra control when freestanding. The final step was using finishing washers and screws to secure the banner onto the sides of the frame and under the top and bottom headers.
Ta-Da! My Perfect Event Companion
Once it was done, I stood the sign up in my living room and imagined being at my next book event. I was seriously shocked by how big it was (I mean, it’s 30”x48”—you’d think I’d have known). But wow, it was big…and perfect! I’ve taken it to several events now, and it’s everything I hoped for: portable, sturdy, and absolutely impossible to miss. Whether on a table or standing by a door, it gets attention—and that’s what I wanted!
The finished product - the perfect low budget trade show and booth signage for this author!
Low-Budget Marketing for the Win
If you’re looking to get creative with your marketing without spending a fortune, my best tip? Scroll the internet for DIY ideas, and don’t be afraid to get a little crafty. Pallet wood is a great starting point if buying new materials isn’t your thing. And most projects can be knocked out with a bit of tool know-how—or a handy friend to lend a hand. With a little imagination, you can create marketing magic without emptying your wallet!
Supplies List - Total $14.38 plus tax
2 x 2 x 4’ furring strip - 2 qty - $3.72
1 x 2 x 4’ furring strip - 4 qty - $3.52
1 package finishing washers - $0.70
#8 x 1-1/2” Phillips Drive Wood Screw - 30 count pack - $5.33
8oz paint sample (mistinted oops paint) - $0.50
2” foam paintbrush - $0.61
