from your friends at #humanbanner...

welcome to #backyardbanners

 

Learn More From Sally
Print Erin's Instructional Zine
Folding Instructions

whadda'ya need?

You have the power to send a message from the convenience of your own backyard. How to do it? Keep reading. You just need a place, a few friends, some stuff to make the image and a camera.

In this backyard banner, 35 people spelled out their message on a grassy background to create one legible image that will draw in the viewer. Above them are paper placards that spell out where they are located.

what else do you need?

  • You need a message.
  • How many letters is it?
  • How big is it? (tall and wide)
  • How will you fill it? 
  • People or tarps... What will they wear?... Standing or lying down?)

.

BLOCK WORDS WORK BEST

  • Tarps used here: 1 4'x15' tarp, bright white, split down the middle in two.
  • Two bags, ~$30 per bag
  • Large 1'x2" push pins to secure the tarps to the ground
  • 1x10 graphic ratio (letters are 20 ft. tall by 2.5 ft. wide)

you need some tools

  • 100 ft. tape measure - two or three will come in handy
  • Small traffic cones or little flags to mark a border
  • Tarps (cloth is good) for making the letters
  • Sturdy cutting implements
  • Garden pins (to pin the tarps down)
  • Mallets or hammer (to pound in the pins)

Optional tools:

  • Work gloves
  • Bullhorn (depending on crowd size)

Tools to make placards:

  • 2' x 2 1/2" flat sticks to make support frame
  • White poster board
  • Staple gun
  • Duct tape (choose a bright, contrasting color for letters)

you need a location

Walk it, measure it, and then...

make a chart/graph

Use this one, or make your own. Figure out how to fit your message within the confines of your space and how to make the letters from your chosen materials. For example, this graph shows a message 50 feet long by 20 feet tall. It can be made from basically one 20x20 foot tarp plus a little bit (divided into two-foot wide strips): nine 20-footers, six 6-footers, one 4-footer and three 2-footers).

you need a method

Here, the photographer climbed a nearby walnut tree.

 

Other ways to get the shot:

 

  • Drone
  • Tall selfie stick
  • Rooftop
  • Upstairs window

how do you get your message out there?

Yay! You've made your letters, gathered your friends, and photographed your message. Now it's time to share it with the world!
(Don't forget to spell out where you are, so we know from whence your message comes.)

Paul Revere had a lantern. You've got the Internet!

The following are some simple tips from a pro to help secure some local -- and, if you're very lucky (timing is everything), national and/or international -- coverage:

  • If you know a public relations or publicity pro, engage with them and see if they can help spread the word. Even if said pro is not involved in political PR, there are professional methods they will know how to employ.
  • With or without a PR pro, develop a target media list—local broadcast, local print and weekly/monthly neighborhood outlets. Your media “database” should include emails and social media handles of these brands, podcasts, etc.
  • If possible, seek out specific reporters or news editors as well as photographers and other influencers. Do some preliminary homework on who works at these publications or broadcasters.
  • A few days before your event, reach out via email and social, with a very, very brief pitch: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.
  • Include contact information – a specific human being – for the media to request more information.
  • Note: All media have a “Contact us” page on their websites. Fill out that form, even if also sending to a specific person.
  • Note: Most media have a newstips@..... type of email address. Use this as well.
  • Do not take it personally if no one gets back to you. Ever.
  • But if they do get back to you, ask: What is their deadline?" and make sure you respect it.
  • DAY OF: Once you’ve received your stellar photo or video (note: keep videos to UNDER 30 seconds), send to all media via email and work social media as well.
  • Social Media: repeat early and often. Day of and post, especially if the event is held on a weekend.
  • Partnerships: Seek out others who care about your message and partner with them. Oftentimes, they will have someone dedicated to publicity.