Not long ago I was driving to a friend’s house for a barbecue. On the way I noticed a huge blackboard on the side of the road outside a local nursery. On the blackboard a message was written: ‘Wanted—One wife. Please apply inside.’ I thought that this was hilarious and obviously a joke of some sort.A few days later I picked up the paper and the sign and the man who wrote it were on the front page. That night he was on the news. He really was looking for a wife and he decided to make his intentions rather public. His nursery received so much free publicity that I was almost embarrassed. In the end he found a wife and everyone was happy. All of this happened because of his blackboard on the side of the road. Every time I drive past his business I have to chuckle.
Blackboards instil a sense of spontaneity and value. They are generally used to indicate a special or some other item of interest that changes regularly—hence the need for the blackboard. Restaurants use the blackboard very effectively with most of us being aware of the specials board that tends to be carted from one side of the restaurant to the other throughout the day.
You can use blackboards to the same effect in any business. Put one inside your shop to indicate a daily special. Put a blackboard on the wall outside your business to highlight a new product or a special service. Perhaps make a small sandwich board into a blackboard and put it out the front of your business to draw attention to yourself. Boating companies often put the day’s forecast on a blackboard along with a small subliminal message such as sunscreen and refreshments can be purchased on board. Blackboards are an inexpensive way to get your message across. Remember though that nothing looks worse than a blackboard that looks like it has been written on by a five-year-old child.
There are hundreds of people who are chalk artists. They can make up a very professional looking
board that you can use or perhaps they can do some graphics and leave the space in the middle for you to update your price or special offer. These chalk artists are inexpensive and if you see a blackboard that has been done professionally and you like the look of it you will probably find the name of the artist in one of the corners.

If you are planning to put a blackboard outside your premises you should check on your local government regulations. Sometimes you will need to have the sign registered.