A) Twice as many, at least, assuming such good pedestrian traffic, and a growing awareness that "Hey, so my shoes AREN'T disposable? Cool!"

B) The only thing I would add is a colorful arrow pointing at the door, to power up and add immediacy to the "Ask Inside" message.

Great post. cool work.

I've never "Kopywritten" before, but here it goes.

A) I would say 18

B) I would add a saying like, "Like Obamacare, we are "AFFORDABLE."" or "Restoration cures Humiliation."

Awesome work, Neville!

My guess is 15

And a crazy idea, what if you create a PAIR of sandwich boards, each one with one side of mirror with a sticker says "Did you see what's happening in your shoes? See other side for answer!" , the other side are the images of your ladies and men's shoes, with the text says "We fix it for you!" So when people walk by, they will see the mirror side first, they might even raise their shoes as they see the reflection from the mirror, then walk to the other side of the board to see the service of the store:)

A pair of them, so you can flip the mirror side of the board for both-side traffic :)

a) 17

b) How about an image of a person wearing their old shoes contrasted with wearing the repaired shoes. I picture myself walking by the sign after a few days looking down at my shoes thinking huh I wonder how much it would cast to fix em up. Oh free estimates cool! :)

Revive Your Feet

With a little First Aid for Your Shoes:)

a) 11

b) The potential customer's problem needs to be addressed up front, something like "Your shoes are sick (Not in a good way)"

What a great fun experiment Neville:)

don't know about Austin but here in NSW Australia it can be nearly as expensive to repair as it is to buy new and you still have old shoes - why bother? SO I'd show why repair can be better with something along the line of: "Favourite shoes worn out? New shoes too hard to wear in? We can make your favourite shoes look like new but feel like a treat on your feet. Save pain, time and money! Call in today for a free estimate." I'd accompany it with an image of a foot pinched in an really uncomfortable stiletto and another before and after but shot from behind, the first of a badly rolled out shoe ie the heel severely worn on one side, the second with it repaired and another before and after with a comfy pair of shoes revamped and looking fabulous.

a) 25x more walk in's

b) free taco with every order and partner up the deal with local taco dealer yum ;)

a) 19

b)I would replace the ad Saturday

and I’d write:

"Just for today"

(to create a sense of urgency and versatility [you can put on any day])

An image of a woman's shoe with an arrow pointing the heel

Add the words:

"½ Heels "

"Unlimited"

a) I'll go big and guess 19 people are coming in per day.

b) I'd say,"Miraculous shoe recovery" instead of "We do miracles on shoes." Given that the store is called "Austin Shoe Hospital," I'd want to use a word I'd associate with a good outcome at a hospital.

a) Around 10-15 more walk-ins a day

b) Is there something small he could do for free or very little costs like the freebies and taste tests like they do at the food court?

How about adding a grabber.

A real pair of shoes on the sidewalk.

One shoe repaired and one not.

1). 13

2).15 min. Workshop on how to properly shine & care for beloved shoes @ scheduled times during the day ..maybe 3-6x during business hrs.--->after presentation offer Home "Express Shoe Shine Kit" readily available on your way out and packaged nicely.

First of all, I love how "A or B" became A AND B for some people. Or even 1 and/or 2... Hilarious.

Regarding walk-ins, it looks like the store is actually displaying BOTH signs so I bet the number will be higher, maybe 25. Two signs in a row will work even better than you planned.

I would put my money on board number 2, for two reasons. 1/ clearer images and less information to process and 2/ a clear call to action.

I'd say you're spot on with at least doubling them. If that shitty sign brings in 8, I'm guessing 20 is not too much of a stretch either.

Solid work, can't wait to see some updates!

Answering the second question about split testing ideas for the signs...I like your new sign content, and others have commented about different content ideas like benefits or using the word "free". So far all good ideas.

But what about making the signs themselves more eye catching? Something like a red background or a black background (the white almost seems to blend in to the background too much in the picture).

Great post! As someone who is looking for a transition from my current job to something new to do you keep bringing me back to your Kopy writing course. I'm reading the Boron letters and plan on reading your other recommendations. Next stop, Kopy Writing Course. Thanks Neville, keep on teaching ??

A: 16

B: Can you make it easier to remember to bring shoes in? Hand out labels for postage or boxes or bags so you can post them or put them by the door. I would always forget to bring them out because I would stop wearing broken shoes. I'd remember when I walked past and then forget when I got home.

A: 15 seems about right

B: I would add one of those plexiglass boxes with flyers. Simple flyer, about the same as the sign (and yes, add an big red arrow with "Ask Inside" or something like that to the sign) with a COUPON (free shoeshine on purchase, Saturday half of heels etc.). People might not have the time or chance to walk inside at that minute, but because of the coupon, they'll keep the flyer and return later. Plus you can actually check how successful something like that is. (how many copies are taken on a day, how many returned, etc.)

I would add urgency:

-With the before/after pics add the copy "From busted to beautiful by 7 AM tomorrow...X spots left". That X is a changeable number card to countdown the available openings for urgent repair work.

-I like what Jack and Tony said above about shoe shine services. To add some urgency, I would do half off (or value-added) shoe shine "happy hours" before work or during lunchtime. Oooooh...they could offer complementary drinks/snacks. That's the value-add. ARGGH...I'm getting away from the copy...."Shoe shine while you wait. X seats open NOW."

Quick question Neville...or anyone else...how do you do this without seeming like an ass? How do I approach a business offering this kind of copy help without the undertone of "dude, your sign sucks"?

Thanks, man.

New walk ins @14 a day

Add a QR code. If they are busy walking to work or a short lunch break they can snag a shot to remind them to drop off shoes later in the week. QR code can lead them to a landing page of monthly specials, new products and a buyers guide for getting the best shoe value. Add a nice video of them reworking some shoes would be great for credibility and personality.

What about a strategically placed mirror so people walking by can see their shoes and reflect on the possibility of restoring them.

Maybe playing with the hospital theme a little more. Something like a old shoe on a stretcher with a phrase like, "Come(or for alliteration sake inquire) inside, The health of your shoes depends on it!"

Yes! I like the something along the lines of "Save your favorite pair of shoes" or similar.

I had a $250 pair of shoes that've been wearing down, and I gladly plunked down $50 to have them fully re-done. Great deal.

And when you consider many women have heels that are $500+ ....a little refresher to keep them looking good isn't out of the question!