New marketing idea!

[musician/lawnman]

So because my buisiness is less that a year old this winter I only had enough work to keep me busy 3 days a week so I'm working 2 days a week in an oil change shop.... I had given the owner of this shop an estimate for lawn care & maintenence before I started working there. (that's how we met) He's unhappy with the service of his current provider but hasn't made the jump yet because my price is higher.

I kept thinkin' man this is a nice looking shop & a decent looking lawn on a busy street plus this place services 40-50 cars a day. *If I get the account I might get some others from it because its a high profile place & I could display my work & be seen doing it in a place like that.

*So I offered the owner a deal.... I said look, I know you want better service & to keep costs low so here's my offer. *If you let me place a nice 8x10" poster stating this property maintained by (my company name) with a description of my services, adds, special offers etc. in a nice fram permanently on the wall in you customer lounge (I get to choose where it hangs) & a business card holder, I'll do the work at half price. *
* I know half seems like a big discount but I figure I drop about $100 month in the phone book, newspaper adds are insane too. *I really think as busy as this place is & after watching the customers roam the lobby for 10 minutes at a time waiting for their cars with nothing to do so they read everything on the walls & posters that I could gain alot of business here. *Plus the regular customers all live in the vicinity so my routes could get tighter. Truth be told I'm only discounting about $45/ month (& of course it wont actually cost me that much per month). *& like they say people need to be exposed to your company several times for them to recognize & trust you..... *So they'll see my name, my company, & my face on the poster every 3 months when they get their oil changed!
What are your thoughts? http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Steve]

I think it is very creative and I love it! You should also be able to hand out some kind of flyer or coupon to every car that goes through there.

I think you should consider offering some kind of coupon at the location to get people to jump on your offer. Make it seem like if they get their oil changed there, they will also get 1 mowing free with an annual lawn care contract. Or maybe have a coupon for a % off their spring cleanup.

It's something to experiment with and then see how it goes. You never know what will work until you try it.

What do you think of that?

[musician/lawnman]

I like the idea & was planning on it. There was a post on here not long ago about making the back of your business card look like a gift certificate for a percentage or dollar amount off. I was planning on using that idea & include an expiration date to create a sense of urgency.

[Steve]

Yea I think you should experiment with that!

When might you get started?

Will you be able to get some pictures of your marketing material at this location?

[musician/lawnman]

Supposed to start this month, I'll post it after the owner signs my contract & gives me the 1st check!

[F3Nelson]

I for one think it is a great idea!

1. People see your work
2. People get to know you and your character every 3 months or 3k miles.


Just charge 2 or 3 bucks more per customer that sees your flier, and you will make up for your "loss leader"

[Steve]

You all got me thinking. You wouldn't have to work for an oil change facility to do this. You could simply contact your local oil change facility and make this offer. I bet if you find success with this Chuck, you will inspire many more to try it!

I can't wait to hear how it works out!

[musician/lawnman]

They signed up yesterday, I'll have my material up in the store by the end of the day today. I'll letcha know if it works!

[jrwalker333]

We have been using this concept for awhile as well. *We have literature in animal hospitals featuring a brochure about us offering flea and tick programs and the back side offers service listing we provide plus web-site. *In the past I use to offer free service(mowing) to entrance homes in nice neighborhoods. We would place a sign about us to gain new customers in the lawn in a visible location, (Ex: Lawn maintained by Dreamscapes Unlimited etc) *This seemed to work well, I have kind of quit doing that , but will probably try to initiate that program again back into our marketing plan.

You should do well with placing your sign and cards in that shop. *Also this gives you increased marketing exposure for a minimal cost great thinking.

[Steve]

Great ideas!

Quote[/b] ]In the past I use to offer free service(mowing) to entrance homes in nice neighborhoods.
Would there be any stipulations to get that free mowing? Would they have to sign up for a years service or how did that work?