Too Much or Too Little?

[tiedeman]

Do you ever feel that you sometimes do too much in marketing, time and money, with very little results to show for it?

Also do you ever feel that you don't do anything for marketing, and the customers are calling all the time?

I personally feel that way all the time. It's like sometimes I feel that I am throwing money down the drains with marketing. Sure, I know it's also a way to get your name out there and a good way for branding, but I personally have never seen great results for one particular marketing technique.

I have tried postcards, flyers, ads in papers, websites, yellow pages ad, stuff to past customers (discounts, flyers, letters, etc), signs on vehicles, knock door to door, placemats, phone book covers, flyers in newspapers, being members of state and national organizations, being member of local chamber, asking for referrals, upsells on invoices, business cards, business shirts with logo, upsell on answering machines, flyers and business cards on local businesses, search engines for wesite, holiday gift cards, holiday gifts, Christmas marketing, networking with local businesses either green industry related or not, attending local home & garden shows, bilboard signs, gift certificates donated to radio auctions and much more.

Those are all of things that i have done in the past 5 years with less than happy results. I have got to that point of where I am thinking to myself, "Maybe I should just sit back, do nothing, and see what happens."

[NickN]

Hey buddy,
Marketing isn't about getting calls.It's about getting recognized.I can't count the times I pull up with the logo on the truck and someone recognizes it.I've had people say,"Man,you guys are everywhere",even though we're not.The marketing gives the perception that we are and when someone sees the logo,they remember seeing it somewhere else.
I notice the one thing you don't mention you've tried is networking.I don't mean just business networking,but networking with friends,family,etc.,,,
I tried all kinds of advertising,with little results.So,I changed.Now,I target everyone.I'm nice and friendly to everyone,holding doors for ladies,striking up conversations with strangers,giving helpful landscape advice,etc.,,During these times I'm wearing the company hat and shirt.(Actually,all of the time http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
I've become known as the "go to guy" when it comes to lawns and landscapes.I give advice freely,with no strings attached.I help out some for no charge at all.This instills confidence in people,that I'm not out to just make a buck.
I think if you'll open up more,let people know you need more business,and just be the best person you can be,the business will find you.

[Steve]

Great thoughts!

When you think about advertising, most of the time you hear the return on your advertising is 1% maybw 2%. Now that might not even take into account how many of those 1 or 2% turn into paying customers. It could just mean the 1 or 2% had responded to your ad.
These are very low returns. Compared to what we would like to have. So I can totally see how you would feel nothing may work. But when you think of each ner person you get as a customer can become a mouthpiece to project your product or service to others, this can become word of mouth spread with exponential growth.
If you ask me, that is what makes it worth it. So keep working it.
The thoughts you brought up are many of the reasons why people decide to quit being in business for themselves. Because they aren't getting the immediate return they desired.
You can make this happen though. You can make it grow.