ADVERTISING

[Dr.Dave Landscaping]

Does anyone here know how much business they can get from advertising on a enclosed trailer? has a lot of companies got business from this?

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Hi Dr. Dave, I think it is part of a whole. I don't think it would be the biggest return on your marketing dollar, but it is important. Are you considering having your trailer lettered? Or what is your view?

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[musician/lawnman]

I don't think it's something that brings instant business in & of itself but your clients neighbors & other locals see & learn to recognize the truck & trailer that way by seeing it over & over again. *I've gained several clients that came from next door or across the street from a home I service with my trailer lettering, (which is great to get several lawns at one stop) a few calls from customers who saw me out on the road too. I suppose it also helps you appear more proffesional & put together when you roll up on an estimate. *

The guy I hired to do my graphix got the vinyl cut out & after 4 times of dropping the trailer off *for the weekend & he only got a few decals done on the back of the trailer (which are off center & spaced pretty lousy) *I bought the deals from him & went home, figured out how to apply them myself. *a little tricky but do-able. His work ethic stunk. *I told him to call me when he goes out of business (which probably won't take long like that) & I'd buy the equipment, computer & his inventory from him. Turns out I'm pretty good at it so it could be a side business in the future!

Here's my trailer pictures...

[Dr.Dave Landscaping]

thanks guys I was going the route of the trailer decal ed in those pictures, I am going to need a big enclosed trailer, I have 2 walkers a 48" Ferris walk behind and 2 commercial lawn boys. I was thinking that it will be eye candy for when you are at residential accounts neighbors will see you.

[Steve]

Chuck,

How much do you think it would cost to buy the stickers and put them on your trailer yourself?

Also how long did it take you to do it?

[musician/lawnman]

it ended up costing me I think about $200 bucks, It was tedious & time consuming though your overhead & operating costs would be pretty low in this business I think. *I didn't really keep track of the time. *but it works like this. *The computer sends the image to a large printer essentially a blue print plotter with a razor blade instead of an inkjet, it cuts the letters out of a roll of solid vinyl, I bought them from him at this stage, Then I had to "weed them" (use an exacto knife to peel out the unwanted vinyl, the middle of an O for example) then you apply a special tape over it that is strong enough to peel the letters off the backing but will release the letters once applied to the trailer.

I did it over 2 weeks farting around with it a few nights a week in my driveway. *Alot of little intracasies (I think that's mispelled) figuring out how to avoid & get out bubbles, deal with rivits, get the solution you use to apply the decal to a good mix of soap & water, not enough soap-it sticks immediatly no 2nd chances or adjustments, too much soap & it won't stick to the trailer at all! *

I got good at it by the end but I'm patient with that kinda stuff & like the attention to detail which is good cause that 2 tone grass at the bottom was a pain in the ###!

[Steve]

Hey,

What I like about it is that if you want to use a little elbow grease, you can do it yourself. That's a great thing especially when you are a start up lawn care business and every penny counts.

I think a lettered trailer gives your customers a feeling that you are a legitimate business and you will be around for a while. I think vehicle signs tend to do that. They promote a good feeling of legitimacy.