am I on track

started a lawn care company may 1st of 08 in 2.5 months I have 38 customers one is a bank two churches and 35 residential.Do you think Im off to a good start.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Hi MacTrina, Welcome to our forum! Congratulations on all your success so far! Can you give us some insight as to what got you to start your business and what kind of marketing you have been doing to land so many clients so quickly? Great work!

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well I worked in a factory fo 17 years and got sick from all the paint fumes doctor took me out so im sitting making no money.I worked for two lawn care companys for about 4 seasons. I decided to start my own I started with a push mower and a battery weed eater (my moms) made about 500 fliers and started to go door to door. I had 4 cust my first week and I could only cut 1 a day because of the weed eater. made another 500 fliers and passed them out. when I had like 10 customers I bought a used 48" scag walk behind 850.00 and a 33" mower 400.00 and a weed eater cheap one 70.00 and then a blower 130.00 every day a new customer I have passed out over 2000 fliers if Im not cutting grass I pass out fliers for 8 to 10 hours. I am very dedicated to this and I have plans to have a nice size company.I work 7 days a week. It is very hard work has you know but I just keep moving.Next season I hope to have some apartment complexes ( I will ) Thats about it just hard work and dedication thanks MacTrina lawn care

[Steve]

I think you are doing a great job!

When you reflect on your personality, do you find yourself to be an introvert or an extrovert? Do you like meeting and talking to people or do you like to keep to yourself?

I think this can play a big factor in a new start up business because ultimately if you don't want to sell your business then no one else will.

What's your view on all this?

[SafeClean1]

Do you mind sharing what you have on your flyers?

Sounds like they are working very well compared to what most people talk about with flyer response, I am curious if you have a very attractive/well written flyer if that is the difference.

Congrats on your success so far.

nothing fancy just card stock paper black and white no color I have changed what it says a couple of times I think my prices are in the middle . 25.00 min. for a basic yard I have about 8 that are 30.00 1 is 35.00 the church is 70.00 and the other is 45.00 my wife told me I passed out 5000 fliers so I would think that I would have more customers

[Steve]

Did you put any coupons on the flyers?

Also any suggestions as to the best way to hand out flyers? Did you knock on doors? Meet people? Put the flyers in the doors? Or what do you think works best?

no coupons and I just put them on the door im getting some calls this week from people that live on a street that I did over a month ago.does it sound like im off to a good start

[SafeClean1]

honestly yes it sounds like you are off to a good start for just flyers...

As I mentioned before I read most people said the flyers were very low on responses was why I wondered why yours were working better. I have seen most members post that they see around a 1% response for flyers/doorhangers so it sounds like your right near that %, you have just put out alot of flyers in a short time.

Are you getting your customers on any sort of an agreement/contract?

no not this season but I will next season I lost 4 customers already one lady her husband doesnt like to pay so he is making his son who is about 8 cut the grass.another guy said he was moving and he did not need me to cut then 2 weeks later he calls wants me to cut and he is still there and cut it his self 1 guy just wont pay me im tired of calling him so im not going to cut his lawn its already high.so im learning some lessons