Almost through with the season.

[SouthallMowing]

Here in Southern Ohio the season started in early april. It's now August, about 2.5 months to go. This is my first season as a "business". I contracted someone out last month to help (so I don't gotta go pay worker's comp, and SS, and all that) but I've been working with him, his work is great. Worth the money. That was the first major decision of my business. Turned out well. I have 10 residential accounts. for our 2012 season we are wanting 25 residential accounts and a couple small commercial accounts. We are one step ahead of the local competition, because they are one of those businesses that do all kinds of odd jobs. They know the basics of mowing, but aren't into knowing more. They just do the work to get it done, mow and blow, if you will. I bought an edger attachment and haven't been using it too much. Next year, I'm planning on edging driveways and sidewalks (not pavers, cause those will get destroyed). What other small things should I do to get more business, I have 300 postcards that are gunna get mailed out in Feb. For the commercial accounts (not like walmart, or franchise stores) what sort of approach should I take with them? Residential I have covered. Thanks, John

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

You sound like you are doing great! When you reflect on your current marketing, what do you feel has worked and what hasn't? A lot of times the answers to getting more customers is right under your nose, just scaled up a bit.

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[SouthallMowing]

Earlier this year, I mailed out 30 postcards. I got 3 calls. Got one job, and he said he's sticking to me for the rest of the year. So that paid itself off. Referrals have DONE WONDERS. I had a State Farm branch call me, however, since I'm 17, I can't do it. But they said if they ever needed anything else done, they'd give me a call. a few days later, that Insurance owner woman, called me for her personal lawn, cause she was selling her house, and wanted it to look nice. Easy job, easy money, I asked who referred her to me (to give them a discount) and it was 3 or 4 people, and 2 of them just had me clean their gutters. I mean c'mon. If they liked me that much, for a tiny job like that. I need to offer mowing for them. Word of mouth is by far the best. But postcards seem to work. I get them off of vistaprint for free. Then I find vouchers and such for free shipping, so it works.

[Steve]

You got a great response on your postcards. The key to them is volume. The more you send out, the more responses you tend to get.

Instead of 30, maybe next time send out 300! if you got 1-2% response, you would be looking at 3 - 6 new customers.

Then figure out how much the marketing costs and how much you would make from those new customers over the season(s) and you may just find it is well worth while to do.

In fact, you may want to experiment with the lawn care marketing return on investment calculator here to do that.