Introductions from Pittsburgh

[Hedgemaster]

Hi all. I'm new to the site as well as the "business". Count me as one of the many unemployed Americans who is doing what he needs to do to get by without losing his home. I've been contemplating doing this for a living and many of the Google searches for answers to my "getting started" questions led me to this forum, so here I am. In addition to lawn care, I'm offering "handyman" services. Perhaps if the lawn care portion picks up, I can cut (no pun intended) the handyman part out, but as things stand, I need to offer whatever I can to bring in money to pay the bills. I'm 42 years old, a graphic designer, married, a homeowner for 16 years, own a full size 4x4 pick up, and have a good work ethic. Aside from my age, I'm guessing these are all "pluses", but I still have some reading to do in order to feel confident that this is something I can make work for me. In just a few months I've gone from talking to people about doing work, to designing flyers, and business cards, to picking up a cargo carrier to add to the back of my truck, so I'm headed in the right direction anyway. I look forward to learning, sharing, and perhaps one day giving advice to someone who is in the position I am right now. Time will tell. Wish me luck! ETA: I hope there aren't any other active posters with this screen name. I couldn't find a members list to check first before creating a name. I chose it because my neighbors apparently think I'm like Rain Man or something when it comes to my "perfect" hedges. "Yeah, hedges... definitely level - gotta be straight - definitely."

[cleancutlawncare5382]

Lawn care business tips

Welcome to the site. I too was looking for answers this past spring and found endless help from this forum. Great bunch of guys. In just a few months I've gone from talking to people about doing work, to designing flyers, and business cards, to picking up a cargo carrier to add to the back of my truck, so I'm headed in the right direction anyway. Have you landed any steady customers yet? What type of marketing have you tried? The flyers have done well for me. What I've done is identify a neighborhood I would like to do work in and start knocking on doors. Also get the word out to your friends and neighbors your in business. Ask all your current customers for referrals.

[mark123]

From which city are you western PA fellows? I may be the competition.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by cleancutlawncare5382

Welcome to the site. I too was looking for answers this past spring and found endless help from this forum. Great bunch of guys.

In just a few months I've gone from talking to people about doing work, to designing flyers, and business cards, to picking up a cargo carrier to add to the back of my truck, so I'm headed in the right direction anyway.

Have you landed any steady customers yet? What type of marketing have you tried?

The flyers have done well for me. What I've done is identify a neighborhood I would like to do work in and start knocking on doors. Also get the word out to your friends and neighbors your in business. Ask all your current customers for referrals.

Thanks.

The only steady customers are a few I had from before I started with the flyers/cards, but those customers are now able to give something more than just my number to their friends. One recently sent out an email (pdf of my flyer) to her friends, and within one day, I had a call and a job.

I've gone door to door on a limited basis, but when my new cards come in, I'll do more of that. I've had them printed with a "$10 off any job over $75" offer (first time customers) on the reverse.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

From which city are you western PA fellows? I may be the competition.

It's a secret, but there's a clue in the thread title.









Note: I have no Idea why the "multi quote" doesn't work.

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

It's a secret, but there's a clue in the thread title.

Pittsburgh proper or one of the surrounding areas? It seems that people around here call the entire area "pixberg". I'm about 50 miles north of the city.

What about cleancutlawncare5382?

[Doug1]

Hi I am starting a landscape business in Guelph Ontario Canada

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

Pittsburgh proper or one of the surrounding areas? It seems that people around here call the entire area "pixberg". I'm about 50 miles north of the city.

What about cleancutlawncare5382?

Suburbs, eastern side of Pgh.

I know what you mean though. Just watch the news and they talk about a "local man who (fill in the blank)" and it ends up the guy is from Erie. HUH?

[cleancutlawncare5382]

Originally Posted by mark123

What about cleancutlawncare5382?

We might be neighbors, About 50 miles north myself

[Steve]

I'm 42 years old, a graphic designer

Welcome to our forum! With your experience in graphic design, have you applied that to your new business in the form of business cards and truck graphics?

What kind of marketing are you planning on doing to further promote your business?