here is what i could find real quick.

[kdvandco]

here are some pics.. like i said. i think the black and white flyers work as well as my colored ones. the colored ones i try fold staple a rubber band on and hang on doors i always knock and try and talk. One time Ill put the color ones out next time same area the black and white ones. I also have some that read. this is the free estimate for your _____ yard mowed, trash hauled, fence painted, leafs raked circle one and leave it. with my number.. when they call they already know the price i already know the job and its a sure deal.. dont hesitate to add ten bux to your original estimate it give you an extra boost and a little leeway to go down on your price. I seem to not been able to upload the black and white flyer, and lost the gut since that pic last summer lol. Ill add the pics of my new Gravely and The black and white Flyers i use.

Attached Images

	myhorses.jpeg (84.6 KB, 27 views)
	cub3.jpeg (94.0 KB, 19 views)

Attached Files

kdvandcobrouchure.pdf (239.6 KB, 27 views)

__________________
KDVandCO
kdvandco@hotmail.com

---

Last edited by kdvandco; 02-02-2011 at 12:18 AM. Reason: missed an upload

[kdvandco]

Lawn care business tips

heres a pic of the black and white. i usually leave a price of what i would charge for the yard i leave it in. so when they call I know its to set the date no to ask how much.

Attached Images

mowingbmp.jpeg (48.6 KB, 29 views)

__________________
KDVandCO
kdvandco@hotmail.com

[Steve]

Very interesting!

Which of your flyer designs have you liked the most so far and why?

[kdvandco]

I find the simple ones with the Price quote, work well when Im not able to actually talk to them.


Maybe Im partial to those because when I get a call from those I know I got the job. I do get alot of calls from other flyers, those I usually have to go look at and bid, I do usually get the jobs. I try to never charge less than 35 bux, I do mostly and Mainly Residential yards that take an hour tops to mow edge trim and blow, IF the job is bigger I tend to GO 45 for corner lots and up in multiples of 75 after that. say a big lot hadnt been mowed in two months. normally it be 70 bux for the two to keep mowed. but to whack and start fresh it be 45+75x2=240 minimum. Ill add 75 to each yard as I see fit. way i figure if theyre calling me its cause A theyre not gonna do it B They can afford too.

I try and stick as close to 65 dollars per hour.. Even tho I charge 35 And may take an hour its usually cuz im taking my time and visiting. Ive noticed alot of times im in and out in less than 40min.

what was your question again.

[Steve]

In your brochure, you had a bunch of equipment manufacturers' logos on there. What is your view as to the benefit of doing that?

[kdvandco]

Shows I use the Best and only the Best, So when you do the results should be the same,


Everything on there I own,

My Cub Cadets are my back pack blower(junk) and big rider ltx1045

Stihl, I have chain Saws, and a Weed eater,


Echo, A back pack BLower.. (Real as SHyt) -Two trimmers and a STick Edgers

I really like the Echo Stuff IF you maintain it properly It never Fails, But the stihl At the right price provides awesome power. unnecessary most the time but awesome.

And last but not least Gravely > A nazty little ZEro that shows off like its for sale.. it has 190 hours , and since I focus on small residential yards, The hours creep not soar.

ppl see that, they see the little Gravely SLide thru the fence and dance around the kids stuff. SOmetimes i back it out like no ones looking.

They see me start my weed eaters on the first start, after a warm up pull and a test one. lol

they see me never stopping for string, being real effeciant by sticking to just a couple name brands and know that Im serious about what I do, then the hear they price and it all makes sense. The cub cadet blower I use around little simple stuff, the Echo back pack.. punches stuff out the way and is phyiscally three times bigger than the cc..


HOnestly after this year Ill have phased out the Cub Cadet stuff and only have the big boys on there... People Do notice.

especially when the look at their yard, alot of people ask what I use and why I use it, I use to mow a yard in twenty min, only to take twenty more to try and start the lower quality trimmers.. customers would say, dont worry about it, and me sweating to start would say , it'll start in a second, swearing to buy something better asap. NOw I just startem and go.


once again sorry such a long post.

[Steve]

That is a very interesting insight.

See the thing I wonder is this. Does the average home owner know anything about any mower or trimmer brands? I would venture to guess they don't.

I might be wrong. Ask around to home owners you know or just the average person and see what they have to say on it.

Now, if mower brands mean nothing to the average person, could you then utilize that space on your flyer to do something that will grab their attention and make you stand out to them?

For instance, what if you said "Want a lawn that is the envy of all your neighbors?"

This might get the potential customer to think. Everyone wants status. They want the nicest house, the prettiest wife, the fastest car, the greenest lawn. Everyone wants to show the world they are better, stronger, and faster than their peers.

If you tap into that psychology, you can harness it to make your company stand out and get the customer to buy from you.

In general, people don't buy features, they buy benefits. They buy because it will do something for them. So when you market, you need to think of, what is in it for them? What is the hook? What will they be getting out of this?

I can tell you are thinking about this, because you are thinking people will want to buy from you because of your high quality equipment. But when you take a step back, you have to ask yourself, what is that doing for them? How is that benefiting them?

Is there a better hook you can use? Or do you feel this is the one for you?

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by Steve

That is a very interesting insight.

See the thing I wonder is this. Does the average home owner know anything about any mower or trimmer brands? I would venture to guess they don't.

I might be wrong. Ask around to home owners you know or just the average person and see what they have to say on it.

Now, if mower brands mean nothing to the average person, could you then utilize that space on your flyer to do something that will grab their attention and make you stand out to them?

For instance, what if you said "Want a lawn that is the envy of all your neighbors?"

This might get the potential customer to think. Everyone wants status. They want the nicest house, the prettiest wife, the fastest car, the greenest lawn. Everyone wants to show the world they are better, stronger, and faster than their peers.

If you tap into that psychology, you can harness it to make your company stand out and get the customer to buy from you.

In general, people don't buy features, they buy benefits. They buy because it will do something for them. So when you market, you need to think of, what is in it for them? What is the hook? What will they be getting out of this?

I can tell you are thinking about this, because you are thinking people will want to buy from you because of your high quality equipment. But when you take a step back, you have to ask yourself, what is that doing for them? How is that benefiting them?

Is there a better hook you can use? Or do you feel this is the one for you?

Steve is correct. You may find a few people who know what those brands mean in terms of quality, but overall, people want to see what you can do for them - how you do it, and what brand of equipment you use is irrelevant.

You can come up with a good compromise by doing the following:

Move the text on that back panel to the top and make it bold.

We use only the
BEST EQUIPMENT
to ensure your yard
always looks the best!

Place the logos underneath and make them small.
You aren't selling equipment - you are selling YOUR SERVICES.



Also, the words "bed repair" would look better on one line. Try to avoid leaving one word (repair) "hanging" all by itself. (you can move the word "bed" down to the line that says "repair")


Other than that, the only thing that jumped out at me was the following:
"We run small crews usually 1-2 guys."

Is there a reason for stating that?
The reason I ask is because "small" is a "negative" depending on how people read into things. Also the word "guys" is too casual - the rest of the flyer suggests a professional outfit - not "some guys" who mow grass.

Perhaps there is a better way to word it all? Just thinking out loud and trying to help.

[kdvandco]

I think they do know weather you have a stihl or echo trimmer compared to a poulan or craftsman..

also they start to look around at what everyone else is using and start to notice the same colors orange - grey. \
I put cub cadet in at the time because I have one . but as I sell it Ill not replace that brand and drop it from my next adverisement. but even then. Most homeowners Know that CC cost a little more than others, so its ez to put up a strong front, if that makes any sense.
also in this day in age everything is just a google away, so being informed is a keystroke away.


another thing about the flyer thing.. I have several, maybe 6 or 7 one saying exactly that almost verbatim.. I actually got that one and others from this site three years ago..

one says
Let your yard be the Envy of the Neighborhood
give us a call today
phone number

another was also from here

spend time with your family this summer , not your yard.

I find having several flyers breaks up the monotony and bring in different customers.

for example some one with a little more money may easily call my color trifold one before they call my simple MOWING one.

same token -someone trying to save a buck may call the MOWING one instead of the color trifold

or instead the funny one or the one that plays on the emotions you referred to earlier.

I dont know thats just me.
this is a little dirty to but when putting out flyers I may or maynot remove the competitions. mostly may. I'm a firm believer of guerrilla marketing, I do what it takes short of lowballing!

[kdvandco]

The flyer suggest a professional company that focuses on residential yards but can handle big ones given there like a lot of little ones lumped together. for example : apartments and not a huge business with a huge lawn.

I would think the point I wanted to make with out saying it as to not offend the competition is- We do average size yards, do you really need more than 2 guys, and if so who's paying all those other 7 guys that see to be every where at once. all trying to LOOK busy. I feel a home owner will say,Ill call this guy that does it himself , instead of this guy that sends all his Mexicans.

That be almost as bad as changing my name to Hernandez Mowing and automatically loosing business because people don't want to call a Hispanic name. they don't mind writing the check once the work is done but on first glance they'll call KDVandCO right before they call Hernandez Mowing and its still gonna be me showing up. like I said I dont know its just me. and whats worked for me after just a few years.
not only worked but helped me grow.


I probably shouldn't be mixing my handy man stuff with my mowing stuff but I tend to get excited easily. I love my truck and all the tools I carry, I often say I have everything I need to get the job done regarding property being maintained. anyway anywho. Ill post pics when the weather here gets better. I live in Ennis,Tx about 45 min south of the Dallas Cowboys!