what am i doing wrong here?

[poolplayer]

i started in mid summer last year. i started out working for hud doing cleanouts, and landscaping for them but they started giving the work to all minority companys. this is my first year advertising for myself.

[wellbiz]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by poolplayer Just to warn you most cities in the area require a handbill license to hand out marketing material door to door. Depending on which suburb you are in they can get cranky if someone complains... i called the township of brownstown and asked about the handbill license. they want $250.00 to apply and it has to go infront of the board to be approved along with background checks on any person that will be passing out flyers. guess i wont be doing any door to door in brownstown this year.lol Its $25 dollars in Livonia and a you fill out a form that takes 30seconds... Wow.

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Last edited by wellbiz; 03-19-2011 at 09:05 AM. Reason: add city

[Steve]

i started in mid summer last year. i started out working for hud doing cleanouts, and landscaping for them but they started giving the work to all minority companys. this is my first year advertising for myself.

Are there other customer groups then you could go after that might be easier for you in your area? Do you know many people in your area that could help you get jobs? Are you socially networking with everyone you know?

[poolplayer]

Originally Posted by Steve

Are there other customer groups then you could go after that might be easier for you in your area? Do you know many people in your area that could help you get jobs? Are you socially networking with everyone you know?

ive been talking to everyone i know and meet, also going to every small business in the area. im definately networking but with only a couple calls so far.

[Steve]

Isn't it still early in your area to be mowing? This might come down to people are not even thinking of yard card yet but they may be shortly and then things should be picking up.

[poolplayer]

Originally Posted by Steve

Isn't it still early in your area to be mowing? This might come down to people are not even thinking of yard card yet but they may be shortly and then things should be picking up.

do you think i should keep passing out flyers door to door or should i wait a week or two then go back at it

[Hedgemaster]

I'd keep handing them out - get them in their hands so they have someone to call when they notice things have turned green all of a sudden.

[Steve]

You also might want to experiment with an inducement. Maybe with half the flyers you put out there, include a coupon for some service to get them to call. With the other half, don't include a coupon.

Put an ad code in each of the two different flyers. Then when customers call, you can ask them for the ad code and see which flyer is pulling in more customers. Then you can use that one as your test and alter it a bit and see which of those pulls better.

Does that help?

[stevef1201]

I live in Central Florida, and mowing season has not quite started, I did put out 100 flyers two weeks ago, and got 3 customers. This month is usually just 2 cuts, but because I want to stay visible in those neighborhoods I cut every week. Most of my calls come from the ad I have in the local Penny Saver. I started last year had 20 customers or thier about, lost several due to thier kids or grandkids wanted to mow, acouple who moved, and three that I would not renew this year (PITA) customers. I have all the rest return, and picked up 5 new ones already. You may do great this year, but DO NOT STOP ADVERTISING! Also make your ads season specific, ie. spring clean up, give your wife a present with a new flower bed for mothers day, give your husband a year long present with great lawn care, etc. Remember Residiential customers care most about how you treat them, and how thier lawn looks week to week, and if you treat them right they will return year after year after year. Good luck

[Steve]

Also make your ads season specific, ie. spring clean up, give your wife a present with a new flower bed for mothers day, give your husband a year long present with great lawn care, etc.

Steve, what's your view on why it's so important to include seasonal specific information in your advertising vs. the same message all the time?