This is My First Year And...

[ToastedToad]

Best advice is to look professional when you do estimates. There are too many yahoos out there who do not inspire confidence. I always give a big smile and sir or mam them until they tell me otherwise. A firm handshake and a confident voice will also help. I haven't landed a ton of clients yet, maybe half a dozen for mowing, and about that many cleanups. I have gotten most, if not all of mine from the local newspaper, one call from the 500 door hangers I have put out so far and none from craigslist. Unless you count the nice couple from London that want me to do maintenance on their property here for $500 a month, all the needed was my account number, lol. Keep plugging away, get your name out there and represent yourself!! Good luck.

[ProGreen]

Lawn care business tips

I agree with most of whats been said, BUT you WILL have to get some crappy jobs at first, and you WILL have to work for cheap to get a job in the beginning. I mean seriously, would you rather be sitting at home not working, or at least working and making some money while getting your name out there. I have picked up numerous customers just by them passing by and asking me to visit them when I'm done to submit a price. Just like any entrepreneur will tell you, starting a business is very hard and it takes many long hours and sleepless nights to get even the slightest bit going. Try marketing on Google and Yahoo. You can set up a FREE business listing in your area and you don't even have to have a website. Get other web-presence sites that offer free advertising and Lord have mercy don't use CL. There are too many people advertising their services and I can guarantee you they are cheaper than you...trust me I know. Make T-shirts, business cards, anything to advertise. In a world where trust is shot, your number one resource for business is referrals. I'd be dead if it weren't for referrals. Lastly, make sure you do a fantastic job with current customers. If they only ask you to mow, try to pull a weed or two out of the flowerbed or edge before you leave. Anything to go the extra mile. Cheers.

[Robc]

Originally Posted by ProGreen

Lord have mercy don't use CL. There are too many people advertising their services and I can guarantee you they are cheaper than you...trust me I know.

It might be different for everyone. I wouldnt discourage CL. I use it - reposting every day- and have gotten alot of profitable jobs in the past 5 years. and those jobs several times have lead to other jobs from references and just people driving by and stopping me while im working wanting landscape work.
Thats the only advertising I do anymore and its free. There is competition everywhere...

[JC Lawn Mowing]

I agree I would defiantly be out working then sitting at home. And yes you will need some crappy jobs before you get the good ones. I sent a email to all the locale reality agent in my local area and have gotten excellent results, come to find out it is hard to find people to do one time mowing. But in one week after sending out the email I did 3 one time mowings and got 12 accounts from property management offices and other people from referrals.