Donation idea help.

[cleancutlawncare5382]

In about 2 weeks the local Garden club will host May Mart. It’s a show held in the city park and any garden related vendor or service provider can set up a booth. I have decided to take a chance this year and see if any leads come out of it. I need you help. The first morning of the show someone will be coming around asking for donations for an auction. The money goes to next years show expenses. Question: What should I donate? Here are some of my ideas. Gift certificate for: 1. Purchase a hanging basket and place business card in it. 2. Free lawn mowing (size restriction) 3. Free Liming 4. Free Organic fertilizing. Have any of you donated anything and what?

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www.montgomerysqualitylawncare.com

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

1. Have business cards / flyers ready 2. Find a promotional product site which allows you to brand their product, mass order the product. (mugs, bags, pens, keychains, etc - "giveaways") 3. Have customers write their contact info (on sheets you've created) and have them place their sheet into a "lawn mower bag". You pull out one sheet from the bag for every 20th sheet dropped into the bag. The person who's sheet is revealed will win "INSERT DISCOUNT". ///////////// The trick is, offer the discount to the customers who's sheet have been selected. Though, for the ones who didn't win - you still have their contact info... Mail them a nice "thank you for participating" letter with another offer which might grab their attention. "Everyones a winner with X Lawn Service - enjoy this new offer as our token of appreciation" .................................................. ....................................... Would the above be reasonable?

[cleancutlawncare5382]

Scott great ideas, I have #1 covered. Lots of cards and flyers ready to go. I was struggling with #3, I knew I wanted to do something but wasn’t sure how to collect contact info. Thanks

I think the organization sponsoring the event was looking for something they could auction off – something I could hand them in the morning. All profit goes to next years expanses. What do you think here? Gift certificate for services?

[Steve]

That sounds like something to take part in. I would go with some kind of free service because that can help you get the winner to become a customer and create positive word of mouth about your services to their neighbors as well.

Have you been to this in the past? Did any booths stand out to you? If so, what did they do that made them stand out?

[Liberty Landscaping LLC]

I would say Free Lawn Mowing up to x sq ft or 50% or what have you above the x sq ft. People love to see FREE! Def the cards and flyers. That is a must. The sign in sheet is a good idea. Even if you type up a info card and put three or four on a page and run to staples or something like that and print 500 sheets then you will have say 1500+ index card sized info cards for the lawn mower bag or what have you. Good luck! Let us know the outcome.

[cleancutlawncare5382]

Originally Posted by Steve

Have you been to this in the past? Did any booths stand out to you? If so, what did they do that made them stand out?

Steve I have been to this event in past years. Booths that I remember were nursery type vendors, selling hanging baskets, garden plants, and landscape trees. Those kinds of things.

I spoke with one of the organizers on the phone and her comment was “I often wonder why people like you didn’t participate”. So with that, I might be the only lawn care provider there.

I will offer a gift certificate for a free mowing up to 15 sqft. This would equal about $50 for me. I’m going to do the sign up for a free mowing also at my table. Should be a great weekend.

[Steve]

I will offer a gift certificate for a free mowing up to 15 sqft.

Could you make this the size of an average yard in your area?

Also, why not give away another one for a neighbor of their choose? That way you could meet up with two potential customers all while you are parked in one location.

It could double your chances of getting new customers in that neighborhood.