Andrew needs business assistance.

[Steve]

Andrew sent me an email and is looking for business assistance. I wanted to post it on here to get everyones opinion so he can get as many points of view as possible. Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] ]I just watched a few of your videos on youtube.com and your website. I am a younger Lawn Mower business owner (in my 5th year) I started when was 16 on my own. I have all the same equipment that the pros use: zero turn scag rider x2 a 48in and 61in and 2 shindiawa trimmers. But what everyone else has that I don't is a good name and advertising. All I have is my name and number on a board, I was wondering if you could do anything to help me out to get my business to grow. First off I would like to say, if you get paid for what you are doing, you are a pro. So see yourself as a professional. Secondly, when you say you don't have a good name or advertising, I am guessing you mean a brand when you say a good name? Or possibly name recognition? These things are built up over time. What kinds of things do you do to get the word out about your business? What kinds of marketing methods do you utilize? How have you been finding new customers?

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For your name; try useing something that fits you just look at your life and go from there, as for advertising try your local paper.

Thanks I never thought of doing any of that stuff.

[FourSeasons]

There is alot of threads about getting your name recognition. We talk about it alot on here. I don't know where the threads are.
But -
Do a service to or for the community.
Do a press release about yourself
Sponsor something in your community like a little league team or soccer team.
Put yourself in a parade.
Clean up a park or something.
Adopt a highway.
Put signs on all your vehicles and trailers
Hand out cards to everyone
Paint your truck so it stands out or have it wrapped
Wear uniforms that stand out.
Make yourself a pillar in the community
Advertise, Advertise, and Advertise some more.
Etc.

[Steve]

Rob,

Out of that list, which do you feel you will want to do or be able to do this year?

[FourSeasons]

I'll be doing these for sure-
Advertise, Advertise, and Advertise some more.
Put signs on all your vehicles and trailers
Hand out cards to everyone
Wear uniforms that stand out.

Things I would like to do-
Paint your truck so it stands out or have it wrapped - I like the tailgate wrap idea even though I almost always have my trailer.

Sponsor something in your community like a little league team or soccer team.- I would like to do this someday. I really like this idea because people used to sponsor the teams I was on when I was a kid.
I don't think this year though.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Sponsor something in your community like a little league team or soccer team.- I would like to do this someday. I really like this idea because people used to sponsor the teams I was on when I was a kid.
I don't think this year though.

Have you checked around for the cost of this?

[FourSeasons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Have you checked around for the cost of this?

No but I don't think I'm ready for this just yet. I know this could help me to get my name out. But I feel that any extra funds right now going into my second year in business should be going back into the business.
I don't even know what it entails though.

[Steve]

Does your partner share with you or come up with many marketing ideas that you are interested in trying?

I know in my town the little league shirts were around $15 each and you need to get around 15, so what is that 225, not sure what kind of ROI you'd get from this, but might be worth it. I know my local newspaper contractor section for Lawn care or Yard work is $175/Month, I'm sure the paper would have a better ROI.