Marketing former clients?

[TurfWerks]

Just a quick question. I left a lot of long time clients with a former employer about a year ago while I started up my own business.. Does anyone have suggestions about approaching these customers to get their business? I do not have a no compete, but I don't wanna sound tacky or desperate either... Any suggestions of ideas are appreciated... As of now Im thinking a business card and maybe a small note that says Miss Me? and let them know where I am if they would like service...

[willshome]

Lawn care business tips

I would not target his customers, do you really need to start a war. if you go out of your way to take his lawns they may do the same thing but someone that is fully set up can handle doing a few lawns at cost just to drive you under. I would market neighborhoods that you like with door hangers if a few of the houses are his that's ok

__________________
Brockton Lawn Care
Easton Lawn Care
Fall Cleanup Brockton

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Originally Posted by TurfWerks

Just a quick question. I left a lot of long time clients with a former employer about a year ago while I started up my own business.. Does anyone have suggestions about approaching these customers to get their business? I do not have a no compete, but I don't wanna sound tacky or desperate either...

Any suggestions of ideas are appreciated...

As of now Im thinking a business card and maybe a small note that says Miss Me? and let them know where I am if they would like service...

Those weren't ever your clients, they belong to your former employer. No compete or not, it's bad business to target them. They will find you through the grape vine if they become unsatisfied with your former employer.

It will also lead to some of them telling your past employer what your doing if you decide to take that road. Possibly damaging your reputation when the word gets around. As you know, all of us lawn guys tend to talk to each other now and then.

It is tacky and sounds desperate, that's what I would think if I were the potential customer receiving your card and note. Just my 2 cents, the choice is yours. :-)

[Steve]

I think it would be one thing if you sent out a mass direct mail campaign and everyone in your area got your marketing material, but it might really cause you problems if you target your previous employer's customers.

Have you been doing much marketing since you started your business?

[TurfWerks]

Yes actually they were my clients.. I carried them through 2 different companies.... The only reason they switch from one company to the other is bc they wanted to stay with me..

[TurfWerks]

Just so we understand.. Im looking at 15 or 20 customers I personally brought to the company bc they wanted to stay with me bc of our history and my service to them.... If I wanted to hurt him I know his client list and I would do so, but Im not that guy.. I just wanna go to these customers and offer my svcs to them if they so choose..

[TurfWerks]

That's what I working on now is some sort of marketing..

[LawnBoy0311]

If you already know your answer, then why did you ask for suggestions or responses???? Seems to me like your pretty quick to defend why you should market to them.

Good luck with it.

[TurfWerks]

I asked for ideas for approaching them.. not if I should or not..

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by TurfWerks

Just so we understand.. Im looking at 15 or 20 customers I personally brought to the company bc they wanted to stay with me bc of our history and my service to them.... If I wanted to hurt him I know his client list and I would do so, but Im not that guy.. I just wanna go to these customers and offer my svcs to them if they so choose..

If that was the case, why didnt you start back then? None of us started with 15+ clients.