Flyer Help/Advice

[SomrakLC]

Im relatively new to being the owner of a company. I'm making flyers and wondering a few things. 1. I've determined that a 10% discount is acceptable to me, however should I make this based on a sign up date(say March 1st) or by the first so many new service agreements signed(say 15)? I'm not sure which would draw more attraction. 2. I used my company to become a sponsor for a local youth basketball team. Is it improper to mention this on the flyer? 3. Last, im sure this answer will vary depending on demographics. I'm in NE Ohio. If I passed out say 5,000 flyers, what should I expect my turn around to be in terms of a percent. I figure if I pass out that many flyers and get a half of a percent that would be 25 houses. I would be happy with 25 houses, my average maintenance price per customer is $1000. Just maintenace. Does this seem unreasonable? Im a single father, and have a ton riding on this. Any help would be fantastic.

[willshome]

Lawn care business tips

1. coupon I would just put "limit one per house" and a far out date. The more "and" "ifs" or "buts" you put the word. People hate fine print 2. I like doing good thing just because not for PR 3. 1% is about right on flyer but if your a new name in town it maybe less

__________________
Brockton Lawn Care
Easton Lawn Care
Fall Cleanup Brockton

[Cheeze Wiz]

I agree willshome 1% is what you will find is your return on Fliers.
I wouldn't mention the team thing on the flyer but I would put it on your web site maybe even a quick line on the bottom of your invoice.
"We are proud to sponsor local armature youth sport Go huskers Go" or some thing like that.
I'm not a big fan of coupons, I have never used them other then a door price at some community event (one free Mow or Aeration ) You could offer 10% to seniors or Vets or one free service when you sign for a full year package. I read a book on marketing and in it they stated coupon customers are not good customer as all they are looking for is a discount service once they have used the discount they are on to the next person offering a discount. This is why companies like Group on are now struggling to survive. What we need is repeat customers in order to make money. Do a good job at a reasonable price and word of mouth will feed the rest.

[thom]

Originally Posted by SomrakLC

Im relatively new to being the owner of a company. I'm making flyers and wondering a few things.

1. I've determined that a 10% discount is acceptable to me, however should I make this based on a sign up date(say March 1st) or by the first so many new service agreements signed(say 15)? I'm not sure which would draw more attraction.

2. I used my company to become a sponsor for a local youth basketball team. Is it improper to mention this on the flyer?

3. Last, im sure this answer will vary depending on demographics. I'm in NE Ohio. If I passed out say 5,000 flyers, what should I expect my turn around to be in terms of a percent. I figure if I pass out that many flyers and get a half of a percent that would be 25 houses. I would be happy with 25 houses, my average maintenance price per customer is $1000. Just maintenace. Does this seem unreasonable?

Im a single father, and have a ton riding on this. Any help would be fantastic.

What services do you offer?
Are they listed on the flyer?

[SomrakLC]

Here is a picture of my current flyer, not finished of course, but this is where I'm at. I didn't think it would be in good taste to mention the sponsoring of the team on the flyer. I didn't sponsor them for any other reason than the league needed sponsors and I'm the coach of the team. The 1% is about what I would expect on flyers. I increased my accounts by 5 or 6 last year on just good work and word of mouth. Plus about half my customers from last year were obtained from me stopping by when I see people who actually need help. I don't like coupons. The discount is fine and I'm not stressed about people dumping me after the discount is up. The discount is applied to the length of the agreement. Once I get the work I'm not too worried about keeping a customer. I'm local, respectable, on time, detailed orientated and I work hard. People have called for one time services and retained me after the fact due to my work ethic. All my surveys that I have gotten back from current customers say they are very pleased by my work and how I do it.

What about my flyer? Any tips, suggestions?

[Steve]

1. I've determined that a 10% discount is acceptable to me, however should I make this based on a sign up date(say March 1st) or by the first so many new service agreements signed(say 15)? I'm not sure which would draw more attraction.

You won't know for sure the response you will get until you try. However, I don't think the coupons tend to be a big attractor. Good service and word of mouth referrals are better for the long haul.

2. I used my company to become a sponsor for a local youth basketball team. Is it improper to mention this on the flyer?

There was a member on here a little while back who sponsored a kids sport team and had them on his equipment and all lined up in front of his truck for a marketing photo.

If you get the approval of the parents, it could be a great photo to use in your marketing campaign. You could show that you are a big supporter of the local community programs. That could get the attention of new potential customers looking to hire a reputable and community focused business owner.

3. Last, im sure this answer will vary depending on demographics. I'm in NE Ohio. If I passed out say 5,000 flyers, what should I expect my turn around to be in terms of a percent. I figure if I pass out that many flyers and get a half of a percent that would be 25 houses. I would be happy with 25 houses, my average maintenance price per customer is $1000. Just maintenace. Does this seem unreasonable?

From what we have seen in the past, distributing 1,000 flyers, five times to the same homeowner during the spring tends to give you a greater response than giving 5,000 flyers out only one time.

The more times you hit your target market with a message they solves a problem of theirs, the better your chance of making a connection.

You can also change up those flyers with a little variation in each group of 1,000.

Does this help?

[jsslawncare]

I'd leave out your first line, about them caring. I wouldn't throw down on them.

[SomrakLC]

Originally Posted by jsslawncare

I'd leave out your first line, about them caring. I wouldn't throw down on them.

I picked up the idea from this web site, and the few people I have shown this to actually like it. It's not putting anyone down, its a rhetorical question and a valid one too. With all due respect, I think the people who feel this is putting them down, are probably the people who should worry most about what customers think.

Steve,

I don't care for coupons, but a discount is feasible. It's not like I couldn't say they get a discount and let it be a perception thing with them. It's what most retailers do as well as restaurants. Not ethical really, so not my thing. I rely on work performance and word of mouth, but I don't have time to wait. I won't use the team I sponsor as a marketing ploy at least not on a flyer. When my web site is up and running I may consider putting up there. I don't think I would need permission as I'm the coach and sponsor and thus have team photos. But still not something I would strongly consider.

As for my flyer distribution plan: I have googled mapped the areas I'd like to hit, the total flyer amount I would need is about 2200. I had planned on hitting each area 2 times, bringing my total flyer usage to around 4500. The average home value ranges from $275,000 to $400,000 with incomes ranging between $60,000 and $90,000 yearly. Also they are no more than 20 minutes from my home and business.

So should I hit each area 3 times? Do I wait 2 weeks between each time? Some more critque of the flyer would be great too.

[Simmo]

Its fine to have that heading... (negative headings usually out pull positive headings!) but now you need to solve there problem... explain why you care and why you are different from everyone else... offer the benefits of why people should pick up the phone and call you and my guess is they will!!!

A strong call to action is a must!

Simmo.

[6295danny]

Im new myself to the lawn care world. I was gonna do flyers but as I am aiming more towards commercial jobs I decided to go with the business cards. I have a friend that owns a ladies clothing store. I put a few cards out there an have picked up a few residential jobs. From there Im gonna go on word of mouth an signs on my truck. I spent most of my money on good equipment so was a little short on budget when it came time to advertise. But the cards are doing great for me so far. I think the flyers are great if ya plan on residential from what I read on these forms.