In need of Garden Show marketing ideas

[Steve]

We received this letter from our friend Keith. "I am going to be in a home and garden showin Feb. I would like some advice to as what slogans, eye catchers and also i am seperating my lawn care services into three packages and would like some help maybe making a lot of pamphlets that wold have that information in it and mu services and much more." What advice would do you have to offer Keith?

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[NickN]

Lawn care business tips

Does he only offer lawn service,or is landscaping offered also? Definately get the brochures done.You have to offer something that a potential customer can take with them.(I have an area for attaching business cards inside mine.That way,they can take a brochure(which advertises our website also),toss it later,and still keep a business card by detaching it from inside.(I designed my brochures with a space left for attaching the business cards.A cool trick is to hot glue the card to the inside of the brochure.Just a dab.When the brochure is opened,the card is suspended.Kinda like a pop up book)

Make sure you know what you are talking about. I have been to a lot of show and there is nothing worse then getting a "UMMM" for an answer.

Have an attractive display. You want a booth or display that is eye catching something that'll make people spot you and want to come and see what is going on.

Be informative. Have brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, business cards to hand out to people. However make sure to get their attention on what you are selling, because if you don't they'll just throw out what materials you gave them. Stay away from videos to inform people. They can be good but if you need to rely on a training video to sell your services you shouldn't be there.

Talk to everyone! Too many exhibitors at trade shows seem to find that one person that they talk to for hours. Make sure to spread your wealth, who knows how many potential customers have just walked by.

People love free stuff. Make some pens with your company name on them, or a CD with your portfolio and website on it. People will generally check out the cd before tossing it.

Network!!! A home and garden show is full of other businesses that get asked all of the time "Do you know of anyone who can cut my grass?". Bring lots of business cards and hand them out to other contractors and store owners.

Take care,

[Steve]

Elwood, gave Keith a bunch of great ideas. I wanted to share some with you, maybe you can utilized them as well.

He was saying to have a free giveaway raffle at the show. Have three prizes. A grand prize worth $250 of lawn care service. A second prize worth $150 and a third prize worth $100.
Create an entre postcard the person needs to fill out. Have them include their mailing information and ask then two questions. Do they already have a lawn care provider and would they want you to provide them with a free estimate.
This is a great way to acquire potential customers to market to. He pointed out it's much easier to get a customer who already uses a lawn care provider to switch to you than it is to create a new client who doesn't use an lco. Great insight!

[Steve]

How about using this at a store or a bunch of different stores in your area? Or how about handing out flyers or doorhangers that promote this as well?