Help me im new and need advice

[Steve]

Great idea! A picture of me on the mower with with a big cheesy smile with 2 thumbs up and a sparkle on my teeth! As far as sticking points, All I can say is DO IT! I wanna see what you come up with. I'm being told by some people to charge by the month, for less money but I'd be getting paid in the off season to balance everything out. I really had no idea of what to charge in general either. You can do that. There are plenty of contracts in the free contract section above. I don't think most new business owners do that though. They tend to just get their feet wet and get their bearings straight for the first year. Then they start using contracts where you get paid an even amount across the entire year. It can be very helpful when you are trying to get those customers to resign with you for the next year because they are just used to paying you monthly. Let me know if you have more questions on it. Some of my friends just told me what they used to be charged by other people so I kind of got an idea from that. I'm pretty much charging 30-35 per cut. Its just that 2 are on my block, and 2 are 20 minutes away (in opposite directions!) I just didn't want to say no to anyone when I was just starting out. Hopefully, I can get more accounts near those farther away homes to make it worth my while. There is no doubt you want to go for tight routes. With minimal drive time between jobs. Become the golden child of your area and you will be able to do this. Get your name out and let everyone know who you are. Also use the clover leaf marketing method. Read more here http://lawnchat.com/?p=156

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[mario543k20]

Lawn care business tips

wow, lots of great info in here. My parents work for the post office. I was driving around the other day with my younger sister, putting flyer's in peoples mailboxes. My mom said that the mailman has the right to take the flyer's out because there is no postage on them!! Isn't that crazy? I guess not, because if everyone did that mailmen wouldn't have a job, but hopefully the mailman was nice enough to leave my flyer's in. Just some advice for landscapers leaving flyer's in mailboxes... it might not be worth it.

[Steve]

Oh absolutely. Thank you for reminding everyone of that.

I think it's illegal and you can get fined for it too. We have seen cases where the post office would call the lawn care business owner and warn them.

With both parents working for the post office, I bet they could help you put together some bulk mailings to your targeted market.

What will you be doing next now to promote yourself?

[mario543k20]

Originally Posted by Steve

Oh absolutely. Thank you for reminding everyone of that.

I think it's illegal and you can get fined for it too. We have seen cases where the post office would call the lawn care business owner and warn them.

With both parents working for the post office, I bet they could help you put together some bulk mailings to your targeted market.

What will you be doing next now to promote yourself?

I just made business cards last night. I ordered 500 and they should be here next week. I made a list of everyone I know and I'm going to reach out to them first. I was stupid to start with flyer's. I've created business cards and on the back I put, "referred by" who ever refers me will get a one time 10% kickback, cash of the property maintenanced. I also created a facebook group, (similar to myspace but more professional) and invited all my friends to join and spread the word!! I'm also going to look for local fund raiser's and donate a free cut, to get my name out there as well. I think I'm going to go to my town hall and register my company name this week. I'm so excited!!

[Steve]

Great job!

Keep us posted on how all that turns out!