heres what Ive done so far with advertising

as a newbie in the field I didnt really have much advice on alot of idea's. just your normal internet reading and forum posts. Well, i knew this year was going to be tough for me anyways. So, I went to vista print and made 1,000 business cards up which ran me $22.00. Then i went over to a printing place in town and had 100 flyers made up which cost me $17.78. Now, I went to the newspaper and placed an ad which cost me $136.00 a month 2nd place and highlighed. This is going on my third month with that. So far i have paid off all my equipment, bought a trailer and the ads have been paid. I got lucky on a few jobs where people wanted foundation work done and my ad is pretty basic. Looking for lawncare and Gutter cleaning? Affordable and friendly service call Mike at xxx-xxxx. the ad is expensive but, starting out I have had over 50 some calls. lots of bids and ended up so far with 7 and 1 commercial property. one is twice a week at 55. Im doing alright I was hoping for more but im not going to frown just yet. We had a good flood here i dont know if that was a cause and also there was 33 ads in the paper as well besides mine. Last year at this time i received over 18 calls in the middle of june people needing there lawns cut because there person quit or does a bad job. So, im still hoping for more work. I also work a full time job and do this after work in the evenings. I know people will say alot of things that i should do differentley and Im open for suggestions. Thank you.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

I have had over 50 some calls. lots of bids and ended up so far with 7 and 1 commercial property. Can you tell us a little about how the 50 calls ended up with 8 properties? How many of these did you go out and bid on? Can you tell us your experience with this? How you did it? What you would potentially change in your process? Last year at this time i received over 18 calls in the middle of june people needing there lawns cut because there person quit or does a bad job. This is something I would jump on. It's got to be one of the biggest problems. There are many unreliable lawn care services. If you hammer home that you are reliable, it will help you stand out in a needed way.

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[turfmaster]

I think your on the right track. To have 7 customers already off of the little
advertising you have done is phenomonal in my opinion.
The fact you have a full time income is great because you don't have the pressure of supporting your total income from the business alone.
Hang in there your business will only grow from here.
The hard part is getting those first customers.

Originally Posted by Steve

Can you tell us a little about how the 50 calls ended up with 8 properties?

How many of these did you go out and bid on? Can you tell us your experience with this? How you did it? What you would potentially change in your process?



This is something I would jump on. It's got to be one of the biggest problems. There are many unreliable lawn care services. If you hammer home that you are reliable, it will help you stand out in a needed way.

steve and turfmaster:

yes the 50 calls i dont turn anybody down when they call me up. absolutley not i mean why pay for the ad?. 100 percent came from the ad. one from craigslist. I would say 75% wanted power raking and aeration. which i dont have either of. I could rent one and next year i will. the rest where like this i have 3 other bids so come out and bid. ok. then i just talk. some want the fancey rigs and riders and the insurance. I dont have it. I told her i said if i break your window i will pay for it personally Im not a theif or a scammer. I showed her my wallet and told her i can afford someone to come out and replace. But i usually walk around the yard everytime to pick up rocks and sticks and i havent broke one yet. Well i lost her and i didnt worry about it. thats fine I justify it by saying she will call me soon or next year. LOL
i had a lady call me and told me she really liked me but they went with 2 girls who were trying to get money for college. Well, i called her up and said thats a great choice and Id rather have you do that then have me there. people need to go to school. she thanked me and said thank you for understanding. she said she will call me when the gutters need to be cleaned. another lived out of town mabye 10 miles and she said this. i want you to charge me whatever you need to be happy so you dont quit. she had another bidder coming out who worked really close by about a mile away. I told her the price and basically said let him do it but if he doesnt show up call me. he took the job and she said he said to say thank you. so Ive only lost maybe altogether 6 jobs. alot was power raking and aeration which i didnt have

[arthur712]

Originally Posted by MikeO

steve and turfmaster:

yes the 50 calls i dont turn anybody down when they call me up. absolutley not i mean why pay for the ad?. 100 percent came from the ad. one from craigslist. I would say 75% wanted power raking and aeration. which i dont have either of. I could rent one and next year i will. the rest where like this i have 3 other bids so come out and bid. ok. then i just talk. some want the fancey rigs and riders and the insurance. I dont have it. I told her i said if i break your window i will pay for it personally Im not a theif or a scammer. I showed her my wallet and told her i can afford someone to come out and replace. But i usually walk around the yard everytime to pick up rocks and sticks and i havent broke one yet. Well i lost her and i didnt worry about it. thats fine I justify it by saying she will call me soon or next year. LOL
i had a lady call me and told me she really liked me but they went with 2 girls who were trying to get money for college. Well, i called her up and said thats a great choice and Id rather have you do that then have me there. people need to go to school. she thanked me and said thank you for understanding. she said she will call me when the gutters need to be cleaned. another lived out of town mabye 10 miles and she said this. i want you to charge me whatever you need to be happy so you dont quit. she had another bidder coming out who worked really close by about a mile away. I told her the price and basically said let him do it but if he doesnt show up call me. he took the job and she said he said to say thank you. so Ive only lost maybe altogether 6 jobs. alot was power raking and aeration which i didnt have

What great positive outlook you have. That will work for you all the time!!

Thanx!
Artie