Getting started

[Steve]

These would be limited time offers, I'm thinking ONE time. I don't want to give away my services and just because I've been smart and gotten some decent equipment at great prices (ie low overhead) I don't want to be caught doing lawns that aren't profitable in the long run. But it would allow me to get my foot in the door, it would expose some homeowners to the benefit/luxury of someone doing the work for them. Hopefully the professional work, done in the heat of summer, would attract them to giving up a few dollars so they don't have to bother with mowers, trimmers, etc. Keep us posted on how all this goes!

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[golfnpreacher]

Lawn care business tips

As if anyone reads or cares. I changed my billing procedure this week. I went with Quick Books. Anyway I took some time and sent an invoice to the non-profit I do lawns for. The person that received it called me. She has been getting them for a few weeks now, but this one caught her eye. It looked professional, the logo made her laugh, the business name "popped" and she loved the slogan. To make a long story short, she want me to come give her a bid on her home, nice lot on the water and she would like me to bid her church. She is on the grounds committee and they are unsatisfied with the current provider. Just goes to show us all, you never know where your next client may come from.

[jds2381]

Originally Posted by golfnpreacher

The second would be just picking a yard in need of service and offering a free cut, edge and trim. Then offering a free or discounted service if they can get some neighbors involved (ie cut 3 for the price of 2)

I would stay away from this. If you get into giving a discount because you are already there servicing the neighbor what happens when the neighbor quits you? You are stuck doing a yard for a lot less than you would originally.


God, I've got to go deal with the wife now. If only I could tell stories like breeze. I would keep you entertained for hours with this one.

[golfnpreacher]

Originally Posted by jds2381

I would stay away from this. If you get into giving a discount because you are already there servicing the neighbor what happens when the neighbor quits you? You are stuck doing a yard for a lot less than you would originally.


God, I've got to go deal with the wife now. If only I could tell stories like breeze. I would keep you entertained for hours with this one.

Any discounted services would be limited in scope. For example a reduced rate on a single service for a successful referral.

[Steve]

The person that received it called me. She has been getting them for a few weeks now, but this one caught her eye. It looked professional, the logo made her laugh, the business name "popped" and she loved the slogan.

To make a long story short, she want me to come give her a bid on her home, nice lot on the water and she would like me to bid her church. She is on the grounds committee and they are unsatisfied with the current provider.

Just goes to show us all, you never know where your next client may come from.

That is fantastic! Word of mouth is very powerful! I bet next you start getting her neighbors to sign up with you too!

[mark123]

Originally Posted by golfnpreacher

... mowing the lawns on either side of the properties I am currently doing. (Most likely this would just be the front, since the rears are in a privacy fence.) And then leaving a note with a message that says something like - Since I was servicing your neighbors yard, I thought you might enjoy the benefit of a professionally appearance as well. I hope it saves you some time an effort this weekend. Please contact..... to arrange further service. ...

As long as you are fully insured and it's not trespassing. I thought about mowing a lawn in my neighborhood when the guy that lived there disappeared for about 3 months. I ended up calling code enforcement and asking them about it and they told me that they would handle it as I shouldn't due to the liabilities it could present.