Home Forum Lawn Care Templates Blog Software Videos Podcast Calculators / Estimators Store Mower Review Design It Yourself Lawn Business School

Go Back   GopherHaul Landscaping & Lawn Care Business Marketing Forum > Lawn Care, Landscaping, and Property Management Forums > General Talk

General Talk If it doesn't fit anywhere else, post it here.

What hasn't worked?


General Talk

If it doesn't fit anywhere else, post it here.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-20-2009, 08:20 PM
Steve's Avatar
Steve Steve is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: East Coast
Posts: 25,129
Rep Power: 10
Steve has disabled reputation
Default What hasn't worked?

What kinds of business experiments have you tried that just didn't work but you felt you learned from them?
__________________
- Subscribe to my Lawn Care Business Blog Feed and get daily tips sent to you. Free!
Download your Free trial of Gopher Lawn Care Software.
Reply With Quote

Stop guess-timating. Learn how to estimate and make money! $$$
Mow Time Estimator Lawn Care Price Estimator Mulch and Topsoil Calculator Snow Plow Estimate Calculator


-->
  #2  
Old 09-20-2009, 10:08 PM
fitoslandscaping.com fitoslandscaping.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
Rep Power: 1
fitoslandscaping.com is on a distinguished road
Default

How to get lawn care customers - Vol 2
We've gained business in pretty every marketing avenue we have taken, except for 2. The first being our church bulletin. We did not get a single call from being in it and it was pretty pricey. The second is a recent parade that we did. We also haven't received any calls but I don't regret the parade since I think it was good exposure.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-20-2009, 10:17 PM
CHEESE2009's Avatar
CHEESE2009 CHEESE2009 is offline
Scott
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,583
Rep Power: 3
CHEESE2009 is on a distinguished road
Default

Befriending the customer is bad!

I get stuck on the phone talking about LIFE instead of the money they owe me, eventually they start using me and saying things like they have already paid one of my workers money so they don't owe me anything, when I'm the only friggen worker!

I'm almost happy I lost several customers due to grass barely growing, it makes my life less stressful, but for a price!

I hate speaking with customers, hate hate hate!

Sometimes you give obvious hints that you need to GO, but they ignore them.

1. I left my phone in the truck, I'm expecting a call (doesn't work)

2. I have to get to a property in 5 minutes (doesn't work)

3. I have a lot to do today, I really have to finish (doesn't work)

This one customer is really slow or something.


Once you get friendly, you are LOSING.

Be blunt & aggressive ALWAYS.

Next year I'm putting on my game face, no more smiling!

I have customers calling me just to chat!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-21-2009, 05:09 AM
picframer's Avatar
picframer picframer is offline
Andy
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,110
Rep Power: 5
picframer will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve View Post
What kinds of business experiments have you tried that just didn't work but you felt you learned from them?
Post Card mail drops even though they were to a very specific area, 7,500 cards not one call.

Hiring a marketing company to design our post cards, total waste of money, I have since designed 7 for target services, I didn't realize how easy it was and it only cost me my time, maybe an hour each.

Printing, I found a site on the web that is a fraction of what I paid the first time and the quality every bit as good or better, I use Vistaprint

Focus on mowing only - this was the plan when I started gettings ready in January, it would have been a desaster if I didn't realize in April I would starve, although I had already bought the gear, I quickly researched other jobs we could do, bought gear the small guys didn't have and never looked back.

Deck construction - mainly it's the same as mowing, seems every guy with a hammer and a trunk offers to build decks.

To be honest that's about it, I went to a method I used for years in woodworking, asking clients for ideas, take that idea and ask clients if they would be interested, if so advertise the service and then buy the equipment, worked perfect for me.
__________________
Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-21-2009, 07:54 AM
justin_time's Avatar
justin_time justin_time is offline
Justin
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: French River, ON, Canada
Age: 24
Posts: 1,553
Rep Power: 6
justin_time is on a distinguished road
Default

My placemat ad hasn't bring in one call since they are out, maybe because their hidding behind the napkin when you sit down

Also my phone tear off tabs ads have a lot of tear offs gone off but I haven't got any calls of them. Maybe people lose that piece of paper/number ?
__________________
Justin Pitre
Just in Time Yard Services




#1 Marketing rule = K.I.S.S. = KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-17-2009, 05:31 PM
Warner Landscape & Patio
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve View Post
What kinds of business experiments have you tried that just didn't work but you felt you learned from them?
there is no such thing as bad ads, only dumb ads.

flyers... efective for lawns mostly but very tacky i run a 9% return on this

newspaper... great for patio/paver work return unknown

internet.... great for everything, cannot go wrong. my site runs an average of 700-900 uniquie hits a month return unknown

postcards..... poor at best 1% return

sign on your truck, state licence, insurance, pay taxes, commercial tags, a store front for customers too see, priceless........ they walk through the door
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-17-2009, 08:51 PM
picframer's Avatar
picframer picframer is offline
Andy
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,110
Rep Power: 5
picframer will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Warner Landscape & Patio View Post
sign on your truck, state licence, insurance, pay taxes, commercial tags, a store front for customers too see, priceless........ they walk through the door
Your experience is basically mine, the last comment however hits home, I am shocked at how many calls we get from vehicles following us, parked in a lot and at the customers, it's in my business the #1 marketing tool so I went full out.
__________________
Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-17-2009, 09:29 PM
Yard Elements Yard Elements is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 100
Rep Power: 2
Yard Elements is on a distinguished road
Wink

Quote:
Originally Posted by BREEZE2009 View Post
Befriending the customer is bad!

I get stuck on the phone talking about LIFE instead of the money they owe me, eventually they start using me and saying things like they have already paid one of my workers money so they don't owe me anything, when I'm the only friggen worker!

I'm almost happy I lost several customers due to grass barely growing, it makes my life less stressful, but for a price!

I hate speaking with customers, hate hate hate!

Sometimes you give obvious hints that you need to GO, but they ignore them.

1. I left my phone in the truck, I'm expecting a call (doesn't work)

2. I have to get to a property in 5 minutes (doesn't work)

3. I have a lot to do today, I really have to finish (doesn't work)

This one customer is really slow or something.


Once you get friendly, you are LOSING.

Be blunt & aggressive ALWAYS.

Next year I'm putting on my game face, no more smiling!

I have customers calling me just to chat!
Most of what you are saying goes against everything I do.

I always try to smile and be friendly if your cutomers are calling you just to chat that's a little weird. But OK if they pay. Becasue of my attitude and professionalism I am still making just as much as I do in summer and have picked up some high end homes. The kind that take three hours just to blow the grounds.

Just thought that I would give this a touch because word of mouth is by far the best type of advertisement. I feel if your customers want to chat chat with em. Don't be there "Friends" just friendly they will tell there "friends"

But every one is different
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-17-2009, 09:38 PM
picframer's Avatar
picframer picframer is offline
Andy
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,110
Rep Power: 5
picframer will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard Elements View Post
Most of what you are saying goes against everything I do.

I always try to smile and be friendly if your cutomers are calling you just to chat that's a little weird. But OK if they pay. Becasue of my attitude and professionalism I am still making just as much as I do in summer and have picked up some high end homes. The kind that take three hours just to blow the grounds.

Just thought that I would give this a touch because word of mouth is by far the best type of advertisement. I feel if your customers want to chat chat with em. Don't be there "Friends" just friendly they will tell there "friends"

But every one is different
And I agree 110%, if you cant befriend your customer...well you might want to rethink your goals, they sign your paycheck bud, don't forget that.
__________________
Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-18-2009, 09:15 AM
turfmaster's Avatar
turfmaster turfmaster is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Midwest
Posts: 343
Rep Power: 2
turfmaster is on a distinguished road
Default


-->
Quote:
Originally Posted by picframer View Post
And I agree 110%, if you cant befriend your customer...well you might want to rethink your goals, they sign your paycheck bud, don't forget that.
I agree as well. A lot of success in any business (especially service businesses)
are a result of your salesmanship and relationship with the client.
__________________
Turf Master Lawn & Property Maintenance

"Quality Service From The Ground Up"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New Print add that worked for me... TJ930 Promote your products or services 4 05-09-2009 04:09 AM
Basic flyer that worked Steve Lawn Care Marketing & Post your marketing material for review! 1 06-28-2007 05:54 PM

» Free Lawn Care Business Flyer, Door Hanger, Website, Contract & Logo Templates
Lawn Care Business Books
Lawn Care Software
Lawn Care Door Hangers
Lawn Care Proposal & Estimate Forms
Lawn Care Website Templates
Landscaping Customer Letters
Lawn Care Flyers
Lawn Care Logos
Lawn Care Business Blog
More
» Recent Threads
  RatingTitle, Username, & Date Last Post Replies Views
How to find a best kids...
softwaretailor
Today 01:42 AM
Today 01:42 AM
by softwaretailor
0 6
J & M Lawn Care...
jmlawncare
Yesterday 12:52 AM
Today 01:01 AM
by jmlawncare
2 52
How many accounts do you...
Lawn Envy
Today 12:43 AM
Today 12:43 AM
by Lawn Envy
0 7
It may be time for a...
jasonw
Yesterday 12:19 PM
Yesterday 11:00 PM
by JP Landscaping
3 82
irrigation question
camigda
Yesterday 09:20 PM
Yesterday 09:20 PM
by camigda
0 15
My latest Jobs
The Cleaning Doctor
Yesterday 09:01 PM
Yesterday 09:01 PM
by The Cleaning Doctor
0 19
Really old mower is it...
mburse1977
Yesterday 11:20 AM
Yesterday 03:15 PM
by jasonw
6 94
Just wanted to say hey!
maxs2000
Yesterday 11:04 AM
Yesterday 01:07 PM
by Steve
1 25
Hello Everyone...i'm New...
premier image landscaping
Yesterday 09:27 AM
Yesterday 01:06 PM
by Steve
1 35
It's all gone
NewLeafca
08-18-2010 02:45 PM
Yesterday 01:03 PM
by Steve
18 947
» Popular Tags
advertising advertising design advice adzzoo alternitive fuels bidding help blower building buying a business buying a lawn care business buying customers canada cemetary consulting contract cost crape myrtle customers deere dental insurance door to door edging enclosed wood trailer flyers garden greenside lawncare gutter fliers hello world http://www.greenapplicatormall.com internet jgd handyman john deere edger landscaping lawn lawn care lawn care bids template quotes estimates lawn care contract lawnmower lawn service legal losing money in landscaping lush marketing mower mowing mulch new business new lawncare new lawncare owner new member no soliciting organic lawn care plow plowing pricing propane mowers soliciting spring started stolen equipment superior power equipment taxes time estimates tubes utah wax myrtle website websites www.greenshorelawncare.com zero turn mowers
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.1.0

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
(C) 2010 Riggs Publications - Terms of use & Privacy Policy

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:50 AM.

(C) 2010 Riggs Publications - Terms of use & Privacy Policy