I have found an awsome marketing idea!!!!

[AB Lawn Care]

In the last few weeks I handed out 200 flyers.I got about 4 responses and only 1 small job out of it.I'm not saying that is bad results but it is alot of work.Then I got a brian wave.Our town doubles in the summer monthes from tourism.And there are alot of bed and breakfasts in town.I have a visitors guide book and it lists all the bed and breakfasts as well as hotels and resturants.1 out of 3 has an email address.I emailed all the bed and breakfasts I could.In all I think I mailed 30.From that 30 I got 3 replies!That is 1 in 10 emails.Today I am going to give an estimate on one.I soon plan to email evey one I can.It sure is easer than walking!I still plan to hand out flyers but this has really worked out good for me.I highly suggest this type of marketing to anyone!<p>from:Adam<p>AB Lawn Care

[RH]

Adam that's a great idea. I heard from another guy that he is in tight with many of the high end builders here in the Twin Cities. He developed a custom flier promoting his lawnservice that the builders include in their owners packet at closing. He includes a $20 &quot;test cut&quot; coupon that new owners can use to checkout his quality. He said that 75% of new homeowners use the test cut coupon because their so dammed busy unpacking that they can't get around to cutting the new sod. And, he closes nearly 1/3 of every those, so 25% overall close rate. Sounds like he's on to something.

[AB Lawn Care]

Make that 4 responses in 30 emails!!!!I just got called shortly after I posted this in the morning.<p>RH-that sounds like a good idea.To bad I don't know any high-end builders!!!!<p>from:Adam<p>AB Lawn Care

[eagle lawn services]

You don't need to know any, get in your phone book and find the local builder's association who will give you a list of local builders or look for the builder's signs in the neighborhoods you are working. Once you have a list of builders, call and arrange for an appointment to meet with a sales manager. Present your coupons and hope for the best. <br> I also wanted to say I like the idea of the e-mails and I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing. <p>----------<br>Chris H.<br>

[mountain man]

Great idea! I having been looking into emailing some of monthly bills. Not only would it save the cost of the stamp but it would also same on the time it takes for print outs folding and stuffing the bill. Has anyone tried this method of billing?

[Greenkeepers]

Another way to get email addresses is your local chameber of commerce. They have a listing of all business members , phone, email, and addresses<p>Mike

[AB Lawn Care]

Eagel Lawn Services-Thanks for the idea,I just may do that!You never know what may come out of somthing like that!<p>Greenkeepers-Thank you.I will try that!<p>I think the big problem with flyers is that people today do not take the time to even look at them becouse they get so many on a regular basis.I am positive that every single person that I emailed read it!Try this out the only hard thing is finding all the email adresses.I won't have a hard time with that.Today I found a website for my city and it has 150 email addresses!<p>from:Adam <p>AB Lawn Care

[greenlawncare]

AB: Oh this emailing thing is going to be great. I'm going into this full time soon and quiting the part time stuff, and I'm going to be using email as much as possible.<p>On the forum's advice I purchased lawnmonkey a few weeks ago where you can store the email addresses. The support guy Peter told me that in the fall they were going to have a email module which would do mass marketing and that I should start collecting my emails now. With free and effective marketing how can you lose?<p>The future is friendly.

[AB Lawn Care]

greenlawncare-You have a good point!Not only have I had alot more responses,but it is free.No cost of paper or have to pay to replace your printer cartrage,and it would save alot if you pay to have a company make up your flyers and hand them out!It has too many advantages!You guys have to try it!<p>from:Adam<p>AB Lawn Care

[JJ Lawn]

Hmmmmm E-mail advertising....<p>Don't they call that Spam ? :)<p><br>Jim

[gusbuster]

Adam,<br>The way you are soliciting would land you possibly in jail in California. What you are doing is sending spam. Good way of getting in trouble with your I.S.P.. They don't like it in general when you send an unsolicited ad. Just a heads up. <p>I did this two years ago and a complaint was filed against me. Just had a request not to send ads via my I.S.P's servers.It was against my user agreement.<br>Jean

[AB Lawn Care]

JJ Lawn and jusbuster-I now that may seem like spaming but all of these people that I have gotten email address from have either their email adress in their own add or has been put up for all to see on the internet.I am not getting these email adresses by any sneeky means.I'm not one of these corprate company im I local man telling others about my business.I don't see any reason to stop unless I get a complaint.That is how I see it anyway!<p>from:Adam<p>AB Lawn Care

[AB Lawn Care]

Just to show you guys how well this is working I have got 2 replys today just got one a mintue ago.At this rate I will never need to hand out a flyer agian!!!!!!<p>from:Adam<p>AB Lawn Care

[Matt]

I am going to be putting fliers in the neighbors doors. They are short, sweet, and in large letters! Also I am giving them prices up front, only on one service, aerating! I figure my prices are about 1/2 to a 1/3 what everyone else charges, and i have nothing to loose. good luck and remember the best advertising is doing a good job!!

[richard]

where i live in washington state spam is illegal and i forward them to the authorities...spam sucks! in a small town it is different!

[PLS]

Ever think of visiting any of these B and B's in person? A follow up email or a follow up visit in person might let them know you seriously want there business.<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: PLS

[JJ Lawn]

Adam, I quess over the years I have gotten a real bad attitude toward UCE. My mail boxes have been flooded with it until I hate it with a passion. I have to admit though with the spam laws in some of the states the amount of spam has dwindled some, but not my attitude. :)<p>I think &quot;I&quot; would rather knock on peoples doors to get their business than to send them an e-mail advertising my services. Cause I am sure that there are a lot of people that feel toward UCE the way I do. Also, as some one else pointed out, I would check with your ISP first to see if this violates their AUP. Good luck.<p>Jim

[sdgoes]

It could be spamming. If there is no anti-spam rule there I would continue. I would write the email so that they know it is being used on a individual basis.( I was driving by your b&b saw (some unique feature to there lawn or grounds)) I hope you do not mind being contacted by email if you do please reply and I will discontinue emailing.<p>As far as finding email address's I would use<br>http://www.theultimates.com/white/ you can find the email address's, phone, map to it and to all their neighbor's. I use it for my bids. I get a call I check my caller ID and map it. That way when I talk to them I am familer with the loacation. It also helps if their english isn't very good. Kind of a scarey tool. Use it wisely. <br>Steve

[greenlawncare]

Don't think I would be spamming. I'm just collected the email addresses of my customers and anyone who has ever requested a quote. That way I can upsell my customers and keep the interest of anyone who has been in contact with me which I imagine will grow to a large number.

[goose]

We go through 3 builders and 2 landscapers.We also keep track of homes in certain areas that are for sale and when they are not on the list they have been sold and we try to be the first ones to talk to them.We talk to about 15 a month and get about 8 of them on average.I am in a large southern city so theres a lot of homes for sale at all times .We try to stay in $400,000 to $800,000 range. Not everyone has that luxury to market these homes but in your area try to find a web site that list homes for sale. This will give you a chance to be there in person to talk to these people and and they can put a face with a name. Good luck

[Acute Cut]

i have a good idea i think, but am so booked i dare not try it. If some one else would like to i would be interested in hearing how it turned out.<br>ok, heres the idea. Make magnetic business cards. Like 150 bucks for 500 i think. Hand them out at doors, OR stick them TO doors. Ever through out a fridge magnet? My mother still has her sewing magnets from 15 years ago. Think about it. I do like the &quot;20 Coupon&quot; idea too though. Great idea, ditto's to the person behind that idea.

[Eric ELM]

Did you know you can buy magnetic sheets at Sams Club so you can make your own magnetic business cards with your Inkjet Printers?<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[lawrence stone]

Inkjet printers are for scrubs. A lazer printer is the only way to go if you want professional looking docs.

[Lazer]

You're 5 years behind the times, Stone, Unless you have a color laser printer.

[Scraper]

Not to mention the inkjet printer ink runs when wet! Sloppy!