Best advertising MEDIUM?

[A Finer Cut]

O.k. guys, here it is...I would really appreciate any/all advice that you all have.

I have worked the industry for 5 years or so and went out on my own. This will be my first big season. I did not get to advertise any earlier because I had to work like a dog all winter (In an office) just to stay afloat. I need more business and would like to know what you guys do when you want to generate a very large call volume. Mailers, Signs, Door Hangers, radio, T.V.?

What works? I have had a positive response from using the Yellow Book but many of the calls that I recieve are too spread out to take the job.

I have roughly $2000 to drop on advertising and I want to get it done next week.

Please help a kid (23y/o) out and let me know what works...

Thank you in advance for your feedback

[mommacutz]

We use inexpensive flyers and get a very good call rate.

[lawnranger44]

If you make a good flyer and pass out enough you'll get plenty of calls. This way you will be able to target specific neighborhoods. Flyers are cheap too. The only downside is the time spent handing them all out. This is definitely the way to go, especially when you are just starting out.

[Weekend Warrior]

Are you talking about flyers you hang on the doors? Do you ever take the time to talk with individuals, or do you just hang them and move on? Where would you recommend getting flyers made at? Do you put the estimate on them or do you wait until you can see the entire property? Thanks for your help.

[mommacutz]

Are you talking about flyers you hang on the doors? Do you ever take the time to talk with individuals, or do you just hang them and move on? Where would you recommend getting flyers made at? Do you put the estimate on them or do you wait until you can see the entire property? Thanks for your help.
I know I'm going to get ragged for this but we put a flyer in a sandwich baggie and toss them into the driveway. This is the second year we have done this and only one time has someone complained. We get a very good response rate with them too. Some of them do have prices though but we only throw those is specific neighborhoods.

[richmadmax]

I know I'm going to get ragged for this but we put a flyer in a sandwich baggie and toss them into the driveway. This is the second year we have done this and only one time has someone complained. We get a very good response rate with them too. Some of them do have prices though but we only throw those is specific neighborhoods.

I hate to rip on you, but doesn't that look cheap. I just can not see call somebody that puts a flyer/business card in a sandwich baggie. That just seam like what a kid would do. I hope it works, I would never call you. just my 2 cents.

[mommacutz]

We get a large response everytime we throw. If we didn't we would not do it. WE threw 1000 about 3 weeks ago and have picked up 5 new customers. I believe so far about 20 calls total but they had been calling up until yesterday. Hubbie is going out to give estimates on some today for new sod installs. It may not work for everyone but it sure works for us. Just keep in mind the purpose of the flyer is to provide information not too just wow them with color and splendor. Ours is short and to the point on bright green paper. Oh and can you believe it, it's not even in color! About 3cents a copy at
Staples. Thank you very much!

[willretire@40]

i belive that it looks cheap. Why dont you get a company to pass them out door to door? i too print mine on green paper with black ink for 2.5 cents a piece. Sometimes i wonder if the simpler it is the better call response you get. Some people might think that it is a kid and that might acutally help us out. Weird isn't it.

[mommacutz]

Because that is how we do it and you do it your way that is what makes us all different. I never said that is how anyone had to do it. Live and let and live.

[Reliable Lawn Care]

I hear you clucken little chicken! An Account is An Account in anybodys book. ( I think). I actually made up a few thousand flyers, I haven't hardly put any out due to just word of mouth taking over this season, I love it. I will save them for next season if needed. Yes, mine are green with black print, with logos and a nice pic of a walk behind I think I got off this site, thank you by the way, they cost me 2 cents each to make, but I think the above is correct, in saying, with flyers, you can better select your areas of interest.
Good Luck

[beransfixitinc]

I am not one of you guys, but saw this before I started a new thread and thought I'd ask here.

Do any of you guys do things like sponsor Little League or Softball teams? Maybe not so much the individual team, but the League itself?

We recently looked into this and for $250 you can sign up as a sponsor and have a banner on the outfield fence. For $350, you get a banner on both fields, both in different parts of town.

Where we are, the league runs from like April 1st through June. It's a chance to advertise to a captive audience. Also, you may gain a few brownie points since the parents of all these kids in the league know you are helping to support their children's teams.

Here there are like 1 to 2 games a night 2-3 nights a week.


Could work.. or maybe Little League is a southern thing.

[Weekend Warrior]

So for the people that dont throw their flyers in the driveway, do you buy the flyers you can hang on the door knob? How do you attach them to the door, or do you do a face to face with the homeowner and hand it to them?

[Lawnworks]

Because that is how we do it and you do it your way that is what makes us all different. I never said that is how anyone had to do it. Live and let and live.

hmmm... doesn't sound like a bad idea at all! I just got reprimanded by the Postal Service for putting magnetized flyers on the door of mailboxes. They said next time it would be a $300 fine per flyer. I can't take that risk. I like the idea of leaving something in the driveway w/ the newspaper. What are some ideas to make this idea work? How could it be "professionalized"? What about a stone, baggy(not ziplock), and the flyer? Any other ideas out there?

[mommacutz]

hmmm... doesn't sound like a bad idea at all! I just got reprimanded by the Postal Service for putting magnetized flyers on the door of mailboxes. They said next time it would be a $300 fine per flyer. I can't take that risk. I like the idea of leaving something in the driveway w/ the newspaper. What are some ideas to make this idea work? How could it be "professionalized"? What about a stone, baggy(not ziplock), and the flyer? Any other ideas out there?
Sorry I that's what I stated that we do and it was deemed cheap. LOL! but again works for us! We go out early in the morning I drive and my husband tosses. We cover a lot of ground the rest is word of mouth.

[Reliable Lawn Care]

You can take your regular flyer, fold it or roll it and use a rubber band and attach it to most of the storm door handles out there. Only takes a second to do and is inexpensive. Otherwise, I do kind of like the bagged flyer idea, it's not real personable, but you could really canvas alot of areas really fast. When I was a kid and had a paper route, I got to be a pretty good shot at landing the papers right at the door. Could be fun....anyway best of luck.....just do a good job at a fair price(for you and the customer) and you will be fine.

[Team Gopher]

Hi A Finer Cut,

Flyers seem to be the choice. If you need help making yours. Here is a collection of free flyer and door hanger templates (http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=942) you can use.

[Watkinslawnservice]

What if you put some cheap candy in the bag instead of rocks? They might be impressed with the free gift. Free, Free, everyone likes something for free.

Dave

[Lawnworks]

lol damnit boy... no candy!! I think a landscaping stone would be the best bet. If only there was a better idea than a bag... like celluphane or something.

[mommacutz]

We love the rocks. We got a job rocking a flower bed because someone liked the rocks.