Yes or No

[thefarmer4]

I'm writing up some clasified ads for 2 local papers.
Should I put the business name in the ad?
Our name : Hillview Farms Lawn & Landscape
It will take up a whole line.
What do you think?

[Scraper]

Yes...get your name out there...name recognition is huge!

[bob]

Definitley, They might think your just a fly-by-night cutter.

[kutnkru]

I would include your Business Name/Phone No./E-mail and-or Web Addy if available.

Any and all of these types of information are valuable to a potential client for different reasons.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[Randy Scott]

If I'm not mistaken, I think thefarmer4 is talking about selling some things, not business advertising. Maybe then you don't need to put who you are. Maybe I'm wrong but I think that's what he's asking, if not, then my apologies!;)

[kutnkru]

Nope I dont think so randy. I think hes's talking bout those business directories where you see concrete, home improvement, masonry etc.

I hope LOL
Kris

[thefarmer4]

kutnkru

you are correct I'm talking about penny saver and The local Bee Classified ads under the heading of Lawn and Garden
I'm concerned about the extra cost for more lines of info.
It can get pretty expensive.

Does anyine have a good classified ad that they have run with good results?

[kutnkru]

Pro Turf Landscaping
1 FREE MOWING* (in bold)
$50 OFF Landscaping
(555) 123-6789 (in bold)
When they call I just tell them that we prtesent all new clients with a coupon for a free cutting with 3 or more at regular prices.
It has and still works quite well.

others seem to advertise like this:
XYZ Lawn & Landscape (in bold)
mowing-aeration-dethatching-fert
trimming/pruning-clean ups
10% Senior Discount (in bold)
(555) 123-6789

Kris

[thefarmer4]

I like your ad kutnkru,

What do you think about this classified ad:

RELIABLE, PERSONAL SERVICE
Spring cleanups, lawn mowing and
landscape care. FREE estimates,
Call Hillview Farms Lawn & Landscape
Cell# 474-3418. Satisfaction Guaranteed

[Twotoros]

Pennysaver ads draw penypincher people. Least in my redneck of the woods.

[thefarmer4]

twotoros,

I'm not sure that is the case in all areas, There are quite a few respectable landscape companys that advertise in our pennysaver, which in our area is called Metro Comunity News. So its also a lacal news paper may not be the same as a pennysaver in your area.

When I owned a Florist Shop in a rural county my penny saver ads(and that was just a penny saver no news) drew a better response than my ads in the local news paper.

Yes people are shopping around, but many people know they can look to our metro news to find just about any local service they need. I don't think we should under estimate them.

[kutnkru]

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
Spring Clean-Up, Lawn Maintenace
and Landscape Design/Enhancement
(555)474-3418
Hillview Farms Lawn & Landscape

By guaranteeing satisfaction they will expect reliable, professional service if they are calling you for estimates.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[Esby]

Deffinately a good idea, otherwise the people wont know who they are calling? Gets the name out there.

[slingshot]

if you put satisfaction guaranteed you will be loosing alot of money and also doing alot more work for free. once a customer sees that he or she will try to take you for a ride. i am not paying for that job it isnt up to my satisfaction .then they got ya . you will loose in court because the guy just says he wasnt satisfied and he has the guarantee in black and white

[thelawnguy]

Twotoros said it.

We have a pennysaver type paper in our area. Due to less than stellar experiences with price shoppers I will not advertise in them again. Conversely I will not hire anyone from there either. I tried in the past to find various tradesmen through the paper and they all turned out to be slackers who lack the proper skills to get ample work through referrals.

[65hoss]

I don't disagree with slingshot. It usually takes most of the spring to weed out the jerks. You can get taken for a bad ride. If your selling a product then ok, but your not. Its service and some people out there will take advantage. I get several people that want me to cut in the spring, but as soon as it starts to slow down they stop me from comming so they can do it themselves because now its managable. Some people will do anything to save a buck. Look at all the people who take stuff back to walmart, just because they can. Not satisfied. A guarentee in writing is a dangerous thing. You should always strive for great quality. If something comes up you will know if its bs or not.

I use a $10 off for any OTHER service with a seasonal cutting agreement. No sign, nothing off. It seems to work pretty well, and most like to use it for aeration. It helps me to sell my other services.

[Acute Cut]

65Hoss, Great idea. I never thought of that. I was wondering how i was going to market my other services. I believe that with that 10$ coupon i might get the desired results i am looking for. Thanks for sharing your great idea.

Acute Cut

[VLM]

If your primary concern is the cost due to length of the ad try omitting the Lawn & Landscape part, it's not necessary. Hillview Farms sounds fine to me.

[VLM]

I've also found that people tend to repond to a few key words, mainly those that represent what they are really looking for and are hard to find in the market. The best ones are Reliable, Dependable and Personal Service. I stay away from words like Affordable and Discount because they draw too many bargain hunters. These have worked well for me. Then ofcourse, the important thing is to deliver on those promises!

[thefarmer4]

Thanks for all of your replys.
I'll be putting our name in the ad.

Has anyone used regular display ads in news papers and how successful were they?