Spring Letters

[AMS]

I would like to send out letters to returning customers telling them of new services offered for the coming year, and to go ahead and officially have them sign up for another year of service. Anyone have a good template to go by or know of a website to find one?

[2menandamower]

Since they are returning customers to give them the "I am special" feeling sit down and type out one letter to all of the customers and then put their name and address at the top of it kind of like a business letter. That will make them feel like you typed it out especially for them. It is not too detailed but just tell them something like the following:

John Doe
123 Anywhere Circle
Nowhere Special, USA 22222

(Customer Name Here)

Spring is just around the corner and it is time to prepare for your lawn service. It was a pleasure to work with you last year and I am looking forward to another great year.

This year we will be offering the following services for your convenience:
Mowing, Trimming, Edging, Weed Control and Fertilization, (the list can go on and on from here).

Please contact me as soon as possible to schedule a time when I may come and go over your needs for this year. My schedule if filling up so do not wait to get on our route list.

Blah, Blah, Blah.

I think you get the idea. Just make it a letter to THEM, and then just print it out and then change the name and address and the beginning name and then print it again. Good Luck and let me know if you any more questions.

Scott

[AMS]

Here's what I have so far... anything you think needs a little work?

Dear Some Customer,

It’s time to start thinking about spring 2006! We’re anxious to get back to work, and it’s time to take roll and get organized for the spring. If you would like to have our service again this year, please give us a call at 555-5555 so that you can placed on the service list.

I finally have college behind me, so I am especially looking forward to the upcoming year and I will be able to provide better service than ever before, especially in the busy spring and fall months. And starting in 2006, a couple of new services are being offered. I now offer basic landscape maintenance. These new services include trimming bushes, minor brush removal, and mulch.

Pet owners, please pick up after your animals. Cleaning animal waste off our equipment is not a favorite chore for us. Also, please pull your pooch inside when we arrive to mow. If you can't be there during your service days, try to leave your pal inside. Your animal might be a great pet, but strangers together with all the noise and the chaos from the lawn machines can turn the most benevolent bowser into a malicious attack dog.

We’re looking forward to see you soon!


(I borrow the last paragraph about dog poo from another person on this site. It's a good idea!)

[K.Carothers]

Here's what I have so far... anything you think needs a little work?

Dear Some Customer,

It’s time to start thinking about spring 2006! We’re anxious to get back to work, and it’s time to take roll and get organized for the spring. If you would like to have our service again this year, please give us a call at 555-5555 so that you can placed on the service list.

I finally have college behind me, so I am especially looking forward to the upcoming year and I will be able to provide better service than ever before, especially in the busy spring and fall months. And starting in 2006, a couple of new services are being offered. I now offer basic landscape maintenance. These new services include trimming bushes, minor brush removal, and mulch.

Pet owners, please pick up after your animals. Cleaning animal waste off our equipment is not a favorite chore for us. Also, please pull your pooch inside when we arrive to mow. If you can't be there during your service days, try to leave your pal inside. Your animal might be a great pet, but strangers together with all the noise and the chaos from the lawn machines can turn the most benevolent bowser into a malicious attack dog.

We’re looking forward to see you soon!


(I borrow the last paragraph about dog poo from another person on this site. It's a good idea!)

I think you should stick with the other one submitted for you. I personally don't like it.

kc

[The mayor]

Don't ask if they will be needing your services. Tell them that you will be starting up at the given time and if there are changes that they they should feel free to call. If you ask, you are stuck standing there wondering if they will call. It has never let me down. Make sure the people have not moved othwise you maybe mowing for free.

[K.Carothers]

Also, I always assume that the customers I had last year are customers this year and that is how I address them.

Mr. Johns,

I wanted to let you know about additional services we are providing this year............................................................

Your lawn service will start up again around........... dependent on the weather.

Feel free to contact me about any additional services needed.

Thank you for your business.



This isn't a complete letter, just bullet points.

kc

[Team Gopher]

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Hi AMS,

If you want to see if you can schedule them again for this year. Could you call them as well? You might get a better response that way.

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[Jpocket]

One thing i've learned is that you don't wan tomake it sound like you are giving them a choice to continue with them or not. In talking with people over the winter I have found hat most people don't even think about looking for someone else, because you are the LAWN GUY and that's it.

I always like to hear from them though, it just lets me know where i stand. Just don't make it sound like you questioning there return, sound confident, yet thankful. my 2 cents

[Infinite]

How do you sneak something in the letter about raising prices slightly due to the rising economy and rising gas prices?

[Infinite]

Also how to u explain to someone in a spring letter that you have to put out contracts this year due to scheduling and such?

[topsites]

How do you sneak something in the letter about raising prices slightly due to the rising economy and rising gas prices?

What I've done before is offer a voluntary increase, meaning they are free to accept or reject the increase and I will do their lawn at last year's price but I am asking if they would not mind paying 5 bucks extra. You can give a reason but I find it is not necessary.
It may sound as if, when given the option, most would say no. Although certainly more than a few will say no, you'd be surprised how many readily agree (while some apparently are outright happy to pay more), and you get 5 or 10 like that say yes, it covers your basics nicely.

The end result will not exactly buy you a new Porsche, but it helps fill the pit in my stomach that forms when I'm barely scraping by.

Also it paves the road towards a more definite increase towards next year. Now that you've mentioned it to all of them, it basically means it's coming and this helps mentally prepare those who said no for the eventual, unavoidable increase. A lot of folks need time to get used to things changing, if you give them this time then the change is much easier.

Of course, those who went for the voluntary increase will not be seeing another increase next year, but all the rest stand a good chance.

[topsites]

Also how to u explain to someone in a spring letter that you have to put out contracts this year due to scheduling and such?

I might advise leaving that out, and wait to get the phonecall first (bird in hand).
Then, you can do it however you like but you simply present them all with it but be prepared for some resistance. There will be a few (and perhaps a few more on top of that) who will not want to do it... Some you can convince or convert but you will have some left that things will get to a point where... Push come to shove, you may wish to grandfather-clause the folks who don't want / will not sign the contract and continue providing services to them the old-fashioned way while you always get new customers via contract, you'll eventually end up with fewer and fewer verbals.
If you absolutely can NOT do verbal anymore, then I'm afraid you'll have to use 'take it or leave it,' but I dislike having that attitude when nothing is set in concrete for the year, customers and income come first, take it or leave it as soon as that's good to go, if you still feel the urge.

[Green-Pro]

What I've done before is offer a voluntary increase, meaning they are free to accept or reject the increase and I will do their lawn at last year's price but I am asking if they would not mind paying 5 bucks extra. You can give a reason but I find it is not necessary.
It may sound as if, when given the option, most would say no. Although certainly more than a few will say no, you'd be surprised how many readily agree (while some apparently are outright happy to pay more), and you get 5 or 10 like that say yes, it covers your basics nicely.

The end result will not exactly buy you a new Porsche, but it helps fill the pit in my stomach that forms when I'm barely scraping by.

Also it paves the road towards a more definite increase towards next year. Now that you've mentioned it to all of them, it basically means it's coming and this helps mentally prepare those who said no for the eventual, unavoidable increase. A lot of folks need time to get used to things changing, if you give them this time then the change is much easier.

Of course, those who went for the voluntary increase will not be seeing another increase next year, but all the rest stand a good chance.


I wouldn't advise using this practice.

Simply put, just send a letter saying that you appreciate their business, how you have been actively trying to keep costs down,however due to increased operating costs an increase at this time is necessary. We enjoy providing service, etc., etc., etc. If you are providing quality service this will be a non-issue. JMO

[DiscoveryLawn]

This is a copy of what I sent out at the end of the year. Did not lose a single client and 30% prepaid for the year. The price increase was 5% to 10%.

~Greeting to Client~

Thank you for supporting me as I continue to grow Discovery Lawn. I look forward to serving you again in 2006. As you know, I do not require a contract and my service continues from year to year. I will begin regular treatments in the spring as scheduled, unless otherwise notified.

During the 2005 season my costs for fuel, fertilizer and weed control went up several times with out me raising prices. Therefore, there has been a slight price increase to enable me to recover some of those costs while continuing to use only the best fertilizer products available. I am sure you understand.

On the following page is a list of the services included in your Lawn Care Program scheduled for you in 2006. This year, the prepay discount is 10% until January 20, 2006. The discount will go back to 5% for prepayments received after January 20, 2006.

This is also a very good opportunity for you to save money on any optional services you would like to ad to your 2006 program. Services such as single and double pass core aeration, grub control, surface insect control, flea, tick and mosquito control, perimeter pest control, and dormant overseeding can be discounted by 10% as well, by pre-paying prior to January 20, 2006. Call my office today to receive a price quote on any of these optional services.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.


Kind Regards,

[topsites]

I wouldn't advise using this practice.

Simply put, just send a letter saying that you appreciate their business, how you have been actively trying to keep costs down,however due to increased operating costs an increase at this time is necessary. We enjoy providing service, etc., etc., etc. If you are providing quality service this will be a non-issue. JMO

If you have your schedule already full for this year, this practice is acceptable. But if you do not, you may end up in a dire situation.
As for quality, I'll do it cheaper, faster, and better, and take your customers until you find yourself come october wondering how did others get their winter money saved by June. There are a LOT of hungry Lco's out there just as eager as you.

[Green-Pro]

If you have your schedule already full for this year, this practice is acceptable. But if you do not, you may end up in a dire situation.
As for quality, I'll do it cheaper, faster, and better, and take your customers until you find yourself come october wondering how did others get their winter money saved by June. There are a LOT of hungry Lco's out there just as eager as you.

If you want to realize profit in your company then you will need to step up to the plate, be a man/woman, armed with confidence and cost of doing business knowledge and simply state you are increasing rates.

On the other hand you could take T.S. advice and remain a small fry waiting for your customers to "agree" to give you a rate increase, but it will likely be to late as you will be out of business.

Allowing the customer the option to agree to a rate increase or not is, sorry to be blunt, but galactically stupid IMO.

[Green-Pro]

This is a copy of what I sent out at the end of the year. Did not lose a single client and 30% prepaid for the year. The price increase was 5% to 10%.

~Greeting to Client~

Thank you for supporting me as I continue to grow Discovery Lawn. I look forward to serving you again in 2006. As you know, I do not require a contract and my service continues from year to year. I will begin regular treatments in the spring as scheduled, unless otherwise notified.

During the 2005 season my costs for fuel, fertilizer and weed control went up several times with out me raising prices. Therefore, there has been a slight price increase to enable me to recover some of those costs while continuing to use only the best fertilizer products available. I am sure you understand.

On the following page is a list of the services included in your Lawn Care Program scheduled for you in 2006. This year, the prepay discount is 10% until January 20, 2006. The discount will go back to 5% for prepayments received after January 20, 2006.

This is also a very good opportunity for you to save money on any optional services you would like to ad to your 2006 program. Services such as single and double pass core aeration, grub control, surface insect control, flea, tick and mosquito control, perimeter pest control, and dormant overseeding can be discounted by 10% as well, by pre-paying prior to January 20, 2006. Call my office today to receive a price quote on any of these optional services.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.


Kind Regards,



Dave, looks good to me only thing I might add is how you are seeking ways to keep these costs down, before resorting to a rate increase. Might be a good fit with the mention of not raising rates in mid season 2005. This is another bullet in the gun of rate increases for me, I did not raise rates or add a surcharge when fuel costs spiked last year. Personally I believe this to be a major factor in making an increase more palatable for my clients this year.

Good luck, letter is looking good

[gene gls]

Here's what I have so far... anything you think needs a little work?

Dear Some Customer,

It’s time to start thinking about spring 2006! We’re anxious to get back to work, and it’s time to take roll and get organized for the spring. If you would like to have our service again this year, please give us a call at 555-5555 so that you can placed on the service list.

I finally have college behind me, so I am especially looking forward to the upcoming year and I will be able to provide better service than ever before, especially in the busy spring and fall months. And starting in 2006, a couple of new services are being offered. I now offer basic landscape maintenance. These new services include trimming bushes, minor brush removal, and mulch.

Pet owners, please pick up after your animals. Cleaning animal waste off our equipment is not a favorite chore for us. Also, please pull your pooch inside when we arrive to mow. If you can't be there during your service days, try to leave your pal inside. Your animal might be a great pet, but strangers together with all the noise and the chaos from the lawn machines can turn the most benevolent bowser into a malicious attack dog.

We’re looking forward to see you soon!


(I borrow the last paragraph about dog poo from another person on this site. It's a good idea!)

I have a basic letter such as this one. I customize each letter to coincide with each property. It takes a little longer but its more personal. I mention different aspects of the property that I think need addressing. I also include a price increase at this time if needed. Along with the letter, I set up a contract-proposal for thier property based on last years service. At the bottom of the contract-proposal there is a section that asks the customer to call if any changes are needed or just sign one copy and return for my records. I send 2 copies, one for thier records and one for mine, along with a stamped return envelope. I also require the proposal to be returned by a certian date. There will always be a few that don't send it back by the required date. If its a good customer I will call, if its one that I won't mind loosing I will not call.

[gene gls]

Also how to u explain to someone in a spring letter that you have to put out contracts this year due to scheduling and such?

Just tell your customers that your insurance company requires paper work athorizing you access to the property. Also, you might need proof of proposed work by a bank or lending company for finiancing of equipment.

Just don't make your contract or proposal too diffacualt to understand.

[K.Carothers]

Dave, looks good to me only thing I might add is how you are seeking ways to keep these costs down, before resorting to a rate increase. Might be a good fit with the mention of not raising rates in mid season 2005. This is another bullet in the gun of rate increases for me, I did not raise rates or add a surcharge when fuel costs spiked last year. Personally I believe this to be a major factor in making an increase more palatable for my clients this year.

Good luck, letter is looking good

Same here.

kc