Advertising....when and how?

[LawnBoy89]

What's up guys? I already have probably around 15 accounts, maybe more, that are going to use me again this summer but I definetly want more since I just got a Lazer to make things quicker.

If I print out some fliers, is it legal to put them in the mailbox? If not, what should I do? Doorhangers?....where can you get them done? Also, what type of information should I include on the fliers and when should I pass them out?

[topsites]

Here is my experience with advertising: The more, the better.
Given that I find myself a miserable wizard at accurate prediction, I have seldom hit the advertising number on the money (translation: I either didn't advertise enough, or I put out too much). Once I figured that my choices were that (too much or not enough), I then realized I was better off, given those choices, to put out at LEAST enough and if too much came of it, less harm was done than when not enough went out.

If too much advertising goes out, some money is wasted but I am able to maintain a severely busy schedule throughout the year and well into January of next year, I have now 2 yards left to clean up leaves, that's still from last year. I basically quote what I want and don't care if they say no or they cry because the price is too much, for the main reason I have literally more work than I can finish thus they can take it or leave it <- diz rulez.

If I don't put out enough, I lose the edge in this business that gives me my said 'take it or leave it' attitude, and not only do I not have enough work as a result, but I then find myself lowering my prices just to make sure I have enough to survive on <- diz sux.

So, more than enough, always.

[Gatewayuser]

What's up guys? I already have probably around 15 accounts, maybe more, that are going to use me again this summer but I definetly want more since I just got a Lazer to make things quicker.

If I print out some fliers, is it legal to put them in the mailbox? If not, what should I do? Doorhangers?....where can you get them done? Also, what type of information should I include on the fliers and when should I pass them out?

It is against federal law to put them on a mail box, try door hangers or just knock on doors and hand out business cards.

[out4now]

DO NOT put them in a mailbox! Federal offense per incident! Direct mail is ok though. See the gov. doesn't like it when you avoid their icreased postage price. Do door hangers and some doorknocking. Walk ups are common, have cards ready.

[topsites]

Once the weather warms up and the grass starts growing, the flowers start to blooming and basically people flock to their yards, glad to be out of the house after the long dreary winter, and when people start coming out, it's party time.

Once this party begins, it hits immediately and it hits hard and it does not slow down until at least end of June for me.

Time-wise, I'm in Virginia and grass usually starts to get going around April 1st but once again I am a poor wizard of prediction, my spells have fizzled before... I have found my ad has to be ON the street or IN their house on the very day the party starts, because every day I miss, there's some other Lco snapping up work, so get in first thing and don't stop!
Thus, I start my advertising two weeks before end of March, even though several times these initial two weeks have resulted in NO calls, I'd rather be safe than sorry because there is no telling for sure exactly what day the party starts, the only thing I know is my ad has to be IN their house on that day.

As for how to do it, I run a small newspaper ad and I make sure it runs and runs and runs until I have more than enough work (yes, even if I don't get it all done, the only other option being I don't have enough, I would rather have too much than not enough).

[Newbie07]

try taping the fliers to the door, this is a tip i got from Mike. tape it to the glass or a plastic part of the door but not the paint! Also make sure they stick. VERY bad image if fliers are all over the neighborhood.

Im a newbie but im getting help from some guys on here and i thought i might be able to help ya :waving:

Travis

[daveintoledo]

try taping the fliers to the door, this is a tip i got from Mike. tape it to the glass or a plastic part of the door but not the paint! Also make sure they stick. VERY bad image if fliers are all over the neighborhood.

Im a newbie but im getting help from some guys on here and i thought i might be able to help ya :waving:

Travis

i think that will work well...
:)

[BSDeality]

it is illegal to put them _in_ a mailbox, but not _on_ a mailbox. you can scotch tape fliers or cards to the mailbox if you want.

[daveintoledo]

it is illegal to put them _in_ a mailbox, but not _on_ a mailbox. you can scotch tape fliers or cards to the mailbox if you want.


look at the postal web site, not in, on. or afixed to, you cant personally touch the mailbox, or the flag, try a search here you will see

* Advertising on a mailbox or the supporting post of the mailbox is prohibited.
* Only the United States Postal Service may use mailboxes for delivery without paying postage (Flyers, magazines, notes, letters, etc. found in or on mailboxes may be charged postage due) .
o If you have received flyers on or in your mailbox, please contact your local Post Office facility.
o Non-postal information, advertising, and any other matter not bearing postage may be placed in door slots (These are not considered mail boxes).

Note: A receptacle for newspaper delivery by private companies may be attached to the post of a curbside mailbox used by the U.S. Postal Service® if the receptacle:

1.
Does not touch the mailbox or use any part of the mailbox for support.
2.
Does not interfere with the delivery of mail, obstruct the view of the mailbox flag, or present a hazard to mailperson or vehicle.
3.
Does not extend beyond the front of the mailbox when the box door is closed.
4.
Does not display advertising, except the publication title.

[Newbie07]

i think that will work well...
:)

:D :D Awesome, thank you Dave, we are going to be doing that at the end of february! I can't wait.

Travis

[BSDeality]

thanks dave, didn't realize you couldn't do that either. we get biz-cards taped onto our mailbox all the time. I've done some doorhangers taped to mailboxes and never had a problem with the post office bugging me.

[daveintoledo]

if there was a law against spitting on the sidewalk, id get a ticket... its just my luck:p

[LawnBoy89]

That tape idea sounds pretty well. What kind of information do you guys put on your fliers?

Would it be an alright idea to tape my business cards to the door instead...or do you think the fliers look better?

I guess I just gotta hit the time right....right when the party begins as topsites says.

[BSDeality]

here is what i used last year.
http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41682&d=1126056302

[paulge]

You can put the fliers in the newspaper receptacle. I have put out more than 1400 in the last six weeks. I have run in to quite a few mail carriers during the process with no problem.

I have also used Post-It notes. I had custom Post-it notes printed and put them on the front doors. They are great and don't have to mess with tape. Had them printed at http://www.iprint.com

So far the fliers have been my best ad method. I have a small ad in the Service Directory that also gets a lot of attention.

Good Luck,

Paul

[out4now]

here is what i used last year.
http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41682&d=1126056302
Those are som esharp looking hangers there. Like the attention getting orange.

[LawnBoy89]

Those doorhangers look pretty nice....where did you purchase them?

[BSDeality]

had a local Minuteman Press print them up. i think i got 3K of them, I can change the labels mid season which i really like. I just swing by the copy shop and have them roll off a bunch of sheets and then i stick them on.

[daveintoledo]

thats pretty cool, one bigger run of the door hangers, and you can customise the sticker for certain services...:)

[BSDeality]

exactly! now you're thinking!

The only way to survive in the business is to buy in bulk, however that doesn't cater to small operations usually, so you have to find a way to make it work for your model. The labels are pretty cheap, and i can print up as little or as many as i need when i need them. The labels are available at staples/office max too.

I have 3 different label designs i'll be using this spring to attract customers, each one has a reference number on it, and i will equally distribute them in neighborhoods and see which designs work best.

[LawnBoy89]

Thanks alot for the info. I think I'll go with some doorhangers then. Thanks again!