Just started. Need advice

[conger]

I just started my buisness in northwest Florida. I put an ad in the paper that will run for one month. Was that a good idea, or how do you guys suggest getting clients? So far, I have a 36" Scag walk-behind, a 28cc Stihl power head with the trimmer and edger attachments, and an old beatup backpack blower. What other essentials do I need to start out with? Any suggestions are appreciated.

[bladelawn]

You could go door to door for residential. Also, cold call places such as apartment complexes, townhomes, hotels, businesses, and such. I have never advertised in the paper, so I dont know how that will work out, but it never hurts.

[Jazzy]

as annoying as they may be, think about flyers in a target area

[McCallum & Sons]

Most of your business will come from word of mouth. direct mail will only get you about 2% return and most of them will be tire kickers just trying to find the lowest price. Yellow page ads are expensive for new guys, but can be beneficial. Offer a discount to current customers if they refer you to a friend resulting in a sale. I started offerering a deal to current customers a couple of years ago. If they got 5 people on their street to sign on as a contract customer, I offered their contract for free. It worked out great. They acted almost like a salesperson for me, I kept all of my customers close so their was less travel time. It worked out for everyone.

[Down2EarthLawns]

Flyers are a relatively inexpensive route for advertising. This way, you can target certain areas and possibly talk to a few potential customers face to face. I have had good luck with this so far. My advertising plan is going one step further this year by advertising in a local newsletter that targets certain zip codes that I am interested in.
:walking:

[echeandia]

Yellow page ads are expensive for new guys, but can be beneficial.

Don't need a business phone number to get into the yellow pages?

[DLAWNS]

I lived in Northeast Florida (Palm Coast) and I got great results advertising in the Pennysaver . I got a small double ad. It was cheap and very effective.

[Ed Ryder]

So far, I have a 36" Scag walk-behind, a 28cc Stihl power head with the trimmer and edger attachments, and an old beatup backpack blower. What other essentials do I need to start out with? Any suggestions are appreciated.

1. Big, wrap-around safety sunglasses that filter out 99% of the UV light.

2. Ear muffs or ear plugs.

3. Gloves.

4. First aid kit.

5. Fire extinguisher.

6. Water for drinking and also for flushing your eyes out.

7. Emergency contact info on the front page of your mileage log.

These are a few. Who can think of some other essesntials?

[goodgreen]

Think about adding a hedge trimmer. Most of your clients will want some of that type of trim work or you can pick up extra work.

[CkLandscapingOrlando]

soft rake,hardRake,round shovel,flat shovel,air tank,tire plugs,hand prunners,loppers,pole prunner,2 cycle can,regular gas can,trash bags,bucket,tie straps,tarp,fert spreader,sprayer

[bigmudder77]

a truck and trailer to get to where your going unless you plan on walking and carrying all your stuff.

[jacobslarr]

What kind of response did you get from the advertisment?

[bohiaa]

1. Big, wrap-around safety sunglasses that filter out 99% of the UV light.

2. Ear muffs or ear plugs.

3. Gloves.

4. First aid kit.

5. Fire extinguisher.

6. Water for drinking and also for flushing your eyes out.

7. Emergency contact info on the front page of your mileage log.

These are a few. Who can think of some other essesntials?

dont forget a comealong, Chain, hand wranches, fix-a-flat, fuel cans

[spriallen]

I ran my lawn service from there in pennsacola, and I found that door knocking over in Gulf Breeze had the best results. People over in Gulf Breeze will approach you while you are working on a job( they like to see your work). Are you going to trim palms also? I made appox. $300 to $800 a day over there just trimming palms!!

[Gator Done]

last week i sent out 3500 fliers in a local paper. it cost about 320.00, got 15 calls and landed 12 acounts. Gonna do it again mid july.

[buga37]

I ran my lawn service from there in pennsacola, and I found that door knocking over in Gulf Breeze had the best results. People over in Gulf Breeze will approach you while you are working on a job( they like to see your work). Are you going to trim palms also? I made appox. $300 to $800 a day over there just trimming palms!!

How do you charge people when you trimming palms? hourly or by peace

[abraham]

do more work for less money eventually youll get paid what youre worth some people will take advantage of you but the good ones will make up for it