Advertising 2010

[stearns_landscaping]

Tell me what you think of my upcoming years advertising plan.

Put out 2000 flyers with pictures and a hand written price by me. This isn't just your basic flyer with time new roman font and basic design. The design is meant to capture someones attention and finish a sale by giving special offers. I have run it by many people both in the green industry and even my College Marketing Professor (great free opinion and expertise). I can estimate by just looking at the front of the house and seeing into the back very closely what it will cost to mow. I have done this before and never had a problem. I figure people will like to see a price right in front of them and if they are interested they will call me. I'm expecting a 2% return on these flyers as they have pictures to document past work (showing I'm not just a lawn boy) and a price (so they don't need to make excuses that lawn care is too expensive for them) There will also be specials on the flyer to help drive the sale.

Continue my word of mouth advertising which has gotten me about half of my business.

Advertise free on Craigslist and set a limit how far I will go. I have extended myself too far before and don't want to do that. 7 miles from the shop should be good. This has worked well for me and surprisingly two of my best
accounts have come from it.

Anyone serious about helping or wanting to borrow the idea pm me or say on the thread you want me to pm it to you.

[BigGreen1]

Stearns,

I too did doorhangars this year. I received a less than 2% response. I did however get some nice customers out of it. The plus is you control your route. The minus for me was i walked 5.5 hours one Saturday in early March and received no responses from that effort. Signs didn't work for me either. My biggest payoff was advertising in the local paper. Not the big everyday paper but the small hometown once a week paper. Timing was crucial. The add needed to be there right before and during the first warm spell of the year. The responce...tremendous. I can control my area by saying no to those too far out of the way.

Tim

edit: My doorhangers had the price on them from $35-$80. I used a pen to check the box for the amount to be charged.I also gave a "good neighbor discount to those who had a neighbor two doors away or less who signed up also.

[stearns_landscaping]

Did you use pictures on your door hangers? I believe that spending the extra on color pictures with your door hangers will drastically improve your response.

[juventuscadillac]

stearns, can you pm. I would like to see your flyers.

[stearns_landscaping]

I guess I can't PM until I make 10 posts so heres number three so I can get this thing going. Its in a file on my comp. If you send me a message on my wall with your email address I can send it to you if you don't mind.

[stearns_landscaping]

Haha and just to be clear to everyone my pictures aren't hand drawn although that would be funny to see.

[Dunlaps LawnCare]

newspaper add &phonebook add and where getting some caution tap with are name and number,mabe a yard sign or 2

[WGLandscapeMaintenance]

caution tape?

[stearns_landscaping]

I forgot to mention my yard signs. Those have worked well to get my name out there and recognized not too many calls from them though. I also have a 3' by 5' metal sign on my trailer and 1.5' by 5' metal signs for the box on my truck. I also have the back of my truck lettered with my number. I was just mentioning my newer ideas but forgot to mention the stuff I had already done. I have t-shirts and sweatshirts made with hats on the way.

[stearns_landscaping]

And where have you got this caution tape made/where do you put it? I can't see many places where my customer wouldn't be mad if I left it there after I mowed.

[BigGreen1]

Stearns,

Yes there was a background picture on my flyer. If you want me to send you a scan of the flyer post an email and I will.

Tim

[THC]

Tell me what you think of my upcoming years advertising plan.

Put out 2000 flyers with pictures and a hand written price by me. This isn't just your basic flyer with time new roman font and basic design. The design is meant to capture someones attention and finish a sale by giving special offers. I have run it by many people both in the green industry and even my College Marketing Professor (great free opinion and expertise). I can estimate by just looking at the front of the house and seeing into the back very closely what it will cost to mow. I have done this before and never had a problem. I figure people will like to see a price right in front of them and if they are interested they will call me. I'm expecting a 2% return on these flyers as they have pictures to document past work (showing I'm not just a lawn boy) and a price (so they don't need to make excuses that lawn care is too expensive for them) There will also be specials on the flyer to help drive the sale.

Continue my word of mouth advertising which has gotten me about half of my business.

Advertise free on Craigslist and set a limit how far I will go. I have extended myself too far before and don't want to do that. 7 miles from the shop should be good. This has worked well for me and surprisingly two of my best
accounts have come from it.

Anyone serious about helping or wanting to borrow the idea pm me or say on the thread you want me to pm it to you.
I can do you one better. put all addresses and prices in a computer. Design a flyer with a blank spot, have the flier printed then do a merge and put the flier through your own printer, let the computer fill out the addresses and prices. Then hire day labour to deliver it door to door just like a mail man. I've done this for years with window cleaning. Works great.

[Dunlaps LawnCare]

And where have you got this caution tape made/where do you put it? I can't see many places where my customer wouldn't be mad if I left it there after I mowed.


when i sealcoat a driveway or hardscaping jobs

[psdnate]

do you guys put the flyers in the mailboxs or what?

[BigGreen1]

do you guys put the flyers in the mailboxs or what?

Only if the mailman had already came. Otherwise I put them on the door. By the way door hangers are sturdy but not sturdy enough to stay on the door knob.

Tim

[pylnrcr]

do you guys put the flyers in the mailboxs or what?

Just a heads up - I believe it's a federal offense to place anything in or on a mailbox for anyone other than the postal carrier. In most cases hanging something from a hook on the post is OK. You just can't mess with the mailbox itself, including the flag.

According to USPS.com, "no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."

[psdnate]

Just a heads up - I believe it's a federal offense to place anything in or on a mailbox for anyone other than the postal carrier. In most cases hanging something from a hook on the post is OK. You just can't mess with the mailbox itself, including the flag.

According to USPS.com, "no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."

Yeah that's what I thought that's why I was asking.

[AdamChrap]

Your marketing strategy teamed up with our 1-800-MOW-MY-LAWN vanity number would do wonders. It is a number they remember.

[BeSeenGraphics]

I've seen all of the above work for some people.

I have a new printer coming in in a few weeks that I bought just for printing brochures. I'll have prices up at my website in due time.

[hammanservicesllc]

Stearns Landscaping,

I would appreciate a copy of you market flyer and plan. Email it to when you get a chance hammanservicesllc@gmail.com

Thanks!!

[CkLandscapingOrlando]

Why dont you just post it here so your not sending 50 emails? I would do more than 2000 fliers though. You might also pull more if re-hit the same houses 30 day's later. Make sure the same logo on your truck is the one on the hangers. After you hit them twice with your logo then see the truck in front of a well maint yard, they'll walk up.

[betterlawnsandlandscaping]

Stearns,
Im new to the business and would love to see your door hangers and any advice from all
Thanks in advance

[slowpoe]

Please send me one to. poe900rr@aol.com Thank you

[JayD]

Why dont you just post it here so your not sending 50 emails? I would do more than 2000 fliers though. You might also pull more if re-hit the same houses 30 day's later. Make sure the same logo on your truck is the one on the hangers. After you hit them twice with your logo then see the truck in front of a well maint yard, they'll walk up.

Good point!