ToroLandscaper
05-05-2011, 12:53 AM
I have recently moved from Knoxville to Chattanooga. I had an established and growing business, however college forced me to move. I have moved all of my equipment moved and am trying to get work. I have real landscaping equipment and mower (isuzu npr, toro diesel zero turn, etc), not a guy with an s10, uninsured, with a 36" walk behind in the back. I have passed out flyers, put up signs, and looking for more ideas.
My question is does anyone have any suggestions on what to do to gain a customer base back?
In Knoxville I have worked for years on strictly word of mouth, with little to know advertising. I was able to do this because I have grown up in Knoxville and am pretty well networked.
What are some suggestions for gaining back a customer base? Again, I have owned a successful landscaping business and managed it properly, as well as legally.
Also, I might be young and in college but please do not under mind my will to run a professional, legal, legit landscaping business, again. I have professional contracts and all estimate sheets, flyers, shirts, business cards, koozies, pens, door bags, etc all have my logo on them and look professional and are all very well written. Also I have my own business phone with its own line, so I can be reached anytime and its always answered professionally, which I added recently so I could have the same area code for people to call. I am very thorough with everything I do and am a good peoples person. I am much more business savvy than most in my age group, and am knowledgeable with handling finances and operating business. (worked at a bank in high school)
In addition, this might be ridiculous, but I am always very clean cut and "business casual" around potential customers when I first meet them (nice kakhis shorts right above the knees or well fit pants, loafers, nice polo or button down shirt), because I think that it is important to have a good, clean cut, stand up image. As far as my equipment, my Isuzu NPR with landscaping bed is clean and well kept, my mower is clean and doesn't look beat to death. Also, I have a nice, newer, clean, sports car that I go to do estimates in and handout flyers in, etc and I am not saying that to brag, but I think appearance and first impressions are everything. I have seen companies pass out flyers in beater cars, wife beater Ts, squealing cars etc, give potential customers bids or contact info on sticky notes etc, and it gives such a sloppy first impression. I am not saying that I wear clean clothes and drive a well kept car to brag, but to simply give you an idea of my image and "professionalism," At my age of 20 sometimes it is hard to get people to take you seriously and for them to realize realize you are operating a business, with taxes, insurance, and business licenses so I try to present myself as maturely, social, knowledgeable, legitimate, and "above average" as possible.
Hopefully you can get some what of an idea of my situation. In short, I have relocated, have an exceptional resume with experiences that many young adults have not had, have already ran a successful lawn and landscaping company in Knoxville (but primarily off word of mouth because my work and reputation pretty much sold itself), and am trying to re-open a landscaping business and grow a business that is successful.
I do not need advice on how to run the business, in terms of "keep your routes tight" and all of those little "hints and rules." I am aware of all of this, I just need advice on strictly how to market myself and my business and gain customers.
Also, do you have any tips or pointers on how to avoid situations when you go to bid a property and you are talking with the person and you name a price or write up a estimate and personally hand them to it and they looked shocked that my prices are, what they are? I know how to bid work and how much my time, experience, and work is worth. However, I have been in situations in the past where people look stunned I am 20 and telling them $45 for there yard mowed, when the 16 year old who is only 4 years young than me is on dads scotts lawn mower doing it for $25. When I sense people are a bit surprised or not impressed with my pricing I try to explain to them why and that I do have over head, that my work is professional, and so on, but does anyone have advice on any other ways or any other "one liners" to use?
My question is does anyone have any suggestions on what to do to gain a customer base back?
In Knoxville I have worked for years on strictly word of mouth, with little to know advertising. I was able to do this because I have grown up in Knoxville and am pretty well networked.
What are some suggestions for gaining back a customer base? Again, I have owned a successful landscaping business and managed it properly, as well as legally.
Also, I might be young and in college but please do not under mind my will to run a professional, legal, legit landscaping business, again. I have professional contracts and all estimate sheets, flyers, shirts, business cards, koozies, pens, door bags, etc all have my logo on them and look professional and are all very well written. Also I have my own business phone with its own line, so I can be reached anytime and its always answered professionally, which I added recently so I could have the same area code for people to call. I am very thorough with everything I do and am a good peoples person. I am much more business savvy than most in my age group, and am knowledgeable with handling finances and operating business. (worked at a bank in high school)
In addition, this might be ridiculous, but I am always very clean cut and "business casual" around potential customers when I first meet them (nice kakhis shorts right above the knees or well fit pants, loafers, nice polo or button down shirt), because I think that it is important to have a good, clean cut, stand up image. As far as my equipment, my Isuzu NPR with landscaping bed is clean and well kept, my mower is clean and doesn't look beat to death. Also, I have a nice, newer, clean, sports car that I go to do estimates in and handout flyers in, etc and I am not saying that to brag, but I think appearance and first impressions are everything. I have seen companies pass out flyers in beater cars, wife beater Ts, squealing cars etc, give potential customers bids or contact info on sticky notes etc, and it gives such a sloppy first impression. I am not saying that I wear clean clothes and drive a well kept car to brag, but to simply give you an idea of my image and "professionalism," At my age of 20 sometimes it is hard to get people to take you seriously and for them to realize realize you are operating a business, with taxes, insurance, and business licenses so I try to present myself as maturely, social, knowledgeable, legitimate, and "above average" as possible.
Hopefully you can get some what of an idea of my situation. In short, I have relocated, have an exceptional resume with experiences that many young adults have not had, have already ran a successful lawn and landscaping company in Knoxville (but primarily off word of mouth because my work and reputation pretty much sold itself), and am trying to re-open a landscaping business and grow a business that is successful.
I do not need advice on how to run the business, in terms of "keep your routes tight" and all of those little "hints and rules." I am aware of all of this, I just need advice on strictly how to market myself and my business and gain customers.
Also, do you have any tips or pointers on how to avoid situations when you go to bid a property and you are talking with the person and you name a price or write up a estimate and personally hand them to it and they looked shocked that my prices are, what they are? I know how to bid work and how much my time, experience, and work is worth. However, I have been in situations in the past where people look stunned I am 20 and telling them $45 for there yard mowed, when the 16 year old who is only 4 years young than me is on dads scotts lawn mower doing it for $25. When I sense people are a bit surprised or not impressed with my pricing I try to explain to them why and that I do have over head, that my work is professional, and so on, but does anyone have advice on any other ways or any other "one liners" to use?