What do you think of this FLYER

[jslawncare]

Here's a flyer whooped up. I can make some quick changes, and possibly even fix it up, suggest what you may...keep in mind im a student paying for my tuition:D


SCROLL DOWN

[precisionlawn]

Wheres The Flyer?

[jslawncare]

Sorry for it being so big

[precisionlawn]

All I see is a small box with a red x in it.

[jslawncare]

hete






BTW those lines in hte middle are from microsoft publisher, and i fixed the extra digit in the phone #

[precisionlawn]

How can you justify the $20? Or are you only putting them at houses that are worth $20. And I'm not sure, because I aint got no english edumaction, but Mowing, trim, and blowing. why not "trimming" instead of "trim"?
Other than that I like the lay-out and everything!

[jslawncare]

was thinking about that, but its no biggie, its just a lawn flyer...not a thesis statement or a book...

[caleb_harlan]

hey J
It is very easy on the eyes and I like the over all look. I will tell you what I learned my first times using fliers and what I have read on here.

The main point I have learned is that" The people that want someone to mow their grass just want someone to mow their grass." Keep this in mind. What I mean by this is that you are going to catch the attention of people that are looking for someone to mow their grass. It doesnt not take a bunch of marketing techniques to get customers. When people have someone to mow their grass it is going to be hard to get them to switch. Okay back to your flier.

Most people here will tell you not to mention that your a college student. It is not nessary and really it might give a more harmful result then not metioning it. I to am a college student. There is no tneed to mention it. (remember what most people think when it comes to college students, old and young people)

About the price. There is a split arguement about mentioning price. Most people will tell you not to do it and I agree. By stating the price you are limitng you options when you show up at their house. you never know what you are getting into. Just always say give free estimates. Remember most people will keep the current guy they have even if they are slighly upset with them becasue they dont want the risk of getting a worse person.
Also since you are advertisng the price i assume it is a discount compared to other lco's. This will attract PITA cusotmers (pain in the ...) but you may be like me, and deal with them to pay for college.

I think you should just mention the mowing sevices and etc. and leave it at that. If the cusotmer is intersted they will call. If they are not they won't. It is that simple.

I too used a coupon to try to get accounts. Guess what happened. Almost everyone of them said dont worry about it. SO next year I got rid of that idea. Thats how I learned that people (and asking cusotmers) that they either need their grass mowed or they dont. Thats why they call

Also is that phone # right I have never seen a 4 digidt area code

If you are worried about extra white space in your flier if you took all that stuff out just make the ad smaller and put two on one piece of paper and cut it in two. Saves money to.

Sorry it was so long. I should be doing homework so thats proabably why you got so much from me.

looks good,
caleb

[jslawncare]

Thanks man, I fixed the phone number, although Ive been doing it awhile I think that mentioning that im a college kid definately saves me because they might be expecting something from a professional, i mean im good, but im sure if they had a 'professional' lawn care come out, it might look better than me. A college student means im not fully dedicated, and if they know i need money, not just a business out to make money. but rather to fund my education they might choose me... You guys always ***** about the price, but I think its very fair, and it beats a LOT of guys in the area, and I should be able to pick up some customers...I dont know we'll see

Thanks,
Jason

[bob]

Unless your doing all small lots like in a moblie home park,I would get rid of the price. NO two lawns are the same. Put something like "competitive prices" instead.

[jslawncare]

Ok I changed 'Trim' To trimming, cut out all for, and replaced 'Most' and I cut the coupon out and put free estimates, anything else I should do?

[johnhenry]

To be honest dont sell yourself short.Do a search here and you will find lots of idea's on flyers.Sometimes you can say to much in a flyer and that makes it look cheap.And never say price. Plus you will have a hard time making money if you give that half off for the first cut.Make it three cuts and get the fourth a % off. Just my two cents worth

[jslawncare]

Look above at what I said. I took off several key things, and I feel that I need to be blunt about my price since it beats many of your guys. And the way I have advertised in the past, it has worked out quite well:)

[challenger55]

hey for the price i think it a bad ideal and some of the other guys agree with me. think of this what if you sent a flier to a house and they give it to another person that has a huge yard and they would use the discount and only have to pay you $10. so think of that and change it.

[jslawncare]

Originally posted by challenger55
hey for the price i think it a bad ideal and some of the other guys agree with me. think of this what if you sent a flier to a house and they give it to another person that has a huge yard and they would use the discount and only have to pay you $10. so think of that and change it.

Yo, I changed it, and yes i will be blunt with my prices. You gotta be direct in business, you dont need to have people hunting you down. Most like a price flat out, and since it says 'most' they get the hint that there is flex in that price. well thanks for opinions, I have changed my flyer and I hope it works out well

thanx

[Currier]

"was thinking about that, but its no biggie, its just a lawn flyer...not a thesis statement or a book..."

Yaa and its just cuttin grass. Heck anybody can do it. Maybe a freshman can come along and do it for $15.00 then he can be beatin your prices.

[jslawncare]

lol for me it is:D

[Currier]

Just curious...Insurance? Does Uncle Sam know you exist? I guess what I'm asking is are you legit? If you send a rock into suzie's head do you have liability insurance?

I do think you probably have found a GREAT way to make $$ while going to college. I just wonder if we crossed the line of professionalism vs quick cash and run.

Used to be you would have already been roasted for hitting such lowball pricing (and bragging about it as a great marketing technique). Now everybody just wants to jump in and help with advice. Not gentle urgings to be professional and legitimate but rather advice on how to continue helping to keep the industry prices and levels of respect desperately low.

Maybe you do keep records, pay your taxes, and protect yourself and your customers by carrying insurance, if so I have misread and kudos to you for being sucessful these last 4 seasons.

[jslawncare]

Yes I am low, but it the price seems to help influence a lot of people in my area. Everyone is cheap, and my prices most likely do well. Currently, no, I do not have insurance, but this year I will most likely get it. I am a growing company, and am trying to improve on everything (just found this site recently). I have developed long term relations with most of my customers, most of them have stayed with me for 3 years or so, and I am just using this to build upon my base already of twenty people or so. I apologize if I offend anybody by saying I am lowering the standards, but keep in mind, that I haven't had years of experience, I haven't had to rely on this work for living expenses, I haven't had to work with employees. This and other stuff makes up several reasons, which perhaps set my overall ethic and standards below you. I'm sorry if I'm in a different situation here, but I'm just trying to come to the boards to suggest my opinion (which I know differs from a lot of people). Sure I may get a lot of ridicule, but I sure as heck am not going to let you guys discourage me from doing what I like to do, which is having fun, and mowing lawns for a few extra buck to pay for school.

Jason

[Currier]

having fun, and mowing lawns for a few extra buck to pay for school.


No sweat. Sounds like you are doing well at it.

[johnhenry]

Jason you sound like a nice young man. Plus your are going to purdue which both my parents attended. Your are right dont let anyone discourage you.Plus I was raised in your area.I know what you are up against. I grew up in park ridge and worked at medinah golf course near you.Dont take offense for anyone giving you advice.Hope you have a great summer working. But do yourself a favor you are too old not to do it legit .Get a license,insurance.Jason you are not 16 no more.

[Lawn DOG]

Is it just me or am I the only one who see's this as a prime example of what the professionals who have licenses and run a ligit business deal with every day. What bothers me is that I find these things every year and helps show why ligit business can't compete and should not have to with the flyer bombers. With out taking all of my disguist out on you I will stop here and say your fler looks fine.

[jslawncare]

Originally posted by johnhenry
Jason you sound like a nice young man. Plus your are going to purdue which both my parents attended. Your are right dont let anyone discourage you.Plus I was raised in your area.I know what you are up against. I grew up in park ridge and worked at medinah golf course near you.Dont take offense for anyone giving you advice.Hope you have a great summer working. But do yourself a favor you are too old not to do it legit .Get a license,insurance.Jason you are not 16 no more.

Thank you for your support, I am working on that as we speak, I learned a lot of this stuff after I came to this site, and this site has helped me shape my business for the better. Thanks again.

[Heavenly Green]

I usually get a lot of calls from people around Aug. Sept. telling me how they need somone to cut there lawn cuz there lawn guy is going back to collage.

Lawndog said a mouthfull and it is very hard to run a ligit bizz when guy are out there cutting $35 lawns for $20. Most of those people that call cuz there guy is going back to school freak when I give My price. And the ones that do accept my price I dont do it unless they sign for the following yr.

Your flier is OK Id change the font to somthing a little less bulky
I always used colored paper (green) insted of color ink cuz color copies were a $1ea at kinkos verses .05ea for black ink on green paper. But now I use a proffesional print shop for color door hangers

[jslawncare]

Yeah Ive been printing these off a color laser jet, so its all free. But anyways. Thanks for the comments (most werent about the flyer) but ive got it down to a finalized form, thank you

[walker-talker]

Originally posted by Lawn DOG
Is it just me or am I the only one who see's this as a prime example of what the professionals who have licenses and run a ligit business deal with every day. What bothers me is that I find these things every year and helps show why ligit business can't compete and should not have to with the flyer bombers. With out taking all of my disguist out on you I will stop here and say your fler looks fine.

I feel your pain Lawn DOG.I know when most people start they do not get insurance and pay taxes and all that stuff, but after a few years one should at least get insurance. If I had anything to do with it....it would be the law.

Flier looks fine.

MATT

[Heavenly Green]

OK you must not be doing high volume printing cuz ink cartridges are expencive Id get like 100 fliers and be out of color. bang $50 for more color ink. just my past experience.

[jslawncare]

Laser printers can go thousands of copies per toner. Ink jets are the ones that go slow . I can probably get 1000 of these off the computer before the toner goes bad

[nu83]

and a laser toner costs 3 times as much. Its far from free. You asked for advice so to me that means you want the truth, not a pat on the back. Your plan doesn't work, you would be better off working for someone else @ 8 bucks an hour then mowing a yard for $20. Your not the first one to try the "underbid" strategy, it just is too hard to raise prices once you get the account and you cant net enough money @ $20 per to legitimize the risks you take. Take the advice you get on here seriously, most of us are looking out for you.
The flyer layout is fine.

[jslawncare]

Free for me, I pay my technology fees to the school, so im just getting my monies worth. and btw, none of you guys can stop me from what im doing. i wont be discouraged despite whatever you say

[samk]

You still have not stated if you are paying taxes

[jslawncare]

Last year I just listed it on my tax form, but I might set up a separate one this year. I havent made significant amounts of monet in the first couple of years to justify getting a tax id, however that might be an option. And insurance is definately goign to be added this year.

[Nebraska]

Had a lady that called me last fall. She explained to me that she was not happy with the "kid" that was cutting her grass all year. The final straw was when the "kid" moved or knocked a downspout for the gutter on her house; actually the extension on the downspout.... Well it rained and rained and rained. Guess what? Her basement flooded. Who got sued? Yes, the "kid" and his family. Found out yesterday that a judgement was awarded to woman in the amount of $7250. Guess what else? He was cutting the grass at $15. We cut it at $35 now. Finally, do you think he had insurance? No insurance, although he advertised on his fliers that he was insured. She got lucky with that one....

Funny thing is that $7250 is all he probably grossed for the season.

[jslawncare]

Yes, I do realize now that insurance is definately a good thing. Maybe because Im young and havent had any problems like that, ive been ignorant to these problems. Now since ive come to the board, I really know what can happen and I will get insurance for the next year, thats definately a must.

[lsylvain]

Ahh... back to my old wal-mart vs sacks fifth ave. example.

Wal-mart:

Sells stuff cheap and is the largest company in the world.

Sacks fifth ave.

Sells stuff expensive and does very well for it self

What type of business do you want to be?

Wal-mart? Sacks? Target? Enron? lol

As far as the price on the flyer. Statistics show that advertizement with coupons in them increase the rate of return by 26%

anyway I hope this helps.

[Nebraska]

Trying to remember but the last Target ad in Sunday's paper didn't have coupons and neither did the last Sak's ad I think I saw in St. Louis?? .... I don't think Walmart did either....

[paponte]

$20.00??? WTF is that? Man if I caught you in my areas with those prices FA'GET ABOUT IT!! I have to agree with Lawn DOG. As you said in an earlier post "ive been ignorant to these problems". We'll I believe you've been a little more ignorant than you think. What about insurance, worker's comp, licensing, associations, registered?? Pay for any of that? I understand you have to get through school... but I have a family to feed. And I am LEGIT! Better watch out where you hang those flyers!! :nono: :nono: :nono:

[jslawncare]

I understand that I'm low on price but I honestly dont pull much business from the pros, and i think the business i get is from people willing to support a kids education rather than a business trying to expand and make thousands

And like i said before, people are very cheap in this area and to get some business you cant charge high prices. I was amazed at the prices some of you guys charged when i got on here. Remember that we're all in different regions here, its a global site, and therefore EVERY area is different. Don't criticize what you dont know.

[nu83]

How many accounts do you hope to have?

[jslawncare]

About enough to pay for half my education..keep in mind i dont have scholarships and i go to an out of state school...

[1stclasslawns]

Hey J....

I know and understand what and where your combing from, however let me interject this thought.

Would you rather do 20 lawns a week at 1 hour each, for $20.00 each thats, 20 hours of work for $400.00 or 10 lawns a week at 11/2 hour each 40.00. Same amount of money and you collage boy have 10 hours more a week to play.

What I am trying to tell you is to use your head for something other then a hat rack and get smart, work smarter rather then harder.

[jslawncare]

So should I raise it to 25?

(seems to be the main issue here)

[nu83]

Did Purdue not require you to take an intro to business class? You could easily end up losing money with your plan, you are not taking into account in the slightest your costs. But you don't want to listen so Im not going to try and help you anymore.

[jslawncare]

here

[jslawncare]

These lots are roughly 3000-8000 sq ft

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Boy slam the guy and know nothing as usual.

With that pricing doing small lots like he posted above, he could turn out 2-3-4 of these lots an hour and yeild a $50 to $100 an hour income and that's more than most of you make in 2 hours.

I don't know what equipment he has, but 2 of these lots an hour he can do rather well.

[e-RoK]

I like the look of the ad. And I think maybe what JS is going for with the college line is a "feel good" about hiring him. I wouldn't mention the price myself, I would base it upon each lawn.
JS, I like fish. I have had tanks for a few years and really enjoy them. So anyways this guy I know wants me to clean his big old 55 gallon tank. Now keep in mind I don't make a habit of cleaning other peoples tanks. The asked me what I would charge and I said "Well, I'm no professional...." As SOON as I said that he was like "Don't charge professional prices". So my point is when you go out to mow these yards, make sure you present yourself in a professional manner and don't sell yourself short. I didn't go do his tanks because I realized after I made that statement, I was never gonna get what the job was worth. Regardless of how well I would have done it. Never again will I say those words when doing a service for money.

[paponte]

Hey man, do whatever you think is right. I know what I have to charge per house, and what makes me money. With no over head I guess you can charge whatever you think is fair. I would say $5-$10 cheaper than the "professional" would sound about right. I would not go any lower than that.
As far as the post of most of you making $50-$100 in two hours, man I pitty you.

[jslawncare]

Originally posted by nu83
Did Purdue not require you to take an intro to business class? You could easily end up losing money with your plan, you are not taking into account in the slightest your costs. But you don't want to listen so Im not going to try and help you anymore.

Like I said before my business is small and there arent as many factors. I'm a one man business, with 20 accounts already this year, and i know where to spend my money. Its not a complicated business the way I am running it.

[Heavenly Green]

You just said your going to school out of state. So are you even going to be around all season to take care of these yards?
People dont like being left high and dry at the end of the season. And most of the time will not use you the next season.
One season this college kid in one of my subs asked me if Id be willing to take care of his 20 lawns in that sub. I said sure so I finished the last 8 cuts of the season for his customers. The following season he continued cutting but when school time came he hadnt said anything to me about finishing out the season for him nor did I care to cuz I was booked. Sure enough 2nd week of sept. My phone starts ringing off the hook he sent a flier out to all his customers with my ph# on it and some other lcos # since I finished the year before they all kinda knew me and started calling and I told everyone of them that they would have to sign for the following yr. if they wanted us to finish out that season.
Most were tired of being in that situation and signed with me right away.
The following season came and he ended up selling his equipment
It worked great when he was doing these peoples yards and living right there in the sub. but going to out of state collage just wont work.

[jslawncare]

Yeah it works pretty well since i have takeover in the fall and everyone doesnt mind. I was in the same situation before and it worked out fine last year

[cklands]

I would say that the flyer looks good. Although I have the same feelings as some of the other here about the pricing. Pricing like this makes it hard for all of us that are in it for the long haul. What happens when you graduate? Are you going to continue servicing your customers? Or are the other companies now going to have to explain to these customers why they have to charge twice as much?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Arguing with him about his $25 price......

What's the point; you can't see the lawns he will be doing, he said about 3-8k and for me the price of $25 is $2 lower than my minimum charge.

So what's the complaining about again?

[cklands]

Sorry didn't mean to offend anyone. Just every spring we see the guy with the new mower and trailer. No insurance, no taxes, and no idea what he's doing. They go out and price these properties so low that when they go out of business we look like the jerk because we do it right.
Hey- if he is legitimate, paying taxes and insurances like the rest of us and only has to charge that kind of money to make money then more power to him. I think that's great.

[Lawn DOG]

At those prices you would be lucky if I honked when I drove by.
Excuse me for making a living. My mortgage, medical ins, college funds for my children, retirement funds, auto ins etc................... Ain't getting paid by chump change. After reading these post I still don't think you get it..... It is one thing when your mowing mommy and daddy's lawn and grammy and pappy and a couple of neighbors but once you start putting out flyers and trying to look like a business. You better watch out for the guy's that are the real deal. You will always be cheaper... Remember that...
No pats on the back here.

[cklands]

I hear ya Lawn DOG. My thought exactly

[jslawncare]

Originally posted by Lawn DOG
At those prices you would be lucky if I honked when I drove by.
Excuse me for making a living. My mortgage, medical ins, college funds for my children, retirement funds, auto ins etc................... Ain't getting paid by chump change. After reading these post I still don't think you get it..... It is one thing when your mowing mommy and daddy's lawn and grammy and pappy and a couple of neighbors but once you start putting out flyers and trying to look like a business. You better watch out for the guy's that are the real deal. You will always be cheaper... Remember that...
No pats on the back here.

good..i dont need any..

[Andrew S]

Your flier is fine- but I would loose the price and college student thing as well

Try to project a professional image

try to get your pricing close to other contractors in your area-as discussed before more money for less hours worked or much more money for the hours you do work(play with the numbers ,you will be amazed)

I know that it is paying your way for studies at the moment but why not build it up ,so you can sell it as a viable business in the future.

thanks

Andrew

[Nebraska]

What if he had all the lawns in an area that consisted of 3-4 blocks....would he have "your approval" then?

You guys are starting to sound like the lawn mowers mob.

[paponte]

LOL @ Lawn DOG!! I hear the Honk man!! As far as Andrew S, why should he lose the college student thing, and protect his professional image? Then he would be lying. He's not a professional. I think that is the point everyone is getting at. All of us legit companies that get smacked around because were paying liscenses, Insurance & unemployment prices out of our @sses. Then you have someone going around and dropping their draws to make some "extra" cash. I know in my neck of the woods, if you "stole" someone elses customer they would be on your @ss doing research to find if you were liscensed or not. If they found you were not, you better believe the next time you were working on their lawn they would be out there taking pictures of you!

I have no problems with the college kid that needs to make some money. All I am saying is to keep the "going rate" alive. And we are not the "mob" Nebraska, we just have families, mortgages, and companies to take care of!

[Nebraska]

How much can a guy who's main priority is school, really threaten your business?

[jslawncare]

The going rate around where i live is much cheaper than in other areas...im not cutthroating anybody..

[grassworks]

Keep the Price on the Flyer !! BUT add a disclaimer or something under it like " lawns up to 8,000 sq.Ft."

I beleive this young man stated he is not a PRO and is not trying to be one. He's just trying to make some extra cash. the only customers he would steal would be cheapo's , little old ladys and other undesirables who will not support a Pro LCO.

I remember someone who started out doing this and the education I received within a few months .... well let's just say I had a certificate in "scrubology". Most people can only learn this from experience..... so good luck Jason , work smarter not harder.

S ells only on price
C ash $ only
R uins market for everyone
U ndercuts anything
B elieves he's legit

[terry824]

Folks, cut the guy a break. He's going after a very narrow marketing approach. How quick we forget how we didn't have insurance and licenses when we had 15 accounts. You have spoken your concerns, offered suggestions. He knows where his liabilities are. Stop badgering him. He gets it. Flyer looks fine dude !

[Lawn DOG]

Originally posted by terry824
Folks, cut the guy a break. He's going after a very narrow marketing approach. How quick we forget how we didn't have insurance and licenses when we had 15 accounts. You have spoken your concerns, offered suggestions. He knows where his liabilities are. Stop badgering him. He gets it. Flyer looks fine dude !

I thought the purpose of this site was to educate the ignorant not encourage ignorance.

Should we not share our knowledge.
Be it harsh or not,
as long as it is truthful.

[therainman]

ONLY ONE THING TO SAY ....SCRUB......:angry: