My Lawn Service Flyer

[morin3]

I would appreciate it if you all would critique my lawn service flyer. It has been taken in bits and piences from others that have been posted on the forum. To those individuals, I say "Thanks."

Richard

[morin3]

I would appreciate it if you all would critique my lawn service flyer. It has been taken in bits and pieces from others that have been posted on the forum. To those individuals, I say "Thanks."

Trying this a different way from an image posted to my web site. Not sure of the out come though.

Richard

http://home.earthlink.net/morin3/lawn.gif

[twins_lawn_care]

Slogan sounded familiar...

I'd make it less "cartoon" like, as it looks like a teenager is going to come cut my lawn before he has to go to football practice. You have to make it look as professional as you want them to think you are. Kind of hard to read, may want to attach it differently so we can read a little better the wording.

Just trying to give some honest advice.

[morin3]

New revised edtion posted to my web site. Thanks to all how offer feedback.

Richard

http://home.earthlink.net/~morin3/lawn2.htm

[MOW ED]

Not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but I have some residentials that I would hire you as a subcontractor and make money. What I mean is that there are some residential yards that are huge and if you are locking yourself at 35.00 you are gonna get creamed. Just some friendly advice, mayby "Reasonable Rates/FREE Estimate would be better for your bottom line. Good Luck

[WeatherMan]

well Richard you ask us to critique your flier, so don't get upset, but it looks like my 6 year old made that flier. :eek: non professional;) and the $35.00 part opens you up for much more then you are thinking. I'm sorry to say this but if that is the best you can do you need to hire a designer

Kept trying Rome was not built in 1 day:D

[Remsen1]

I don't think there is a problem with the $35 part, because it is easy to understand that this means "starting at $35". In fact I think it could help eliminate some headaches cause you won't have the people wanting it for $10, $15, $20 etc. calling.

I have to kinda agree with the others on the cartoons (however they coulda been nicer in the way the provided their opinion). Bottom Line, you will get some customers with your mailing, but if you're looking for those high-end jobs that we all want, then you're going to need a more professional flier. Look to upgrading in the future.

[jajwrigh]

Heres my advice:
Get your own slogan!!! That is straight from Twins!!
I think you need to write down the information that you want to put out there and start over on a new page. Don't list prices (they will vary) and don't go crazy with cartoons or no one will take you seriously. Believe it or not sometimes designing a flyer can take hours to achieve the effect you want. Be patient, relax, and try to keep it simple!

[Soupy]

That flier is going to cost you a lot of money to print. So you might as well make it worth it, and hire a designer to create a profesional one.

Maybe Gopher can help you out.

[ronslawncare]

THe cartoon stuff does make you look unprofesional,what i did was went to an office supply place and i ask them first i need a logo design.this was about $35.00 also put my logo on a disc for me included in the price.THen i gave them an outline of what i wanted to write on my flyer ,that was another $40.00 ,then had them do my biz cards .i feel it is more professional to have a graphic designer do it for you.plus to the publics eye they will take you and your biz alot more serious goodluck.remember you have to spend some money to make money.

[qualitylandscaping]

Try to avoid using colored ink.. Use colored paper instead..

Cost of B/W copy: $.04 each
Cost of Color copy: $.19 each

Big difference if your on a limited budget

Also, you should really consider having a flyer designed for you.
I recommend www.gophergraphics.com
They did a great job for me! :cool:

[Expert Lawns]

I've seen that slogan on many flyers around here. Many LCO's use it, I don't think he took it directly from Twins. If so, then shame on him. I will agree that the flyer looks a bit cheesy. For my flyers I use examples of MY WORK (not stealing any pics from lawn site like we've seen a lot of in the past few weeks). I have to let my potential customers know that I am serious about doing work for them. Let them know that you are experienced, insured (hopefully), and dependable.

I have seen flyers around here like "Sit Back and Look Lawn Care....Let us work for you so you can spend time with family etc etc". I guess I expect my customers to know that if I am dependable and I show up each week that it is expected that they will have that extra time with family. This is why most people hire LCO's. You seem to have a great imagination from that flyer. I guess I think you could do more with it. Hope that helps.

[Soupy]

A paid $60 to have this designed. it is going to cost me $549 to have 5000 made full color on both sides.

1st side

[Soupy]

2nd side.......................................

[Dan the mowing man]

hey that looks awesome and not to outragously priced where did you get them made.

[walker-talker]

Soupy..I hope those have not gone to print yet....couple of mis-spelled words....reliable and not rellable and fertilizer not fertiliser. Personally, I would have them drop the periods on your 4 statements that are in the yellow area. Those are not complete sentences and should not have a period, but just my .02
Are those doorhangers and is PCW doing them for you? Bob is a great guy!

[twins_lawn_care]

Hey Morin 3,
I have no problem with you using the slogan you have, I just think as mentioned you should try to come up with something that helps your company stand out, and be remembered with something more original. As mentioned, this catch phrase is used quite a bit.
We are actually changing our slogan from the one listed for that exact reason. I think listing any price on your flyer is a bad idea, unless you actually write it in as you deliver them. This is what I am going to be doing this year. This lets me give estimates while at the site, and makes the flyers (door hangers in my case) look more personal when they read it. Just a suggestion.

Soupy, nice layout, I am glad you decided on that "Lawn Guy" for your logo, he's catchy. Do check the spelling though, hopefully no in print yet.

Another note, the best advice I have received here on Lawnsite was the advice I did not like to hear. People are giving honest replies, and though they may be hard to swallow at times, you soon will realize it is much better to get them here, than to hear them from your clients, or more so, never hear from your clients!

Good luck on your design!

[Soupy]

Yes, fertilizer has been corrected. Reliable is spelled right?

Those were the first draft, I allready had them resized is why I posted them.

Yes, PCW for print, I had the hangers designed at Design Outpost.

[JimLewis]

Morin,

You're flyer is nice. It's typical of a smaller company or new company on a limited budged. I used a homemade flyer similar to that one for years and built much our business with it. I think it you pass out that flyer you'll have plenty of response. It's a nice flyers.

Soupy,

Yours is just amazing. I still just love the logo, the grass blade dude, and everything. That's a top notch flyer. You're set to go to the big time!

[Team Gopher]

Hi Morin3,

If you like having the price in your flyer then go with it. The one thing I would suggest is that you could leave the price out and have a section for you to write a price in for each lawn as you distribute them.

[Wells]

Morin,

If you're set on using clipart then let me make one suggestion.
You may want to use photo-art instead. Same as clipart except actual images.

It will take the cartoon feature out of the flyer. Its very reasonable at only $1.00 per photo object.

I'll attach the link. go to
http://www.hemera.com/image/free_downloads.jsp

then click on photo-objects and enter your keywords.

Here a sample of what you'll find there.

[morin3]

Thanks to all for your valuable feedback. It has certainly been a great help in designing a suitable flyer. I have posted the original flyer and the two revisions to my web site and would like to hear everyone’s opinion on my selection. My son likes the third revision.

The price has certainly been a stickler on whether to include it or not. I realize that it will be misleading to some even with the “May Be” but I’m inclined to leave it as is because I feel that it may help “get your foot in the door” as the saying goes. Lots on average around here run 80’ to 90’ wide and 100’ to 150’ deep, with two thirds of that being lawn and $35 being the average asking price to mow, weed eat, edge and blow off sidewalks and driveways. Some are doing it for less but I don’t understand how they are making money and doing a decent job.

It is my plans to print the flyers myself on colored paper with an inkjet printer as I initially only need around 1000 copies. However, I do plan to get a quote from a printer. It is also my plan to personally hand out the flyers by going door to door which will give me an opportunity to introduce myself as well as be more selective on which homes to visit.

I couldn’t agree more on having a color brochure with images of your own work, but for now, starting out small, I can’t see expending the funds. Several of the full color brochures which where done by a professional publisher where excellent.

On the subject of “Lil Old Ladies,” we have quite a few around here, some on low fixed incomes, some on substantial incomes, some widowed, some living with “Lil Old Men.” These ladies still shop at the local grocery store, attend church on Sundays, go to Bible study on Wednesday night and go to the local beauty shop regularly. While there, these ladies talk and gossip. Sometimes the subject comes up of lawn care. If you just happen to be caring for one of these ladies lawns and she is well satisfied with your work, then you can bet that your name will come up when this is mentioned. On the other hand, if she is dissatisfied with your work, your name may or may not come up. If it does come up it will most likely not be a recommendation that is good. Most appreciate all you do for them and will gladly recommend you to a friend or fellow church member. They also will compensate you well . And don’t forget, we all are going to be “Lil Old Ladies” and “Lil Old Men” faster than we wish.

I hope to build my business on my reputation for quality work and customer service. I feel that this is the two most important aspects of any business. I try to go the “extra mile” and do the little things that set me apart from the majority of the competition. So far it has served me well.

Again, “Thanks” to all for your help.

Richard


http://home.earthlink.net/~morin3/lawn4.htm

[Soupy]

I still think the clipart makes it look like the neighbor kid is going to show up to cut the grass. Pictures like the lady pruning the shrubs and the guy on a rider doesn't give a professional image.

If you have MS publisher, I might be able to help you with your design. I would also think about seeking Gophers help. He won't charge you a lot. Believe me a well designed flier is going to bring you more business, which in return will pay for the flier. Even if you pay someone $40 or so to design it, you can still print it yourself.

I think you have the right idea about running your business. It sounds like you believe in company image, by providing good work. If you apply the same ideas of image into your advertising, you will go far.

If your just looking to pick up another 5-10 customers, then you will probably obtain that goal with your flier. But If you really want to real them in, Spend a few dollars on a designer.

I know you have invested a lot of time and energy into this project. Please don't take my comments the wrong way. I would just like to see you get the best results possible. Handing out 1000 fliers isn't going to happen overnight. A well design flier might get you to reach you goal a lot faster and save you some foot steps.

[Expert Lawns]

Originally posted by morin3

I hope to build my business on my reputation for quality work and customer service. I feel that this is the two most important aspects of any business. I try to go the “extra mile” and do the little things that set me apart from the majority of the competition. So far it has served me well.


Great attitude!! :D

[DigitalSpy]

Originally posted by Soupy
A paid $60 to have this designed. it is going to cost me $549 to have 5000 made full color on both sides.

1st side

That looks great Soupy! There's nothing like investing in your company image. Looks like design outpost does pretty good work.

[olderthandirt]

I might as well throw my 2 cents in on this if your purpose is to get people to read your flyers try this " FREE LAWN MOWING" and then in smaller letters try call for details. Then you can set an appointment up and hit them at that time with the details that the Free comes with a yr. contract or its the 10 mow, what ever.
Remenber kiss[keep it simple stupid] it works the fewer words the more intriging to potential customers, which generates calls. Then its up to you to sell yourself.

Mac

[Lux Lawn]

Soupy
That is a great design the little grass blade with the shades is too cool.When I started my wife wanted me to do something like that with a caricature of myself and grass blades.Great price you got also I think you are going to do very well with it.

Best of luck to you.

[Lux Lawn]

Wells
Thats some good advise and a nice link for anyone who may need it.

[DFW Area Landscaper]

Soupy,

That door hanger looks awesome. Did you have the folks on designoutpost do it?

Also, someone posted a link to a guy's websight sight on another thread that supposedly had the very best prices on full color door hangers. Where do you get your door hangers printed?

Thanks,
DFW Area Landscaper

[Soupy]

DFW, yes, I had it made at Design Outpost. I had my Logo made there too. I also found my Web designer there which is working outside Design Outpost for me. I have also hired the guy that made the door-hanger to do my truck layout, business cards, letterhead, lawn signs, and trailer signs.

The door-hanger and business cards are being printed at http://www.postcardwarehouse.com/index.html 5000 business card full color both sides are $150 + $25 set up. The hangers are 5000 full color both sides for $499 + $50 set up. $60 to ship both which comes to a total of $784.