No calls yet

[FFMED74]

Anyone finding out that they are working thier rumps off for nothing? I am getting a little down I guess. I have handed out over 1000 flyers in past 2 weeks with 0 calls. Now my web site has had about 50 hits since I opened it on the weekend, really Saturday was able to get to it. I figured someone would have requested a bid or even a phone call at the least. I have an ad in weekly paper heer starting last week of Feb through April. Any thoughts....... confused fireman!!!! LOL:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[lawnGUYnMD]

I would think that people would be responding until the weather gets better. They are more concerned about snow right now not grass. Give it some time and you should receive some response.

[mtdman]

If the weather in Indiana is anything like it is in Michigan, don't worry. It's too early in the year to be getting calls. Usually bids don't start coming in around my area until late Feb, early March. I'm not even thinking about giving estimates right now.

:D

[Soupy]

We are going to start passing out door-hangers the first week of March. We don't run an ad in the newspaper because it usully gets price shoppers. I used to run an ad, and found myself bidding against every person in the paper.

[D Felix]

Eric-
Wait another month. You may want to hand out more fliers about a week before the first forecasted 60-70 degree day. I can garauntee you your phone will be ringing off the hook then. When it warms up, even for just a day, people will start thinking about lawns and landscaping, and will think it can all be done in March...

Where in IN are you?


Dan

[Lux Lawn]

Don't worry about it to much its still the middle of Feb. try again in a couple of weeks.I am also doing flyers and some post cards this year about 11k-12k and will start in beginning of March.

[Let it Grow]

Once the sun starts shining more people will start thinking about it. Don't be discouraged about your fliers because when people start thinking about lawn care at least some of them will remember your flier.
I've been pretty lucky, I've gotten some calls the last few weeks, and I've gotten all but one of the jobs, so I feel pretty good. I'm offering a 10% discount on all spring cleanups so that is helping a little.
Good luck.

[aries]

I will start in march too!:p

[Team Gopher]

Hi FFMED74,

Don't get down or give up! Possibly change some things around and see if you get better results.

[FFMED74]

I guess they aren't nearly as excited about it as I am. I am looking so forward to this year, I can't heardly wait. I guess that is just the type personallity I am, I used to fish bass tournaments and I would start getting stir crazy about mid Feb. Cant help it, it is soooooo close, but so far away LOL. It would help if I could just be at the fire station when we get a working fire LOL, I don't wish death and destruction on anyone.

[mtdman]

I can understand your excitement. The first few years I was in business, I was so worried about getting enough customers and worked up about it I would be going crazy in Feb as well. But I've learned that the work will come, you just have to be patient. Not to mention you don't want to wear yourself out and blow your advertising $$ before people are ready for you. They will come, just be patient.

:D

[FFMED74]

MTD,
Right now the $$$ for advertising aren't that much. I am using 125lb paper and printing three sections of my info, then using a paper cutter to cut them into three slips a bit longer than a post card, but thinner. I like this style because it isn't a sheet of paper and can be put on a fridge or by the phone. So we will see. I am not frustrated, just ready to go....:blob4::blob4::blob4:

[Let it Grow]

Just to encourage you, I did three bids today, two were for lawns and one was for about a $8,000-$10,000 retaining wall...I hope I get that one!
Don't worry, the work will come!

[alpine692003]

Poor guy!

I put a 1" ad in my local newspaper, 3 phone calls..

Had to turn 1 phone call down because it was for a 100 ft long retaining wall, I said uhh.. sorry we dont do that, but I wish I had the experience.

2nd phone call - 8ft x 305ft cedar hedge that needed trimming.. waiting for them to call me back or somebody else, thats okay..

3rd phone call - 600sq feet sod installation needs prep work as well; lost that one to a lowerballer.. I bid $650 (thought that was right?) correct me if I'm wrong!

All in all, i'm happy with my 1" ad

[jajwrigh]

I am located in Indiana too and I haven't got any calls yet either. I don't really expect to until mid to late March. Good luck to you though!

[Let it Grow]

I wish I was closer to you Alpine, I'd love to do that retaining wall. You should get into that, it's a great money maker, and they are fairly easy to do (A lot of hard work, but fairly easy!)

[Outback Designz]

People don't worry about til its's green and growing. Then they don't call til it's three weeks behind...lol. That's customers for ya. I start with ad last week in march runthrough april. Found that to be best time for my area. Good luck.

[Expert Lawns]

i'm doing some bids, sending out letters, but no flyers yet, i'll wait a month or so for those. last year i put flyers our pretty early, but a lot of people held on to them and called closer to mow time. i was surprised as to how many people held on to the flyers. also, i had 2 calls from someone that had my flyer from 2 years ago. hang in there. hopefully in a month, you won't be able to keep up with all the calls.

[precisioncut]

I will begin my doorhanger campaign this Sat. Newspaper ad in 2 local papers on Mon. New phonebook with yellow page ad next week. Sit and wait for the phone to ring. Guess i'll see.

[alpine692003]

I just recently put my display ad in 2 different city newspapers.

Every Sunday - 1" display ads - 9 lines.

I posted it last week and recevied 2 phone calls, but lost both bids because I bidded too high..

I'm going to re-evaulate my $$$ per hour!

[Let it Grow]

Hey Alpine, just remember that many of the people who look in the paper to get their landscaper are often looking for someone who is cheaper. Not always, but sometimes. I'd be very careful with lowering my price. If you know how much you need to charge to make money then stick to it or you'll end up doing work too cheap, then it's all down hill from there.

[FFMED74]

Well, I am have to admit I really thought I'd have gotten a call or two. I did help a buddy out when I was asked about bidding a lawn, too far north for me, so sent it his way. I am going to keep flooding the market even though it hasn't cause my phone to ring off the hook. I know it will come, but just not quick enough for this type A person.. Oh well at least the boat show is this week!!!!!

[jajwrigh]

I need to come up with another game plan....I have passed out flyers but not too many and I want to advertise in more than one way!

[alpine692003]

Let It Grow - Ya, that's true.. I understand that and I know..

I lost a 600sq feet bid to some other landscaper for $500.. I waslike uhh.. good, let him take it!

[Lawn Services Plus]

I put out about 700 flyers last week-3 phone calls -one for mowing(sold it) and the other two for pinestraw-said it was too much (at $5 a bale delvered and spread?) I was thinking about
going to $6 a bale but called around $5 is what the sellers in this area are charging ,cost me 2.90 cash and carry-putting out more
flyers this week.hope i get some better results/maybe it is still early-hey Im ready-going to plant some trees tomorrow$$$ i love it

[FFMED74]

I know that you all say wait so i am waiting. I am even concidering cancelling my vacation in MArch/Apr4il due to the bids picking up then.... Trying to talk the wife into sometime in the next few weeks. Oh well sacrafice for the team!! I love this site, thank for keeping me up to date on opinions and ideas.

[alpine692003]

Dont give up! Just keep plugging away, thats what i'm doing!

[Doster's L & L]

I started last weekend passing out my brochures door to door. These were nice neighboor hoods BTW. I got a call on my machine while i was still passing them out. i'm getting calls pretty steadily for estimates. Things will look up for you soon. Just wait till it warms up some more.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL IN 2004!!!

[FFMED74]

Well Igot my first estimate yesterday, looking for more really soon!

[jajwrigh]

I got my first spring clean up tommorrow! Nothing huge, but its work and its with a brand new customer.:D

[Dodgemania]

Don't now were in Indiana you are but in Louisville had ad in 3 different paper for 2 weeks and not on call. Discouraged myself. Saw people putting there ads in the paper and thought I'd do the same but no luck for me. Hope you have better luck.