[Oxmow]

Has anyone been using "NEXTDOOR" to get business? Seems great for the weekenders to get some lawns but "business's" have to register their business and are restricted as to how they advertise.

Been getting a lot of kickback from some folks in my realm of Nextdoor for trying to make the weekenders have to do it the same or quit advertising.

 

[Clay Guinn]

I know my boss's son uses it to mow neighbors lawns that are out of town. I have thought about, but my current advertising keeps my scheduled full. If/when I add another crew I'll probably look into it more.

What restriction and or cost did they implement for actual businesses?

 

[Todd73]

I’m on it, but my area Nextdoor is useless. If it wasn’t free, I’d be gone in a heartbeat. Most people on my area one just go to ***** and moan about the most useless crap like a raccoon seen during the day or a service dog licking itself in a bank (I wish I was making this up). I think I’ve gotten two calls ever and both were tire kickers.

 

[Trees Too]

I love it!! Thumbs Up
I think that NextDoor.com is more appropriate for business recommendations than the standard Social Networking of Facebook, Twitter and the like.

www.nextdoor.com

 

[Mattwillcutyourgrass]

In use it, but I’m a weekender. There are some guys around here who seem to kill it on there as a recommended business.

 

[Michael Ray]

Been good for a few referrals. Some places fight the advertising a little more than others. If you wan keep the posts to a minimum it helps your chances of not having issues.

 

[Oxmow]

Mine seems to be overrun with lost dog ads. Every other post it seems has either a lost dog, or a pic someone took of a dog asking "Is it yours?"

When a 'NEW" landscape guy comes to Nextdoor and advertises he gets hammered by the "LEADS" telling him to go post in the Business Thread and they sometimes let the "handyman" or the "I'm just trying to make a little extra money" guy have his say. When I tell them about the rules other "White Knights" have to jump in and say "but he's not a business".

I'm sorry, but if you are responding to an ad you can talk about anything, but if you are throwing it out to everybody before a need is asked for then you are ADVERTISING.

 

[Bcoogan23]

I use it and love it. It's free and has gotten me tons of work

 

[sailfish27]

Mine seems to be overrun with lost dog ads. Every other post it seems has either a lost dog, or a pic someone took of a dog asking "Is it yours?"

When a 'NEW" landscape guy comes to Nextdoor and advertises he gets hammered by the "LEADS" telling him to go post in the Business Thread and they sometimes let the "handyman" or the "I'm just trying to make a little extra money" guy have his say. When I tell them about the rules other "White Knights" have to jump in and say "but he's not a business".

I'm sorry, but if you are responding to an ad you can talk about anything, but if you are throwing it out to everybody before a need is asked for then you are ADVERTISING.

Are you saying if someone is "looking" for a lawn guys you can throw your name into the hat or refer yourself?

Awhile back my wife used to refer me on a social/referral site, not sure which one. She didn't lie, just listed my name and contact info when someone was looking for a contractor. Curious if you guys think this is unethical but it worked?

Someone would post.. Looking for someone to remodel my bath. Wife.... Try Mike 000-000-0000

 

[Todd73]

Are you saying if someone is "looking" for a lawn guys you can throw your name into the hat or refer yourself?

I do...along with eleventy-billion others. I've even sent private messages saying I would love to give the person an estimate. How many responses have I received? Zero. Absolutely useless for me, but for others, it has worked.

 

[sailfish27]

I do...along with eleventy-billion others. I've even sent private messages saying I would love to give the person an estimate. How many responses have I received? Zero. Absolutely useless for me, but for others, it has worked.

Understood. We may be in completely different markets. The other day someone was looking for a landscaper. I think a total of 3 people gave referrals. No businesses listed themselves.

What about the second part of my post? What if your wife gave you a referral? EX. anyone know any good landscapers?

Wife- Yeah try Todd he's great! People think this is a legit referral. No mention your related. On the other hand no one lied. Is this unethical?

 

[Trees Too]

Has anyone been using "NEXTDOOR" to get business? Seems great for the weekenders to get some lawns but "business's" have to register their business and are restricted as to how they advertise.

Been getting a lot of kickback from some folks in my realm of Nextdoor for trying to make the weekenders have to do it the same or quit advertising.

Do any of you guys do a newsletter for your customers? Either in print or electronic. If so, your company newsletter is a great forum to tell your customers to get on NextDoor.com and give your business a RECOMMENDATION! Thumbs Up

 

[Todd73]

Understood. We may be in completely different markets. The other day someone was looking for a landscaper. I think a total of 3 people gave referrals. No businesses listed themselves.

What about the second part of my post? What if your wife gave you a referral? EX. anyone know any good landscapers?

Wife- Yeah try Todd he's great! People think this is a legit referral. No mention your related. On the other hand no one lied. Is this unethical?

I think if your wife refers you like she's a complete stranger, yeah, it's sketchy. If she says, "My husband does this for a living, I think you'd be very pleased" then it's totally above board.

 

[sailfish27]

I think if your wife refers you like she's a complete stranger, yeah, it's sketchy. If she says, "My husband does this for a living, I think you'd be very pleased" then it's totally above board.

Agreed. My wife has done it the sketchy way and it worked. It worked amazingly well . I was never comfortable with it though.

 

[Oxmow]

Are you saying if someone is "looking" for a lawn guys you can throw your name into the hat or refer yourself?

Yes that's the RIGHT way to do it. You RESPOND to someone needing help.

What about the second part of my post? What if your wife gave you a referral? EX. anyone know any good landscapers?

That's called a RECOMMENDATION and there's a feed for those as well.

 

[grassmonkey0311]

I use this....but it's more the neighborhood gossip site. Occasionally we'll throw a few ad's up but it's not at the top of our priority list.

Haven't got anything from it yet and don't really plan to. It's more for exposure.

 

[Trees Too]

Are you saying if someone is "looking" for a lawn guys you can throw your name into the hat or refer yourself?

Awhile back my wife used to refer me on a social/referral site, not sure which one. She didn't lie, just listed my name and contact info when someone was looking for a contractor. Curious if you guys think this is unethical but it worked?

Someone would post.. Looking for someone to remodel my bath. Wife.... Try Mike 000-000-0000

SURE! I've seen it done on NextDoor.com
If you're neighborhood is on NextDoor then go ahead and put your business out there!

 

[Steve-1]

other "White Knights" have to jump in and say "but he's not a business".

Should throw in there "if he gets hurt on your property who is going to pay for his hospital bills, or if he damages something on your property who is going to pay for it? We all trying to make a little extra money."

On another note I am on there too. I'm actually on 2 because when I moved I created a new account, and I am getting some good leads. Picked up 4 new customers today, have a quote scheduled tomorrow.

 

[Smith Lawn & Landscaping]

I've received a ton of work from nextdoor greatest thing since sliced bread. Just have to get pass the bs.

 

[ColonialRVA]

I've had good success on it, but it tends to be an issue. I had my last post taken down because it was "advertising" but before that happened I had multiple people ask me to do work, and then another guy jumped into my feed stating he did work also and would be happy to give them an estimate. No brotherhood, just a ruthless game we play with each other.