Steve Jobs demoing new iAd serviceGopherHaul 38 Lawn Care Business Marketing Show – How to get 20 new lawn care customers.
http://www.gopherforum.com – Nothing helps us learn how to be successful than to hear stories from those who have found success and then ask them how they did it. A new lawn care business owner shared with us his story on the Gopher Lawn Care Business Forum on how he went from 3 to 20 lawn care customers in all of 3 months. I was able to talk with him and get some insights as to how he did it. I hope this discussion really helps you grow your lawn care business.
He wrote I just opened up my very own lawn business. I am very fortunate to have opened it when I did, because my first few months I have seen a jump in clientele. I first got started in the lawn care business by working with my father doing property maintenance at his home building company. My job included mowing all of his model homes and properties. I serviced 25 properties for 3 years. As I worked for him, together we set up a lawn trailer including a Toro 52″ z-turn, John Deere 48″ walk behind and assorted sticks edgers and trimmers, and back pack blowers. So having all of this equipment in my hands I decided to start my own company and expand it past his properties. At the same time I started leasing his equipment from him.
This made it very easy to start since I did not have to go out and purchase most of this equipment in one lump sum. I have the experience of cutting grass, but its with the buisness side I need to become an expert on to make lots of money. That is what has brought me to this forum. I have learned a lot just by reading others comments. I have a few ideas of my own and have a lot of motivation to make my company prosperous.
You sound like you have a fantastic foundation and are off to a great start, can you tell us a little about your view on growing your lawn care business?
He responded A lot of people have different philosophies about how to run there company and here are just some of mine.
1. My start up phase -
The first thing I did other than put numbers together and get my licensing and insurance was to start spreading the word. I told every person (and still do) about the services I provide (spelled out below). From my parents to the grocery store clerk, I told every person I came in contact with. The first month I opened with 3 accounts, now in my 3rd month I have 20. ALL WORD OF MOUTH.
I had a buddy of mine meet with me to go over logos and flyers and so forth, low budget marketing items, such as business cards. Business cards are probably the number one item ANY business person should never leave the shop without. I spread the word EVERYWHERE I GO. WORD OF MOUTH IS MY NUMBER 1 marketing TECHNIQUE. It goes much further than a piece of paper.
2. Professional Image -
This item I think gets over looked because of the common excuse that its a dirty job. My state is littered with lawn care companies and you cant go down the road with out seeing at least 3 rigs. Even though 10 passed me, I remembered only 3 because they looked good. But I think its very important to BE and look professional.
I went to Target and bought these Champion duo dry shirts (one they are cheap, two they are pleasant to work in, and three they look very professional.) I got my logo and and phone number put on them, and you would be surprised how a property owner reacts (especially in high end neighborhoods) when they see a professional looking company making there lawn look PROFESSIONALLY done.
3. Foundation -
Since I am a one man show (right now) I am using this short time to allow myself to build my foundation. And what I mean by that is my systems, from the first phone call to the last blade of grass getting blown off at the end of the month. I am learning ways to keep the business organized. Right now I have put together an estimating form that includes questions of for the property so I have them right there on paper instead of in my head.
He shared with us some very fascinating insights. I hope these thoughts and concepts help you grow.
If you are in need of free lawn care marketing material for your lawn care business, please visit our site at http://www.gophersoftware.com. We have hundreds of free lawn care logo, flyer, door hanger and web templates you can download and use for your lawn care business. We also have free lawn care business contracts, estimate and proposal forms. Download our trial version of Gopher Lawn Care Business Software. Gopher will help your lawn care business schedule and invoice more customers in less time, allowing you more time to grow or enjoy your life. Check out my lawn care business blog at http://www.lawnchat.com and my lawn care business forum at http://www.gopherforum.com
Duration : 0:8:49
Open or enclosed landscape trailer? – GopherHaul Lawn Care Business Marketing Forum Show
http://www.gopherforum.com When most landscapers start up their business, they tend to start with a truck only. Then later they may add an open trailer. At a certain point you may be asking yourself whats better to have, an open or enclosed trailer and why?
Thats the question one of our new forum members asked and he quite a few responses I think will help you make up your mind as well.
Brandon: Hi everyone my name is Brandon and I am the president of my own landscape & maintenance corp. I have been in business for 9 years and hope to find continued success long into the future. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some positive and negative attributes of an enclosed trailer as opposed to an open utility trailer to move lawn care equipment from job to job? I have an open trailer now and I am thinking of making the switch over to an enclosed one.
Keith: I can think of a few pros and cons of the top of my head.
Pros:
– Ability to lock.
– Protection from rain.
– Larger area to put name/logo/phone number.
– Looks more professional.
– Possible increased slipstreaming giving better gas milage (offset by weight, Im sure).
– Ability to put shelves/storage areas.
– Protects cargo from rocks kicked up by your truck.
– Winter storage.
Cons:
– Increased cost.
– Increased axle and tongue weight.
– Inability to load from top (leaves, mulch, dirt). This is the biggest negative I can think of.
– Doesnt air out well when mower has wet grass or fuel fumes.
– Reduced freedom of movement when you are quickly grabbing a trimmer, etc.
Chuck: I run enclosed trailers currently. It is added weight, & its like dragging an 8′ wall behind you so fuel economy suffers a bit. But I think the added security, & having a huge billboard behind you all day offsets the negatives.
I have gone to many estimates & when I pull up they say Oh yeah, Ive seen you guys all over town you stay pretty busy huh? The fact that they recognize the rig & that Ive been around a while adds instant credibility.
So many guys run trucks with no decals or only little magnets & open trailers. I pass them all day long & they all look the same. So that seems to make a big difference.
The biggest negative I have found is that here in Florida its hot. So when we run these machines for 8-11 minutes at a time & load them up, drive 2 minutes & repeat all day they dont really get to cool down. an open trailer would at least let air blow past them. I have offset this by running full synthetic oil in all my mowers to add some protection against the added heat & we usually end up throwing the trimmers in the back of the trucks between jobs.
I will stay with enclosed trailers & if not I would have my truck professionally wrapped to make it more recognizable.
I think it depends on where you currently store your trailer. If you park your trailer on your driveway at home and need to unload all of your equipment each night into a garage, that is going to take a big bite of time to load it in the morning and unload it at night. So consider these all of these factors. Constantly strive to make your business more streamlined and profitable.
If you are in need of free lawn care marketing material for your lawn care business, please visit our site at http://www.gophersoftware.com. We have hundreds of free lawn care logo, flyer, door hanger and web templates you can download and use for your lawn care business. We also have free lawn care business contracts, estimate and proposal forms. Download our trial version of Gopher Lawn Care Business Software. Gopher will help your lawn care business schedule and invoice more customers in less time, allowing you more time to grow or enjoy your life. Check out my lawn care business blog at http://www.lawnchat.com and my lawn care business forum at http://www.gopherforum.com
Duration : 0:5:28
GopherHaul 17 – Winter Lawn Care Business Marketing Ideas
In this episode of GopherHaul we discuss winter lawn care business marketing ideas.
Hello everyone and welcome to Gopherhaul!
If you haven’t started your business yet, what are you waiting for. If you don’t start your business this year, you’ll be at least 1 year older when you do so get started today!
GopherHaul is a show for entrepreneurs and new business owners. In it we discuss business tips and tricks we have learned over the years and share with you some real world experiences on how to help your lawn care business or any other business grow.
In this episode we will be talking about:
- GopherHaul reaches a quarter million viewers.
- If you want a free customized animated banner just jump onto our forum and introduce yourself! http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi
- I added a section on the lawn care business forum called Help me bid this job. Since the last episode we have helped a lawn care business owner land a $6,000 job. Read more about that job here http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=35;t=6004
- Are you looking for a great way to promote your lawn care business this winter? Here is a flyer to promote your lawn care business toy drive for the holidays. Offering to run a toy drive really positions your business as one who cares about your community. It’s a great way to show your community that you care as well as gain you some valuable media attention. Make sure you let the local media know you are running a toy drive to collect toys for children in need.
http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=942
- I have two sets of 50 free holiday cards compliments of www.CardsCheaper.com to giveaway. Click here to take part http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=26&t=6241&st=0&&#entry28278
- Check out my newest favorite lawn care truck. It’s covered in artificial turf. See it here.
http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=8;t=6149;r=1
- Our friend Keith posted a great way to gain more winter lawn care business customers and get them lined up for next spring too. Read more about this marketing idea and download the free flyer we made for this advertising concept here. http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=29;t=6144;
- We are going to be talking a lot more about our outdoor holiday decoration contest so start taking pictures. We have a bunch of prize to give away, check the forum for more info. http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=8&t=6159&st=0&&#entry27752
If you are in need of free marketing material for your lawn care business, please visit our site at http://www.gophersoftware.com. We have hundreds of free lawn care logo, flyer, door hanger and web templates you can download and use for your lawn care business. We also have free lawn care business contracts. Also download our trial version of Gopher Lawn Care Business Software. Gopher will help your lawn care business schedule and invoice more customers in less time, allowing you more time to grow or enjoy your life. If you are on myspace send us a friend request. We are located at http://www.myspace.com/teamgopher.
Also please log onto our lawn care business forum and tell us about your business and if you have any business questions, please ask them.
Always remember to dream it, build it, Gopher It!
Duration : 0:8:50
www.MarketingPlanNOW.com – Marketing-mix as a planning tool (1)
For many, marketing is all about the 4P’s, a theoretical concept dated early 60’s. This first video (out of two) demonstrates how the modern concept of marketing-mix can assist you practically as a major planning tool in a marketing plan.
This first video (out of two) illustrates the “Marketing Offer” made up of the brand, quality of service and physical features (comprising the “Product or service-mix”) as well as the price of the product or service in question (price-mix). Besides the “Marketing Offer”, the latter part of this video introduces the elements to consider when promoting the offer – starting with the distribution channels whether direct (direct marketing) or by using intermediaries (indirect marketing).
The content of the next video; Marketing-mix as a planning tool (2), includes the following:
- The elements of marketing communication (MarCom) or MarCom-mix: advertising, public relations, sales promotions, conventions & exhibitions and sponsorships.
- The concept of marketing-mix when adapted to services rather than products.
- The practical usage of this concept with several examples.
Duration : 0:9:38
How to estimate gutter cleaning – GopherHaul Lawn Care Business Marketing Podcast
http://www.gopherforum.com If you are looking to submit some bids this season to clean leaves out of your customers gutters make sure you read this article first.
John got on the Gopher Lawn Care Business Forum and asked his gutter cleaning question. He wrote I have been asked by a neighbor to do a gutter cleanup. She has gutter shields in place but wants to make sure everything is cleaned out and down spouts are good. Her house is 2200sq. and about half of the home has gutters.
I do not think this job will take over 1.5 hours but have no idea what to charge her. I have never done this for money just on my own and folks house. Any help would be appreciated.
One of our forum members responded by saying I charge $1.00 per foot for a single story and $2.00 per foot on a 2 story. For people I have lawn contracts with I do it free Spring and Fall.
I found that a 2 liter soda bottle (cut down) works well for cleaning the gutters. Its pliable enough to get down into the gutter. Take a bucket with you to but the debris in. If you just dump it on the ground, the mess is harder to clean up than the gutters are.
I have been doing a national survey with those who provide gutter cleaning services and the charge of $1 to $2 per linear ft seems to be standard across the country. You would charge more for gutters that are higher up or more difficult to get to than lower ones.
Here are some common beginner pitfalls lawn care business owners find when offering gutter cleaning.
* On my first job, I just emptied the gutters onto the ground. It took me about 25 minutes to clean the gutters and over an hour to clean the mess from dumping the debris. It was on the walls, the ground, the windows, etc. Since then I have taken a bucket to empty the debris in.
* I used to charge by the hour for gutter cleaning, now I charge around $1 per linear foot.
* If the gutters are easy to reach I charge $1.00 per foot. If the gutters have trees growing out of them, then its $2.00 per foot.
* The first time I ever cleaned gutters, I brought a power washer and blew them all clean.When I went down the ladder, it was a mess, lawn, house windows, screens, everything!!! Lets just say that those people got a free home power-washing!!! Learn from mistakes, right?
Remember to review the job site before you create your estimate. Are the gutters on the first floor or the second? Do they have weeds growing out of them? Are you going to be able to reach them? Use a scoop to clean the gutters and empty the scoop into a bucket. Minimize your cleanup time. Charge between $1 and $2 a ft for gutter cleaning and you should be alright. To join in on this discussion further, visit the Gopher Lawn Care Business Forum here.
If you are in need of free lawn care marketing material for your lawn care business, please visit our site at http://www.gophersoftware.com. We have hundreds of free lawn care logo, flyer, door hanger and web templates you can download and use for your lawn care business. We also have free lawn care business contracts, estimate and proposal forms. Download our trial version of Gopher Lawn Care Business Software. Gopher will help your lawn care business schedule and invoice more customers in less time, allowing you more time to grow or enjoy your life. Check out my lawn care business blog at http://www.lawnchat.com and my lawn care business forum at http://www.gopherforum.com
Duration : 0:6:36
Marketing Plan – The 7 Key of Areas of Focus in Business
For more marketing tips, go to:
http://www.attractcustomerslikecrazy.com
Duration : 0:4:14
Marketing Plan Tips #1 – Beginners Education Based Marketing
Get more marketing plan tips at
http://www.attractcustomerslikecrazy.com
Duration : 0:6:29
Marketing Plan – 4 Components of a Marketing Strategy
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http://www.attractcustomerslikecrazy.com
Duration : 0:8:14