advertising

[spirkn]

I was wondering how everyone advertised and to what extent? And where you've got the best response from? [8]

[UPS]

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This last season was my first year. I was still in school till May but I had a little extra money left over for the business and I put it into mailings. I designed a small card in microsoft publisher and printed them out on card stock. The card stated my phone number in several places, all my services, free estimates, and fully insured. I had a really good response for no more than I sent out. The ones that called said that they liked it better than the leaving a flyer on their doornob which I did that as well. But I'm sure other folks like the doornob aproach better. Everyone has their own opinion.

This year I'm advertising in my church directory, a local real estate offices monthly mailing, and I'm doing my own mailings again this year. You guys should hit up your local real estate offices for relocation properties or empty homes. There are a lot out there if you can get them. I'm in good with one real estate office here in town (my wife and her older brother work there) and I get a lot of work from them. Not just because they are relation but because the work is there and I do great work

Can't wait to hear your ideas!

[AAffordable]

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UPS, I agree with you on the Real estate deal. We got in with one the middle of the year, and now we do all of there Rentals and anything else that comes up.

Good luck!!

[spirkn]

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UPS or anyone who knows, I've heard the real estate idea and it sounds great but i don't get exactly what i do? i just call to the real state office and ask if they have any vacant lots that need maintence? any advice would be great

[UPS]

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Spirkn:

Like I said I'm kinda on the "inside" with this particular real estate company. However, if I were you and not in the situation that I'm in I would make a small flyer (postcard size) and go to the real estate offices front desk and ask if they would mind putting them in the agents mailboxes. On the postcard I would put something like "specializing in relocation properties", list your services, your phone number, etc.

You see there are relocation companies that buy homes from the home owner and then the home owner moves, well someone must keep the the maintenence up and thats where you would come in. There are also the situations where the homeowner moves but is still in control of the property so they too would need to find someone to take care of the property if they moved out of town.

You'll also find that the agents have investers with rental properties. Sometimes they too need work done if not the mowing as well. Also, many real estate companies develope additions and many times there are empty lots that they must keep mowed. So, thats another place where work is available.

There are 4 main companies in town and I do work for 3/4 companies (not all agents at each company but a handful of agents at each one). The way I got to the companies that I didn't have an "in" on was doing what I told you to do.

Hope this helps. I'm not saying that these companies will keep you full time on their own but they will help bring in extra cash.