Selling Lawn Care - Common Mistakes

[Phil Nilsson]

The most common mistake in selling is to ignore the "what's in it for me" mentality of customers. Sell the benefits to customers NOT the features ...

For example ... how many times have you seen a Yellow Page, Flyer or Newsprint ad that goes like this ... Joe's Lawn Care ... we do mowing, trimming, plowing, installs, hardscapes and on and on. Those are (features) not benefits. What you do is what you feature, in essence your services but the main thing to consider is HOW or WHAT and WHY (these are benefits) doing business with you does for the customer ... what's in it for the customer?

The Geico(sp) ad does not say ... Hey ... We are Geico and we sell auto insurance (those are features) ... the ad says Geico save up to 15% on auto insurance ... now that's a customer benefit! ... and a reason to call them for a quote.

Phil

[dare630]

Yep, I always put a "senior citizen discount" in my ads. Thats 90% of my calls anyhow. The offer of a "free estimate" works real well also. Most calls I get, thats the first thing out of their mouth, "I'd like to get a free estimate on ...."

[SCW]

Love that senior citizen discount ad! Thanks! We also feature 'FREE ESTIMATES' on all our advertising - and most of the calls we get start out the same way...'I'd like to get a free estimate on...'

[Phil Nilsson]

Why not "expand" that discount idea to include a (new) customer first time get acquainted discount?

Phil

[als lawn care]

I have been using the 10% off maintenance for the year,with this ad and also the $$ off for referrals..funny thing is, usually when I get the calls from potential customers, they hardly ever mention either one. I guess they don't like paying attention..if they really saved 10%...in this hypothetical situation..

25 cuts x $30 = $750
Fall cleanup = $125
Aeration = $75
Snow Removal = $200
Total services = $1,150.00
after 10% discount = $1,035.00

If I were a customer, I would surely mention the 10% off for the year. I'm thinking that like most people they either a)overlook it..or b)don't want to signup for a yearly contract

[kbaker77]

Mass mailing postcards

Has anyone tried mass mailing postcards? Just wanted to get some feedback on the results. A certain company will design, print, and distribute these postcards with your advertising for:
2300 postcards for 900 dollars
5000 postcards for 1800 dollars

[KLC]

I made my own postcards. I registered at vistaprint.com and designed my business cards. It seemed a tad pricey and decided to just think about it for awhile... and then came the discount emails. I went ahead and ordered the cards and not to long after used another one of the discounts to buy postcards. If you can take the time to scope out the area, you can get your own addresses.

[Woody]

You guys REALLY need to start checking the DATES on the POSTS BEFORE you reply to them!

You all realize this thread is 3 YEARS OLD!?!?

[HLS-NL]

You guys REALLY need to start checking the DATES on the POSTS BEFORE you reply to them!

You all realize this thread is 3 YEARS OLD!?!?

Is that you age Woddy?

[HLS-NL]

Has anyone tried mass mailing postcards? Just wanted to get some feedback on the results. A certain company will design, print, and distribute these postcards with your advertising for:
2300 postcards for 900 dollars
5000 postcards for 1800 dollars

Too much for me. I have started running Radio and Newspaper adds. About 800 bucks for both for two months.

[Woody]

Keep your sig file like that, Flounder, it looks great. And keep replying to threads 3 years old too. It makes you look brilliant.

While you are at it, check out the "Off Topic" area for reviews of SCRUBS and their companies. See you there!

[HLS-NL]

Then turn off this site, why is it here woody, It's here just for you boy.

Got to go woody, Sorry to tell you this but, My phone wont stop ringing and I don't have time to read your BULL ****, got to much work to do. Have fun running every one down. GO WOODY GO.

Keep your sig file like that, Flounder, it looks great. And keep replying to threads 3 years old too. It makes you look brilliant.

While you are at it, check out the "Off Topic" area for reviews of SCRUBS and their companies. See you there!

[Woody]

Best get to work then, Flounder. Good to hear you are making a big splash in North Liberty! With a population of 7,211 I'll bet you are a real big wheel about town. Those radio and newspaper ads must be paying off bigtime. Heck, I bet you might even be able to afford actual commercial grade equipment by next season!

Well, here's hoping you have continued success this season!

[HLS-NL]

Thanks woody. It was been a good year so far. North Liberty is one of the fastest growing towns in the midwest, up 42% over 2000 (5,367). 7,211 is wrong (7,638 2004) and was 2 years ago, plus since NL is in the middle of Cedar Rapids, IA (122,206) and Iowa city/Coralville (80,555).

I'm not a big wheel, just someone who loves what he does and my work shows it. I hope to learn from any mistakes and treat all customers like how I would want to be treated. I do hope to afford actual commercial grade equipment by next season, but what I have does just as good. It may not last as long, but it does get the job done.

Thanks again Woody

Best get to work then, Flounder. Good to hear you are making a big splash in North Liberty! With a population of 7,211 I'll bet you are a real big wheel about town. Those radio and newspaper ads must be paying off bigtime. Heck, I bet you might even be able to afford actual commercial grade equipment by next season!

Well, here's hoping you have continued success this season!