When in neighborhoods do you: Talk w/people or Leave info.??

[Stephan Schwebke]

I haven't started my advertizing campaign just yet will here beginning the 1st or 2nd week of March. Just curious though, which method typically results in a higher response?

METHOD 1. Door to door informing people about your service, which obviously means less people end up knowing you exist.

or

METHOD 2. Door to door leaving info at the front door and blanketing many more neighborhoods.

Last year my experience when I went door to door: I would ring the doorbell and talked to people if they were home, if not there I'd leave a flier w/business card. I'm planning to ring doorbells on weekends and during the weekdays just putting info in doors.

This year I plan to do the above plus the following: 3-color magnetics for my car (no truck yet it's my 2nd year) and a 3-color 2x4 sign for my trailer gate. I have white polos w/company name & my name which I advertize in. (Can't you tell I'm an image freak?! ) I will have an ad running for the month of March in the Catholic Advance published in our city. Lastly my dad has been a carpenter/remodeler for 20 years, and he's giving me a list of approx. 150 prime customers which I can mail my info to.

Wadda seasond pros think of my stratagies? Constructive criticism is welcomed; I respect everyone's wealth of knowledge! I'll be checking back regularly on the posts, and Thank you for all the feedback!

Steve, Smart Lawn Care

[1Chavez]

"(no truck yet it's my 2nd year)" vs. "(Can't you tell I'm an image freak?!)"
Which one is it????? Sell the car, at least buy a small truck.

"Lastly my dad has been a carpenter/remodeler for 20 years, and he's giving me a list of approx. 150 prime customers which I can mail my info to."

Probally your best bet until you can have actual referrals from work you are currently doing.
-Rich

[CleanEdge]

Sell the car, at least buy a small truck.

I agree. Surely you can afford even a small truck when you sell the car. All I have right now is a 96 ranger xl but that is better then a car. Get a used one and that will save you lots. I think it would help you advertise better as well. IMO it seems like when flyers are put on the front doors, they aren't seen for quite a while. Everybody goes in there garage door. I am still testing methods, but it seems like there would be more response/100 flyers by actually talking to the people then by just putting them on the door. Then maybe if they are home, just put them on the door. I also wonder if writing an estimate on each flyer for the home would bring more response since the people would see how much you charge for there home.

[Ground Works]

Estimates

Hey Cleanedge I was wondering that myself???

Has anyone tried that yet?? putting an extiamte on Peoples door on there flyers to see if that would help at all?????
better response ??less response?? any comments please??

[CleanEdge]

I have decided to try it this time round and see if there is much of a response that way. If I was interested in lawn care, I wouldn't want to call to find out the price.

Less hassle in my HMO

[Stephan Schwebke]

1Chavez,

Except for image reasons, why would I want to sell my car for a truck?

Gains: Improved image & all around utility

Losses: Something less than 305 horses under the hood. (keep in mind I'm towing 2,000 lbs. here...) Who knows how badly the truck's been maintained. My Caprice has been single owner in the family. Yes the repairs do clean me out once & a while.

I know I look hokey as hell, but there's all the more reason to work my tail off for that '97 Sierra. They truck is a single owner in the family, and well maintanied. I wouldn't want to deal w/ multiple vehicle turnovers in a relatively short time period.

CleanEdge,

Our house was just dropped a door hanger last week w/ info about a new LCO in the area... and they had written in cost of weekly maintence. I think it's a great idea. I'll start doing that myself!!!

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES!!

[MGO]

The only problem with that is you are telling everyone your pricing....including the competition.

[vaughnslawns]

i left quoats for leaf clean ups on flyiers great response

[Triple D]

The only problem with that is you are telling everyone your pricing....including the competition.

THIS WILL NOT BE YOUR ONLY PROBLEM!!!!!!! I PROMISE

I am not saying this is a bad ideal, but consider this. How can you leave a accurate bid without seeing the complete lawn. Are you going to measure each lawn or just eye ball it. In my area no two lawns are the same. For instance my lawn is 1/2 acre wide open, no fence only one tree. It takes about 35 minutes, mow,edge, and blow. My neighbor has the same size lawn, looks the same from the road. But he has a privacy fence around the back yard. Ok i know you say no problem just a fence. But what you can't see is they have more crap in their back yard it will blow your mind. It will take a minimum of a hour to complete. If you give a price you had better take a good look at it. Front AND back. If you don't, heck just give them a price on the phone when they call, you will be just as close most of the time. ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!

Also if you leave a price you had better be close in your bid. I personally don't like to leave a bid. If you can talk to someone in person you can get a feel for them. You might get a little more than you would if you left a bid on the door. Or you might find out that you need to charge alot more because they are going to be real hard to please, or that you might need to charge just a little less to get the job.

Just some things to think about. Good luck in which ever way you decide to go.

GrassMaster
Lawn & Landscape







i

[Team Gopher]

Hi Stephan Schwebke,

I think your method 1 is the most preferred method. It would go along with the theory of quality not quantity. You can sell better when people know you and have met you.