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Mowjoe
01-08-2006, 04:31 PM
I am interested in getting members views on what is the best way to attract new jobs/clients.

I am aware of the distribution of fliers through mail boxes but I am interested to know if members have tried other forms of advertising such as Radio, Newspapers, maybe TV.

If these were used, were they successful and did they pay for themselves?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks, Mowjoe

Shepparton Lawn Care
01-08-2006, 09:43 PM
:aus-flag: G'day Mowjoe. I did the flyer drop and ended up with a 2% strike rate. I also went to all the real estate agents with an introductory letter, stating what machinery we had and insurances and the services that we could offer. We have done really well from this. Try to seek out the property managers as they look after the rentals. As well as just tidy -ups when a tenant hasn't mowed for 3 months, you can also do garden maintenance as some rental property owners may not live in the town that their rental property is in. Make yourself known to landscape gardeners as I currently work for 2 in town who lay down new turf and have to maintain it for 10 to 12 weeks as part of their deal with their clients. Whilst they know a lot more horticulturally, they may not be geared up to do the maintenance themselves-as in the case of the 2 that I work for as it is more hassle for them. I hope that this helps. Also try any builders that offer house and land packages or who have display homes. They may well be looked after by the landscaper that put in the turf and plants, but that may be only for 10 or 12 weeks as with the earlier example that I gave you. ;) Whilst T.V. and radio advertising may or maynot work, It is a big expence. I believe that everything is relative-meaning if it costs $500.00 or $1000.00 for advertising. That's a lot of lawns to recover that money. !! . I'm a big believer in living within your means. This doesn't mean that the way you advertise has to look cheap.We advertise in the Yellow pages only and purchased a uniform in the corporate colours of our business, signed our trailer. This is mobile advertising!. Hope this gives you some ideas. Cheers for now Simon SLC

ian
03-08-2006, 10:35 PM
i found letter box drops good for localised client build up also if you don't like the look of the place don't leave a pamphlet.for a more broader and less time consuming approach i found the local (free)paper the best place to advertise

Tim from HMS
10-08-2006, 08:31 PM
I have just left flyers in all the pidgeon holes at the kids' daycare centre and the school newsletter has just decided that they'll allow advertising (business card sized) for $5 a week....gets distributed to 500 families so I reckon that'll be $5 well spent.

So if you have kids at school/kinder etc, check if you can advertise in their newsletter or offer a gift certificate as a raffle prize for one of their fundraisers. I'll be doing that soon too....but a discount voucher, not a freebie (so at least I cover the cost of the petrol).

Will let you know what sort of response I get.

raemac1
19-10-2006, 02:59 PM
:) hi guy's i've laid out thousands with the yellow pages . local paper we have 2 locals here school news letter . one magazine won't go there . shirt's , sign's for the ute , trailer , 2x business banners and business card's and flyer's deliverd around the 6.000 thousand. and still waiting for the phone to ring of the hook but. I won't be spending thouands again I'll think I mite just stay with the yellow pages that's is whats gotten most of my work for me .
and do the flyers now & then but I'm happy with the work load at the moment being part time I have 10 perm and 1 realestate so I'm pretty happy the day job keeps me sane the paper is full of lawneis around here but thems the breaks and yes I do declair all my earnings at each tax time by the book mabe next pay I'll go national :laughing: I've been to about 25 realestates and I've had one call back saying they would like to put me on there books because there other people they use are slaking off so that's a positive out look for me It won't happen over night but it will happen sorry for rambleing
Rossco :wave-hi:

Mowjoe
19-10-2006, 03:57 PM
Thanks for the responses.

I went to our local paper and placed an ad. We have one that comes out 3 days a week and a freebie that they put on the lawn weekly.

I have had a very good response. I looked at what all the other lawnies were advertising and made mine different as well as offering other services that were not listed by others, such as holiday maintenance, gardening, odd jobs.

I have picked up a number of jobs that have payed for the ads as well as 8 regular clients.

Mowjoe

bigG
19-10-2006, 05:49 PM
good stuff mow joe.i always go the local paper myself.its always trea :wave-hi: ted me well.go get'em mate

imoww
28-05-2011, 09:20 PM
How about this for getting clients???
Lawn care gift certificates on ebay???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110592888005+&clk_rvr_id=235750726586

Andy B
29-05-2011, 09:30 AM
How about this for getting clients???
Lawn care gift certificates on ebay???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110592888005+&clk_rvr_id=235750726586

:) I like the sound of 1hr sprinkler analysis... great earner, take a couple of beers and watch the sprinkler for an hour to make sure it's working, then charge another hr to write a report. :dance

bellarinelawns
29-05-2011, 10:59 AM
How about this for getting clients???
Lawn care gift certificates on ebay???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110592888005+&clk_rvr_id=235750726586

this promotion is linked to a fund raiser for MS....if you read the entire advert you will see other lead in products linked to this charity..a great way to raise funds for a worth while cause....these guys probably specialise in this type of work....the $20 goes to the charity , they get nothing except the chance to go to someones property for an hour, shake their head saying oh no, oh no...this needs fixing this isn,t right, who was the clown that installed this, this is a waste, etc, etc. , and for $$$ we can get every right for you.....and come back every spring and recheck every thing for you. these guys will upsell the supposedly lost hour. Oh and they can probably claim the lost one hour as an advertising expense on their tax expenses, so all is not lost. the charity gets $20, they get more work, they claim an expense that isn't an expense on their taxable income.

ian
29-05-2011, 02:44 PM
$50 voucher should = $50 donation to charity for tax purposes

jd
29-05-2011, 03:38 PM
I started out letterdropping 3000 and probably got half dozen respond.
School newsletter ($50/yr) had some responses. Have just purchased magnetic sign for back of trailer ($220) from online company that im quite happy with.
Have used 3 local Leader newspapers on and off for last 8 years($40/wk). The success of this really depends on how many get delivered ( i get no response from large blocks of suburbs).
Put add in Police association magazine once but found my add squashed between a ladies beauty treatments and a party hire company! (they didn't explain the adds weren't categorised...) Beware! Did have a call once from a hotel association who wanted to put my business on their drink coasters... should have tried it; probably a lot of blokes sitting in pubs trying to avoid going home to mow.

Bluey
30-05-2011, 05:22 PM
Put add in Police association magazine once but found my add squashed between a ladies beauty treatments and a party hire company! (they didn't explain the adds weren't categorised...) Beware!

Did you actually see your ad in a printed version of the proper magazine or just copy of the ad set up. This is a well known scam.

jd
30-05-2011, 09:11 PM
Did you actually see your ad in a printed version of the proper magazine or just copy of the ad set up. This is a well known scam.

No, they actually sent me a copy of the magazine... had to look through 20 pages of adds to find it. I wasn't the only one to complain.

****
30-05-2011, 09:51 PM
Did you actually see your ad in a printed version of the proper magazine or just copy of the ad set up. This is a well known scam.

Interesting to note that I got a phone call from this same "police Journal" 2 days after I listed on Hotfrog, Google places and a few others. The person that rang me was not from the sub continent and definitely here in OZ. No thanks was the reply.

As for advertising. I'll post back here tomorrow to report how effective my own strategy goes....

Anjaryan
30-05-2011, 11:33 PM
Got a call last week from marketing company representing a well known Real estate agent, they said I could advertise in their Mag and be the sole gardening provider for the agent for a cost of $550???

Politely advised them that the real estates dont pay enough to cover the cost of the add and I would be better off providing free cuts... they didnt like that too much.

PaulG
30-05-2011, 11:45 PM
I'm at a bit of a crossroads as to how next to advertise. When I started I would only put leaflets in the letterboxes of houses with yards that obviously needed work done. I got a few of my initial clients from these.

The thing that brought in new work for me earlier this year was the local (and very expensive) newspaper. $450 for a series of 12 small colour ads but this is probably the medium I would use again.

I've registered on a few of the free websites and have had a few calls from those recently.

The other avenue I have available at present is a client (graphic designer) who owes me a few hundred $ for work I've done. She was going to print for me either bus. cards, flyers or fridge magnets.

Cards and magnets I see only being useful to give to someone you've actually talked to or done work for already and flyers....well they seem to be quite useless according to most reports...

Yellow pages - forget it; way to expensive for a (very) small business like mine at present.

fairdinkum
31-05-2011, 05:30 AM
Yellow pages - forget it; way to expensive for a (very) small business like mine at present.
Paul, are you aware that you can get a free basic listing in the yellow pages? I am starting to actually get a few calls from it.

PaulG
31-05-2011, 07:47 AM
No didn't know that Jason. Is it an online listing?

****
31-05-2011, 06:06 PM
Since I have nothing in the "things to do" column I headed out this morning to drum up some work.
Went cold calling around a relatively new commercial park with a simple flyer in hand. To summarise I visited and left my details at only 26 premises that looked as if they needed gardening services. From that I did 2 jobs on the spot and will be doing so regularly at $40 a piece - nature strip weeding of the newish garden beds and a sweep and blow of the carpark area. Dumpster onsite so no removal. 30mins tops. Also got 2 call backs this afternoon to come back and quote tomorrow. Thats a pretty good strike rate in my opinion.
Cold calling is not the easiest thing to do. But once you have done one the rest are easy. The nerves get going, palms get sweaty and your speech may stumble all because of the fear of rejection. Thats why its easier to drop flyers in mailboxes anonymously or place a 2 line ad in a paper.
When dealing with the corporates you are generally met by the "gatekeeper" AKA receptionist who sees on average 3 hawkers / cold callers a day. They come dressed in cheap suits and shiny shoes blurting out a prepared sales pitch. This is where you can be different. Be prompt and to the point. Be as honest as you are when dealing with any client. My spiel is simple and I am in and out in under a minute.
1. Stride towards the reception door (usually tinted) with all the confidence you can muster and full of purpose.
2. If the receptionist is on the phone feign interest in the business you are visiting by reading their advertising material or studying their product. Dont just stand in front of the desk with your cock in hand.
3. When greeted by the gatekeeper ALWAYS apologise for your intrusion while at the same time handing them a simple flyer that instantly recognises what you do and why you are there ( if you cant convey that by a simple 3 sec scan read then its over complicated ) You have caught them off guard and this is the last thing that was on anyones mind within the company at that moment and so the gatekeeper is straight away thinking of the person to palm your flyer off to.
4. Simple spiel and this is where honest comes into it ferinstance " I'm in the area and drumming up business. I cut grass and maintain gardens if that's something that is of interest to anyone here could you pass that on?"
5. Depends upon the exchange you have from there but if a name is mentioned then be sure to grab that persons card from the holder on the front desk if not the managing director etc. Give them a follow up call in the next few days. Your flyer might not have made it past the reception desk or your visit may have provoked thought on the topic but they have yet to take action. Be aggressive not passive
6. Out the door - DONT BE A PEST! For the 2 I did on the spot today I had both of them come to me, out of their office and catch up with me in the street while I was doing the same to their neighbours.

Hope that helps
Adrian

PS I used this same way of doing things to sell capital equipment that ranged in price from $20k to $450k. Salesmans creed.....Theres a Joker in every pack, just keep flipping cards until it comes up.

St George
31-05-2011, 07:14 PM
I like your tact. I will try this.

BobC
31-05-2011, 09:26 PM
"Cold calling is not the easiest thing to do."

I haven't done it and will openly admit to although thinking about it, have always chickened out.

I am finding that I'm getting customers from my website. Two more quotes do do tommorow from enquirys that came in today.

Flyers dropped in letter boxes seems a very hit or miss proposition, sometimes get a few, sometimes not, and newspaper advertising is expensive for the return. Todays ad is often wrapping up the cats dinner the next day.
:thinking

fairdinkum
01-06-2011, 05:20 AM
No didn't know that Jason. Is it an online listing?
To be honest I am not sure as I have never bothered to check. But I think it is online and in the book. I went and found the LINK (http://www.yellowadvertising.com.au/contact/complimentary-listing/complimentary-listing?Contact-Us/Free-Listing) for you mate.

****
03-06-2011, 09:13 PM
Have a crack at this. First 10 leads for free.
https://www.homehelp4u.net/list_your_business/join_or_free_trial.php
So far I have scored 4 from 4. Sure I'm going from pillar to post. But anything is better than nothing.
Until I form a regular round then, like everyone else I will be all over this and going in very aggressively.

jd
06-06-2011, 08:55 PM
No didn't know that Jason. Is it an online listing?

Paul, the yellow pages free single line listing also appears online. I probably get half a dozen jobs a year from it but hey, it's free.

Bluey
06-06-2011, 08:59 PM
Have a crack at this. First 10 leads for free.
https://www.homehelp4u.net/list_your_business/join_or_free_trial.php
So far I have scored 4 from 4. Sure I'm going from pillar to post. But anything is better than nothing.
Until I form a regular round then, like everyone else I will be all over this and going in very aggressively.

Thats' ok but don't sign up after. Use it for the trial and get what you get then let it go. Aido I know you come from and advertising / marketing background but really mate it comes down to making a name for yourself in this industry.....an old saying may help.....softly softly catchee monkey.....don't try too hard mate. It will come as it comes...

Stump
07-06-2011, 08:17 PM
I started from scratch just over 2 months ago, and racked up my 25 regular customer yesterday, and I have 5 "on call" types as well. Most of them were from the 2000 flyers I put out, but last week I tried cold calling in between jobs, and added 6 new regulars in the last 7 days. Most of my clients have been serviced in the last two weeks, so I am looking forward to actually getting some fully devoted marketing days in to rack up the client list. (when this bloody rain lets up)
I knocked on only 10 doors to add those 6 clients (not counting the "nobody homes".)
Find a person with a problem, and offer to solve it, and you will always get a good strike rate.

****
09-06-2011, 05:40 PM
Thats' ok but don't sign up after. Use it for the trial and get what you get then let it go. Aido I know you come from and advertising / marketing background but really mate it comes down to making a name for yourself in this industry.....an old saying may help.....softly softly catchee monkey.....don't try too hard mate. It will come as it comes...

No, no, yes and maybe
1. No to signing up. I will as I can come and go from it as I please. It costs $5 per lead you are sent and this can be factored into the job. It would seem that there is no-one else out there using this system as all the people I have dealt with have never had another call back. The e-mail from them is set to come through to my phone and as soon as it hits I ring the client direct and immediately make an appointment to see them. When the results start to falter I will drop it but I have a 100% conversion so far. if it werent for this then I'd be sitting around scratching my proverbial.

2 No I don't come from a marketing or advertising background. I have always been blue collar aside from 3 months last year when I broke ranks and became a salesman...long story. I have worked for large business and small business in many different fields but I have a sound appreciation of how and why they go about doing things. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Throughout my working life I have always studied the workings of my employers and always tried to do the best for the customer and knowing how to fulfil their needs and wants as the middleman keeping everybody happy.

3 Yes. Its about making a name for yourself. You cant do that by sitting on the couch waiting for the phone to ring hoping that your gooogle places, hotfrog, leaflets or whatever comes through with the goods. Knowledge comes from doing not just reading about it or talking ****. From the site above I will find 10 people that I would never have. 4 I will see again.

4. Softly softly was exactly what I had planned over winter and then toss in my full time job come August-ish. Unfortunately they got in first and made me redundant a bit over 2 weeks ago so now its full throttle and make it happen. I have just spent the last 2 days sat on my arse and doing housework because of the cold weather. Thats not good when I am used to being busy and we are now reduced to 1 regular wage.


I hope this doesn't come across with the wrong inflection.....keyboards do that. I just enjoy a robust discussion.

South East Mowing
09-06-2011, 05:51 PM
No, no, yes and maybe
1. No to signing up. I will as I can come and go from it as I please. It costs $5 per lead you are sent and this can be factored into the job. It would seem that there is no-one else out there using this system as all the people I have dealt with have never had another call back. The e-mail from them is set to come through to my phone and as soon as it hits I ring the client direct and immediately make an appointment to see them. When the results start to falter I will drop it but I have a 100% conversion so far. if it werent for this then I'd be sitting around scratching my proverbial.

2 No I don't come from a marketing or advertising background. I have always been blue collar aside from 3 months last year when I broke ranks and became a salesman...long story. I have worked for large business and small business in many different fields but I have a sound appreciation of how and why they go about doing things. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Throughout my working life I have always studied the workings of my employers and always tried to do the best for the customer and knowing how to fulfil their needs and wants as the middleman keeping everybody happy.

3 Yes. Its about making a name for yourself. You cant do that by sitting on the couch waiting for the phone to ring hoping that your gooogle places, hotfrog, leaflets or whatever comes through with the goods. Knowledge comes from doing not just reading about it or talking ****. From the site above I will find 10 people that I would never have. 4 I will see again.

4. Softly softly was exactly what I had planned over winter and then toss in my full time job come August-ish. Unfortunately they got in first and made me redundant a bit over 2 weeks ago so now its full throttle and make it happen. I have just spent the last 2 days sat on my arse and doing housework because of the cold weather. Thats not good when I am used to being busy and we are now reduced to 1 regular wage.


I hope this doesn't come across with the wrong inflection.....keyboards do that. I just enjoy a robust discussion.

Whats works for you- Go for it mate.
Try as many things as possible while you have the time and as long as you are out there getting experience and it's not costing you more than you can budget for then you have the right attitude.
Some of us on here are a little "senior in years" and can sometimes be slow to adapt to new things:scared:scared:scared

Bluey
09-06-2011, 06:17 PM
No, no, yes and maybe
1. No to signing up. I will as I can come and go from it as I please. It costs $5 per lead you are sent and this can be factored into the job. It would seem that there is no-one else out there using this system as all the people I have dealt with have never had another call back. The e-mail from them is set to come through to my phone and as soon as it hits I ring the client direct and immediately make an appointment to see them. When the results start to falter I will drop it but I have a 100% conversion so far. if it werent for this then I'd be sitting around scratching my proverbial.

2 No I don't come from a marketing or advertising background. I have always been blue collar aside from 3 months last year when I broke ranks and became a salesman...long story. I have worked for large business and small business in many different fields but I have a sound appreciation of how and why they go about doing things. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Throughout my working life I have always studied the workings of my employers and always tried to do the best for the customer and knowing how to fulfil their needs and wants as the middleman keeping everybody happy.

3 Yes. Its about making a name for yourself. You cant do that by sitting on the couch waiting for the phone to ring hoping that your gooogle places, hotfrog, leaflets or whatever comes through with the goods. Knowledge comes from doing not just reading about it or talking ****. From the site above I will find 10 people that I would never have. 4 I will see again.

4. Softly softly was exactly what I had planned over winter and then toss in my full time job come August-ish. Unfortunately they got in first and made me redundant a bit over 2 weeks ago so now its full throttle and make it happen. I have just spent the last 2 days sat on my arse and doing housework because of the cold weather. Thats not good when I am used to being busy and we are now reduced to 1 regular wage.


I hope this doesn't come across with the wrong inflection.....keyboards do that. I just enjoy a robust discussion.

No you have not come across the wrong way but remember that $5 lead fee is just to get you the lead. If it doesn't turn into a successful quote you still pay it.

****
09-06-2011, 07:27 PM
No you have not come across the wrong way but remember that $5 lead fee is just to get you the lead. If it doesn't turn into a successful quote you still pay it.

Refer point 1

:p

Bluey
09-06-2011, 07:30 PM
Refer point 1

:p

For now but they will get on the band wagon. All I am saying is use it but don't pay for it. These companies make their money from us using their service. If you rely on this and don't build your own ways of getting customers for free you will be behind the eight ball. Look use it if it works but personally i don't pay someone for this.

****
09-06-2011, 08:05 PM
Word of mouth and reputation comes from being "out there". For the struggling new bloke it is a good thing.
Back to the original topic matter. If its not been used then grab hold of 10 free quotes from people that you would otherwise not have heard from. http://www.homehelp4u.net/ . its free for the first 10 contacts.

NLALM
16-06-2011, 06:39 PM
I think it's time for me to put a bit more effort into getting some new or should I say more clients. It happens every year to me I am so busy in the summer that I don't do anything in the way of advertising, then the weather gets cold the grass stops groing and I find myself in a rut. It's so competitive around here I haven't won a quote where I have competed for the job in ages and I don't consider myself as over pricing if anything I walk away thinking I'm to cheap. I want to get a website as soon as I can scrape up the money and I was thinking of a sign on the back of my trailer, I do have small signs on the sides but I think one on the rear is a good idea.

This week has been a total wash out, might get a couple done tommorow but up till now I haven't made a cent this week.So it's not only the new guys that struggle I have been in the game a long time and have had heaps of ups and downs but this really does get me down each winter.

I have checked out some jobs that I have missed out on, only to find the person who got the job has only done half of what I quoted on so they are not comparing apples with apples. Do you guys ever find this and how can it be overcome.


I missed out on one big unit complex right on the lake, the person who got the job was five dollars cheaper than me and does half of what I had included in my price mmmm should I just drop my standard of work to compete on an even playing feild. I lost one commercial job to a contractor who does one next to a block of units I do, I don't like to bag people but this guy can't do vertical edges he flat edges everything it looks like crap and I llst a job to this clown?????????I don't know what I do wrong

Stump
16-06-2011, 07:43 PM
I missed out on one big unit complex right on the lake, the person who got the job was five dollars cheaper than me and does half of what I had included in my price mmmm should I just drop my standard of work to compete on an even playing feild. I lost one commercial job to a contractor who does one next to a block of units I do, I don't like to bag people but this guy can't do vertical edges he flat edges everything it looks like crap and I llst a job to this clown?????????I don't know what I do wrong

Quoting someone else on this forum,...give three quotes, for three levels of effort required. Its just too hard to guess what picture the client has in his mind, or what he reasonably expects it to cost.

PaulG
16-06-2011, 08:05 PM
I have checked out some jobs that I have missed out on, only to find the person who got the job has only done half of what I quoted on so they are not comparing apples with apples. Do you guys ever find this and how can it be overcome.


I missed out on one big unit complex right on the lake, the person who got the job was five dollars cheaper than me and does half of what I had included in my price mmmm should I just drop my standard of work to compete on an even playing feild. I lost one commercial job to a contractor who does one next to a block of units I do, I don't like to bag people but this guy can't do vertical edges he flat edges everything it looks like crap and I llst a job to this clown?????????I don't know what I do wrong

I find this very difficult too. A couple of jobs that I lost to other contractors are nowhere near the standard I was doing. I spoke to one customer who said she was saving $10 on what I charged. She was now very unhappy with the service from the current contractor but was too embarrased to call me to start working for her again. I said to call me when you are ready but my price will be going up.

South East Mowing
16-06-2011, 08:45 PM
I think it's time for me to put a bit more effort into getting some new or should I say more clients. It happens every year to me I am so busy in the summer that I don't do anything in the way of advertising, then the weather gets cold the grass stops groing and I find myself in a rut. It's so competitive around here I haven't won a quote where I have competed for the job in ages and I don't consider myself as over pricing if anything I walk away thinking I'm to cheap. I want to get a website as soon as I can scrape up the money and I was thinking of a sign on the back of my trailer, I do have small signs on the sides but I think one on the rear is a good idea.

This week has been a total wash out, might get a couple done tommorow but up till now I haven't made a cent this week.So it's not only the new guys that struggle I have been in the game a long time and have had heaps of ups and downs but this really does get me down each winter.

I have checked out some jobs that I have missed out on, only to find the person who got the job has only done half of what I quoted on so they are not comparing apples with apples. Do you guys ever find this and how can it be overcome.


I missed out on one big unit complex right on the lake, the person who got the job was five dollars cheaper than me and does half of what I had included in my price mmmm should I just drop my standard of work to compete on an even playing feild. I lost one commercial job to a contractor who does one next to a block of units I do, I don't like to bag people but this guy can't do vertical edges he flat edges everything it looks like crap and I llst a job to this clown?????????I don't know what I do wrong

Maybe you should look at getting a casual employee or subbie to work during the very busy times. You may then have time to take on more work as you can get through more of it. Screen your calls and go for the regular type if thats what you're after. If you dont have time to scratch your ar** during these times you will find it hard to get those clients you need for slower times - unless you can keep them 2-3 weekly all year round!

bb1
16-06-2011, 09:39 PM
I missed out on one big unit complex right on the lake, the person who got the job was five dollars cheaper than me and does half of what I had included in my price mmmm should I just drop my standard of work to compete on an even playing feild. I lost one commercial job to a contractor who does one next to a block of units I do, I don't like to bag people but this guy can't do vertical edges he flat edges everything it looks like crap and I llst a job to this clown?????????I don't know what I do wrong

I was doing a large body corporate for 2 years, than was undercut by a Jims guy, when the tender came up again, i got the job back very quickly, because they realised that price isnt everything, and they do want quality. I like the idea of giving quotes based on different options. Top quality or medium, I never quote on a low quality job, I would rather not win the job.

happymowin
17-06-2011, 12:27 PM
yeah, i have a hard time quoting for "a bad job"

i always say, your finished job is your best advertisement - their neighbour isnt going to ask them "did you pay for the bad job", they will assume YOU did a bad job, know what i mean?

i do an excellent job, even when it turns out i underquoted something, i will finish it to a high standard, then explain that i need to charge more next time.

I always tell people who are obviously lookign for "just a quote" that i wont be the cheapest guy, so they might as well call someone else.

i just turn em down outright.

had one guy wanted me to drive 20 minutes to him, and mow a "small lawn" (cough cough) and only wanted to pay $25.

"GET SOMEONE ELSE" (and dont waste my time)

Stripes
17-06-2011, 01:59 PM
Spot on Happymowin. I never quote different standards. I learned my lesson pretty early on when I agreed to do a rough cleanup job for a lower price. I started doing the job, and before I knew it my perfectionist head got the better of me and I ended up doing the job just like I would any other job. Ended up working an extra few hours for zero plus a heap more clippings to take away. I just couldn't drop my standard. What happened after that? A neighbour came across commenting on what a great job I had done and asked for a quote for her garden. Turned out to be worth a about 3 grand per year, but if I had done a rough job I would not have got that. If anyone does want to do a rough job for a tight ass client, I would not do it if I had signage on my ute and trailer.

PaulG
17-06-2011, 02:06 PM
I'm the same - only one standard - the best or nothing.

Bluey
17-06-2011, 05:26 PM
Well now that depends guys. Lets say you have a client that wants a overgrown block slashed. Are you saying you only quote for slashing it and picking it up and dumping it. Often the client is happy to slash it and leave it on the ground. So do you knock that one back. I don't. I still do a good job just not the very best it could be because they don't want it. I think what you have to do is learn to"read" the customer. Give them what they want not what you want. Not saying doing it your way is wrong but I am sure you could pick up a lot of jobs by giving the option for a lesser quality job. It is not a "bad" job just not what it could have been if they wanted to pay more. It is more like a base stock standard job as opposed to a top of the range job.

Jayk
17-06-2011, 10:54 PM
i hate being the cheapest too. i firmly believe that you get what you pay for.
my hourly rate is $55 per hour per worker plus rubbish and poison if there are more than one of us. if i am alone hourly rate is $66/hr min. i try and avoid an hourly rate if i can, but if i can't i stress that what i can accomplish in an hour is far better than someone operating from the back of a boot. we will still work out cheaper in the long run.
i/we do slah jobs too. you can still make a slash job look neat. just a matter of fixing up the edges and blowing it properly. slahing is good coin, and if you tell the neighbour across the road what you are doing if they are approaching you why you are doing it (sell yourself), and why you are slashing ( it would cost the client alot more, and the neighbour probably doesnt like the person you are doing the job for anyway because they dont look after their property .. another opening there just say you are getting the edges to look nice out of pride,... and the client didnt care maybe? by saying this you are making their street look better!) most times it works in my favour. most good operators, jims included dont want to underquote. our common enemy are the backyarders and dodgy brothers that underquote us all. we all need to spend more time educating our current and potential clients about what we can provide. paying more in the short term = less in the long term. ... i hope anyway. (sorry for going on).

PaulG
18-06-2011, 12:42 AM
^ Had to laugh. I'm "working out of my boot" still until I can get my ute back on the road!!

Jayk
18-06-2011, 12:46 AM
sorry mate, hopefully ya understand who i meant lol! ...btw i have an xg falcon ute not doing anything .. welcome to borrow ( not worth selling) just neads rego. no hire fees .. just in sa is all.

PaulG
18-06-2011, 12:50 AM
All good Jayk, I knew what you meant. Watching a ute on eBay at present. If the price is right I'll grab it, pull the motor out for my ute and sell the one just bought (if I get it)as a roller to recoup some cash.

ogsdubbo
19-06-2011, 10:01 PM
I have found people trying to sell their homes a good client to have as they want it to look its best when potential buyers inspect/view it.
People who have medical conditions preventing them doing their own garden maintainence are also regulars of mine. Drop some business cards to your local medical centre /doctors surgery & advertise in your local free delivered community Newspaper. I have had alot of work come my way by advertising in this.! Cut back your advertising in Winter though as its not as effective in the cooler months. Things slow down during the Winter months unfortunately.! Advertise fortnightly instead of weekly from June till the end of August.

Kind Regards

Mick

OGSDUBBO

Neil&family
22-06-2011, 12:54 PM
Could always join facebook like this guy.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirtzoff-Mowing/137750812957692

Stump
22-06-2011, 02:55 PM
He dose'nt have many likes lol. Ouch, I can feel the stones flicking up from the wippy right now. My shins already look like they have a spotty disease on them from wearing shorts occasionally.

****
22-06-2011, 04:24 PM
Could always join facebook like this guy.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirtzoff-Mowing/137750812957692

That wouldn't work in Hobart.

Still facebook is a good medium. I have got my business linked to my personal FB account properly as of this week and I am getting alot of "Likes" and even some work. For existing customers or even new I have re done my flyer that if they "Like" me on FB they get $10 off the next service. Word of mouth is the way to go and since FB is the new way of talking to one another then get into it.

Classic Cut
22-06-2011, 05:36 PM
Good 'ay Guys, longtime viewer first time poster. Someone above mentioned targeting customers that are selling their homes. As I'm selling mine upgrading to something bigger I have been getting mail from conveyancers etc offering me their services. Great idea and I may just use one of them. Now where mowing comes in I am going to take down the details of properties in my territory (yes I'm a Jim) and send a letter to both the residence and the real estate offering my services and a free quote. I'll follow this up with a call to the agent (mobile number is readily available) and a knock on the door 3 days later at the residence.

Really only applicable in the quiet times or when chasing work.

Cheers
Classic Cut

courty
25-06-2011, 03:00 PM
I seem to have hit the wall.
I've been going just over 12 months now and I'm still trying to find the right mix of advertising. I currently advertise in the local free paper and have a website,whilst they both pay for themselves they don't have the phone ringing off the hook.Summer was a pretty good season for growth but I still never found myself flat out.
Like every where else the Coast is saturated with lawnies but I just don't see any of them advertising (besides the same half a dozen in the paper)?
where do they get the work from?
I've never had another lawnie service flyer in my letter box,neither have any of my freinds or relo's.
A lot on here say word of mouth but I can't say I've ever had a referal from one of my regs,all of whom are very happy with my service:i dunno:

Thus ends saturday afternoons ramble
Regards
Stagnating Courty:)

Cranbourne Lawnmowing
25-06-2011, 03:21 PM
I seem to have hit the wall.
I've been going just over 12 months now and I'm still trying to find the right mix of advertising. I currently advertise in the local free paper and have a website,whilst they both pay for themselves they don't have the phone ringing off the hook.Summer was a pretty good season for growth but I still never found myself flat out.
Like every where else the Coast is saturated with lawnies but I just don't see any of them advertising (besides the same half a dozen in the paper)?
where do they get the work from?
I've never had another lawnie service flyer in my letter box,neither have any of my freinds or relo's.
A lot on here say word of mouth but I can't say I've ever had a referal from one of my regs,all of whom are very happy with my service:i dunno:

Thus ends saturday afternoons ramble
Regards
Stagnating Courty:)

I found that once you have around 50 regs you start to get a lot of refs

imoww
25-06-2011, 07:21 PM
I seem to have hit the wall.
I've been going just over 12 months now and I'm still trying to find the right mix of advertising. I currently advertise in the local free paper and have a website,whilst they both pay for themselves they don't have the phone ringing off the hook.Summer was a pretty good season for growth but I still never found myself flat out.
Like every where else the Coast is saturated with lawnies but I just don't see any of them advertising (besides the same half a dozen in the paper)?
where do they get the work from?
I've never had another lawnie service flyer in my letter box,neither have any of my freinds or relo's.
A lot on here say word of mouth but I can't say I've ever had a referal from one of my regs,all of whom are very happy with my service:i dunno:

Thus ends saturday afternoons ramble
Regards
Stagnating Courty:)


I had the same issue last year.
I decided to dorop flyers off at houses that look like they need mowing only.
On the flyer is a free quote.
Your front lawn$....
And Your front nature strip$.....
Then for both $.... ( at a slightly discounted price.)
And at the bottom: I will be in your street next ........
And hand write amounts .
Got allot of jobs from that

Stump
25-06-2011, 07:25 PM
I am a big believer in having an offer in all my marketing. Its all that matters IMO. Have pmed you Courty. (long ramble, sorry)

imoww
25-06-2011, 07:43 PM
I am a big believer in having an offer in all my marketing. Its all that matters IMO. Have pmed you Courty. (long ramble, sorry)

Didnt go for the "Thank god I'm a country boy".... Decided not to market the G@y comunity...

imoww
25-06-2011, 07:45 PM
Also witht the free quoted flyer, most of the customers asked how much for the back yard aslo.
When they see the free quoted amounts, they see a $20 and a $30 ....
Im pretty dure i got this idead from the INDY book when i signed up...

Stump
25-06-2011, 08:09 PM
Didnt go for the "Thank god I'm a country boy".... Decided not to market the G@y comunity...

Ummm.....What?:wtf

imoww
25-06-2011, 08:19 PM
Have pmed you Courty.???

Stump
25-06-2011, 08:24 PM
Have pmed you Courty.???

Whats wrong with that? Surely your not interested in my long ramble??? I can pm you with it if you feel left out.

imoww
25-06-2011, 08:31 PM
Oh SH*t...
Mistaked it for an injoke from someone else....
It was based on Pmp my country...

BeetleJuice
19-07-2011, 11:30 AM
I got some colored flyers made up with a space to write a quote for the front yard,i walked around 150-170 houses and came back home tired but did pick up one job from it.

So i went out and bought a posties bike (honda 110cc) and ordered 3,000 more flyers,should be able to cover a lot more ground in one day.

Once the flyers get here i’ll start dropping them and i’ll keep doing this covering various suburbs till i pick up enough clients.i don’t care if i have to drop 10,000 flyers at $45 per thousand.

BeetleJuice
19-07-2011, 11:36 AM
I got some colored flyers made up with a space to write a quote for the front yard,i walked around 150-170 houses and came back home tired but did pick up one job from it.

So i went out and bought a posties bike and ordered 3,000 more flyers,should be able to cover a lot more ground in one day.

Once the flyers get here i’ll start dropping them and i’ll keep doing this covering various suburbs till i pick up enough clients.i don’t care if i have to drop 10,000 flyers at $45 per thousand.

geoff
19-07-2011, 03:21 PM
what me grumpy but now laughing is that after 23 years of mowing lawns i fell into my first swimming pool...its 11 deg and i was finishing up just before lunch , this property has been a regular for so many years and i knew the path back to front, well pushing the mowing and get a bit speedy i changed direction and planted my foot in the pool..well the rest follows , me ,the iphone ,the clothes from top to bottom and the handle bars of the mower which i just threw back onto the lawn still going lol.....no one home so luck i could swim lol
So no damage lucky and my iphone was in a plastic sealed envelope ( thanks for the forum for suggestion ) i walked through my front door when i got home boots around my neck and dripping wet head to toe ..Mrs couldnt stop laughing..even the dog was smiling lol

PaulG
19-07-2011, 03:21 PM
How much did the postie bike set you back? Do you have to register it?

BeetleJuice
19-07-2011, 04:30 PM
How much did the postie bike set you back? Do you have to register it?

I paid $900 for it and it was already registered.A full tank of fuel is $7 and lasts up to a week.
Once i get the clients i want i will sell the bike.
I had been looking at a 50cc scooter for around the same price,i have heard you don't need a bike license for those.

This postie bike scare's me being so under powered,i'm use to riding 750cc bikes.

i tried advertising in the local paper but the results are too slow,so instead of waiting for customers to find me i went out to find them.

When i get various suburbs covered i still may not have enough customers i'll start where i letter boxed dropped at the beginning and cover the same houses all over again a second time.
Like i said before if it takes 10,000 flyers or more it will be achieved.

A old saying which is quite true :
"You have to spend money to make money".

MikeS
19-07-2011, 06:36 PM
Just remember Australia Post has an exemption under the lawn to ride on footpath's anyone else can and will get a hefty fine, be very careful!

BeetleJuice
19-07-2011, 06:50 PM
Just remember Australia Post has an exemption under the lawn to ride on footpath's anyone else can and will get a hefty fine, be very careful!

It might vary depending on state as we have them come down our street doing flyer drops,but most of them are small bikes not thumping 1100cc

Fred's mowing
19-07-2011, 06:58 PM
I also toyed with the idea of the postie bike.
Proly would'nt get questioned if u wear all the fluro gear & can get some fluro panniers. Just be carefull of kids & pedestrians........hmmmm it is a bit of a risk though.
Why sell it afterwards? Would be great 4 doing quotes thereafter.
Cheers Fred.

MikeS
19-07-2011, 07:03 PM
As a postal worker for 7 years I have seen people get fined for this! posties in our area use to report them to police, while not an expert on Australian road rules in every state a quick search on SA show's in section 15 of the road rules Australia post has the only clear exception to do this. road rules (http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.sa.gov.au%2FLZ%2F C%2FR%2FROAD%2520TRAFFIC%2520(ROAD%2520RULES%2520-%2520ANCILLARY%2520AND%2520MISCELLANEOUS%2520PROVI SIONS)%2520REGULATIONS%25201999%2F2005.09.07%2F199 9.218.UN.RTF&rct=j&q=australia%20post%20bike%20footpath%20south%20aus tralia&ei=8kYlToSGDonnmAWt1dmECg&usg=AFQjCNEOrGSDE2nKMO5kP-FDj7t5buqHKg&sig2=4yP2lhIQlpYZhYMPu7QKgw)

South East Mowing
19-07-2011, 07:26 PM
As a postal worker for 7 years I have seen people get fined for this! posties in our area use to report them to police, while not an expert on Australian road rules in every state a quick search on SA show's in section 15 of the road rules Australia post has the only clear exception to do this. road rules (http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.sa.gov.au%2FLZ%2F C%2FR%2FROAD%2520TRAFFIC%2520(ROAD%2520RULES%2520-%2520ANCILLARY%2520AND%2520MISCELLANEOUS%2520PROVI SIONS)%2520REGULATIONS%25201999%2F2005.09.07%2F199 9.218.UN.RTF&rct=j&q=australia%20post%20bike%20footpath%20south%20aus tralia&ei=8kYlToSGDonnmAWt1dmECg&usg=AFQjCNEOrGSDE2nKMO5kP-FDj7t5buqHKg&sig2=4yP2lhIQlpYZhYMPu7QKgw)

Yes BUT many years ago we purchased a postie bike and also the orange paniers etc from the company who supplied them to Aust Post.
A group of us delivered charity bags into letterboxes for different charities all through Melbourne suburbs and country town (as contractors for a company who had the major contract) and only 1 person got caught - even though most were not fully set up like posties. You will find others do it still - one company comes to mind who deliver the bi annual hard waste collection leaflets before hard waste collection.
The thing is if you look professional and be polite & courteous you almost surely wont get picked up unless a postie decides to dob you in.
Posties break the law every day in regard to how fast they drive on the footpaths and most of that is brought by the push to be more efficient. Have a look at how fast most of them go at times and then check the law !!

ian
19-07-2011, 07:45 PM
doesn't it say somewhere that your only breaking the law if you get caught :laughing:

Bluey
19-07-2011, 07:56 PM
There is a junk mail deliverer in my suburb who does it

BeetleJuice
20-07-2011, 10:37 AM
As a postal worker for 7 years I have seen people get fined for this! posties in our area use to report them to police, while not an expert on Australian road rules in every state a quick search on SA show's in section 15 of the road rules Australia post has the only clear exception to do this. road rules (http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.sa.gov.au%2FLZ%2F C%2FR%2FROAD%2520TRAFFIC%2520(ROAD%2520RULES%2520-%2520ANCILLARY%2520AND%2520MISCELLANEOUS%2520PROVI SIONS)%2520REGULATIONS%25201999%2F2005.09.07%2F199 9.218.UN.RTF&rct=j&q=australia%20post%20bike%20footpath%20south%20aus tralia&ei=8kYlToSGDonnmAWt1dmECg&usg=AFQjCNEOrGSDE2nKMO5kP-FDj7t5buqHKg&sig2=4yP2lhIQlpYZhYMPu7QKgw)

Realistically you would need to ride down a quiet suburb street through during working hours and no one is going to see you or care.
Try doing the same thing on a busy road where a car comes past you every 10-20 seconds and you will get noticed

BeetleJuice
20-07-2011, 11:00 AM
The other way of advertising is to have a yellow pages add,just a name and phone number a one liner in the book which gives you advertising online at the same time at no extra cost.

My other business where i have had a 2 1/2cm add which costs me $2400pa has now been reduced to $800.
They tried to get me to spend around the same price $2400 for online advertising for lawns which gave me a good position on front page in searches including a web page.

The advertising guy had a re think on my reply to him when i stated:
I only mow and edge and having a web page would be totally useless,you can’t tell me that a customer needs to see a picture of what a lawn looks like when it’s cut.

I said to him yeah sure if i were landscaping taking a picture of before and after $10,000 job would be a good comparison but a lawn cut ?? he understood where i was coming from.

But i did notice they are pushing web pages harder than ever,it’ll just depend what industry your in to make it worth while.