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Thread: The carrot to entice

  1. #16
    sharon
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    Default in short

    Tony in regards to bus plan Yes. My point was if it makes you stand out from all the other adds how can that be a bad thing. From an add i can not tell if you are any good or not. So what would make me call you, a video might not do it but a soil test might. I would not think that it would be an on going thing, something like this week only, i do not know if it would work but why not try. If it got you 20 calls instead of 10 that would be a good thing. If i was to call because you offered me something for nothing does not mean you would get the job but i would have something to base my reason as to why i called you. As to the people who would respond to this sort of add i do not know. I looked at it as a way to stand out from the others. Brad that is the way to go what i great idea cost you nothing and the people love it.

  2. #17
    Tonyr
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bradtez
    Why do freebies have to cost us???? My wife and i sat down about 12 months ago and thought of all associated companies to do with lawnmowing/gardening. When we had the list we sent them all emails telling them who we were and what we did and could we please have some samples to pass onto clients. A week later we had the courier in the drive everyday dropping of cartons of FREE samples. it cost us nothing to do it. Now when we write next appointment slips for clients we attach a free sample of something for them. Makes us look good, and more importantly people LOVE to get something for nothing. Dunno about you, but i would in no way shape or form call this begging!!!!
    Have to start thinking outside the square guys, for a freebie to be a freebie it has to be free for us too!!

    Brad

    Brad, have you read this entire thread??

    Stuart mentioned an idea of a free video voucher, Americans do things like free dinners at restaurants for good referrals etc, my point has been and still is, when WE BUY something to give away it costs us and somehow we must still remain proifitable, so how do you buy something to give away without it effecting your profit??

    YOUR idea is completly different, now your idea I think is good because you aren't spending your profits sucking up for work.
    a system like yours is quite clever and no that isn't begging, but if you went and purchsed items to give away just to sweeten the deal, imo that is practically begging!

    Remember the original post on this thread, that is what I commented to, I did not say anything about ideas like yours!
    I was talking about buying stuff to give away, and my point is if you need to do that then you are being hired for the wrong reason!!

    Where in this whole thread did you get the feeling I was critising your idea, crikey, I NEVER EVEN KNEW ABOUT IT! If you can give away things that you can get for free why not, but still, is it really necessary? But if it works for you go for it!

    Glad Stuart is taking my comments as my own general comments and not getting all defensive, he asked a question, this is a forum, I'm just talking about it as most of the members are too scared to type but love to read our posts, ya having a shot at be about my begging comment, when talking about YOUR system, totally different mate, Stuarts was gunna cost him I imagine to give away, yours doesn't, I'm going around in circles here, why bother!

    I like your idea, but at this point I still don't see why I should give freebies, yes I do believe if written in an add it would get more responses though.

    Brad and Sharon,

    I tweak my ads, I will sell my services on the meeting, I will offer a freebie or discounted 10 min weed spray for e.g, if I have left over mix in trailer etc, now folks love this, I am not out of pocket because I really build those mins in my quote, or at least the cost of roundup, so I'm giving something free/cheap from my service, this to me makes a lot more sense, they want lawncare done, anything extra for nothing they always love, something unrelated to this biz could be seen as junk, but still I DO like your idea!

    But giving something WE offer seems to me to be more focused....

    Have yas even tried saying you give a freebie or big discount in a service you provide in your ads??

    E.g mowing of footpath free (ride on), or spray weeds in pavers etc?
    Or apply fert. they pay fert with substantial markup, you spend 5 mins applying it, this is the stuff people want guys!

    Then what in hell would I know, in less than 5 hours just yesterday I earned nearly $800, and to land this contract I had to just promote me, loyalty, prompt, professional, insured etc, any extras I charge, and I didn't have to give away gifts, and yes other contractors did bid, and I have several regulars like this, plus private stuff that I charge top dollar plus to do, but when I spray weeds for 10 mins 3 times a year they love me, and it doesn't cost me, all built into quote.

    But I'm just some Qld hillbilly that hasn't got a clue , your system works for you, mine works for me....

    This is how I understand self/business promotion....I'm looking for the long term loyal no b.s type, not one who calls everyone in the paper who offers freebies.

    freebie hunters are not usually the best clients, tend to dump you when someone has a freebie they want, imo.

    I'm doing this this season so far, not much work and many after it, I'm getting 9 outa 10 wanting me all season, last season no freebies/extras offered at meeting, 70% was my best closure rate....

    I guess we just have different ideas in our marketing which is great, can't all be the same afterall!

    I'm not interested in debating this further, you guys are convinced I'm having a shot at yas, and I'm not, but in closing finally, if you are spending your profits like the idea on the 1st post, just to close a job you are porning/begging imo....giving something free to you away is different, and that was not what this thread was about if yas care to re read it.

  3. #18
    sharon
    Guest

    Default hillbilly

    Tony i have never seen you as a Hillbilly, i thinkthat you guys have been doing this for awhile and would have a great understanding of customers. I like these threads when people really talk about what they are doing and why, it can bring out lots of good ideas and views thank you sharon

  4. #19
    Tonyr
    Guest

    Default

    I know Sharon, I was just trying to lighten things up, tongue in cheek stuff, cause I was feeling I was beating my head against a wall as you and Brad were not getting my point the way I was trying to get across....I typed a million words and still failed to clearly say what I felt in a understanding way lol.

    I felt I was replying to Stuart about Stuart's idea but you guys were sounding like I was talking about your ideas, this type of communication is hard sometimes for blokes like me

    I guess why I don't really agree with you and Brad is because I've never had to do it so the concept seems weird to me, that's probably what I should of said right at the start without all of the babbling trying to find the right words

    We must remember I work in a different niche in the industry to many of you, large lawns and acreage, I think my clients could care less if I gave em a free video voucher, or a soap sample etc.
    This is why I seem to be one eyed about this topic I guess, and I agree with you, threads like this can be great, just wish more members would cut in, I'm interested in the broad feeling about this subject too.

    I noticed an add in the paper just now for an electrician, he has 5% pensioner discount, i don't do....maybe should though.
    And if ya pay in advance a 5% discount, this is a great thing to say on an ad....but 5% on any job is a lot, especially with raised fuel prices which I'm struggling to pass on

    Idea....along your lines, if we could somehow as indy members do a deal with a servo chain that we can pass out discounted fuel vouchers to clients, now that would work!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hot topic, and we have found the solution!

    And the fuel station gets more clients, at reduced price per litre, but still more clients, like woolworths.

    What do yas think about that idea??


    Ebony, we need your input please....

  5. #20
    sharon
    Guest

    Default yes

    Tony it is hard to talk this way as we can not see your face hard to judge what you are feeling. Hay we might need some more faces. The fact that on this forum we can say things that get us going is good. Fuel idea is a good idea i think it cant harm to look into it I also like the idea of something for payment on time. Red energy are doing it instead of late fee something for paying on time a win win. Does not have to cost money just thoughts are worth trying sharon

  6. #21
    bradtez
    Guest

    Default

    Tony Tony Tony, a way mixup in communications here,,,im in noway shape opr form having a go at you, how can i when you dont even know run my business plan

    I was merely commenting on the fact that just because some ppl give stuff away to clients, doesnt mean they are begging

    You do way acreages, you give the client a small sample of say thrive and its like giving a whale a single minnow...know what i mean?

    I do agree with what you are saying in all of your comments in this thread down to using that bit of spray you have left and not charging the client for it. People LOVE something....anything for free, its human nature.

    I dont advertise at all, all work is word of mouth and good ole customer service, turn up on time, be friendly and i get 99% of all jobs.

    Once again Tony, i wasnt having a go at you or your ideals so im sorry for the mixup.

    Brad

    PS...free samples are a DAMN good idea

  7. #22
    mick
    Guest

    Default

    Not sure which way to go with this one really. I only advertise in the Yellow Pages and if I put some freebie offer in there I'm stuck with it!
    If I have poison on the ute I might spray a little around but I dont even tell them about it. Have thought of the free fert on the small push mow properties near the end of season to keep it growing for a little longer but havent done this yet.

    I think I'm with Tony on this. Honest Reliable etc is what most people want and if they ring you because they see a free offer I think it puts you in the "I need work" bracket!

  8. #23
    Topcat
    Guest

    Default

    Sharon,

    How many clients would you have at the moment.

  9. #24
    sharon
    Guest

    Default not msny

    Quote Originally Posted by Topcat
    Sharon,

    How many clients would you have at the moment.
    2 1 once a week $40 the other 2nd week $30. My add has been in for 3 weeks, had 3 calls after the 2nd add 1 quote was to high on the first one said i was to far away the other did not call back. With the first add only first 2 other adds for mowing now there is 5, thinking i will change my add. We have 2 local papers in this area it will be a lot of try things till something works. Next will be flyers. In this area jims is good at what he does as is this other guy i know of and they do not charge that much about $20 $30. i don't think it is going to be that easy to get clients but i will hang in there till i work out what works. Size of lawn vary from small unit size 1/4 a blocks to empty blocks. A lot of building and selling goes on here hoping to get into the new areas that are being built. It is a growing town but still a lot of old people with big yards. It is the see change place, the show sea change was filmed here don't know if you know it St leonards vic. Since then the town has been growing fast. I will hang in there as i think that if i gave up that would be like saying from this day on no other lawn mowers could make it in this area. Sharon

  10. #25
    Stuie
    Guest

    Default

    Got Vip s flyer in the letterbox today
    Their carrot is $10 off first service *Conditions apply Minimum service value $30-
    STUART

  11. #26
    Rod
    Guest

    Default

    I am not sure that offering a "carrot" is the way to go!

    People are getting Pizza Deals and "Video Ezy" offers and the list goes on and you can't compete with that so why bother? They are "numb" to the "freebie's."

    The customers you are likely to attract are "opportunists" and nothing more. A genuine good paying and appreciative customer does not want the gimmicks. They want consistency and quality and value "CQV!!!!!"

    If giving away your soul (or somebody else's) then discounting your services is for you.

    Money does not fall into your back pocket without "Commitment, knowledge and reliability."

    If you discount or offer incentives then you are "broadcasting" to your customers that your price is negotiable.

    My motivation "day in and day out" is how do I justify raising my prices? Apart from $55.00 a barrel for crude I can always justify a price rise, and so can you!

  12. #27
    Rod
    Guest

    Default

    Oh yes, helps to be eccentric too!

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