Forget trying to get leads from websites. If you are smart enough to ask about marketing on here, you are smart enough to do these two simple tasks:
First item: Pick out an area where you want business. Preferably 50-100 houses that you think would be your best clients.
Ask one of your existing clients to use their property as a 'showcase home'. Then make a simple flyer that says 'Your home can be the envy of the neighborhood (like this showcase home/address) at a very reasonable price. If you want someone who cares about your property, who takes pride in your landscaping, and who won't disappear, you need to call Big Boy Lawn Service (ask for Winford) to see how we can make your property the featured lawn!' Then put your phone number. (And always answer the phone professionally...)
Then make up a flyer with that information. Pass them out personally with a BIG smile. Don't be pushy. Just say 'We're new in the neighborhood and wanted to give you the opportunity to have the best landscaping around! All the information is on the flyer- Thank You!' No one at home? Into the mailbox. (Yea, some say it is illegal but I don't know anyone who went to jail...)
Second item: Pay to have a simple 'sandwich board' sign (like you see outside a business, hinged on the top) that says "Want a great looking yard? Ask for a card!" on both sides. Then make up some simple business cards with your business name, your name, and phone number. Put the sign up near your trailer or whatever you are using near the street every time you mow a lawn, plant shrubs, or do any work. So people driving by can see it clearly. You will be surprised at how well this little trick works!
Do those two things, then check back in two months and tell me how it worked.
Plenty more ideas, but you have to implement these first.
If you are planning a long term business then I suggest.
Create a Google My Business page, you can hone in on the areas you want to work. Cost 0
Buy a great domain name to build a business with, try to keep it short and sweet. You can use Godaddy.com as usually, the first couple of years are dirt cheap.
Then create a website using Wordpress, hosting on GoDaddy is fairly cheap also.
On your Google My Business page, you can also create a Google Plus Page also free. On Facebook, you can create a facebook business page now, you can point your domain to this page and when you want to add a website you can at a later time.
Hi Winford- If they're available in your area, try sites like Thumbtack.com or HomeAdvisor.com for leads. You'll have to pay for the leads, but if you have a good profile on the site and start to collect reviews, you'll get quality leads. Also, make sure that you have a Yelp profile set up.
Mark's advice is awesome I would definitly follow it. I would also recommend going to local realtors offices and work on providing service on vacant homes. Realtors want the properties to stay looking nice while they are trying to market them. Hope it helps.
Winford Hurley, I believe you have been given some great advice, but one quick way to also get business is to drive neighborhood, look at lawns that need cutting, and go and introduce yourself to the homeowner, do a great job as your great work, can easily gain a few of the neighbors. I do know we are in the technology age, but old school method still rings true. Ensure you are doing a lot of before and after, so you can show your work, let your work do the talking. I wish you the best in your business.
Interesting question. As a lawn service provider, generally you need to be using old school tactics and you should be out on the street, seeing the landscape for yourself and scouting possible leads. Online, you can try using sites like facebook and alignable, that keeps you in the loop of people and businesses in your local area. Going online puts you in touch with a higher tier of possible clients. On the street keeps you in touch with people who still do not rely on the internet for much. As the marketer, you have to develope a sense of where, who and how different possible leads exist. For example, it is possible to one day come across a millionaire that would pay you to maintain their lawn. It might be a 30 acre yard. It may take a month to cut and clean. Then you come back two months later and do it again. Bottom line is these opportunities do exist. You could be cutting this persons lawn, actual working time can be 6 months total and you take home over $100,000 annually. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Set up your own ad in 5 minutes. Press a button an your ad goes to hundreds of social platforms. Set up in your own community or any place on this planet!
Answers (1-10)
Hi Winford,
Forget trying to get leads from websites. If you are smart enough to ask about marketing on here, you are smart enough to do these two simple tasks:
First item: Pick out an area where you want business. Preferably 50-100 houses that you think would be your best clients.
Ask one of your existing clients to use their property as a 'showcase home'. Then make a simple flyer that says 'Your home can be the envy of the neighborhood (like this showcase home/address) at a very reasonable price. If you want someone who cares about your property, who takes pride in your landscaping, and who won't disappear, you need to call Big Boy Lawn Service (ask for Winford) to see how we can make your property the featured lawn!' Then put your phone number. (And always answer the phone professionally...)
Then make up a flyer with that information. Pass them out personally with a BIG smile. Don't be pushy. Just say 'We're new in the neighborhood and wanted to give you the opportunity to have the best landscaping around! All the information is on the flyer- Thank You!' No one at home? Into the mailbox. (Yea, some say it is illegal but I don't know anyone who went to jail...)
Second item: Pay to have a simple 'sandwich board' sign (like you see outside a business, hinged on the top) that says "Want a great looking yard? Ask for a card!" on both sides. Then make up some simple business cards with your business name, your name, and phone number. Put the sign up near your trailer or whatever you are using near the street every time you mow a lawn, plant shrubs, or do any work. So people driving by can see it clearly. You will be surprised at how well this little trick works!
Do those two things, then check back in two months and tell me how it worked.
Plenty more ideas, but you have to implement these first.
Mark
Want more marketing answers? Go to www.TabletMarketingAcademy.com , a completely free, no credit card required, site. Or follow me on www.Quora.com.
If you are planning a long term business then I suggest.
For your industry, running a Facebook ads campaign for B2C or a LinkedIn campaign for B2B.
Hi Winford- If they're available in your area, try sites like Thumbtack.com or HomeAdvisor.com for leads. You'll have to pay for the leads, but if you have a good profile on the site and start to collect reviews, you'll get quality leads. Also, make sure that you have a Yelp profile set up.
Wishing you much success!
Winford,
Mark's advice is awesome I would definitly follow it. I would also recommend going to local realtors offices and work on providing service on vacant homes. Realtors want the properties to stay looking nice while they are trying to market them. Hope it helps.
Tom
If you work in Anaheim CA, we can help with your Residential flyer distribution. That's what we do.
Winford Hurley, I believe you have been given some great advice, but one quick way to also get business is to drive neighborhood, look at lawns that need cutting, and go and introduce yourself to the homeowner, do a great job as your great work, can easily gain a few of the neighbors. I do know we are in the technology age, but old school method still rings true. Ensure you are doing a lot of before and after, so you can show your work, let your work do the talking. I wish you the best in your business.
Interesting question. As a lawn service provider, generally you need to be using old school tactics and you should be out on the street, seeing the landscape for yourself and scouting possible leads. Online, you can try using sites like facebook and alignable, that keeps you in the loop of people and businesses in your local area. Going online puts you in touch with a higher tier of possible clients. On the street keeps you in touch with people who still do not rely on the internet for much. As the marketer, you have to develope a sense of where, who and how different possible leads exist. For example, it is possible to one day come across a millionaire that would pay you to maintain their lawn. It might be a 30 acre yard. It may take a month to cut and clean. Then you come back two months later and do it again. Bottom line is these opportunities do exist. You could be cutting this persons lawn, actual working time can be 6 months total and you take home over $100,000 annually. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Set up your own ad in 5 minutes. Press a button an your ad goes to hundreds of social platforms. Set up in your own community or any place on this planet!
Join the Next door for your neighborhood. Your neighbors will recommend the good guys.