Thanks, friends. I'm going to try to get my truck lettered first.

Definitely join as many local "yard sale pages" as you can on FB, I see landscape wanted posts daily

Word of mouth, offer your customers a bird dog fee for referring folks to you, it doesn't have to be a lot $50, one free cut, half off a cut etc. Would need to hand out business cards for this

Yelp is crap, you have to pay to get good ratings. Keep up with Google ratings and FB ratings

Lettering your truck can't hurt, be prepared for the crank calls

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
... I don't do facebook and nextdoor as they have way too many Karens and drama queens.

That's basically what I came across on facebook as well. Along with people asking who will cut grass for free. I don't know, maybe one of your babydaddys.

I'm pretty sure I was doing it wrong. I got about 15 calls over the past couple weeks from my web site. With 6 sales contracted for the year, I'd call that pretty good.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
... Yelp is crap, you have to pay to get good ratings. Keep up with Google ratings and FB ratings
...

I've heard that. Hmmm. I did start an account there but I'm not convinced it's the way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
... Yelp is crap, you have to pay to get good ratings. Keep up with Google ratings and FB ratings
...

I've heard that. Hmmm. I did start an account there but I'm not convinced it's the way to go.

I may have to rethink this because Alexa voice search uses Yelp! as a source.

I just found out that my business isn't eligible for Apple Siri search because I don't have a storefront that people can visit.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
Thanks, friends. I'm going to try to get my truck lettered first.

That's great. My lawn mower broke last year. I am 70 years old. Although I am in decent shape health wise, rather than buy a new mower, I decided it was time to hire a lawn service. A guy down the street (who I do not know) has a well maintained lawn. I noticed a lawn service truck parked in front of his house witn the crew working. I got the name and number off the truck. I called them. They quoted a fair price, and I hired them. Very happy with the job they are doing. Without the lettering on the truck, they wouldn't have gotten my business.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by cne32507:
Your work truck isn't lettered? Gotta have that.

Then I can't swear at people that drive like idiots.

Get magnetic signs for each side of your truck. Then you can take them off when you’re not working and swear to your heart’s content!

quote:

Originally posted by architect:

Make sure your guys (or at least your foremen) have your business card in their pockets to hand to potential customers who inquire about service, maybe pay them a finder's fee for a successful customer acquisition.

Mark is "his guys." All one of him. He is also the foreman. He does everything in the business. Even takes out the papers and the trash, so he can get some spending cash.

SigFan's suggestion for magnetic signs is a good one.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Mark is "his guys." All one of him. He is also the foreman. He does everything in the business. Even takes out the papers and the trash, so he can get some spending cash. ...

Yep, it's just me. I just got my 105th fertilizing customer. I lost a few mowing customers last year due to moving, death, and other normal attrition things. Down to 27. I'm not actively building that part of the business and in fact would prefer to phase it out. However, being weekly service, it pays the bills.

Before you letter your truck check your local codes/ordinance to make sure you can park it at home.

If they have rules against it, you'll either want to go with magnets, or have the truck itself lettered in such a way that you can cover it with magnets for parking purposes.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
... I just got my 105th fertilizing customer. ...

Let's make that 107th due to more calls from the web site.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Before you letter your truck check your local codes/ordinance to make sure you can park it at home. ...

I've never heard of such a thing around here. A guy one block up parks his lettered van on the street and he's never been asked not to do it. Regardless, I probably should check into it.

quote:

I've never heard of such a thing around here. A guy one block up parks his lettered van on the street and he's never been asked not to do it. Regardless, I probably should check into it.

^^^^^^^^
Upscale neighborhoods want the pickups and lettered trucks gone by five or in the garage.

It’s interesting that your website hasn’t generated calls, especially since mine has been my biggest lead generator too.

I think the younger crews are probably doing a mix of online advertising and SEO optimization. Google My Business is huge for local searches, and it’s worth double-checking if your business is listed and optimized there. Also, targeted online ads (Google or Facebook) can really boost visibility when done right.

A few years ago, I was in a similar situation and decided to invest in sprucing up my online presence. I got help from PBB Design, and they really helped me with SEO and making my site more attractive to local searchers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mac_220,

quote:

Originally posted by rcpylon:
It’s interesting that your website hasn’t generated calls, especially since mine has been my biggest lead generator too.

Not sure if you’re talking to me or not but as stated in the OP most of my business comes from the web site. The rest comes from word-of-mouth.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
... I just got my 105th fertilizing customer. ...

Let's make that 107th due to more calls from the web site.

Since this post I’ve gone down to 7 mowing customers and up to 211 fertilizing customers. I think about 80 more and my wife doesn’t have to work. I still haven’t got my truck lettered though. I should.

IMHO opinion "lettered" will help (no idea how you survived this long without it) but nowadays it's old school. I would go with a graphic vinyl wrap, and have someone design it for you.

Can't tell you how many times I have taken a picture of the plumber, hvac, garage door, lawn care truck in the neighbors driveway with their name and phone number on it. I ask neighbors for a reference later.

When I started a portable music entertainment
Business,
My performance not only asked for a fee but a performance review recommendation or critique within ten days.


I took the business from 1 gig a week too 15 gigs a month in four months.

Nothing (i.m.o.) helps you better than 12-15 letters of recommendation in a three ring binder,
When you are out cold calling.

Tell youe current customers that you need more work to stay in business and ask them for an honest letter of
Introduction/ recommendation.

If they don't feel comfortable recommending your services, so be it.

P.s.
Letterheads work wonders,

quote:

I would go with a graphic vinyl wrap,

Not a bad idea, you can put your phone number on the hood, doors, and the tailgate.

Find someone to come up with a cool wrap is good marketing, how many folks drive by your truck parked while you are putting out the products or mowing.

As others have said, I've grabbed pictures off trucks to get the phone number.

Also get a QR code made that will bring up your web page with all the phone and contact information and services, should be on tailgate and doors where people can easily scan it and get your information in the phone.