What is the best way to get more people to hire me?

Question

I started my own lawn-care service and I only have just one person right now....AND IT'S SUMMER! I put up signs, but it doesn't seem to be working. Could you help me out?

Answer 1

Without seeing your signs it's hard to say what is right or wrong about them.
My husband & I had a successful business so I might be able to help.

First off...are your signs where there is alot of traffic? (Alot of traffic is good, but not if it's in a place where no one has time to read them in passing!)

Have BRIGHT business cards printed up with raised lettering!

(Try to get to know the department managers at the local home improvement stores...Ask the managers opinion on a new product. While discussing the new product tell them what product that you use to use and ask them how this one is better! Thank them for their suggestions & promise that the next time you need such a product that you'll have to try it because they have spoken so highly of it....Butter-up these managers, but the trick is to not let them know that's what you are doing. The benefit is that they will not only allow you to place your business cards but they will refer you when a customer comes in asking for a lawn service!...

Stop in there EVERY 3 days and just purchase something small even if you don't need it...Just a cheap little o-ring for a hose or anything just to make you come into contact with the managers again & they get use to seeing your face!...If they aren't busy then strike up a conversation.(ex: Oh I just had to run in to get this o-ring for such & such....you look like you've been busy!)...(People like to know that others notice that they do work while at work).
But if they are busy than just a "HI" in passing will still put your face in their mind.

People tend to stick with someone they already know & trust.

You'll need a Gimmick..That doesn't mean a lie! But you need something that no one else has.

People LOVE FREE-BEES!!
You could offer FREE weed-eating or edging with each contract.(The retirees will want to know if you give senior discounts...Tell them, "No, I'm giving free weed-eating but that's more of a savings then you would get if I were to charge for the weed-eating & then give a senior discount."

(Now you will have to keep in mind that although you are offering a free service; you still must make enough to make it worth your while!)

If you get to someone's house & there lawn is covered with ceramics and other ornaments...then when you set a price you will need to keep in mind that not only will you have to move and or mow & weed-eat around all of these things...so give an estimate with this in mind.

Know how much per hour that you need to make & that is a starting point for you to know how much to charge. (If a job is going to take you 3 hours to complete than you need to multiple that by the amount of money per hour that you want to make).

If you have helpers than you will need to figure their time & money in as well...but with help your time there will be shortened so you may need to make an adjustment in the estimate.

( Put an expiration date on your estimate!!...30 days should be long enough.) This is extemely important! You can really screw yourself if you don't...It also makes the potential customer know that they have a time-limit to make their decision.

This will also make you appear that you would appreciate the job but that you are NOT desperate for the work!

Never, Ever allow them to realize just how much that job means to you.

Be grateful & courteous but not over-anxious! As you hand over an estimate; thank them for their time. Tell them that after they have had a chance to look over the estimate (with their spouse if it applies), to feel free to call if they have any questions or if they should notice that you had forgotten to include something that ya'll had talked about.

Advertise in the smallest papers around..Your local papers.

Also the name of your company makes a REALLY big difference!
When you advertise keep in mind that the ads are usually in alphabetical order.( You may need to change the name in order for it to appear closer to the top!) Make it something that is easy to remember and easy to pronounce.

Your BEST advertisement is through word-of-mouth! I know that doesn't help you just yet.
..
....Don't go into great detail about your personal life!
....As a conversation many times will detour from it's origin; It's okay to mention that you have a wife and children but don't go on & on.(If the person should ask about your kids then you can tell their ages or tell a short cute thing about them)

Upon arrival, shake their hands while introducing yourself. LOOK THEM IN THE EYE WHILE DOING THIS! (BUT DON'T APPEAR TO STARE!)

Smile, but don't hold a fake smile.
(People whom smile too much may come off as being nice, but they don't come off as being assertive!)

Get down to business...even if the person wants to small-talk you need to come off assertive so re-direct the conversation back to what you are there to talk about!
Find out exactly what the person is looking for. Make suggestions only if you can give a legitimate reason behind the suggestion!( Ex: It is better to mow to only 3 in. high instead of 2 in. as I know you wanted but it will cause the sun to burn your grass).

(This shows that although you value their opinion you will do what is best for their lawn....It shows that you know your stuff!)

In the estimate be detailed as you can be as to what ya'll have spoken about.
Ex: Weed-eating- Free of charge once per month.
Mow the front yard every week
Mow the back yard every 2 weeks.
Fertilize every 3 months.
Prune the shrubs once per month....etc.

Make it as explicit as possible so that they know what to expect and for your benefit they can't say " well now I'm sure that we had agreed that you would mow the entire yard every week for this price".
It covers both your butts!

KEEP VERY, VERY GOOD RECORDS! If you were to ever be sued than you will need them.

...Pay a small compliment towards the end of the conversation..but only if you feel that the conversation has gone as this would be the proper thing to do.
What breed of dog is that?(Meanwhile it's nipping your ankles...It's really protective of you.) Who painted your home...I really like the color.
Is that a such and such vehicle? How does it run? OR how do you like it?

Thank them for their time while you are shaking hands with them again!
And REMEMBER THEIR NAME!! USE IT AS YOU CONVERSE WITH THEM...THIS LETS THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE SERIOUS AND THAT THEY MEAN ENOUGH TO YOU FOR YOU TO REMEMBER THEM!
I hope I was able to help you.

Answer 2

I think without much formal research, I can say something is missing in your sales tactic. Find out what your competitors have done to get business. Also, where are your signs posted? Are they just on your street? The key in advertising in getting peoples attention, simple (clear cut) information and frequency. Given that so many people would search for your kind of business on the internet maybe put an ad on google.com that only charges advertising if someone clicks on your ad or advertise on superpages.com where people search for businesses (online phonebook). Again, if you really want your business to grow advertise in the local newspaper, online, post ads in post office, churchs and spread the word! Studies show the most effective to advertise is word of mouth. For example, let's say you're talking to your neighbor Peter, say hey Peter you know I have this new lawncare business and I wanted to let you know if you or you're associates are looking for quality lawncare contact me at 555-1231. The key in your company's success is determine your company's positioning. Are you going to focus on low cost, high quality ??
This way you know what type of people to target. If low price, target towards lower income areas?

This is merely a small snapshot of how to succeed. I would also suggest subscribing Business 2.0 mag or Fortune magazines you'll get ideas on how to be successful. Remember:
If something doesn't work, try something new until you're successful.

Answer 3

i imagine the idea of massive replace on the horizon continuously has a cooling result on agency interest. the idea of doing agency is to make earnings. maximum agencies reallly do not make which could go back on funding so the decissions made are significant and performance to judge all aspects heavily. at the same time as a form of aspects is difficulty to modify the uncertainty finally ends up in hesitation. no matter if the proposed ameliorations are a competent element, the prudent agency human being will wait until eventually eventually the info are in in the previous making a flow.

Answer 4

Advertise in your local newspaper, local advertiser paper, hang fliers in grocery stores, laundry matts, public buildings, at the post office. Advertise on your vehicles as well.

Answer 5

Ask your current customers to give your information to their friends. Word of mouth is a great tool in your business.

Answer 6

Do a great job for the customer you have now and ask them to the word to their neighbors.

Answer 7

Do a special first time discount, with no obligation. If you do a good job, people will want you to come back.

Answer 8

ads in papers, notices at senior centers, offer coupons. word of mouth, hit the neighbors up of the account, plus you can do the whole block in one shot.

Answer 9

Door hangers that offer free estimates.

Answer 10

try going door-to-door. it may not seem to work, but it was best advertizing for me.