Market Your Loan Care with Lawn Care Business Loans | SMB Compass
Ezra Cabrera | February 14, 2019
If you’re like so many others, you probably started your lawn care business because you enjoy helping people and being outdoors, but there is much more to it than that. Like it is with any business, you need to generate leads that translate into loyal customers. This requires marketing. If you’re not sure where to start, here are three simple ways to get the word out about your lawn care business:
1. Create Your Online Presence
The very first thing you should do is bring your business online because that is where your potential customers are looking. According to Bright Local, over 50% of consumers go online to search for local businesses at least once a month. (Among the total people surveyed, only 5% said they never go online to search for local businesses).
Don’t make consumers work to find you. They are searching for lawn care businesses online and if you aren’t there, they will go to your competitor who is. Creating and building out your online presence – be it a website and or social media pages, increases your company’s visibility and makes you more accessible to prospects and existing customers.
2. Target Local Homeowners
Who doesn’t love a little guerrilla marketing? Door hangers are a cost-effective way to target local homeowners near your business. Once you design them – using a free online template or hired designer – you simply print them and hang them on doorknobs. Pro tip: Use bright colors vs. black and white, and print them on UV light-resistant paper to prevent weather damage. Door hangers are cheap, making them very cost-effective.
The standard size of 4 by 9 inches typically costs around 8 to 10 cents apiece for 5,000 pieces. Another option is to create flyers that can be distributed on cars and on message boards in stores and shops throughout your local community.
3. Turn Your Truck Into a Billboard
Working in the lawn care business requires a truck to transport equipment, so why not turn it into a driving billboard? With a full-body truck wrap, every time you quote a yard or service a lawn, the neighboring homes can see your ad parked right out front.
Full-body truck wraps can be a pricey investment, running anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000, which includes the design. If you decide to go this route, most lawn care business owners tend to do it in the winter off-season when the truck isn’t being used as frequently.
4. Contact Local Businesses
You can’t expect commercial accounts to fall on your lap. If the businesses in your area are already having their lawn cared for, there’s no need for them to contact you. You need to take the initiative to reach out to local businesses. If you’ve networked with other businesses, you can pitch a new lawn care contract. When pitching your ideas, be sure to be confident and professional.
5. Implement a Referral Program
A referral program is an effective way to bring in new clients. After all, word-of-mouth advertising is deemed more reliable than paid ads. Customers who refer your business to their friends and family already trust your business.
Referral programs let you reward customers who bring in new clients. You could offer free services, discounts, gift cards, and more. Your customers will love you for it and as a result, they’re more likely to refer your lawn care company to other people.
6. Make Use of Email Marketing
Contrary to popular belief, email marketing is still very effective. Email marketing is a great strategy because you can send personalized emails to specific client lists. You can also send out automated emails for important times and milestones.
Remember to provide useful content for your target audience; don’t just shove ads down their throats. Here are some of the ways you can send emails:
- Inform your customers of discounts and promos
- Send invoices after a job is done
- Ask for feedback
- Share lawn care tips, how-tos, etc.
7. Create Sandwich Boards
Sandwich boards are a simple yet effective strategy in getting more leads. You can set up a sandwich board while you’re servicing a property. Remember to include all the necessary information, such as contact information, business name, address, and more.
How Lawn Care Business Loans Can Help
Marketing is the lifeblood of your business; making it essential you get the word out about your company and services. There are three simple ways to get started. You may want to consider hiring a marketing specialist or company to create strategies for you. Lawn care business loans can help you cover the costs of your marketing efforts, leaving your cash flow intact.