Anyone ever been in a Service Business like Jims Mowing before?

[sforrester]

Hi Guys,


Just wondering if anyone has been involved in a cleaning franchise/business and or Jims mowing round.

Im looking at starting up something new and was wondering what wort of marketing strategies people used to attract prospective buyers (especially during the drought).

Thanks!

Steve

[Brendan]

Hey Steve,

There are so many ways to market a business, it really comes down to who your intended market is and how best to get their attention.

If you primary market is the residential consumer, i.e; mowing front lawns, and cleaning houses.. maybe you could offer small discounts if they allow you to put a tiny sign up at the bottom on the lawn saying that your company looks after this garden.

I guess the same strategy could apply if you have commercial customers like schools, parks or recreation centers, ask to put signs up.

This strategy relies on the quality of your work, so make sure its top notch.. which I am sure you will anyway.

Other ways you can look to market are referral or loyalty schemes, think of coffee shops, if you buy 5 coffees you get the last coffee free, maybe you can do a similar thing to cutting lawns. Or, if you refer 1 friend.. you get a free lawn cut or something.

Also make sure you are heavily branded, your trailer is signed and you are in a branded uniform.

Hope that helps!

[sforrester]

Hey Brendan,

Ive just finished on the logo design and am currently working on the layout of vehicle signage and attire for the uniform.

Those are some great ideas about the small sign though. I had a similar idea but you have tweaked something in my brain that has made me think of an even better combination of the two. For that i thank you.

Ill keep you informed about what I do once Ive got it all down pat.

Regards

Steve

[gerryonline]

Have you thought of also maybe making a website and having online booking forms? These days everyone wants to book something online.

This could be one of your 'competitive advantages'. Maybe even have sms or email notifications to existing clients that their lawns are due to be mowed etc..

The key would be to try and bring a traditionally off line business online somehow.

Maybe even sell gardening products online!

[sforrester]

Hi Gerry,

Thats a great idea. I was thinking about doing that, having an online booking system that could interface with outlook or something similar so all I have to do each day is sync my phone and I'm set as far as jobs.
The business that Im setting up isnt going to be a gardening business but I would liek to model it along the lines of a "jims" franchise/licensee model. I think for future expansion purposes this would create the best opportunities and be the best money maker.
Thanks heaps for your ideas mate!