Feedback Please

Steve, I think what a lot of us might be trying to say is that a lot of your pitch in that video comes off as ambivalent. If you're spending your money on your message, it should be more tightly focused on what you can do, and the benefits you bring to a jobsite. Unfortunately a lot of the questions you've asked in this forum might have been better asked before you began spending money shooting and editing video. A poor or ineffective message is often worse than no message at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: evo
cerviarborist said:
Steve, I think what a lot of us might be trying to say is that a lot of your pitch in that video comes off as ambivalent. If you're spending your money on your message, it should be more tightly focused on what you can do, and the benefits you bring to a jobsite. Unfortunately a lot of the questions you've asked in this forum might have been better asked before you began spending money shooting and editing video. A poor or ineffective message is often worse than no message at all.
Click to expand...
Gotcha hindsight is tough. I was trying to walk a fine line and not advertise it as something it’s not. I’m certainly not a pro at this but your insight is spot on. I can see exactly what you’re saying and thank you
 
I get it your trying to say your a middle ground between a five man super crew and a three man crane crew. You don’t replace either but add an option that if used and timed correctly can be lucrative and productive. Good luck with everything
 
Each time I get feedback from you guys I watch the video again several times. I feel like I need to justify my approach but seems like I don't wanna hear your opinions. Thats not the case and I wish I could have an actual conversation with each of you and talk about it. The thing is I have a market disruptor. Each and every customer I contact wants to know why this truck and why not just rent a 33t stick? I feel like I have to paint a realistic picture so when I do the job they aren't disappointed based on the sheer lack of weight i'm lifting but see the ability to dismantle a tree without a climber and do it efficiently. I'd hate to show up, do the tree and have them disappointed because they thought I could cut and take a 4000lb pick with the saw. I think each and every company I contact is comparing the truck to a stick crane because thats all they know, I'm trying to have a realistic honest approach without painting a picture that will end in disappointment. I think I need to compare myself to a stick crane because thats all they know and they are already doing that in their minds. I feel like I make a solid case for reduced crew size and efficiency. I guess what i'm asking is what would you guys say differently that I didn't say with a realistic approach to the difference in the cranes? The difference has to be addressed. It's the pink elephant in the room and can't be avoided.
 
Steve,

first cuppa coffee...skimmed some.


Do you have a place in the public eye to set that thing up, like next to a highway, hanging a big banner?


Have you invited the non-hiring companies out for a visit to see what you can do?

Maybe a 'have us out for one tree, if you're not satisfies, you get 25% off the bill' possibly with the caveat, 'If you use us again, that 25% gets added back on.'





I don't crane as much as I would if I had bigger drop zones. Big Picks Suck...when you have nowhere to set them down. My CO wanted to do a one pick oak, rather than the 4 small picks I wanted. My ground crew was not at all capable of dealing with that. I had to pull the butt across the cul-de-sac because it was too big of a pick for a wide-open, big cul-de-sac. I paid him hourly while we fought to get it off his boom, wire.

Have some testimonials.

Bullet points.

Good to see your face.





When I size up the work and start to laugh at bids, and then tell them "The Ogre Don't Care!" and laugh some more, I seem a bit like a nut, until I tell them how the Ogre (my mini with BMG) never ever is
-late
-drunk/ high
-hung over
-arrested
-in court
-had a fight with the baby mama
-relapsed
-making stupid decisions (my former employee opened his face by walking into the truck's open tool box door to the tune of $1500 in increased WC costs, plus missed work, plus additional expenses, plus paperwork for me...$700 worth of cleaning and Dermabond at the hospital)
-never gets tired
-is easy to fix
-complains about storm work
-complains about being hot/ cold/ the rain
-never loses or breaks tools
-ruins my concentration blurting out asinine things while I'm coordinating 5 things for the job at hand
-sick
-late
-come in sick and do dum stuff and spread germs to everyone, meaning more guys down
-broke down car
-broke down bikes
-bad night sleep
-never tries to break into my shop and steal from me, preventing me from going to the next job until I can get to the saw shop to spend a $1000.
-Never comes back from the amazing music festival weekend and can't do basic stuff for a week without forgetting/ screwing up.

I'm thinking that the local employee pool is shitty if there are only shitty guys to work for. Isn't it mostly shitty, anywhere. The good guys are got up. The companies are hostage to their climber, who might want a vacation. My employee is pretty decent as a groundie (the type that's just been whipped by the boss to produce, and has to learn safe work practices), and through no fault of his own, his dad had a heart attack. He could become unavailable at any time, especially as one of his 6 kids is also in bad trouble.






Someone who doesn't see the benefit of iron is dum. When I first started, my friend said he could save me a lot of work with his iron, and it wouldn't cost much...shoulda said, I can make you more money without the headaches of dum employees.

A side by side comparison would be great, with a timer.



I'm not saying high-pressure.
If you just started with a big belly laugh, then go into, "after 20 years of cable crane experience, and being an NCCCO certified owner and operate of the tree-mek (again, a big belly laugh)...

'Don't be the last guy in town to realize that we aren't stuck in the 1980's.'

Maybe do a short clip where you are dressed 80's style, with 80's gear.
 
...oh yeah, then when the Ogre kicks ass and takes names, and I don't have a bunch of goons around, and the neighbors want some Ogre-ing done.


Also, the tree general contractor might sell some other lifting work. I have a lot of obstructions and hills. Time to time, customers need something lifted (boulders out of a Koi pond was the last thing) that doesn't have to do with trees.


The tree companies might sell work to the neighbors just based on the exposure of something mind-blowing.
 
southsoundtree said:
Steve,

first cuppa coffee...skimmed some.


Do you have a place in the public eye to set that thing up, like next to a highway, hanging a big banner?


Have you invited the non-hiring companies out for a visit to see what you can do?

Maybe a 'have us out for one tree, if you're not satisfies, you get 25% off the bill' possibly with the caveat, 'If you use us again, that 25% gets added back on.'





I don't crane as much as I would if I had bigger drop zones. Big Picks Suck...when you have nowhere to set them down. My CO wanted to do a one pick oak, rather than the 4 small picks I wanted. My ground crew was not at all capable of dealing with that. I had to pull the butt across the cul-de-sac because it was too big of a pick for a wide-open, big cul-de-sac. I paid him hourly while we fought to get it off his boom, wire.

Have some testimonials.

Bullet points.

Good to see your face.





When I size up the work and start to laugh at bids, and then tell them "The Ogre Don't Care!" and laugh some more, I seem a bit like a nut, until I tell them how the Ogre (my mini with BMG) never ever is
-late
-drunk/ high
-hung over
-arrested
-in court
-had a fight with the baby mama
-relapsed
-making stupid decisions (my former employee opened his face by walking into the truck's open tool box door to the tune of $1500 in increased WC costs, plus missed work, plus additional expenses, plus paperwork for me...$700 worth of cleaning and Dermabond at the hospital)
-never gets tired
-is easy to fix
-complains about storm work
-complains about being hot/ cold/ the rain
-never loses or breaks tools
-ruins my concentration blurting out asinine things while I'm coordinating 5 things for the job at hand
-sick
-late
-come in sick and do dum stuff and spread germs to everyone, meaning more guys down
-broke down car
-broke down bikes
-bad night sleep
-never tries to break into my shop and steal from me, preventing me from going to the next job until I can get to the saw shop to spend a $1000.
-Never comes back from the amazing music festival weekend and can't do basic stuff for a week without forgetting/ screwing up.

I'm thinking that the local employee pool is shitty if there are only shitty guys to work for. Isn't it mostly shitty, anywhere. The good guys are got up. The companies are hostage to their climber, who might want a vacation. My employee is pretty decent as a groundie (the type that's just been whipped by the boss to produce, and has to learn safe work practices), and through no fault of his own, his dad had a heart attack. He could become unavailable at any time, especially as one of his 6 kids is also in bad trouble.






Someone who doesn't see the benefit of iron is dum. When I first started, my friend said he could save me a lot of work with his iron, and it wouldn't cost much...shoulda said, I can make you more money without the headaches of dum employees.

A side by side comparison would be great, with a timer.



I'm not saying high-pressure.
If you just started with a big belly laugh, then go into, "after 20 years of cable crane experience, and being an NCCCO certified owner and operate of the tree-mek (again, a big belly laugh)...

'Don't be the last guy in town to realize that we aren't stuck in the 1980's.'

Maybe do a short clip where you are dressed 80's style, with 80's gear.
Click to expand...
Great post Southsound, and a very cool vid Steve!
 
Steve Connally said:
I guess the bottom line is I’ve only been able to make a solid contact with 50% of the companies in my area. Just trying to increase the potential client base. Things have dipped off a bit. I had my second best month last month but I’m scrambling for work weekly. All of the 13 companies I’ve worked for have used me multiple times. I’m just trying to figure out my slump because everyone has plenty of work. There are multiple factors that have little to do with me or the truck but I’m still left wondering why am I not busier? May very well have nothing to do with money or practicality of the equipment, or it may have everything to do with it. Wish I knew. So here I am trying to do everything I can to run a successful single man biz with a solid overhead.
Click to expand...

The problem is you are a start up. People are going to be skeptical and pick you apart until you prove otherwise. My first full time year I had a slow time to... right in the middle of June, the phone just stopped ringing. You will have that. This year the calls slowed way down in June but because we are in our third season we have begun to get that following and we were able to hold steady work (down to three weeks). In the last two weeks we have gone right back to 8-10 weeks or more. It’s the feast or famine the tree business is known for.
From a marketing stand point you MUST be confident in what you are selling, without a doubt period. The difference between us is you are selling to a group of people that don’t talk to each other and wouldn’t recommend you for fear the other guy would see the benefits and lower prices (I believe that’s a minor flaw in the business model). Where our clients recommend us left and right on social media and everywhere else.
I like the idea of an “open house”. A tree care picnic so to say. Invite everyone, provide some burgers and dogs (beer gets expensive) show off the truck, it’s strengths and abilities. Be prepared though they will all have questions. And you will need to be attentive to them and still work the truck.
It’s going to be a tall hill to climb but not one you will regret climbing. Just gotta get those guys looking at trees with your crane in their mind. They have to say “that will work good here”, then you’re onto something. Just like selling reduction, you gotta educate them first, then sell the value add!
 
Steve I suck at sales too. I used to tell every climber at tcia shows that the worst thing about a wraptor is you don't get to inspect the tree as you ascend . Stupid to offer negatives to your product but I like you want to be honest. Bottom line though is if you get slow you have to sell so get used to it
 
southsoundtree said:
Steve,

first cuppa coffee...skimmed some.


Do you have a place in the public eye to set that thing up, like next to a highway, hanging a big banner? **********not really*****************


Have you invited the non-hiring companies out for a visit to see what you can do? *******I have and only 2 of them showed up*************************

Maybe a 'have us out for one tree, if you're not satisfies, you get 25% off the bill' possibly with the caveat, 'If you use us again, that 25% gets added back on.' ******************thats the next step just hate to work for less unless absolutely necessary but I've thought about that for sure******************





I don't crane as much as I would if I had bigger drop zones. Big Picks Suck...when you have nowhere to set them down. My CO wanted to do a one pick oak, rather than the 4 small picks I wanted. My ground crew was not at all capable of dealing with that. I had to pull the butt across the cul-de-sac because it was too big of a pick for a wide-open, big cul-de-sac. I paid him hourly while we fought to get it off his boom, wire.

Have some testimonials. *******************i've got them but time is limited****************************

Bullet points.************tried*******************

Good to see your face.*****************************hahaha thanks it's mine and mine only**************







I'm thinking that the local employee pool is shitty if there are only shitty guys to work for. Isn't it mostly shitty, anywhere. The good guys are got up. The companies are hostage to their climber, who might want a vacation. My employee is pretty decent as a groundie (the type that's just been whipped by the boss to produce, and has to learn safe work practices), and through no fault of his own, his dad had a heart attack. He could become unavailable at any time, especially as one of his 6 kids is also in bad trouble. ******************so many single climber companies here*************************






Someone who doesn't see the benefit of iron is dum. When I first started, my friend said he could save me a lot of work with his iron, and it wouldn't cost much...shoulda said, I can make you more money without the headaches of dum employees.

A side by side comparison would be great, with a timer. **********************it would***********



I'm not saying high-pressure.
If you just started with a big belly laugh, then go into, "after 20 years of cable crane experience, and being an NCCCO certified owner and operate of the tree-mek (again, a big belly laugh)...

'Don't be the last guy in town to realize that we aren't stuck in the 1980's.'

Maybe do a short clip where you are dressed 80's style, with 80's gear.
Click to expand...

Thats too funny

I tried to put the responses behind *****************in the actual text of the quote. Thanks so much
 
flyingsquirrel25 said:
The problem is you are a start up. People are going to be skeptical and pick you apart until you prove otherwise. My first full time year I had a slow time to... right in the middle of June, the phone just stopped ringing. You will have that. This year the calls slowed way down in June but because we are in our third season we have begun to get that following and we were able to hold steady work (down to three weeks). In the last two weeks we have gone right back to 8-10 weeks or more. It’s the feast or famine the tree business is known for.
From a marketing stand point you MUST be confident in what you are selling, without a doubt period. The difference between us is you are selling to a group of people that don’t talk to each other and wouldn’t recommend you for fear the other guy would see the benefits and lower prices (I believe that’s a minor flaw in the business model). Where our clients recommend us left and right on social media and everywhere else.
I like the idea of an “open house”. A tree care picnic so to say. Invite everyone, provide some burgers and dogs (beer gets expensive) show off the truck, it’s strengths and abilities. Be prepared though they will all have questions. And you will need to be attentive to them and still work the truck.
It’s going to be a tall hill to climb but not one you will regret climbing. Just gotta get those guys looking at trees with your crane in their mind. They have to say “that will work good here”, then you’re onto something. Just like selling reduction, you gotta educate them first, then sell the value add!
Click to expand...

I don't know if I can come off any more confident without coming across as a total ffing ahole. You are rite about the referrals. I can tell you my repeat guys do look at trees and see my benefit and I even have a few who look for ways to use it on as many jobs as possible.. Thats a win in my book. Opening the door to the education is what i'm hoping for. He'll i've worked for 13 of 28 and only had 1 day I couldn't find work. Pretty good for the first six months.
 
Steve Connally said:
Each time I get feedback from you guys I watch the video again several times. I feel like I need to justify my approach but seems like I don't wanna hear your opinions.
Click to expand...
That is kinda it right there. You are coming from the perspective of US feeling the need to justify using your services. You need to flip that around, and tell us we need to justify to NOT use your services. Sure it's just another tool in the box. It can do some of what a stick crane can, but what can it do that a stick cant? I get your point that you need huge man power to take huge picks, and that is very true. However, a smart crew wont take huge picks even if they could. It's all a balance to act according to the least denominator to the job, not unlike the weak link rule. So for christ sakes freakin show us how you WILL take the weak link out of the game!
 
evo said:
That is kinda it right there. You are coming from the perspective of US feeling the need to justify using your services. You need to flip that around, and tell us we need to justify to NOT use your services. Sure it's just another tool in the box. It can do some of what a stick crane can, but what can it do that a stick cant? I get your point that you need huge man power to take huge picks, and that is very true. However, a smart crew wont take huge picks even if they could. It's all a balance to act according to the least denominator to the job, not unlike the weak link rule. So for christ sakes freakin show us how you WILL take the weak link out of the game!
Click to expand...

Yeah man to be honest I have no idea what you are trying to tell me to say. The truck takes down the tree without a climber. Not really sure what else you want me to say. chipper, 1 guy and me
 
Steve I personally dug your honest, low key sales pitch. The quality of your work and the machine speak for themselves in the vid. 2 guys, the Mek, and a chipper show up and crush it, doing it quicker and safer than the traditional crane with a climber and 5 guys on the ground. Thats your pitch. Plain and simple.
Quality work creates work, so keep doing what your doing.
 
rico said:
Steve I personally dug your honest, low key sales pitch. The quality of your work and the machine speak for themselves in the vid. 2 guys, the Mek, and a chipper show up and crush it, doing it quicker and safer than the traditional crane with a climber and 5 guys on the ground. Thats your pitch. Plain and simple.
Quality work creates work, so keep doing what your doing.
Click to expand...
Thanks Rico
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom