Making a PHC program work!!

Paul Biester

Paul Biester

Location
under grace
Hey guys,a few years ago i bought a pretty nice skid mounted rig for doing soil injections . The rig also has the ability to do some high pressure spraying when we get to that point?!! The reason for my post is i am looking for some insights from a sales and marketing side of how to grow this area of business.We have done ok with doing some annual renewals etc., but i am really interested in making this thing hum. I would ask you to include ideas for air spading as well. Ideally i would like to take these numbers up about 25% a year for say the next 3 years!
Any insights into driving these numbers and marketing would be great!! Also some ideaas into delivering the service,once the call flood in!!
It is not needed to give a lecture on soil testing and fert by prescription.This aspect i am already qued in on !!'
thanks all!!
 
Sorry brother... I too am contemplating getting into the PHC side of things. So, I can't offer anything.
smirk.gif


BTW. If you have the new Sherrill Tree Catalog, look at page 183. Check out the advertising on that PHC rig. In my area, I bet that thing would generate business no problem. That advertising is so effective, it would pay for itself in no time... IMO

So, I'll bump it for you...
 
I would be happy to speak with you about this... I would have to write a book to give you my views... I am doing okay with PHC, but I'm sure there are others out there doing better.

Email me a eric@treecareinc.com with your # if you want my opinions...
 
I am in the same situation, I purchased a nice skid sprayer two years ago and mounted it on a trailer. I have not really pushed or tried to sell for the work, until this year. I started by getting post cards printed and sent to all of our current clients. I also started to list plant health care on all of our ads.

We also have an air spade but have not been able to get alot of work for that yet. Any ideas there would be of great help.

Now this year already I have more phc todo than the last two years but still not the amount I would like to see. So again any ideas would be great.

Eric, I wouldn't mind picking your brain aswell if you wouldn't mind. Thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]

Now this year already I have more phc todo than the last two years but still not the amount I would like to see.

[/ QUOTE ]


This has been how it has worked for me... Each year we grow a little and add more and more renewable services... They compound over time and one day you turn around and are surprised by the amount you are doing.

I think persistence and time are a big factor in making PHC work!
 
Paul,

I also am in the process of adding PHC to what we do. I've just been going to every class I can to learn more and buy every book I can to help.
It's slowly taking off. It really goes hand in hand with those who do proper tree care.

Grace & Peace
 
What are some good books to start reading. Been studying for my ISA cert so I hope that provides me with a small understanding of PHC. However that is far as it goes for my formal PHC learning. Any help would be great :)
 
I bought a skid sprayer early on in my business (about 6 yrs ago). I bought it because up here there are tons of spruce with needle cast (lost of factors). But I was able to start generating a nice chunk of revenue off doing just needle cast spraying of spruce trees.
I bought an air spade this year after selling a few jobs. I have a ad spot on the local AM radio station once a week with the DJ where we talk about current services with the season and what I can do. That is where I was able to sell both skid treatments or air spade type treatments/care. Another nice item to have in promoting or selling PHC is to have some brochures or information sheets on how and what you can provide in the areas of PHC. Rainbow scientific has a lot of great flyers that go with the products that they sell. I then make up some similar type things that go with the needle cast and other sprayer service and air spade services.
Growth will be slow, but will grow if you do it right and stay consistent with selling it.
I don't believe in selling for the sake of doing it, but selling for the customers who need it for the proper care of their trees.
Good luck!
 
Hey Guys,

Just getting back to the original question regarding marketing: one suggestion that I would recommend to anyone is to check out Google Adwords if you have not done so already.
www.google.com/AdWords

They frequently run promotions offering $100 credits which is probably enough money to see if it works.

The whole idea is to tap into the people that are already searching for the product or service you are offering. There is a ton of info in the link to get started. Two things to keep in mind
1. Make sure you narrow down the location results so that you only show up in the search results for ppl within your service area
2. Set your daily budget low and keep an eye on it so the cost doesn't run away on you.

Hope that helps,

Jeff
 
Paul Biester said:
Hey guys,a few years ago i bought a pretty nice skid mounted rig for doing soil injections . The rig also has the ability to do some high pressure spraying when we get to that point?!! The reason for my post is i am looking for some insights from a sales and marketing side of how to grow this area of business.We have done ok with doing some annual renewals etc., but i am really interested in making this thing hum. I would ask you to include ideas for air spading as well. Ideally i would like to take these numbers up about 25% a year for say the next 3 years!
Any insights into driving these numbers and marketing would be great!! Also some ideaas into delivering the service,once the call flood in!!
It is not needed to give a lecture on soil testing and fert by prescription.This aspect i am already qued in on !!'
thanks all!!
Click to expand...

What areas of phc are you trying to expand into, or are you just trying to do more volume?
Do you do anything for EAB ?
What are the next top 5 pests?
What are the next top 5 diseases?
Start educating people on the problems the more you show the more they know the more they want.
Do you do banding, scooting, etc?

Or are you just trying to use the rig more to pay for itself?
 
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