Postcard mailers with photos, "creepy?"

C

cercidiphyllum

Location
Boston Suburbs
Hi all,

still trying to get my first clients now that I own a chip truck etc. I live in a very HCOL area outside Boston. I am surrounded by the 1% top earners who potentially are a bit pretentious and the type whom would not appreciate soliciting even if from a local business etc. (just to give SOME background).

Do you all think it would be offensive to walk around these neighborhoods taking pictures of their trees, making some notes about the trees and jot down their address. Then when I return home I will make custom postcards for each address with my company logo/contact info and a picture of their tree with some personalized message "we noticed your japanese maple needs pruning and there is a dead tree on the right side etc etc" as an example.

Would this work or is the picture taking creepy to these homeowners? Anyone done this or something similar?

Thanks
 
Creepy or not, I have gotten work from people of all walks doing similar door to door. I think your approach being a bit more at a distance has advantages and disadvantages, but is probably worth a shot. I don't have a successful business of my own, so take my words with a chunk of salt.
 
That would seem creepy to me if I got a postcard like that, initially at least. I'd wager most folks don't want people taking photos of their homes. I see posts on social media often from concerned homeowners about what I would assume are people who work in home valuation who do this often. Anyone who is kind would respect the earnest effort and not flame you online, in my opinion, although it still seems a tad desperate to me.

That being said, I knocked on some doors in my neighborhood to start out and it went pretty well. Left people a few hand written notes that did turn into a few jobs. Anything to get momentum in the beginning is worth it.

If you do try it and people get offended they'll probably forget about it by the next day, considering how fast the world be movin.
 
I think it would be unappreciated. I know I wouldn't like it. Maybe I wouldn't use the word "creepy", but it does feel like an invasion of privacy though it is completely legal to take pics from public space, so not illegal in any way. The pic feels like we are starting our relationship with a violation of privacy/trust.

I might be more prone to just sending a letter with some before and after pics of another job - maybe with one that might be similar to what you noted on their property. "I was working in the area and while driving by, I noticed your japanese maple needs pruning and there is a dead tree on the right side etc etc. I know you were not looking for unsolicited mail, but this feels less intrusive than knocking on your door."
 
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I totally agree, I am hesitant. I currently am settling on only doing it for somewhat obvious things related to safety only. (think large dead branches over houses and cars or obviously dead trees). At least this way it seems its coming from a safety/concerned neighbor ..sort of.

So far I have had great interactions walking around and if folks are outside cleaning leaves I chat them up and give a business card. But other than that i'm not sure how to get the word out there.
 
ATH said:
I think it would be unappreciated. I know I wouldn't like it. Maybe I wouldn't use the word "creepy", but it does feel like an invasion of privacy thought it is completely legal to take pics from public space, so not illegal in any way. The pic fees like we are starting our relationship with a violation of privacy/trust.

I might be more prone to just sending a letter with some before and after pics - maybe with one that might be similar to what you noted on their property. "I was working in the area and while driving by, I noticed your japanese maple needs pruning and there is a dead tree on the right side etc etc. I know you were not looking for unsolicited mail, but this feels less intrusive than knocking on your door."
Click to expand...

I would feel stalked, not like it and do a little investigating.
 
Take pictures from angles and positions that don't show the house or address. Maybe also cars/plates. I had a couple of neighbours go ballistic on each other when one snapped a picture of a deck (that they didn't like) and the camera shot also looked straight into the back door at the wife washing dishes in the kitchen! police, ugliness etc
 
cercidiphyllum said:
I totally agree, I am hesitant. I currently am settling on only doing it for somewhat obvious things related to safety only. (think large dead branches over houses and cars or obviously dead trees). At least this way it seems its coming from a safety/concerned neighbor ..sort of.

So far I have had great interactions walking around and if folks are outside cleaning leaves I chat them up and give a business card. But other than that i'm not sure how to get the word out there.
Click to expand...
So you are working for Client A and you notice Neighbor B has something wrong "When I was working on your trees, I noticed your neighbor had some dead branches over their driveway. Do you know if they would be bothered if I knocked on their door to tell them - or would you be comfortable sending them a note that cercidiphyllum noticed a dead branch so it's not a cold sales call, which we know nobody really likes?" (hoping Client A isn't a salesperson who has to make cold calls!). 99.9999% better chance you get the job if the neighbor sends that text than anything else you do.

Yard signs can help...maybe. If you are truly in a high wealth neighborhood, avoid the trashy political type corrugated plastic yard signs. And certainly don't put it and forget about it. That starts to feel like you are leaving your trash behind. Get a few metal frame realtor-like signs. Put them up when you start the job; leave them for one or two days, at the most, (with permission) and stop back out to remove it soon. Strategic timing can help with that...for example, 5:30 when people are coming home may prompt a neighbor to stop and talk to you when you are pulling it.
 
I’m in a similar situation, small and just starting out. About a month ago I drove around and left some notes and cards with basically the same message you described- “I saw that dead tree, here I am-call if you want”. I got some business that way and fortunately did not experience any backlash.. yet.
I agree it’s a fine line on the creepy scale, so tread lightly but be ready for some calls. It helps if you remember the work you mentioned.
 
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For what it's worth, I'd just knock on the door and discuss with them directly; I have had a solid amount of success with this. When no one answers, I typically write a quick note on the back of a business card and stick it between the weather stripping and the door, near the door knob.

My market (south puget sound) is admittedly a bit lower rent than Boston suburbs but regardless, I think it's easier to come off as genuine in person compared to electronically or by mail: Kinda akin to how sarcasm can work out ok in person but is very risky via text, even among people who know each other fairly well.
 
Catch with photos is all the trouble to format, print, annotate etc and emailing would crank up the creep factor. No photo leaves the challenge of clarity and understanding with only words - "a picture is worth a thousand words"

Rich customers may have time scarcity and virtually never be home to chat in person.

Sales is always a personal comfort factor. Some customers regard leaving cards or leaflets as junk mail.

I'd have to be feeling very confident to leave pictures/semi-quotes. Probably better to worm your way in by neighbour word of mouth, just a challenge to get the first one.

One of my neighbour episodes was trim job, client cut neighbour's pine roots to plant flowers, whole pine tree was bouncing in the wind off adjacent support tree, I spotted the root plate edge coming up about 6" clear! Got the pine removal job. 50% of the roots were keeping the tree up!
 
What outside of Boston area? Malden or Dedham would be fine, Belmont or Wellesly it would not be IMO (from 10 year old memory of that area)

Also just in general, I think "here's an unsolicited picture of your own house" feels creepy-
 
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