What to do??

R

rangerdanger

Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Need some serious help here guys. I don't know how bad work is getting in other parts of the country, but here, were getting hit bad. People are delaying jobs till Spring, we've been cheated out of work, etc. Right now we're down to a week of work or less. So, Dad wanted me to post a few questions up.

1. We're thinking of selling our big chip truck and possibly the chipper and getting about $30,000 more or less to buy a smaller chipper, buy a dump hoist for our 3500 dually, and build a chip box to fit onto the flatbed currently on the 3500. Would this be a good move, downsizing the equipment.

2. Right now we just have signs on the trucks, and word of mouth for advertising. We don't want to advertise in the phone book (We have 4 here) What would you guys recommend advertising wise and what can we do to bring in more customers.

Thanks for any help!
 
Here in Tulsa the paper is a great place to advertise. We get four or five calls a week from it.

Dont get rid of your truck, that would be foolish. You already have that and it is an asset. To downgrade would still put you out money.

Ranger, Doorhangers work awesome also, and the funny thing is that you think it would be an instant response, but we get calls in neighborhoods we havent been in months. They hang onto them and call us when they have the money. Goodluck.

Derrick Hulsey
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I know there have been some opposing view points to this , but it is cheap and easy to control your cost. we have had a very nice doortags made with a tear off business card at the bottom ,and a coupon for some offer that you can stand. the tag says we were working at your neighbors and wanted to make you this special offer. have a lawn sign done to match the tags, color,logo,font etc. when you are finishing up you throw up a sign and tag 20 or thirty homes . You must do tthis consistently to get some return.
One of the nice things about this is when money is tight you are not still paying for a big ad!! by the way shirts should match the above as well as the trucks lettering packages.........just for good measure!
As far as contracting the business in tough economic times? that is never a bad thing , look at the corporations that do it , it is a matter of survival!!
 
What separates you from your competition? Is it degree's, certification, insurance, working to a standard set by our industry? It could be one of these, or all, or even more. I would find what it is and sell it. Market yourself as a professional business by getting your name out their. Cold call customers you haven't visited in awhile. Not sure how long your customer list is, but thats what gets us through the winter and tough times.
It is hard right now for everyone. The idea of door knockers is excellent.
Good luck,
 
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Here in Tulsa the paper is a great place to advertise. We get four or five calls a week from it.



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That many?
 
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We don't want to advertise in the phone book (We have 4 here)

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Why?

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Mostly because there are so many tree companies in there, we would just get lost. The biggest companies have full or half page ads, something we couldn't compete with.
 
Guerrilla marketing. You've got time or money. Since time seems to be your currency right now use it to your advantage. As said above, when your near completion of a job the climber or crew leader can go knock on a few doors to personally hand a flyer to a client. Maybe some literature from ISA about local alerts about tree problems included with your brochure. Develop a pitch for them to deliver. Something that tells them about the company and the quality of the work you do. Then ask a question about what kind of work they had performed on the trees. Are there any issues that the guys spotted? If no one is there then leave the door hanger. Cold calling is hard but well worth it. Again, develop a script for it. Flow chart how you will deal with the call. This is important to maintain control of the conversation as much as possible and get the most info out of it.

Have you approached property managers, estate managers, landscape contractors, golf course superintendents? While many have already done work or committed to other companies there is always a chance for a few jobs to come of it.

While reducing your overhead is a good idea it needs to be done intelligently. What would be the perception of the company by prospective clients if you go from the bigger professional rig to a smaller unit with a homemade box?

Image is important at this time. Marketing and advertising need to be stepped up in order to reach a bigger client-base. Get a booth at local garden shows (split one or see if they have a "talk to a pro" booth you can work and go to garden society meetings to talk about proper tree care, Shade Tree and Environmental Commissions.

Be sure to always talk about how long the company has been around and the quality of work you do. Give pointers that will save them money and help their trees and landscape.

Tough times demand extra effort.
 
treehumper!! i knew you were smart!!!! he is right!! anything that gets the company out in the public eye and guerilla tactics are cheap !!
In our own town we sponsor ball teams,readers in education, we just did a career day for the junior highers,we take part in our "town day" ,and a home and garden show,we bring our crane and set up a kids climb. people always talk about it!! your name and logo need to be out there!!
 
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We don't want to advertise in the phone book (We have 4 here)

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Why?

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Mostly because there are so many tree companies in there, we would just get lost. The biggest companies have full or half page ads, something we couldn't compete with.

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Why?
 
Not enough money. When we were in the phone book, for a little 1" by 2" add or something like that was around $500 or more a month. We don't have the money to put into something that may bring us one or two small calls a month. Plus, around here, not alot of people pick up a phone book anymore. It's all online.
 
The yellow pages/phone book as a primary form of advertising is now a waste of money.

You have to be in there, but be one of the smallest ads in there.



Honestly think about the last time you went to the yellow pages to find something.

Now think about your target client; Do you think they go to the yellow pages to find a tree service, or do you think they might search the internet first, and if they hit a dead end, maybe they would turn to the big stupid book.


Ranger, do you have a website for your tree service? Your energies and resources might be better used for an online presence that impresses people right away. A fraction of the cost of the phone book, and something that you can keep working on as time goes by.


SZ
 
Hey SZ, thats exactly what we're working on right now, a website. We have a good friend in a good neighborhood that spreads the word around about us, getting us some great, lasting customers. He even said a website would be a great tool today, saying many of the people he know's go online first, and that he would be more than happy to email our address and his praise of us around to his friends and family. So a website is top of the list right now. Working on getting the domain name, host server, etc.
 
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So a website is top of the list right now. Working on getting the domain name, host server, etc.

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Time well spent, especially before you get too busy to work on it. The times are tough right now, but things are picking up everyday.



SZ
 
If you've got clients that belong to Angie's List then have them do a review of you there.

Yellowpages is online as well but still not cheap. When you do go online there are other directories that will help you as well like citisearch.
 
Hey Ranger, and all other KY arbos,
The KAA is having a booth at the Louisville and Lexington garden shows this spring. And we need VOLUNTEERS to staff the booth and interact with the public. Handing out your own business cards is totally acceptable.
 
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Guerilla Marketing

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Right on the Money Humper...

First:
Read Guerilla Marketing

Second:
Read Guerilla Marketing

Third:
Advertise like you have never Advertised before making sure that you have a persistent presence. Get your name out there on a regular basis.

Lastly:
Read Guerilla Marketing.
 
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