Thinking about doing this...
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MA
Thinking about doing this...
hey all,hope all of you are doing good! 
me and a buddy are considering doing some winter jobs on the side starting pretty soon. We are thinking about putting flyers around saying we will do winter clean ups,snow removal and stuff like trimming trees and cutting branches that have fallen do to snow etc. Has anybody else done this on the side? if so howd you go about putting your name out there? Thanks in advance!
me and a buddy are considering doing some winter jobs on the side starting pretty soon. We are thinking about putting flyers around saying we will do winter clean ups,snow removal and stuff like trimming trees and cutting branches that have fallen do to snow etc. Has anybody else done this on the side? if so howd you go about putting your name out there? Thanks in advance!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
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We've done similiar things like that for fundraisers, with pretty fair success. Here's what worked for us:
1. Target a specific area, and blanket with leaflets. here's where reliable friends/siblings can come in real handy.
2. Follow-up the next week with a polite knock on the door. don't be afraid to talk to people- most will be friendly. The few that blow you off you wouldn't want to do business with anyway (they've done you a favor warning you of this).
3. Are there any senior centers in your area? Find out when they meet, and ask the director if you could do a quick presentation. If you're young and inexperienced, consider that a plus- folks love helping newbies get off the ground.
Have your pricing figured out in advance. Offer a group-neighborhood discount, and be very clear before you start a job on a) what's going to be done b) how long to do it and c) how much you are to be paid.
Good luck!
We've done similiar things like that for fundraisers, with pretty fair success. Here's what worked for us:
1. Target a specific area, and blanket with leaflets. here's where reliable friends/siblings can come in real handy.
2. Follow-up the next week with a polite knock on the door. don't be afraid to talk to people- most will be friendly. The few that blow you off you wouldn't want to do business with anyway (they've done you a favor warning you of this).
3. Are there any senior centers in your area? Find out when they meet, and ask the director if you could do a quick presentation. If you're young and inexperienced, consider that a plus- folks love helping newbies get off the ground.
Have your pricing figured out in advance. Offer a group-neighborhood discount, and be very clear before you start a job on a) what's going to be done b) how long to do it and c) how much you are to be paid.
Good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
I work for a grocery store, and last year during the hurricane season and the ice strom we had, there was a guy that placed a sign in our parking lot, a folded wooden sign placed in between a few spots. I dunno how much business he got, we were a high traffic store, so he got his name out. But the sign didn't last long, when she found out, she had the sign removed. So, if you go out putting flyers in public places, just make sure that you get approval from management. You could put a sign in you're ride advertising it as well, something colorful that will catch attention at a stop or something. Good luck with it!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,779
Likes: 873
From: Foothills of NC
If you have a local mom and pop hardware store in your area, definitely go there. Back when I use to own one, we always had people looking for someone to do different odd jobs.
We always kept people's cards, or their name and number. The most requested things were, plumbers, tree cuters, painters, snow removal, and casual odd job labor.
You need to look and act like you know what you are doing when takling to the store owner, or he won't risk making a customer mad by recommending a goof off, or someone who makes a mess. If you don't do a good job the news will travel fast. The local store hears about everything that goes on in a community.
If you make friends with the local hardware, and do a good job at a fair price, you will be suprised how much work you can find.
We always kept people's cards, or their name and number. The most requested things were, plumbers, tree cuters, painters, snow removal, and casual odd job labor.
You need to look and act like you know what you are doing when takling to the store owner, or he won't risk making a customer mad by recommending a goof off, or someone who makes a mess. If you don't do a good job the news will travel fast. The local store hears about everything that goes on in a community.
If you make friends with the local hardware, and do a good job at a fair price, you will be suprised how much work you can find.
Last edited by yardbird; Jan 20, 2005 at 01:23 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 3
From: Villa Rica, GA
in addition to all the previous advice, try to get in with some people in real estate, they normally have some properties that need to be cleaned up to be sold. they also know of people that want their yards/houses fixed up a little so they can sell them. this is also true for the snow removal they want the houses to look presentable when potential buyers come to look. also people are always looking for someone to take care of their rental properties.
word of mouth is the best advertisment .. if you do a good job you dont need to advertise.
Jason
word of mouth is the best advertisment .. if you do a good job you dont need to advertise.
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,680
Likes: 1
From: Montreal Canada
next time there's a good snow get out there with your truck and your flyers.
do a good job, and leave them your flyer so they know who to call for the spring yard clean ups
do a good job, and leave them your flyer so they know who to call for the spring yard clean ups
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Marsville Canada
I do printing and advertising. Once you have a few dollars make yourself some add pads 50 sheets per- 4" x 5" size , with your company name - services - ph# etc. Leave a pad with clients that you do work for. These are better than business cards becuase people use the pads for notes etc. Everytime they make jot a note they are reminded of your company (services).
The pads come 50- 100 sheets per pad -they can pass out the sheets like business cards when someone else requires similar services. Word of mouth works well.
Work hard and smart
The pads come 50- 100 sheets per pad -they can pass out the sheets like business cards when someone else requires similar services. Word of mouth works well.
Work hard and smart
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