[terryc]

I have a new business. The money i make is good, but advetising is expensive. How do i advertise without spending my profits or seeking investors.

[mxer210]

If you are more specific about your situation, I think we(the community) could help you out more. The best way to lower costs is document your spending very closely and see where you could make cuts. I donn't think there is any way to not use your profit or capital to pay for advertising. Depending on your situationand type of company, could do an affiliate system or find some partner sites to help promote yourself. Like I previously said, can't say much without knowing more about the business.

[cheng]

mxer210 cool website you got there. Do you dropship or you keep stock?

[terryc]

well the problem isnt quite using profit, its making profit to use. It is my off season for landscaping, and snow removal has been scarce. It is my second year and i refuse to give up. I have little profit to use, but i need to advertise to get my business out. It just needs to be local, not nationwide.

[cbingaman]

While this only works if you have a decent number of clients who were happy with your service, you may want to consider a small direct mailing (or phone call) to satisfied clients advertising a discount on their next job for each qualified (i.e. interested in your service, have money to spend, waiting for your call (or calls you)) referral they send your way. This is also a good time to remind/inform said clients that you offer snow removal services.

That's how I obtained two of my best clients to date. I offered a 50% discount on the next job to the original client and a 25% discount on the first job to the new client.

[mpnetwork]

Consider a referral program, existing clients who get you new business get a discount (say their next cut/plow is free). Market it to your existing clients with phone calls or flyers.

[mpnetwork]

Maybe I should have read the post above me

Other options include - signs on your truck, signs on the lawns when you are cutting them "lawn maintenance provided by".

Make sure you have business cards and a little flyer highlighting why you are the best choice. Carry them everywhere. Remember, most people arent buying your services, they are buying you, why are you the best choice?

Consider spending a little bit to develop a decent logo and brand for all your marketing materials. It will help differentiate you from the competition in your local market.

[sskinner]

A big tool that worked for my dad's old business was sponsoring high school sports teams. They are broadcasted on the radio or the television and you get a plug 4-5 times per game, every game, the entire season long and it only cost us about $150.

[terryc]

Thank you all for responding, the advise is most appreciated. I am open to any ideas to better my business, and if any one else wants a second opinion e-mail me cterry115@sprintpcs.com or call (712)-326-9797. free to sprint customers, or just leave a message in this forum checked daily.

[turrrn2]

I had the same problem. What I found useful was making flyers on my computer (paying about 6 cent to copy at a copy center) which was a very inexpensive way to advertise my business. Public retations is also a good way to advertise with out spending money or a lot of it, using such things as sponsorships, and press releases, speaking at events such as entrepreneur seminars/workshops, or networking. But the most effective way is utilizing the customers you know to refer other customers to your services to others.

[terryc]

The advertising so far is doing better. This is my first real year, and i am going full force. I am also interested in any suggestions about running a lawn & landscape business

[dice40ounce]

You know time is money --- but when you're starting a business that has so many competitors...sometimes it's best to come in and charge a fraction for the first service. For example --- if you put an ad in the classifieds of the newspaper that says the following:

FREE LAWNMOWING
XYZ CORP
555-5555
CALL US TODAY!

Put this in the yellow pages and the classifieds and you will get a TON of phone calls --- Obviously you will take a hit in the first lawnmowing --- but each new client is a chance to attract a whole summer's worth of business --- each client you get gives you a slew of other business (mulching, edging, etc). You could give client's a quick breakdown of what they need and what you could do for them for each new lawn you mow.

As for the winter, sometimes a offering an entire winter's worth of plowing for a set price is the way to go. As the summer ends you can offer plowing for the whole winter for $199 or something. They can pay you and never worry about their driveway being plowed. It's a thought...good luck in your venture. The referral plans are a great idea as well...but they won't bring in the phone calls and opportunities the ads will.

G LUCK
mmd