Marketing a Junk Removal/Moving Company

[TakeItAway]

My business will go public soon, currently I'm obtaining a used Uhaul box truck for my hauling needs. I'm making this post to see if I can get anyone's 2 cents on marketing ideas for my specific business, which is Junk Removal & Moving Service.

On the Junk side, we haul rubbish, trash, junk whatever you call it, from residential clients to commercial businesses. We charge the customer by volume. For example, if they fill 1/4 of the truck, it may be 120 dollars, 2/4 it may be 250 dollars, ect. So that's a little about the business, my next question is, what are some creative low cost methods for advertising?

On the Moving side, we will wrap and package your items, helping you complete your apartment or home move. Because the market is filled with moving companies, we will price competitively. Hopefully with our low overhead, we can procure a healthy amount of moving jobs.

Here is what I have done already, or have planned to complete in the 2 weeks...

1)Saturate the free internet classified ad websites (any suggestions of good high traffic sites besides craigslist, would be great)

2)Create a company blog, for drawing in website traffic.

3)Use a ad words service... (I'm still doing research on this one, I'm not sure of which one to go with if any, I've heard mixed reviews... I've noticed my big company competitors all actively partake in the ad word services)

4)A professional flash based website.

5)I'm in college for TV Entertainment, making excellent use of the cameras and editing equipment, creating Commercials first for youtube, and if business grows, run a spot on local TV. Also using my graphic art skills, creating professional vector based advertisements to blow up on the box truck, along with advertisement graphics for web based listings

6)Advertise directly to Apartment complex residents, who lack a trash pickup service

7)Buy some corrugated signs to stick in yards and major road intersections, these are the types of signs you see political campaigns using.
(I've found that this is a costly expenditure, anyone know of a good company or website that creates these signs for an affordable price?)

8)Advertise to construction companies (Most construction companies use rental dumpsters, but I'm looking to see if it's viable or possible to undercut the rental fees and market towards the construction side...)

9)Create fliyers for mailboxes and door knobs

10)Create advertisements specifically marketed to Repo Businesses.


Well, that's all I can think of for now, if anyone can help expound or offer advice on the ideas I have so far, or can offer advertising ideas that SPECIFICALLY relate to my business, I would truly appreciate it.

Take care, and stay focused

[Junkremovalexperts]

Hello, it looks like you have everything covered but you may also want to get a specific phone number and virtual service they will give you a professional appearance when called. I use ring central you can also use grasshopper these have all the features that a large company would use such as music on hold also the have a prompt when someone calls telling them who they have reached and they will connect you, you can forward the number to your cell phone and it will text or email you when you miss a call " i suggest never miss a call " The one thing that can ruin all of your efforts and i see it time and time again is small businesses such as yours do not answer the call when someone needs your service. I hope this helps and good luck if you have any questions give me a call 443-798-2515
Kyle
New Website Design

[bjr]

A couple things - you're going to want to make sure your rates are competitive and even more importantly, you're going to want to advertise speedy service, as in same-day pick up. When it comes to many residential customers, they just want their junk out of their homes and want it done yesterday. Advertise that.

One other thing - why a flash based website? Pretty tough to SEO. I made the transition from Flash to non-Flash a couple years ago and now I'm capitalizing on a lot more internet traffic.

Brad
Brad's Junk Removal

[Sammy1]

I am looking to start a junk removal business as well. I have a pick up but will mainly be using my new 10 x 6 dump trailer....I will soon be raising the sides with steel this week to have more volume. Most companies in my area charge by volume and some by weight, I am looking at possibly charging by weight, the weight companies charge about under $100 to show up and that covers up to a certain amount of weight then it's just over .20 cents per pound for the difference. Soon I will be purchasing another trailer as I will be renting them out as a bin and charge for the trailer plus weight.

Just wondering on experenced advice from people in the business.
What is the benefits and possible cons of each volume and weight rates.

Thanks....your imput will be greatly appreciated.

[Sammy1]

I am looking to start a junk removal business as well. I have a pick up but will mainly be using my new 10 x 6 dump trailer....I will soon be raising the sides with steel this week to have more volume. I pretty well have all my start up plans thought out but am back to the pricing protion. Most companies in my area charge by volume and some by weight, I am looking at possibly charging by weight, the weight companies charge about a minimal amount to show up and that covers up to a certain amount of weight then it's just over .20 cents per pound for the difference. Soon I will be purchasing another trailer as I will be renting them out as a bin (drop off) and charge for the trailer plus weight.

I am basically looking for your advice on the best pricing system to use for the 6x10 trailer when doing full service...I noticed that all other by volume comaplies have larger trailers and I definately cannot charge the same price for volume, that is why I was leaning towards the weight system for the full service side as well

Just wondering on experenced advice from people in the business.
What is the benefits and possible cons of each volume and weight rates in the full service portion of the business.....Also, how high would you recommend the trailer sides to be lifted to ...I was thinking about 4' to 5'

Thanks....your imput will be greatly appreciated.

[crucible151]

I'd say Craigslist. Many people check there for hauling junk, but if you're looking to haul scrap metal and anything of value you'll have big competition. There's plenty people here who do it for free just to take the metal to the recycling yard. Many of them just cruise around and pick stuff up off people's lawns. I would try business to business marketing. Construction sites and operations that don't have time for this sort of thing and just want stuff gone.

I would also warn against a flash website. Other than the SEO problem.. many people are not computer savy. They don't update their computer just because it tells them too. So, if your site is entirely flash they may never even see it. Just a big box that says "please update to blah blah version of flash!". Which they won't do. They'll just click away and never come back. 2 cents.

[JunkDawgs]

Not only will you have a lot of competition in junk removal from small and large operations, but you will also have people on Craigslist that will under cut your ads by taking away items for free. The good news is, these people won't last long, the bad news is, there is always some new sketch guy in a pick up hauling scrap for the month that it keeps him afloat. Don't be a sketchy operation! Volunteer at your local department and you can just buy one of our operations! Good Luck and take care!

Junk Removal Indianapolis - Junk Dawgs: Junk Removal, Waste Removal, Trash Removal, Furniture Removal & Landscape Clean Up

[junktrashremoval]

Hi There TakeitAway

You have some good ideas there for marketing your junk removal website. Specifically numbers #1, #2 and #3. From our experience at JunkTrashRemoval.com it takes one full time person to manage all of the internet marketing to-do's. Either way, we recommend web based marketing. It is simply the easiest to measure and provides the best return on investment (ROI).

A couple other things I would / would not recommend include:

#1 Not using a flash based website for your junk removal business.

#2 Hiring an expert to manage you pay per click campaign. It will cost you less in the long run to have someone set it up correctly vs. wasting time & money doing it wrong. Also, keep an eye on you quality score or else your whole campaign will suffer.

#3 Don't waste time on print marketing unless you're doing direct mailers. It's just not worth it.

#4 Invest in marketing online. You could use a like us (shameless plug) or hire your own marketing person to work on your behalf.

#5 Measure everything. Install analytics and strive to understand what you visitors are looking for. Measure, rinse, and repeat.

If you have any other questions feel free to contact us at JunkTrashRemoval

D Wright
Google+
@homejunkremoval

[GotLiveChat]

I'd add 'contacting all local real estate offices' as well. They're usually looking for rubbish removal services when they get foreclosed or deceased-homeowner properties.

[JunkDawgs]

Here's some free advice regarding realtors, at least what we have come across pertaining to junk removal in Indianapolis, if you contact a real estate office about your services, don't just drop off flyers in the mailboxes because they have a secretary that will just push them through to the recycling bin on the other side. You want to talk to them, in person, and not just through flyers. Good luck

Junk Hauling IndianapolisJunk Removal Indianapolis - Junk Dawgs: Junk Removal, Junk Hauling, Trash Removal, Furniture Removal & Landscape Clean Up

[PhilipJSherman]

Thanks for sharing your nice ideas... Blue Pill

[David Adam]

Of course, people spend lot of amount on various events and junk removal services are really important on this special events and by the way, Thanks for starting the discussion.

[jrockfl]

I have used junk removal services in the past. A few times for a house that I was rehabbing and a couple more times at my own house.

I looked for ads on Craigslist. You may want to post your services there. I selected someone who answered the phone and could pick it up asap. If no one answered, I called someone else.

[EffectiveMedia]

I would suggest contacting me (another shameless plug) but because I'd really like to talk with you regarding some ways that can really help your business grow and encourage repeat buyers on a regular basis. I'd also recommend a very high quality press release about your business and some targeted lead generation tactics that I can't disclose on this thread but would be happy to share over the phone or email. I'm fairly new to this thread so you can reach me at hmalouf (at) effectivemediacompany (dot) com or you can reach me at 1-815-450-9322 .

[bjr]

If you're just starting out, do what you can with networking face to face. Have friends and friends of friends as your first clients, and if you provide cheap and quick service, your name will spread. Another good marketing tactic is to schedule calls to your clients a couple times a year to offer to come pick up the junk that has been collecting around their homes for the last few months.

Brad
Brad's Junk Removal