Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chloe Sastry on February 18, 2011 at 19:34

Hi Richard,

 

I'm quite new to it too (just starting my second year).

 

After word of mouth/friends of friends etc (emailing everyone telling them all about what I was starting, showing them website etc) got a first few.

 

Then I found that very targeted leaflets worked well - local corner shops, local village DIY shop window etc - I got a good few calls from those -from people who were actually out looking for someone.

 

Don't know if you have young kids but if you do then the school PTA noticeboard is good too.

 

Good luck!

Chloe

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on February 18, 2011 at 20:08

Hello Richard

 

Good luck with your business...you've come to the right place and I know you'll find our members very helpful.

 

Take a look at the previous advertising posts to see if there's anything of use: http://www.google.fr/search?hl=en-GB&q=advertising+site%3Alands...

Permalink Reply by Richard Steel on February 18, 2011 at 20:09

Thanks for your reply Chloe, some good suggestions, i hadn't thought about corner shops etc these days you tend to think people find everything they want online. Was thinking leafleting door to door but will try the shops option too. Also you mention website, do you have your own website, how costly are these to set up? Thanks a lot and hope you have continued success

Permalink Reply by Chloe Sastry on February 18, 2011 at 22:17

Richard I do have a website - it's pretty basic via Vistaprint costs £4.99 a month and I can edit it as often as I want. I did it via vistaprint so I could match the graphics/design with my business cards from there and also it's very numpty-friendly - edit it in Word etc.

I'm just a small one man band so it's enough. 

I like having it as people often like to look at sth about me to make sure i'm plausible before phoning I htink

 

Philip is right you 've come to the right place here - I ask no end of questions and there are always lots of thoughful replies

chloe

Permalink Reply by Georgina Barratt on February 26, 2011 at 17:41

One of my friends put a card in the local hairdressers (the kind that specialises in blue rinses, rather than an ultra-trendy type) when he was starting up, virtually all his start up work came from there. Also, always make sure you have cards on you, so that you can give them to people who ask you when your out on the job, my original cards came from vistaprint, and they were free, just paid P&P.  I seem to get most of my work by word of mouth now, but you have to start somewhere...

 

Good luck

 

George

Permalink Reply by John Pickering on April 5, 2011 at 15:35

LO,

 

I know this reply is not very prompt but I've just started up my business and like previous posts I'm getting out and about posting flyers through letterboxes and handing them out to passers by. Shop windows will be next and advertising via twitter and my website.

No leads yet but I'm sure they will come and I will be having lots of gardens to maintain, just need to get the prices right to retain my customers......

Regards,

 

Jon

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on April 25, 2011 at 18:09

If you have local village directories subscribe to them. Cost effective but you get a very decent return. However, don't subscribe unless you are the only gardener in there :)