How did you get into the maintenance/landscaping/horticulture business and if you went self employed, how long did it take to build up a full time client base?
Did you spend 1000s on marketing etc and hit the ground running or did you start up slow with minimal costs and gradually build up?
Having recently started up again (after doing something else for 5 years) it seems much harder this time to build a client base for regular maintenance. I have dropped 2000 flyers and done Facebook campaigns aswell as an advert in the local paper and newsagents.
In a month I have only got a couple of jobs, and 3 people who let me down on booked in jobs.
I'm also about to get my van sign written.
What else can I do to build a regular customer base? Ideally I'd like a bigger one off job once a week. And regular customers 5 days a week eventually.
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Hi Max, I think it's not the best time of year to pick up new maintenance customers. You just need to keep plodding away and go for a big push late winter/early Spring.
some good points, iv contacted estate agents but all of them say they have a gardener on the books already. The customers came from my facebook site. what services do you offer in winter...repairs, gritting and snow clearance etc?
They often say that and are often get let down......
Make sure they have your details on something they can’t forget or lose.
yeah i agree, im trying to get my name out there and get some jobs in so hopefully by april i have a full time customer base, or on the way to having one anyway.
There's lots of methods re advertising. Yes get the van signwritten. Secondly, have a uniform yourself with your brand on it - look smart and professional.
An easy initial way to get more customers is to drop letters / flyers to neighbours around existing customers - you can customise by adding a comment that you already look after one of their neighbours. If you're really brave knock on the doors and introduce yourself. Be honest about just starting up and looking for work.
Re: Andy’s first point - get out there in branded clothing and be seen - garden centres, nurseries DIY sheds and even shopping. Make sure youve a few cards/flyers always to hand.....
I have a uniform and van is booked to be sign written. Good point about flyering around existing customers. I will flyer the street each new customer is on after the jobs complete.
I looked at google aerial maps for nice looking gardens and then put cards through the door - about the time of the Chelsea Flower Show - and people got in touch. After that my name got passed on. I put a few cards out in garden centres too and that generated a bit of work, but putting them through doors myself worked better.
Hi Max, I started up in April and ticked along on a few customers from Facebook Groups advertising but it got really hectic once i started to use Nextdoor (like a scaled down version of FB) I have over 20 regular customers maybe more and the refferal business from these is awesome too.
Good luck with your business.
Regards Jason
Also get yourself on Google Maps using the My Business App from the app store.
I agree with the " power " of the Nextdoor network. I'm always seeing people asking for recommendations and getting replies. And it's all local work. Peter
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