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Hi Gareth,
I'm with you this year with wanting to push winter services. Previously I've been studying over winter, or grateful of a breather. Now I've got two others on board it's a little different.
Through my website, Wix gives me two free 'shoutouts' per month. With some elderly, and some unopened, we can reach half of of customer base this way. One email per month might be general info, another a season specific upsell - eg this time of year in order - lawn renovation, lawn scarification, autumn treatments, winter gardening services (educate regarding winter mowing?), lawn aeration... so on.
This year I've got a letter ready. Ideally this will be handed to each customer in person where possible as it might just start a conversation on the spot - or it may generate a couple of recommendations, time will tell. At least it will reach everyone. The great thing about it and the emails is that all can be recycled for each year.
Suggesting what you could do on the spot / up selling face to face is always the best method as you can point out exact what can be done and what you can offer. Working through the contacts list and speaking to the ones you don't see in person is another move.
I don't feel that winter specific marketing for new customers is something that would bring us new customers under the name of 'Kingsbury Lawn Care', with me preferring to make the best use of the customers and contact / email list built to date - relatively inexpensive.
I plan on emailing and getting letters out in the first two weeks of Oct - before that and it's still a while before we can fit extra in.
Im in the South and cut up to end November/beginning December and then out again end feb/beginning March. I dont really want "winter" specific work. Christmas is time off and January for sorting equipment and any paperwork outstanding. February is walking the streets dropping flyers.
If you're a ST then whether you do is a life style decision you can make.
If you employ staff and you consider them your most valuable asset, then you will look to plan ahead and decide on how to handle 'winter'.
My mate always 'moans' about no winter work available, but the truth of it when out for a beer is that he doesn't want to work (and somewhat goes for the sympathy vote from his partner while he puts his feet up and takes s 'break'). No problem with that, but just be open that it really is his decision...,
I've got a little page on the web site about winter work - that probaly needs expanding a bit, but it gives some ideas of the jobs that you can be doing.
https://www.edwardsgardenservices.co.uk/garden-services/winter-gard...
For us here in the mild mild west, the focus is on restoration, renovation, pruning, composting, lots of mulching, jet washing, - all horticultural issues. Keeps us busy.
great website gareth, ill bookmark it -- i work glocs and would gladly pass it on to any large / historic site.
I work around Bristol to Frome. I about fill 3 days a week during winter with work I've pushed back through the year. However I fill the rest of the time with gritting work. Which, if it's cold enough, is far far far more profitable than garden work.
Do you need a yard for storage of salt etc as I run my business from home.
I look forward to the day when I can sit in a warm office and just send my minions out to do winter work ;-)
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