Best way to gain more clients?
Hello everyone! I am new to the entrepreneurial world. I recently started a lawn care and landscaping business. I am curious what have other had most success with when trying to gain more clients? Paying for ads on social media, go door to door and hand out flyers/cards? What's the best way to go about things?Price Transparency
None of the locals have any pricing on their websites. As a customer I hate searching for general pricing. I'm considering posting my trip fee and pricing for some of the more common tasks a handyman would do. Tough to do for more custom jobs or problematic installs, but it seems that letting a customer know up front that replacing a basic ceiling fan is $99 labor may save them, and me, some time. Thoughts?
When Competitors Race to the Bottom: How you Can Push Back—Without Slashing Prices
The Pain Backflow work has become a Craigslist price-war: unlicensed techs quote 30 % below cost, plumbers toss in a “” freebies" to win a bigger job, and customers—squeezed by the economy—grab the cheapest line item they see. Result: we’re pitching value while they’re slinging bargain stickers, and it feels like we’re getting chopped at the knees. How do I handle these "Cheap competitors" and Hold the line on value?How Referral Systems Are Changing the Home Improvement Game
Referral programs aren’t new, but they’re becoming a huge part of the home improvement world. Homeowners want trusted pros, and contractors want more jobs—referrals make that happen. Why They Work People trust word-of-mouth over ads. A referral from a friend or neighbor carries weight, and when companies reward that, it’s a win-win for everyone. How People Are Using Them Homeowners save money – Discounts or perks for referring friends. Contractors grow their business – More jobs without spending big on ads. Loyalty programs – Earn rewards for multiple referrals. Community referrals – Nextdoor, Facebook groups, and forums are full of trusted recommendations. Make It Work for You If you're a contractor, a solid referral program can bring in quality leads without the heavy marketing costs. Try something simple—offer $50 off the next project for both the referrer and the new client when they book. It’s an easy way to keep customers coming back while bringing in new ones who already trust your work. Are you currently using a referral program with your business? Drop a comment!$200K in 2 Years: Here's How!
My 5-Step Process for Creating a Recurring Revenue Stream for Any Service 1. Identifying the Right Service Assessing Your Current Services List your current service offerings. Identify frequently requested or needed services by customers. Look for easy opportunities ("low-hanging fruit") where you can add value quickly. Understanding Customer Pain Points Conduct surveys or interviews with current customers to uncover recurring problems or unmet needs. Analyze customer feedback, reviews, and service history for trends. Conducting Competitive Analysis Research competitors' recurring service offerings. Identify market gaps that your business can fill effectively. Brainstorming Potential Services Examples include: Regular maintenance checks Seasonal services Safety inspections Ongoing support 2. Creating Your Recurring Revenue Model Designing Service Packages Develop tiered service packages (e.g., Basic, Premium, Deluxe). Define what each package includes, such as service frequency and additional benefits. Setting a Pricing Strategy Competitive Pricing: Compare with similar market offerings. Cost-Plus Pricing: Calculate costs and add a profit margin. Value-Based Pricing: Base prices on perceived customer value. Offer discounts for long-term commitments (e.g., annual subscriptions). Exclude material costs; instead, offer them as add-ons with a markup. Structuring Membership Programs Take the time to design the membership model and structure. Create exclusive programs offering: Priority scheduling Special discounts Foster community through email campaigns and newsletters. 3. Building and Testing the Service Operational Setup Develop clear processes for service delivery (e.g., scheduling, protocols). Train staff to maintain consistency and quality. Invest in tools and technology, such as CRM systems, scheduling software, and automation tools. Launching a Pilot Program Test the service with a small group of loyal customers. Collect feedback on the experience. Measure metrics like customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and operational performance. Making Adjustments Refine services based on feedback. Adjust pricing and processes as needed. Streamline operations for efficiency. 4. Bringing the Service to Market Crafting a Marketing Strategy Develop a compelling value proposition. Highlight benefits such as convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind. Utilizing Marketing Channels Leverage email marketing, social media, local ads, and direct mail. Create sales funnels tailored to each channel. Use testimonials, reviews, and case studies to build credibility. Sales Tactics Train your sales team to communicate the value of recurring services. Use upselling techniques to convert one-time customers to recurring clients. Introduce limited-time promotions or discounts to attract new customers. Retention Strategies Create nurturing sequences for customer engagement. Provide excellent customer service to maintain satisfaction. Regularly check in with customers and promptly address issues. Offer loyalty programs and incentives to retain clients. 5. Managing and Scaling Operational Management Use robust systems to manage subscriptions and memberships. Avoid overloading current systems or staff; rely on technology for efficiency. Continuously monitor service delivery and customer satisfaction. Scaling Up Expand offerings based on customer demand and market trends. Consider geographic expansion to reach new markets. Fostering Continuous Improvement Regularly review and refine service packages and pricing. Stay informed on industry trends and innovate services. Act on customer feedback to ensure ongoing improvements. Any questions feel free to reach out!Setting and Achieving Revenue/Sales Goals
At the beginning of each month, I take this time check in oh how I'm doing for my quarterly goal. Since it's July, I look back at last quarter and see how I did so that I can set and crush my monthly/quarterly goals for July and Q3. I typically start by looking at my capacity, and what I already have booked out. I see how much revenue I should be able to generate if all my guys are at 95-100% capacity for the month/quarter/year. From there, I figure out my recent conversion rate, average ticket, and number of jobs completed. That way, I can see how many leads I need to source and if I need to adjust price, sales approach, etc. How are you guys setting yourselves up to hit your goals?How Much Should You Really Be Charging?
The number one question I receive is tied directly to the fact, most contractors are still guessing when it comes to pricing. Overhead. Profit. Labor rate. Trip fees. They think just because they throw a number they hear their competitors use, thats all that they need. It may work, but how and what do you divide these funds is just as important for your business health. If you don’t know how to do the math, you’re not building a business. You’re surviving check to check and think you need more work, when you do not. So here’s the plan: This Tuesday & Thursday on IG, I’m walking you through our Contractor Price Builder Worksheet FREE on instagram live. We will cover: - How to calculate your real hourly rate - The difference between markup and margin - Why profit is a non-negotiable - And how to price with confidence Join the session. Bring your numbers.
Launching This Summer Looking for Tips on Hosting a Free Service Day for Veterans & Seniors
We’re getting ready to launch AquaDogs Pressure Washing this summer, and we want to kick things off with a free service day for veterans and seniors in our town. For those of you who’ve done community-focused events or local givebacks. How did you promote it, stay organized, and still make it financially sustainable in those early days? Would love any lessons learned!
