Advertising that works for you

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

We've gone without advertising for about 15 years. Word of mouth is good, BUT a lot of our older customers are dying off, and others are moving away, at the same time more and more firms are starting up or coming in from further afield and working in our area. There is only so much that word of mouth can do. So, recently we put ads in a local mag, which has already paid off. My daughter delivered leaflets in another area, and we got a call the following day with a big clearance job and more work to follow, so that's paid off. And we've just gone to Check-a-trade. This is something we swore we'd never do.... BUT that looks like it's just about to pay for itself in ONE week with a couple of jobs in already!

 

 

'Check-a-trade', interestingly I've just had a look at the website and it's good to see 'Tree Surgery' has it's own separate listing and isn't included in the 'Gardening' section...PHEW!

 

At home the 'Buy with Confidence' scheme administered by the County Council Trading Standards gets radio coverage, unfortunately tho it lists tree surgery under gardening...perhaps I should drop them a line!

 

Another idea / thought, unbelievably our central heating boiler, whihc was installed just 12months ago, received a birthday card last week from the plumber(?) who installed it and guess what, it reminded the bolier it needs a service. Made me laugh but more importnatly from the plumbers point of view it made me call him and book a service.

 

Not suggesting there's a direct equivalent for us but maybe hedge trimming is an annual task and we could send a polite letter saying to contact you if they need help this year...dunno?

 

Good luck and I hope things pick up soon for everyone.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[Theocus]

Paul..... stop giving the game away!!!! I send my clients a "hope all is well letter" but never a birthday card for a conifer hedge trim!!

[PhilBeech]

Checkatrade is a fantastic resource. I got in when it first started and it became our only form of advertising. Highly recommended.