Need help marketing a new mobile lawn equipment repair business on a tight budget

by Rob28x
13 replies
Ok so got this new mobile small engine repair business, need help getting the word out. Looking for ideas to help get business on a budget using more then just craigslist. In regards to craigslist, here's my competition: http://flint.craigslist.org/fgs/3299642726.html


Thanks in advance for any help.
#budget #business #equipment #lawn #marketing #mobile #repair #tight
  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Do you also do snow blower repair? Lawn season is just about done?

    If you are worried about the ad you can create one as well.
    Either do it yourself or go to Fiverr and type in image ad.

    Why did you start the business?
    Who did you think you would be able to help?
    Signature
    Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
    - Neale Donald Wilson -
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  • Profile picture of the author zoro
    Build them a Mobile Website. Give them a free QR Code. Ask them to print cards (business card size) with the QR Code on it. Ask them to hand out the cards to potential prospects. QR Code will take user to a Special Offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author midasman09
    Banned
    OK! Here's something that worked for a buddy of mine;

    I had just finished one of my Promo-Programs that involved a local Pizzeria. I got the Pizza Guy to agree to honor my "PIZZA KARDS" (20 FREE Pizzas (buy 1 get one free)) (See my Pizza Kards photo on my site. Link below)

    So....since the Pizza Guy had agreed to honor my "20 FREE PIZZAS" Kards , I told my Small engine repair guy to run an ad that said;

    "20 FREE PIZZAS WITH ANY SERVICE!"
    Stop by or Phone..."

    So...instead of me selling 100 or 200 Pizza Kards for $10 ea...I GAVE them to my buddy who....GAVE THEM TO EVERYONE WHO CAME IN TO GET SERVICE".

    Now....his cost was ZIP for the Pizza Kards. The Pizza Guy got to sell some pizzas and the customers got FREE Pizzas.

    The Pizza Kards don't cost much to have 500 printed. Almost any Pizza Guy would go for this because this gets MORE people buying his Pizzas.

    Give it a try. Helped my buddy OVERCOME the competition.

    Don Alm....idea guy
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Rob, target those that are in the business of mowing lawns.

      They on average clock up 200 times more hours in a 2 week period than a DIY'r.

      This means they are going to need repairs more often.

      One downside with them though,
      is they already have their favorite repair guy.

      So be very clear in what he can do, which they value,
      what his competition can't.

      This could be lower down time because he travels to job sites,
      therefore he's back earning money faster than having to take
      the mower to a workshop.

      Getting a letter in their hands is going to be the biggest return for him
      because there is no waste of media spend as 100% of his prospects get to see it.

      I was 11 years in the lawnmowing game and bought repair services.

      Best,
      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author powerfull seo
    Mate this is easy for you!!! create a wordpress blog, you will need hosting and domain, preferably your business name!! Ok seen as though you are local you only need to target local areas!! start thinking what you clients would search for in google!!!! So in other words dont target keywords like small engine, small engine repairs,,,you will need to target the long tail keywords..So if i lived in Boston..my wife would type in---- "lawn mower repairs in Boston" or "small engine mechanics in boston" PS dont use these keywords just in case they dont work But you get the drift,,I have great success with with cleaning company's website and got them to No 1 -2-3-4th spot almost totally wiping out completion in there areas ... Hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author crs30
    Get them an AdWords coupon, buy them some traffic. Partner up with some other offline businesses and cross-promote. Put up flyers on bulletin boards. Come up with something newsworthy and submit a press release.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoro
    If you're building them a website don't use "Exact Match Domains" because Google Big Bad Panda latest updates is punishing EMD to the Back and Beyond never to be found.

    I just had EMD 5 websites ranking on page 1 banished to beyond page 100.
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  • Profile picture of the author bonniecolvin
    Originally Posted by Rob28x View Post

    Ok so got this new mobile small engine repair business, need help getting the word out. Looking for ideas to help get business on a budget using more then just craigslist. In regards to craigslist, here's my competition: ***MOBILE*** SMALL ENGINE REPAIR***


    Thanks in advance for any help.
    Do you have a website?
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob28x
    Thanks for all of the suggestions. No website or anything yet, this is starting with a fresh slate.

    ewenmack- That was my thought as well. Nothing worse for a lawn crew then having equipment breaking down in the field, then having to get it back on the trailer and have the downtime taking it to the dealer just to have it sit for days.

    vndnbrgj- as we are in Michigan, winter equipment repair is the norm for 4 months of the year.

    midasman09- The pizza cards are an interesting idea.

    zoro - Thanks for the website tips.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Could have his business cards stapled to the letter
      so they always have it on hand.

      Best,
      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Besides lawn care companies....

    Also tagert property preservation companies. These are the guys that clean out and maintain foreclosures. My brother in law does this. When equipment breaks, it needs to be repaired or replaced immediately!

    I am on the other side of the state. But I am meeting a contractor that is one of the largest in the state. He has crews all over. So, if my brother in law gets sent to your neck of the woods, and his equipment breaks... he doesn't have a guy. He is getting on his phone to find some. He has deadlines. There is no waiting around.
    Signature
    Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
    - Neale Donald Wilson -
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    • Profile picture of the author Rob28x
      That's a good idea too!
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Ok let me give it a go.

    1. I assume you have a van (or truck) you use for repairs. Is it wrapped? Can't afford a wrap? Get some lettering. If I am in the business of lawns and need a guy I will remember your truck. Mobile repair sounds great if the cost is right.

    2. Craigslist. Just make sure your ads are better then the comp.

    3. If your prices are right for consumers why not do a post card drop with the EDDM system. One side of the card can talk about mowers (getting them ready to be put away) other side can be about snow blowers (winter is on it's way, if the blower doesn't start give Bart a call). If you get a good ROI from the test drop it means you should drop it harder and wider.

    4. Business cards everywhere. Print up a load and put them up everywhere you can for free. This is cheap, easy, and hopefully you will find the people who need you.

    5. Bandit signs.

    6. Direct mail letters to the following: Apartment complexes, lawn care services, schools, etc. Anyone you know who mows a lot and mows for themselves vs. hiring. Those that get hired to mow you need to find and mail as well. Cold call these guys as well. See them just get done mowing? Talk to them in person.

    7. SEO and focus on google places if that shows up in the searches people would use. Those that don't have a guy will google it. Do you show up? You better or they won't call.
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