I know there are currently only a few members, but the sooner we get things rolling the better.

Here in Michigan we're starting to get things around for the upcoming season. I have been busy sending out letters, working on bank/insurance stuff, and getting some new business cards made up. Anyways, things are looking pretty good for the upcomming season, the way it looks now, I will be retaining nearly all of last years customers, and have a good chance at some really high profit new accounts. So, how does the upcoming season look for everyone else?

Things look real good for us too. I only anticipate loosing 3 customers from last year, no big loss all three were PITA's anyway. We still have a ton of snow here with more on the way so between plowings I have been shopping for some new equipment . Plan on doing some target marketing in the next few weeks (if it warms up a little) and grab some high end neighborhoods.

I'm getting my big accounts back but many residential people are unsure what they are going to do for the summer at this point. I think that the economy isn't very good considering that many of my residential people are unsure of themselves.

Mike

In this part of the country business stays pretty much constant. We don't have an off season and never have to worry about returning customers, since we service them year round. Most mowing is done weekly 8 months per year and biweekly the other 4 months. However this time of year is when potential new customers begin calling, both residential and commercial. This is generally a good indication of how the up coming spring - summer season will play out. And judging by the calls we've been receiving for estimates on new properties, this may be our best year for growth since 1989!

Since I have not experienced having non-returning customers, which it seems you northern boys have to worry about. I have a question which if you answer may beneift all of us in one way or another. What type marketing do you use to get the quickest results for replacing your non-returning customers?

I do a lot of target marketing using mailings, flyers, and some door knockers. But I am able to wait on results, we rarely lose customers and when we do it is usually do to them selling, or their business failing. But both these cases are rare. Our biggest PITA is probably lowballers. But even these guys can be beneficial, because (if )they manage to take a customer away, about 95% of the time the customer will call you back... and their always willing to pay more.... even if their not begging you to return!

We are close to 1 week from mowing. But sticks pickup and yard cleanup have been going on for a few weekends.
As far as advertising (which i actually find more enjoyable than mowing lawns ) Use the setup of lawnforum.com and go to http://lawnforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11 and maybe discuss it there. That ways people who are new don't miss anything you might have written. And then you can get ideas from everyone else in one centralized place. The only reason i say that, is that given how there aren't that many people on this site, there would be less insight and tips given in this post.

check out www.servicemagic.com
www.landscapeleads.com

They will advertise for you on leads. I found servicemagic.com is helpful alot. You have to pay for leads but least you dont have to do alot of work to market and pay a high price to advertise in phone books.

I dont do that much of residential due to fact they will drop you in a hurry no matter what, also more picky, and alot of other factors.