[mnormington]

I want to do people's driveways but I really don't know how to go about getting business. I know I could put my number in the phone book, but that seems like overkill as I only want people close to me to call and I don't really want more than 50 or so driveways to do when it's all said and done. Maybe a small lot or two also, but not sure I want to be on the hook for salting and stuff like that.

I did make some cool magnetic signs for my doors and put my number on the front of my plow by the lights so when I drive around with the plow they will have my number. My initial plan is to wait for snow and drive around in residential areas by my house with the plow until someone flags me down or calls. I'm really not sure how well that's going to work, but thought I'd give it a shot.

Any suggestions or comments?

 

[IMAGE]

Merry Christmas

If your all legit with commercial insurance and all, then just put up some fliers, and an add on craigslist. I have done good getting new customers and only started about a month ago. They will see your flier and call when you get a big storm, lots and lots of calls in a big storm.

 

[mnormington]

where do you put flyers up at?

 

[theplowmeister]

I drive around an area I want to do, write down the addresses of the houses I want. Go to the town hall purchase a "list of persons" or "voter List" names are listed by street address. send them letters.
When I get a customer, do good work and give them a discount for referrals. If a customer sends me 3 people that sign up with me I will plow him for Free for the season. Why put it in the paper? I don't want to drive allover town, I have 94 driveways in a 1.5 miles.

 

[mnormington]

Hey plowmeister those are some fine suggestions. Now I'm gonna hi-jack my own thread -- What kind of air shocks do you have on the front of your jeep? I can't seem to find any. Also, dual batteries? What's that for?

 

[Mick]

If you put your number on your plow and drive around for people to see after a snowstorm, who's answering the phone and how do you get the message?

It all depends on your situation, but for me driving around was a waste of time and fuel. Put up a notice at your local convenience store, put a small ad in the local shopper, let your neighbors know you are looking for plowing customers and generally talk snow to anyone who'll listen.

Phone book is way too expensive and too big a target area for a one-man show. Start small and grow slow. Too many fail because they started out big or tried to grow the business in too big a leap. Some small and some really big guys have tried and "got buried".

 

[mnormington]

If you put your number on your plow and drive around for people to see after a snowstorm, who's answering the phone and how do you get the message?

Good question... it's my cell phone so they'll get the dispatcher direct - that's me!

 

[DirtyJerzey]

Im new to it as well... i got a bunch of buisness cards made up and some flyers, I hand them out, i also went to a lot of food stores where they have those bulletin boards in the entrance and posted up some flyers in there... left cards at pizza places and what not too

 

[dfdsuperduty]

you can also contact some of the larger snow services that do strictly commercial accounts and ask them if they would refer people that call for residential service to you some may and some may not but it is just a suggestion may be able to get some good leads

 

[theplowmeister]

mnormington

My TJ has a 4 1/2 inch lift so my shocks would not fit yours. I cant find the part# on my shocks.... go to gabrial web site find the PDF file with shock specafications find the shock that fits your jeep then use those specs to find an air shock that is close IE mounting, extended length, compresed length. I know the shocks from a 1985 thunderberd rear fit the front of a YJ with a stock suspention. good luck!

 

[mnormington]

Well... I got business cards, put up flyers at all the local restaurants and the local stores. Got 1 inquiry as I was putting up the first flyer and handed the guy a card. It's supposed to snow 3-6" tomorrow so I got my fingers crossed. Hope I get a couple two tree calls then I'll be happy enough.

 

[Plowfast9957]

I dont know if you have one where you are but my best resopnse came from a local FREE newspaper. The ads are generally inexpensive too. When I first started out most of the calls came just before the storms and throughout the day after.

 

[mnormington]

I dont know if you have one where you are but my best resopnse came from a local FREE newspaper. The ads are generally inexpensive too. When I first started out most of the calls came just before the storms and throughout the day after.

I'm gonna have to give that a try. Everything else I tried got me a whole lotta nothing.

 

[TEX]

do you have insurance that covers you?

what are you charging for a "normal" drive?

where are you removing the snow and dumping it? your sign and rig say snow removal


in no way trying to be a jerk..............just a few things that will come up at some time

good luck and make some $$$$

 

[CJNORD]

If your looking for work I can give you some. Do you have insurance?

I'm out of Oak Forest.

 

[Clapper&Company]

And plowsite makes friends again......

Hope hes not like some people, and take the job and show up cutting dougnuts

 

[mnormington]

do you have insurance that covers you?

what are you charging for a "normal" drive?

where are you removing the snow and dumping it? your sign and rig say snow removal

in no way trying to be a jerk..............just a few things that will come up at some time

good luck and make some $$$$

Good point... I'll have to change the sign if it comes up I guess. Of course, around here the snow usually melts before it gets a chance to pile up much.

 

[mnormington]

If your looking for work I can give you some. Do you have insurance?

I'm out of Oak Forest.

I would certainly be interested in talking to you. My number's on the post above so feel free to call about it. Thanks.

 

[tom_mccauley]

If your looking for work I can give you some. Do you have insurance?

I'm out of Oak Forest.

Small world!!!, I grew up in Midlothian on Kenton.