This is the definition of off-topic, I know, but bear with me. My uncle has a small lawn-mowing business, and whatever clients come in through word of mouth. Things have been a bit rough lately, and since he obviously doesn’t have a marketing team (unless you count me and my “I watched a couple YouTube videos and read some blogs so I must know something” level of expertise), I’m trying to help him a little. One idea I came up with by chance is to put a QR code on his van (I made a QR code recently to share WiFi credentials with my guests, so it crossed my mind I could look for ideas on the generator blog, and I found this). When people walk by or see him parked somewhere, they can scan it and land on a simple page to book a service with a small discount. Seems super easy and doesn’t require him to explain things 20 times. I’m also thinking of printing the same QR code on some flyers and leaving them around the wider neighborhood area. I’d love a few more creative ideas that don’t require a big budget or complicated tools. Maybe something he could do while he’s already out working. I mean, I looked it up, there's a bunch of things, but I appreciate first-hand experience a lot more. For example, is there a smart way to encourage neighbors to book him when they see him mowing someone else’s yard? Or a simple follow-up idea after he finishes a job so people remember him next season? Any small, practical ideas would really help.
Immediate things that come to mind: Does the van have signwriting on it? Is he wearing branded clothing & high-vis? Does he drop flyers to neighbouring homes when he does a job? Flyers in the windows of newsagents etc? Does he put up a small A-board near where he's working? Does he have a website & proper email address (I.E. not gmail etc)? Are there prices on it? Are there reviews on it? What does his trustpilot look like?
Wow, I think these immediate things that came to your mind are enough to build the entire strategy. I am making this a checklist. The van does have a signwriting and he has a website (and work email), nothing fancy, but loads quickly. No reviews there, though, so - a lot of work to be done based on these questions alone. Thanks, I really appreciate it.
Do be sure to include an actual web address and not just the QR code, a large portion of the population aren't going to scan random codes they find out in the wild
What, you mean you don’t like the idea of your phone being hijacked with malware when you scan a QR code…? Next you’ll be telling me you don’t scan NFC tags that are dotted around on random things like bus stops…
one of the things I keep seeing, usually in america, is doing free mowing for the elderly/people in need and documenting it on fb/insta/tiktok.youtube etc. drives community involvement, puts eyeballs on the business name etc. If your sat doing nothing, you may as well do something to help someone!
After he has branded clothes, a professional van, and good fliers, he could keep a look out for businesses with unkept outdoor areas as he drives around. If he diversifies slightly to also do weed spraying and power washing then he could cover most of what a shop, office or cafe needs. Offer a discounted or free first appointment, then a reasonable, well invoiced subscription model and they might go for it. A lot of it comes down to attitude too. He has to know that he's working in sales and customer relations every day, and adopt the attitude that goes along with it. It seems like he's getting referrals, which means he's probably doing things right, but there's always more he could do. Maybe have a friend of yours (not his) hire him and colelct some honest feedback. Lastly, get a network of other contractors started. Personally, I never know where to find anyone so I often ask other tradespeople. E.g. I might find an electrician through asking a good plumber who they trust. Local business organisations and the masons are apparently good for building relationships.
