Opinions Please

[bigragu714]

hi guys, well, i just finished getting incorporated, got my co name and such and now its on to setting up a website, buisness cards ect.

I found a website that sells yard signs and you can get 100 for $150 (18x24). I will be hanging them everywhere and anywhere i can, but mostly it will probably be on the sides of the road. that being said, i cant put too much into it. I cant list all the things i want to list cause it wont be fully read as cars will be going by at 30-40 MPH , the thing i want to get out there is my name. The company name is Mr Powerwash......i can go one of two ways....i can go with the basic sign and list the basics like house washing roof cleaning or i can do something stupid like MR POWERWASHER FOR PRESIDENT OR MR POWERWASHER GOES TO WASHINGTON. with my phone number and free estimates.....i remmeber way back when i was a kid, there was a guy, who saturated the area. i mean saturated with his goofy signs and it was a head scratcher, but, he got HUGE......and i always remmebered his name and when i needed a roof on my home, i didnt go into the yellow pages, i just called information and got his number.....yes i know my work has to be good but my question is what way woudl you go to just get a name out there? something to catch the eye and get a head scratch and maybe get remmbered or the basics? any feedback positive or negative would be appreciated. Also this isnt all i am doing marketing wise

 

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Forget your NAME, sell your SERVICE.
When I first started out, my signs simply said "Roof Cleaning" and my phone number.
On a Limited space sign, offer your service, and your phone number ONLY.
Target some market like concrete, roofs, or whatever, and go after it.
Once you GET a name, you can promote it.

 

[Bryan C]

My personal opinion - these signs posted everywhere scream "Hack" to me. They are everywhere. Lawncare services, tree trimmers, leaf removal.

Spend the money elsewhere. Use it to get professional marketing materials - see Keith at KBK Graphics. That $150 will make you more money than a ton of signs that get ripped down by companies like mine every time I see them...

 

[roofredo]

Do a email flier blast to all the realtors in your market it has worked for me.

 

[Steven Button]

hey buddy

I won't profess to be any kind of expert, I do not have experience in this industry. However, a few things I have learned in practice and in theory is that marketing is a bigger beast than just one promotional or advertising activity (I am sure you already know this, as you mentioned that you have other marketing activities!!)

my question is what way woudl you go to just get a name out there? something to catch the eye and get a head scratch and maybe get remmbered or the basics? any feedback positive or negative would be appreciated. Also this isnt all i am doing marketing wise

I agree with Chris in that you need to sell your SERVICE, as ultimately this is what people are buying. However, as many others have eluded to and what is true across all product and service offerings is the customer does not merely purchase the core offering - they are also purchasing the added benefits (expertise, knowledge, speed, image, customer care, attention, follow-up, etc.).

Therefore, I would say that your name is important aswell - not just in the sense that it portrays an image in the customers mind, but your name is associated with your service just as much as your service is associated with your name... "Mr. Powerwash", in my opinion this will stick in people's minds

It may be your business name, but if you meet and exceed customer needs you will become 'Mr. Powerwash'... the personal nature of the name is easily transferred to an individual - that in itself could be become a whole new Promotional Tool.

Sorry about the lecture, back to the question.

To get my name out there, I need to have it in front of the people who will buy from me - so if signs do that, GREAT!! I can understand the frustration people have with the lowballer sign guys, but if you are using it in your marketing communications, so be it - whatever works. I would take care in sign placement, and not have them where potential customers will drive by them at speed. I would also conduct other marketing activities in the area you are targeting: flyers, driving logo'ed truck in community, speak to local business owners, supermarkets, contact HOA's, churches, community groups, etc, etc. If money is tight, you can reach your target fairly easily by talking to the above groups.

If you can catch their eye and get a head scratch, you are one step of the way there - Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. Do a search for AIDA Persuasion Process on the internet, it may help with how you produce marketing materials.

Annie Meachem, in her book 'Attraction Marketing' says:

"for marketing to consistently bring you the results you want, you need to make it a habitual thing... akin to brushing your teeth twice a day... creat a MAD habit, 'Marketing Actions Daily' - you'll achieve more in the long term"

I hope this helps a little, good luck... hey, submit a Press Release to your local newspapers... afterall you are 'Mr. Powerwash'!!!