Best and worst advertising for a saw shop

[Derf]

I know a lot of white-collar desks get internet time, and you can likely reach a lot of homeowners through targeted internet advertising...but a lot of blue collar workers are too busy to play online, especially the older crowd who are still just getting to discover the merits of smart phones. Those people carry 'dumb phones' and spend a lot of time listening to the radio. The guys that come cut my lawn always have the radio going, I'm sure it's true in the truck when they go between jobs too. The older generation still watch tv but tv advertising is too expensive, and with 700+ channels, trying to get noticed is as tough as competing on the internet.
I'd say if you have only a few decent FM stations in your area, find out what advertising on them costs. You're bound to have some guys that run saws for a living tripping over those ads.

 

[Dub11]

^^^^^^^^Wait a minute you don't cut your own grass?

 

[Dub11]

Dont use "WE FIX SAWS N CHIT"
As an ad slogan. Too cheech & chong sounding..
Unless yer in east LA.. then it might work..

Can I use that and east Topeka kinda looks like east LA

 

[Marshy]

When I'm looking for service and products I turn to Google and read reviews. I do this for everything, non-chain restaurants to gadgets/electronics and stupid stuff my wife thinks we need to buy. Specifically I try to read the bad reviews to see if they seller/product is bunk or if the user is an idiot. If I have a really bad experience I'll leave a review. I generally don't leave positive reviews so if I see two businesses close to each other that offer the smart thing but one has 10 reviews and the other has 50 then I have to wonder if they are doing something better vs the one with 10.

If you are trying to drum up some online reviews there has to be a way to entice people to leave an electronic review, I just don't know what that looks like or how. Most of the chain stores have a survey at the bottom of your receipt that enters you into a chance to win something. Idk if something like that could be done in your case.

 

[junkman]

Do you have an ebay store set up ? A lot of people look strictly ebay so can use paypal easy .

 

[danimal]

Can I use that and east Topeka kinda looks like east LA

Sure...

 

[Dub11]

Thanks now I just need to translate

 

[fordf150]

Do you have an ebay store set up ? A lot of people look strictly ebay so can use paypal easy .

I sell on ebay but only like 10 items. Just enough that i can pack up a few business cards per month and send to new customers. Ebay fees and the customer always being right/able to return even used parts and get full credit means i will probably never expand what i sell there.

 

[CJ Brown]

Another view from the customer viewpoint.
Curb appeal - have a big sign that looks BOLD and professional, preferably lighted. Have easy access (don't park lawnmowers on your parking lot). Look busy, but not cluttered. Keep the place clean and painted outside. If you look great from the road, people will assume you take pride in your business.

 

[Dub11]

Another view from the customer viewpoint.
Curb appeal - have a big sign that looks BOLD and professional, preferably lighted. Have easy access (don't park lawnmowers on your parking lot). Look busy, but not cluttered. Keep the place clean and painted outside. If you look great from the road, people will assume you take pride in your business.

Or dirty grungy on the out side so it looks like ya been there a hundred years. And I totally agree on clutter free!

 

[Cut4fun]

IMO word of mouth is the best advertising.

 

[fordf150]

Another view from the customer viewpoint.
Curb appeal - have a big sign that looks BOLD and professional, preferably lighted. Have easy access (don't park lawnmowers on your parking lot). Look busy, but not cluttered. Keep the place clean and painted outside. If you look great from the road, people will assume you take pride in your business.

thats a fail for me....packed full is the only comments i get about my shop.

 

[Cut4fun]

Nate when you get in your new place should help.

You are hard to find where your hidden back at now.

 

[fordf150]

Nate when you get in your new place should help.

You are hard to find where your hidden back at now.

I keep telling myself that but its not likely i will make it in there before late fall at the earliest.

 

[bigrichard81]

Search engine optimization is a paid for service that help to ensure you land at the top of web searches. I helped a gentleman with some 3d printed he was selling and he informed me the company he hired had some contract where he would be in the top 5 results for certain keywords or they wouldnt charge him the full price.

 

[Nitehawk55]

Good customer service and word of mouth from happy customers are always your best and it sounds like you have a good start in that area .

Stihl sold TV and radio time slots to dealers as well as flyers in the mail thru promotional programs but I'm sure Makita likely doesn't ?

 

[angelo c]

Hire the hottest looking "counter girls" you can find. Put a pole in the middle of the place and hand out cheap beer.
Stand back and watch the crowd grow.
Nothing creates a crowd better then a "crowd".
Has worked since the start of time.....

 

[Ikeholt]

If you are just moderately friendly and show a slight interest in your customers, you'd be better than any saw shop around here. I like shops that have a mom and pop look to them.

 

[fordf150]

Hire the hottest looking "counter girls" you can find. Put a pole in the middle of the place and hand out cheap beer.
Stand back and watch the crowd grow.
Nothing creates a crowd better then a "crowd".
Has worked since the start of time.....

COUNTER CANDY

I'd be single if i did that

 

[fordf150]

Just for reference for anyone that hasnt been in my shop.....narrow paths only....but i do a pretty good job of having the parts on hand, most of the time. Anymore stuff and i will be hanging it from the ceiling