Need Help BAD!

[foreststump]

Hello,

Just recently went into the stump grinding business. Competition does not seem to be too heavy where I live and there are stumps everywhere. The challenge has been trying to get people to part with their money to get them removed. I know most people in this business are charging an arm and a leg to get stumps removed ($250.00+ for a 30 inch stump) and most don't haul the chips away. I am not even charging half that and I am hauling the chips away for no extra charge and I can't get a sniff. It's been all I can do to practically give my service away. I called all the tree services in my area they all took my name and number supposedly haven't heard from any of them. I have business cards, flyers I have been going door to door leaving flyers....must have left about 80 of them so far, not a single call. I mean I haven't even got a call from someone telling me to stay the @%#*% off their property. Zero, nada, zilch! I've advertised in the local paper. I have beautiful advertising on my truck and grinder. I am absolutely dying here. What in Gods name am I doing wrong???

 

[Garandman]

Get a Facebook page, it's free. Invite your friends to follow it, go from there. Volunteer some jobs at old folks homes, hospitals, fire stations, etc and get testimonials.

Most small business owners do not realize they will have to spend two days a week finding business, and replace 1/4 their customers every year.

 

[/pine]

It will take some time...have you tried posting your services on Craig's List?

Try leaving your business cards on any available bulletin boards (shops, laundry mats etc. etc.)

I see the most (stump grinding) signs in areas effected by recent wind storms etc...

Good Luck...hang in there...!

 

[dixiedrifter]

There is a guy I know of that has been doing this since I was a teenager. Has a small vermeer towed behind an early 90's model compact toyota 4WD pickup which neither one looks as if it has had a bath in the last 6 months. No fancy outfit for sure. Charges a $1 an inch with a minimum of $50 just to come out. Guy tells his customers to simply leave the chips there and rot to act as fill for when the stump finally does rot so it won't leave as bad of a hole. There is no telling how much this guy has made over the years.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

It does take some time. Talk to the guys at the repair shop and rental houses that may not rent a big stump grinder. Take them some business and ask that they give your name out. Put your name up at the gas station. Website helps. Simple is fine to start and get some cards and pass them out.
I started out looking hard for work. If you are outgoing, go talk to realtors and construction guys. Most companies do more than just stump grind so consider adding services like tree removal or planting.

If I had to rely just on my stump grinding, even with a solid reputation and lots of advertising, I'd starve..

 

[CanuckPT]

It never hurts to join a local community service group such as Rotary or Lions to help network. I've wasted thousands of dollars on advertising - word of mouth, through clients or friends is the advertising you can't buy! Maybe you could donate a couple of stump grindings to local charities when they're fundraising? That may generate some word or mouth advertising & at the very least, get you name out there & establish some good will.