BAD Lawn Care Business Yard-Sign Design!

[@jamiebost8032]

I love the fact you include your mistakes and keep it real.

[@edwardmajka3144]

Marathon Watching 8/1/21 Can’t Wait 😊 for what’s wrong with your signs. Learn something in this video.

[@JoeDoe2]

I've never heard of a 'bandit sign.' What is it? I don't think yellow on white would be good. Burnt orange maybe. Isn't 'Lawn' and 'Yard' care redundant? I can understand Lawn and Tree, or Yard and Tree, but not Lawn and Yard. What's the difference? Where could you possibly put so many signs and not have them taken by someone who wants to paint over and use them, steal the stakes, or homeowners and city workers pulling them up from medians and easements, with or without a fine once they find out who you are?

[@CopperCreekCuts]

3:44 :)

[@JoeDoe2]

Yeah, I edited my comment after I got to that part. Thanks.

[@CopperCreekCuts]

To your edited comment: Bandit signs are another term for yard signs. You are correct, Lawn and Yard care are redundant, and looking back I wouldn't put both words on one sign. My idea was that folks who wanted mulch or tree trimming or other 'not-mowing' things would connect with the yard care. That's me putting way too much thought into it. Your last point is why I don't use them anymore and ended up tossing the remaining ones. There are very few places in town I want more mowing customers (several select subdivisions). Placing the signs in those areas generated complaints to the city and removal of the signs. Therefore my choices are, put the signs further out, like on the side of the interstate merge ramp which would bring in yards I do not want, or keep putting signs in those neighborhoods, potentially leaving a bad taste in my target customer's mouths. I didn't want to do either so switch to postcard marketing.

[@JoeDoe2]

I don't know how big the Interstate merge ramp signs would be, but with cars accelerating to enter the Interstate, I'm guessing it needs to be big for them to see it in time to write something down from it, but I'm sure you thought of that already. I was thinking about putting small ones (no bigger than yours, and probably smaller) near stop signs within residential neighborhoods, and trusting no one would care or complain for 24-48 hours until I take it down when I'm back in the neighborhood. Then rinse and repeat a week later. (I've actually seen them ON stop sign poles, attached with zip ties at driver eye level). It would be in neighborhoods where I'm passing out business cards door to door, so I'm in the area anyway. I've seen people put up signs that say "I BUY HOUSES" etc. and leave them, but they're already rich with money to burn, so if they disappear, they don't care. I have hand made ones with a black marker on white and I don't even want THOSE to disappear. I'd pick 4-8 streets per day to place them, not necessarily right next to each other, so that any given car that stops at the stop sign doesn't know they're all over the subdivision, reducing the chance of eyesore complaints, cluttering up the neighborhood. It probably sounds like I'm overthinking it too, but let me know if you have any thoughts on this strategy. Yes, it's a hassle, but I figure it's better than nothing, at least until I find out it doesn't work either, when I already know Craigslist and business cards on doors doesn't work. So let's say a sign is in one spot for a day or two maximum, then it's gone the rest of the week, and a person glances at it, but they aren't ready yet cause it's not April yet, they aren't desperate, or they haven't yet found out that last year's yard guy ain't gonna be around. The next time the sign pops up, they know it ain't stayin' around so they figure "I better write it down while it's there this time" and they call. If the idea doesn't work over the course of the next month, then I might as well quit hassling with the cat and mouse sign game cause everyone will have picked their guy by then. I'm new, so I figure if I can't get at least 10 yards, I might as well go wait tables or peel potatoes in the kitchen part-time, even though the pay sucks. If 5-10 turned into 15-20 by next year, I'd be fine. I'm not working on volume or expecting to get rich. Too many other guys will undercut my price for basic mow, trim, blow, by $5-10. That's OK if I get all the yards I want anyway and make more per hour than they do.

[@JoeDoe2]

They must call them bandit signs cause people are always stealing them.

[@longbeach.bradlydalmatian6130]

I am I remember paying about $40 for a two-sided sign a piece from the chain store 15 years ago I think, I am in my own home I don't think 50 customers is a Enough to pay the bills anymore

[@CopperCreekCuts]

I am very fortunate that my wife's income pays all the bills. Anything from my lawn care is extra. That was some serious coinage for 1 sign! How times have changed :)

[@wyattslawnservice7212]

Sorry to hear that your disappointed for what you were looking for... The good thing is that the graphics match your trailer and therefore might create some form of brand recognition :) But as business owners we learn from our mistakes, and we never stop learning.

[@CopperCreekCuts]

Wyatt's lawn service Yeah, no one's fault but mine. I know better for next time!

[@bigscout1584]

I would also chose a name (lawn/yard) and cut it down that way

[@CopperCreekCuts]

That's a good suggestion. I didn't think of that but it's right along the 'why use two words when one will do' policy! :)

[@longbeach.bradlydalmatian6130]

Bro you're being way too hard on yourself , there really nice signs they look classy perfect for neighborhoods when people are walking their dogs .. if the customer has a problem with you leaving that in their front yard make a little mini signs we are business for the neighbors to see

[@longbeach.bradlydalmatian6130]

She lived in a small state like I do you would need your area code I think the signs are just fine I actually like the little guy on the top , bro a dollar apiece how can you complain you'll definitely get calls , they definitely bring you more calls flyers in the mailbox or in the driveway with a bag of rocks are used to spend days bagging them up then go through them out of the driveway

[@CopperCreekCuts]

Haha, I hope so! Thanks for the encouragement! :)

[@gavinblack7154]

Thinking of a new name G.B lawn care West Akron lawn mantience Wallhaven yard care Which one?any suggestions?

[@CopperCreekCuts]

I never liked my name in the company name since that made things too personal. I like the second two, I am not sure which one dials in closer to your market area though!

[@gavinblack7154]

Copper Creek Cuts would it kinda seem weird seeing a truck wrapped with wallhaven yard care,if had my restorations about it .to me it doesn't sound quite professional enough. But it does get to the point what area does he work in ,wallhaven what work does he do,random yard shit

[@ulysses9537]

Have you gotten any calls?

[@CopperCreekCuts]

I only put a few out before complaints and they got taken up! Haha! So I didn't put any out after that, didn't want to anger potential clients!

[@lordrichard8184]

Good tips. Sorry that you learnt it the hard way.

[@CopperCreekCuts]

I learn most things that way! ;)