[moose02]

Hello

I'm curios what you all hand out with your quotes. I'm looking into having folders made up with company name on the front and mission statement, owner pic, etc on the inside left. along with that I would include a proposal, drawing, and any other juicy details.

this is my thinking,

there are many landscapers like my self one-three men crews. I want to stand out in a good way (not lifting my truck 6" and so on) being professional in hopes that it will help sell more and there for expanding.

What are you all giving along with your quotes?

[Stonehenge]

We've done fancier folders and the $.30 kind from the local Office Big Box, and there hasn't been a change in close rate, so I'd put your custom folder money into something else that might impress. A mini cd to include with the proposal that includes a portfolio, maybe.

As for what's in the folder, it's the usual - proposal, product literature, plant literature, reference list.

[malon]

i just give the quote and keep a carbon copy for myself, sometimes a scale drawing, sketch, or bubble diagram. i think all the info you would include in a folder could be put on a website or a cd.

[grassrootsatl]

plus a personal email. If there is a significant plant list, usually we'll include links w/ pics and characteristics.

i like the idea of the folders but that means one more trip to the site...that means more gas.

we are looking into trying a scanned sketch, email, and power point presentation sent as an attachment.

i'm with you though.

[fakie99]

you're on the right track moose, but a little late in the sales process. why not hand a potential client a folder with company background, licensing info, testimonials, references etc. - at your first meeting. i promise you'll be about the only one doing that. we have great success with it, as it answers every question a client might have and it lets them know we're willing to put our references out there, and we're proud of our abilities.

p.s. i really don't think clients care what an owner looks like, but a very short description is fine; focus more on the company than the owner....

[Cochran]

Fakie, I like the idea of handing the company literature at the initial meeting. I always include it with my proposal, but it makes sense to give it to a potential client at the initial meeting--how many other landscapers do that? It gives you exposure while the clients are 'shopping around' and also keeps you in the forefront of their minds and they can actually see work that has been done as well as research your company.

[sandim]

Fakie,

I love the idea of handing out company literature in a folder. We usually just hand a brochure, but your idea takes it a step further and that's what we're all about! Thanks for sharing!!

[cwilson]

I have the company name on my folder then i also inclose my quote and then if i have pictures of recent jobs like they want i enclose them too...after i receive tha job i usual give them a free shirt or hat with my business logo on it for future time that way next year when i apply they remeber me

[sandim]

cwilson,

love the idea of recent pics!!! Wicked smart. great great ideas. Perfect timing too, we're going to see a new client next week.

[Terre]

I'd love to be able to put together a brochure to hand out when I meet them. Printing costs are scaring me off at the moment. What I do though, is since a huge percentage of my business comes from the internet advertising, I email them pictures of what I have done, along with references they can call. Since I'm a lousy artist, (I'm considering inserting a clause in my contract that says no laughing at my sketches) I also send pictures of ideas and concepts I'd like to use in their yard.

Then, when I go to make the proposal, I use a lot of the pictures of what I want to create for them in a powerpoint presentation. I have found that it makes up tremendously for what I lack in drawing skills, and I think a lot of people get more out of a real picture than when they look at my green circles on flat paper with me telling them "That's a hosta."

[sandim]

Terre,

I may have a solution to your printing cost expenses. If I were in your shoes, here is what I think I would do.
I would contact a couple of local colleges/universities and contact their graphic design dept. Look at all the student's work/portfolios and see who has a look you like. Once you find someone with a look you like, you work with them to create a brochure. Ideally this should work for both of you...you get a nice brochure designed at no cost and the student gets a real-life piece to put in their portfolio. Then, once the brochure is complete, you keep an original copy and go down to your local Staples/Kinko wherever, and print out color copies.
I was a graphic designer before I was a landscaper so this should work for you. I designed our brochures and I just print them out on our printer which is nothing spectacular, just an epson ink-jet, on photo paper and I fold them myself. We get a lot of compliements! Cheap and easy!

Hope that helps you some!

[Terre]

Hadn't thought of that. I've done advertising work for many years, but it was with a different product, so nothing I create now looks good. I will make some calls. Thanks.

[TheShrubber]

For presentations, I use a printed glossy folder with a graduated group of sheets in the left pocket. They are my guarantee, reference list, mission statement, list of services, and plant maintenance instructions. The right pocket holds the design, price quote and any pertinent literature.

I've spent alot of energy this year in increasing my company's professionalism with brand marketing and presentation.

I had the folders printed at Office Max and do everything else in my office.

I really like the first meeting folder, I will be thinking about this one over the winter.