I recently got this email that I thought I’d share with you all.

1. Do you use the customers lights or do you try and sell them a package from your inventory of lights, wreaths, animation, etc.? 2. Other than word of mouth, what have you found to be the best way to advertize when you were just getting started? 3. My business is booming right up until xmas in VA and I would need to hire a crew to help me get something like this started. Can I get alot of business fast enough to keep a crew busy or is it something that needs to grow slowly? 4. Does your book have any examples of advertizing flyers, doorhangers, etc. 5. I do plan to buy your book shortly, but I just had these few questions first.

So here are my replies:

1. I generally sell the customers new lights. I’m happy to use theirs, but typically they don’t have enough to do what we’re planning, or they’re not the right color.

I also tell them (which is true) that if I put up old lights and they go out after a couple of days, I’ll have to charge them to come and fix them… it’s cheaper to just buy new bulbs at the very least.

2. Flyers … really good color flyers are the answer.. and don’t use the post office to deliver them… GO TO THE AREAS you want to work in and hand pick the houses based on … how well they’re kept up, how big they are …. you can tell the houses that are likely to want your services.

- if you already have a client list from your window washing business though… make sure you “prebook” them … this will give you a good idea of how many jobs you can get from your existing list (tell them you’re reserving the limited number of spot for them.. .your valued clients, but will only hold them till Nov 1st and that they have to pay a deposit to reserve their spot.

3. Really depends on your promotions. I found enough business to keep me and 2 guys busy my first year. All my business came from flyering and some classified ads. My first year I dedicated $1000 to promo – most of that was spent on my color flyers (I think about $800 of it)... Worked out fine.

4. The book does not… but we’re going to be launching our WePutUPLights Business Building Kit very soon. This will include leads from our website (we probably already have requests in your area) your own website, a selection of flyers, door hangers, prewriten ads and a marketing plan. – people who bought the book will get early access and a discounted rate on the marketing package.

Hope that helps answer your questions.