Lawn Care Owners: 8 Changes for a Richer 2017 [UPDATED]

"Happy New Year! Happy 2017! It's time for a new you!"

Sick of hearing that yet?

If you are, then don't read this post, because it will cover the eight changes in 2017 guaranteed to make you and your lawn care business have the richest year ever.

1. Don't Bleed Your Profits; Update Your Pricing

This is never an easy decision.

Even when the choice is between raising your prices or cutting your profits - you still ask yourself questions like:

"What if I raise my prices too high? What if I lose my clients?"

Our advice: stop worrying and do it already!

The new year is the perfect time to update your pricing; in fact, your clients might even expect you to raise your prices right now.

Prices too low? You will lose thousands of dollars during this upcoming busy season. Don't undercut yourself. Your services are worth it.

Check out our guide on pricing your lawn care services. This guide will ensure you keep your best clients and make healthier profits in 2017.

2. Trim Your Overhead Costs

Don't wait until Spring to get in some good ol' Spring Cleaning.

As you prepare for the upcoming busy season, it's a great idea to look for ways to cut down on your overhead costs.

• Shop for better insurance - it could save you a thousand bucks this year. If you don't have insurance yet... well, this might be the year to cover your business.
• Set goals on costs like supplies or repairs that tend to get out of hand. Compare last year's maintenance costs to profits. Aim for a similar or better ratio this year.
• Get employees to take better care of assets like mowers, blowers, and trucks. One way to do this is by offering bonuses for well-maintained gear.

If you're looking for a more in-depth analysis of ways to cut down on overhead, check out this article from Green Industry Pros.

Stop bleeding your profit today. Check out Service Autopilot - the best management software for Lawn Care Professionals. Upgrade your business before the Season starts. 

3. Get Ready to Fail

Failure sucks ... unless you know how to look at it.

Every failure is a lesson that will make you money down the line.

Here's a great video from one of our Members, Vista Turf, who faced a whole YEAR of failure:

What I love about this video is Luke lays bare all of his problems. He had to endure the hard times while trying to figure out how to turn his business around.

Watch the video to see how Luke found success from failure.

4. Expand Your Online Presence

Yup, the internet is still here. It's not a fad. And it's still important.

If you aren't already online, get there NOW.

Build a website, slap a client opt-in form on it, make a Facebook page and start working on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO*)! A great website will generate high-quality leads for you.

*For those of you wondering, "What the heck is SEO?" - check out this guide for Lawn Care SEO.

5. Remember the Real World

On the other hand, the real world is still critical to every lawn care company's success.

Your marketing should be split between the virtual and the real world. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

Have you...

• put up door hangers or fliers?
• sent out letters or postcards with tantalizing offers on them?
• asked your clients for referrals?

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to grab a bunch of new clients and contracts. Many people are already stressed out right now (New Year's resolutions are hard to keep), so remind them that you can solve at least one of their concerns: their lawns.

Want more marketing advice? Read the ultimate marketing guide and dominate your service area.

6. Think and Grow

This year, you have one goal above all others:

"Perform an action every single day that will help your lawn care business thrive."

If you want some specific ways to improve yourself, watch this:

7. Plan out Your Entire Year

See the grand view.

Sit down with a calendar and a list of goals you want to accomplish this year:

• How much money do you want to make?
• What kind of employees will you hire?
• Will you spend more time with family?

Use the calendar to space out your goals, your projects, and your important dates, so you can know where you stand for the rest of 2017.

This will give you clear deadlines and focus as a lawn care business owner.

8. Don't Forget to Relax

You've got a hundred things to get ready for the busy season if you really want to do better this year. The New Year can be an overwhelming time for lawn care professionals like yourself.

Whelm yourself!

Take a deep breath. Forget the stress and look at your obstacles and goals with a steady eye and razor-sharp logic.

You are going to do great things this year.

9. [Bonus] If You Really Want to Succeed...

What is the number one element successful Lawn Care Owners have in common?

Every year, more of our Members find their success - and they all say the same thing:

"I couldn't do this without the right technology."

For most entrepreneurs in the lawn care space, the right technology is Service Autopilot. Simply put, it's the best way to grow a lawn care business. Service Autopilot has everything you'd expect from scheduling software:

• Guided scheduling and dispatching
• Automatic invoicing
• Advanced routing, financial tools, QuickBooks Sync...

But there's so much more - especially this year. If you want to scale your business in 2017, Service Autopilot will make it happen.

Don't settle for "old and outdated." Don't settle for cheap, flimsy "software-lite."

Your business deserves better.

Click here to find out how Service Autopilot will upgrade your business today.

If you want a more personal contact, you should call us at (972) 728-4040.

Related: How to Hire the Best Landscaping and Lawn Care Employees in 2017