The LogOx 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool: Product Review

Tree Service Marketing in a Downturn

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A Detailed Recap of “Marketing in a Downturn” A Conference Call with Hans Tielmann

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted the market in numerous ways that forced business owners to strategize their online marketing techniques.

Good news, it does not mean you should dump more money into advertisements.

Ask yourself, what’s trending on social media at this moment in time? If you’ve taken my marketing lectures before, you know that a non-intrusive approach is one of my top strategies for small and medium sized companies. 

What is marketing? –It’s the process of getting people interested in what you are selling.

Marketing is important because without undertaking marketing strategies properly, your business cannot have a lasting impact and it allows “word of mouth” to take course of action and bring in potential customers.

If you Already have scheduled advertisements:

One of the first guidelines to keep in mind is that messages encouraging “working with other” and “team work” may be deeply scrutinized.

• Take a close look at your photos and captions.

• This is the time to share those sequestered tree climbing videos, photos and vistas only an arborist can see, instead of camaraderie photos of the crew or shaking hands. This is not wise to do during Covid-19 in order to follow the social distancing rule.

• Try developing photo ideas that show how you follow quarantine rules.

• Reframe marketing language that describes close interaction. Reconsider figurative language such as “get in touch” or “dirty hands, clean money”, “work hand in hand”, etc.

marketing etiquettes: ITs not just what you say its how you say it.

When creating content, especially during a global pandemic, you need to refrain from capitalizing on the crisis.

• Keep people updated. Tree services do need to communicate in response to the crisis, as it pertains to their business. For example, you should talk about the steps you’re taking to keep employees and customer’s safe, new business hours, or policy updates related to COVID-19. Updates like these add value to customer relationships because they are informative.

• Don’t create panic. It’s important to keep people updated and informed, but don’t add to the panic. Stay away from fear driven captions, as well as any additional posts you’re sharing (e.g., credibly sourced news website or tips).

• Avoid bragging. Remember that many people are not working during this time and are genuinely worried.

• Avoid tasteless promotional ploys. Don’t market promotional sales like “use code (covid19) and get 10% off tree work”

Please note: Even if you are joking, and even if the message is not offensive, your business can still appear clueless.

In other words, you don’t want to look like you don’t know what’s going on. This time of crisis is not pretend it’s business as usual. Take it seriously. Show customers your Covid-19 input.

Marketing tips that’ll only cost you time:

The key question here is, “What else can you do to help your existing customers?” (Besides offering a discount)

Apollo O’Neil’s Tree Service offers activity .pdfs to customers with children to pass the time and relax.

• Creating helpful content, not “Ads”. For any business, such as tree work, may not directly apply to Covid-19 however, your business can still provide value to people. Think about how you can educate, entertain, or inspire people.

For instance, in the tree care industry during this time of quarantine, sharing ideas with your audience such as a back yard scavenger hunt, leaf collections, or even tree ID contest are practical and entertaining concepts.

• Be a “local” resource. Facebook is one of the most powerful marketing tools to get word around locally in town forums. 

• Brainstorm ways to provide recommendations and/or help to your own community.

People are not only engaged by relevant content, but also useful content. 

• Be active in community facebook groups. In the tree industry. many arborists know a bit about everything and also know other reputable home service contractors. Make recommendations frequently and the favor will be returned. 

Creating and providing these helpful recommendations will reinforce trust in your consumers or may even build new friendships.

For communicating with your customers during Covid-19:

How you communicate with others must be sensitive and reassuring because they are concerned with what the future holds. Also consider you may interact with a friend or customer in the near future who lost someone to the virus. So don’t joke, you may be putting your boot in your mouth.

• Promote virtual communications. This is an effective strategy for tree services. Engage as many customers as possible to Face Time with you. In this case, it works to have virtual consultations to look and comment on tree concerns. It gives new customers a chance to put a face to a business without physically meeting.

• When coming to a close in your virtual conversation, schedule a time to walk the property yourself.

• Making sure that both existing and past customers know that you care. An easier approach is to send a personal email that isn’t “ad-like” to show understanding of these uncertain times and consideration of their well being by offering your help. Its also a good time to ask good customers to support your business and leave a review.

Overall tips:

• Keep your website up-to-date. Add in a company Covid-19 statement that addresses your efforts to protect your employees and customers.

• Be smart not foolish. Door knocking and flyers in neighborhoods just isn’t acceptable right now

• Don’t spend money on Google Ads. Utilize other resources.

• Focus on improving organic rankings that will ultimately pass competitors. Ask everyone for reviews on google and facebook.

• Make an effort to have your tree service donate something. I suggest all readers to Donate Blood.

Take this unique period in history to use your time wisely.  Step back, pay close attention to your community and customers needs by offering help, and in return it won’t go unnoticed.

I believe tree care businesses that are proactive will be stronger and healthier when this is all over.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

Id like to acknowledge the following brands for their support and believing in me and my passion to teach and change industry stereotypes and flaws. For helping me raise the bar and proudly say “We can always learn more and do better”.

Thank you.

A Time of Global Pandemic, What This Means For Tree Care Professionals

With several states ordering the closure of non-essential businesses and all non-essential workers to stay home  – in an attempt to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus  – you might be asking, how can I sustain my business?

Without the luxury of running businesses as normal, business owners have utilized the power of social media and other related techniques on how to help the consumer with any type of situation, in this case, the Coronavirus.

Outdoor businesses such as Tree Care Services may have an advantage in taking extra safety provisions considering today’s quarantined lifestyle. As the warm weather approaches, outdoor businesses can expect viruses to migrate or dissipate in hopes to increase the outdoor grind.

To be cautionary, studies found from The Journal of Hospital Infection, states “the Coronavirus in 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) can last for two days on steel, four days on wood and glass, and five days on metal, plastic, and ceramics” (Woodward, 2020).

Tree care workers, landscapers, and other outdoor-based businesses can apply secure strategies to continue business given Coronavirus circumstances.

According to the Tree Care Industry Association, it is explained how to remain safe in a working environment during a global pandemic. Following these critical guidelines can help business’s continue:

• • Before a sales call, please mark the trees in question with a ribbon, or whatever you have handy.

• • Our salespeople will not be knocking on your door, please do not go out of your house to greet them, simply be ready to use your phone to answer the sale’s persons questions from within your house.

• • If you are able, be prepared to use face time, Google duo or similar feature to help the salesperson understand your tree care needs.

• • Please respond promptly to any work verification emails or calls if asked.

• • In general, you do not need to be present when the crew arrives.

• • If you are home when the crew arrives, please stay in your house. If the salesperson or crew leader has any questions, they will call you. Please be prepared to answer the phone if they do call.

• • If for any reason, you are outside or otherwise meet our crews in person, please practice social distancing by keeping 6 feet away.

Putting safety first is always imperative. During a time of global pandemic…

References

Advanced Solutions International, Inc. (n.d.). What Should Tree Care Businesses Know About the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak? Retrieved March 23, 2020, from https://www.tcia.org/TCIA/Coronavirus_COVID-19.aspx

Woodward, A. (2020, March 17). The coronavirus lives on copper for 4 hours, on cardboard for 1 day, and on plastic for 3 days, new research says. Here's how to disinfect these surfaces properly. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/how-long-can-coronavirus-live-on-surfaces-how-to-disinfect-2020-3

Instructor with Cranes 101!

As of October 2018 I am now an instructor with Cranes 101! Be sure to contact Cranes 101 if you would like to take the NCCER Nationally Accredited Crane Operator Certification class with me!

http://cranes101.com/CIC.php

LTE670

I am very proud to announce that I am now a NJ Licensed Tree Expert! number 670 to be exact.  To learn more about what this means, check out the press release! http://bit.ly/2yZ1Zyk

NJ ISA TCC

Had the opportunity to attend the NJ ISA Tree Climbing Competition this past weekend, what a great event! Big congratulations to Rory McInnis for coming in first place!  All of the competitors did an amazing job, can't wait to see what's next.  Be sure to check out our photos!

NJAISA Garden State Tree Conference

This past week I spoke at the Garden State Tree Conference on Social Media and Branding.  I am really growing a true passion for helping the tree industry understand the importance of social media.  There is a misconception in the industry that good marketing has to cost an arm and a leg.  Check back for the recording of my live stream!

TreeStuff.com Business Summit

Thank you to TreeStuff.com for inviting me to speak at their first Business Summit!  I presented on Social Media and Branding as well as Content Creation.  I truly enjoyed speaking with everyone at the summit and learned a lot! Looking forward to next years!

Watch the live stream of my presentation here! Want to see more let me know! And don’t forget to check out their top notch tree climbing gear.

2017 TCIA Awards

Thank you TCIA for awarding Pine Valley Tree Service the 2017 Digital/Social Media and Website award! This is the second year that I have received the Digital/Social Media award!  Take a look at the other categories and winners here!

Talk in the Trees with BadHans

I was recently interview by Clogger for their 'Talk in the Trees' blog! Take a look at what I had to say! 

TCIA Expo Web Presence Panel

Big thank you to the Tree Care Industry Association for inviting me to speak at the 2016 TCIA Expo on social media in the tree industry. I spoke with Brian Kraff from Market Hardware, Inc and Monica Hemingway from ITG Multimedia.  Take a look at the full video here!  Would love to hear your feedback and always open to answering any questions you may have.

TCIA Expo 2016

I am very excited to let you all know that I will be speaking at the 2016 TCIA Expo.  On November 12, at 8:00am I will be speaking with Monica Hemingway, ITG Multimedia, and Brian Kraff, Market Hardware, Inc, on a Web Presence Panel.

If you are not already going to Expo you still have time! Click here to register.  

Join me on Thursday at the welcome reception! Looking forward to seeing everyone.

TreeStuff Collaboration

Really excited to be working with treestuff.com this year.  I have always loved working with them and really appreciate how they always stand by their products and tree climbing gear.  Its essential to work with companies and suppliers that have a solid line of products.  TreeStuff is one of the most innovative arborist supply companies out there and I can't wait to see what they have coming down the pipeline.  

Echo Collaboration

Since January 2016 I have been diligently testing Echo chainsaws.  I have been posting various reviews on Instagram and Youtube and am looking forward to my final review in the next few months.  Be sure to check back to updates, and a full product review.