So I'm back in Michigan and ready to work!

In the junk removal business people forget about you over the holidays, much like a lot of other businesses, including the related business of scrap. They're too busy partying, shopping, gifting and otherwise making merry to think about the pile o' junk in their garages, basements, yards and businesses.

Well the holidays are over and I am ready to get back to work. I will be doing some EDDM postcards in mid-January. Tomorrow I am putting up a bunch of bandit signs. Today I posted about 25 CL ads for all of my different services. (Yes, you CAN post that many CL ads when you have 11 accounts!) I also have a bunch of door hangers but am not willing to send people out to post them while the footing can be so treacherous. I will also be putting up bulletin board signs for auto scrapping.

How are YOU getting ready for business in the New Year?

burly,

how did you setup so many accounts? with mine you have to have a phone number to verify it

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

burly,

how did you setup so many accounts? with mine you have to have a phone number to verify it

Heh. What's it worth to ya? He he he.

Just kidding. MagicJack.com. And don't even bother trying google voice, CL recognizes those numbers and won't let you use them.

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Just kidding. MagicJack.com. And don't even bother trying google voice, CL recognizes those numbers and won't let you use them.

yeah your right about google voice.

I have had MajickJack in the past. Never thought of them for CL though. Thanks for the tip. Will check them out. I know there is 2 different companies here that post upwards of like 20+ ads per day. Funny thing is, I still get a lot of their jobs lol

George, I have gotten a number of calls from customers both new and old telling me they just don't want to deal with the guys that post over and over on CL. Not that I'm knocking you Burly. If it works for you that's great! It just seems that in my area, their overposting works to my favor

As far as getting ready for the new year? First I gotta clean up around here a little. O.k. O.k. A lot!
But as usual a few CL ads. some new business cards and flyers, and new for this year.......t shirts!!
And try to keep that good word of mouth going.

Originally Posted by skylinejack

George, I have gotten a number of calls from customers both new and old telling me they just don't want to deal with the guys that post over and over on CL. Not that I'm knocking you Burly. If it works for you that's great! It just seems that in my area, their overposting works to my favor

As far as getting ready for the new year? First I gotta clean up around here a little. O.k. O.k. A lot!
But as usual a few CL ads. some new business cards and flyers, and new for this year.......t shirts!!
And try to keep that good word of mouth going.

I post enough, but not crazy like the other guys. Plus, none of them can beat my prices, or so i am always being told.

I am working towards getting a $1 Million GL policy setup, but want to ensure i have the work to make it worth it. Then again, not to sure if I want the headaches associated with bigger jobs, but regardless, I need some GL insurance anyway, incase i ever damage anything and **knock on wood** never have yet!

Originally Posted by Victor

Don't you have it backward ?

Michigan in the SUMMER.......Florida in the WINTER........HAHA......

Yes I do. It's an evolving situation. I'll be back there
in Feb.

Originally Posted by skylinejack

George, I have gotten a number of calls from customers both new and old telling me they just don't want to deal with the guys that post over and over on CL. Not that I'm knocking you Burly. If it works for you that's great! It just seems that in my area, their overposting works to my favor

Ah, but I hide my overposting really well.
My ads are for
Junk Removal
Scrap Metal Removal
eWaste and computers
Buying junk cars
Moving, packing and unpacking services
and a few other services. Each different type of service has it's own phone number published in the ad.

For junk removal I post an ad every day, with a nice BG graphic and mentioning that we are insured and bonded,
take credit cards and can usually pick up within 24 hours. People's responses to me have been that they are
concerned about who they may find on CL, and they are happy to see my professional graphics and feel they
can trust my established company.

It's all in who your target market is.


Also because of that, I can charge a higher price and get it.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Hey Burly,

If you don't mind me asking, what program you use for doing your graphics for craigslist?

I been using Publisher myself, while it is great right now, I am thinking there is something better out there. My ads stand out and all, but I see a few other ads, and I really like how theirs looks too.

Just curious is all. Great idea on a different number for each service. Might try that when I grow bigger...right now, it would be more of a headache for me lol

Ah, you might not be able to afford the program I use. I use "Honey Can You Do This For Me?"
My significant other is a professional graphic designer. She owns many high-end programs and makes
me look good. She designed the BG logo and marketing materials.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Only reason she doesn't do my designs is mainly because I like to do them myself, but also because we dont always see eye to eye on the graphics lol.

Um, while I am allowed to make suggestions, she basically does what she wants. Always seems to work out well that way.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

lol

Her and I are to much a like in the "we get our way" department, so we just let that one be basically lol

I pick and choose my battles, this one ain't worth it. She's actually always right in this case.

Of course, when I occasionally DO get to be right, it's worth it for the making up... ;-)