Tree Service Digital - May 2020
MAY 2020
Tree Hugger HERALD
770-637-3707 | TreeServiceDigital.com
Marketing During COVID-19 Essentials Your Business Should Implement
Times are tough for many right now, especially for businesses that have temporarily closed because they’re considered nonessential. The tree service industry is incredibly fortunate that the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) have largely deemed tree care and service as essential because it directly protects the safety of the public. That means right now is a great time to see silver linings and seize an opportunity for your business by amping up your marketing strategies when your competitors may not be making the same move. In times of economic downturn, it seems logical to cut back on marketing expenses, but that’s not always the right move. Your competitors will adhere to that common notion and won’t be advertising as much, which means you’ll be able to get more of the market share. That will lead to more calls, more clicks, and more leads. Tree service businesses should use this opportunity to hit the gas on their marketing, and many will see their business either remain steady or actually grow by doing so. While any work that is not safety- related should be put on hold during the coming weeks, there’s still plenty to do during this time. Cities and businesses still need to keep up with their tree services to follow safety protocols, and families at home will be calling to have their trees taken care of with more frequency. Because of extra time spent at home, they’re finally getting around to doing it. But even though there’s
demand, you still need to make sure your business is the one they call. To make that more likely, you should implement specific marketing strategies right now to position yourself as the go-to tree service expert in your area. You might not get calls from customers right now for two major reasons: Either they don’t think you’re open, or they’re concerned your services aren’t safe. Your first step needs to be to quell those worries by implementing very specific messaging on your website and other advertising avenues to reflect the current times. It should communicate three things:
3. No in-person meetings are
necessary — we’re practicing social distancing and only need to access your trees. All communication can be done over the phone or in- person standing 6 feet apart. 4. We are open for business and ready to help you with your tree service needs. Emergency work can be done at a moment’s notice, so know that we are here for you. The keys are to make it clear you’re still open and operating and that health and safety are your No. 1 concern. If you adequately display those facts and keep up with your regular marketing, then you will see business soar. Tree Service Digital is with you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out or explore our website and blogs for more great tips. Stay safe out there, and we’ll work our way through this together!
1. You are open.
2. Your team is trained to keep themselves, customers, and their families safe. 3. You are taking extra precautions in light of COVID-19. Create a banner across the top of your website that clearly states a few things about your current business operations. This will let people know why they should choose you. Here’s the copy to use:
1. [Business Name] has taken proactive safety measures to
ensure the health and well-being of our clients during COVID-19.
2. Our trained crews take extra precautions by cleaning and
sanitizing their hands, equipment, and trucks before and after every job.
–Wesley Smith
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Sometimes, a little change can go a long way. Walmart illustrated this perfectly when the megachain decided to switch to using more energy-efficient lightbulbs and cheaper floor wax. Those two simple substitutions have cut the company’s annual costs by $220 million. Of course, with thousands of stores nationwide, even the smallest savings will have a multiplying effect for a corporation like Walmart, but this lesson can still be applied by small-business owners looking to grow. As a business owner, it can be tempting to lose yourself in the big picture. Milestones like helping more clients, launching new marketing campaigns, and opening another location are the exciting investments that really get a CEO’s blood pumping. But beneath each of these major decisions, there are many minute changes that could save your company time and money. What standard operating procedure (SOP) needs to be made more efficient before you bring on a larger client load? Which social media site will give you the most bang for your marketing buck? How much more will you be spending on toilet paper with two locations? It’s tempting to overlook the minor details, but tackling these inefficiencies could save you more than you expect. If you aren’t one to pore over every expense report and crunch the numbers, you’re not alone. The good news is that most likely, there are members of your team with the perspective and knowledge to help you out. This is especially true when it comes to day-to-day operations. Employees are great at noticing redundancies in SOP, underutilized spaces in the office, and other areas where money may be wasted. Empowering your team to speak up when they notice these money-saving opportunities can do wonders for your bottom line. Saving a few hundred dollars per year on things like lighting and floor wax may not sound impressive, but that’s money you can put toward improving your employee retention, customer experiences, and marketing effectiveness. In today's competitive market, even the smallest changes can give you a vital edge. How Small Savings Can Make a Huge Difference GROWING YOUR BUSINESS? CHANGE THE LIGHTBULBS
DO SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ENJOY A DIGITAL DETOX? 3 Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets
Constant technology use can leave us feeling drained, so it’s good to do a digital detox by unplugging periodically. Digital detoxes have become very popular, but for most managers and business owners, cutting technology out of their lives isn’t just difficult — it can be irresponsible! You can’t throw your smartphone in the sea and expect to have a job next week. While completely quitting tech isn’t realistic, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a digital detox while sticking to your responsibilities. Here’s how a few successful entrepreneurs manage this balancing act. Arianna Huffington puts her phone ‘to bed.’ HuffPost founder and Thrive Global CEO Arianna Huffington says the first part of her nightly routine is “escorting my phone out of the bedroom.” Huffington doesn’t allow digital devices in her bedroom and relies on an analog alarm clock. “Charging your phone away from your bed makes you more likely to wake up as fully charged as your phone,” she says. Erich Joiner has a hobby separate from his work. Running a content creation company that caters to big brands means Erich Joiner, founder and director at Tool of North America, is plugged in most of the time. To get away from the demands, he races cars on the weekend. During that time, Joiner puts his phone away in order to focus on the race. “While it takes a lot of focus, which can be strenuous, it also mentally cleanses, or 'digitally detoxes,' me during the weekend,” Joiner says. “By Monday, I can go into work with a clear mindset, ready to take on my week.”
Celia Francis tracks her online activity. Sometimes technology can help you cut down on
technology. Celia Francis, CEO of online marketplace Rated People, downloaded the app Moment to monitor how much time she spends on social media. This data helped her build healthier habits. “It helps you understand how you use your phone, establish usage goals, and disconnect at the right times,” Francis explains. “My phone is always off by 9 p.m. and isn’t switched back on until after the morning routine.” You don’t have to completely abandon technology to enjoy a successful digital detox. Instead, look for times when you can put your devices away and focus on something else. Even if it’s just for an hour before bed, you’ll reap the benefits.
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Why Do Businesspeople Wear Ties? The Storied History Behind Our Favorite Power Accessory
In his 1975 book “Dress for Success,” John T. Molloy wrote, "Show me a man's ties and I'll tell you who he is or who he is trying to be.” A necktie is just a strip of fabric, but Molloy was right about its symbolic power. For centuries, putting on a tie has meant the wearer is getting down to business, and that sentiment lingers despite Steve Jobs’ black turtleneck and Mark Zuckerberg’s gray T-shirt. Though just 6% of men wear ties to work daily according to a Gallup poll, neckties are still an accessory of choice for lawyers, politicians, bankers, and executives — regardless of gender. Plus, many formal occasions require them. But why did people start wearing neckties in the first place, and why do neckties have staying power? As it turns out, answers to both questions are up for debate.
origin stories. One tale credits Chinese soldiers from the third century B.C., who were immortalized in terra cotta wearing neck scarves to protect “the source of their strength, their Adam's apples.” Another story gives the nod to Roman legionaries, who wrapped cloths around their necks to stave off wind and rain in the second century. But the most popular version dates the tie back to 1636 when King Louis XIV of France hired a group of Croatian mercenaries who wore neck wraps to protect their throats from weather and sword slashes. Over the years, those protective strips of cloth became suave status symbols.
subdued, skinny ties of the ‘50s to the 6-inch-wide psychedelic prints of the ‘60s. Today, ties can be knit, leather, or even rubber. Increasingly, though, they’re left sitting in the back of the closet, forgotten along with their fascinating history. If you want to learn more about ties and even how to tie one, check out Tie-a-Tie.net.
The Why Behind the Tie
No one knows for certain why ties stuck around. Maybe yesterday’s soldiers have become today’s CEOs battling in the boardroom, or perhaps wearing a tie is one of the few chances for a businessperson to show off their unique style. Over the years, tie fashion has ranged from the
The Who Behind the Debut
According to The Washington Post, the modern necktie has three different
HAVE A Laugh
PUZZLE
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Inside This Edition 1185 Hightower Trail #501673 Atlanta, GA 30350 770-637-3707 TreeServiceDigital.com
1. 2.
Your COVID-19 Marketing Plan
The Money-Saving Methods Most Entrepreneurs Overlook
How Entrepreneurs Digitally Detox
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Why Do Businesspeople Wear Ties?
Have a Laugh
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Use Paid Family Leave to Attract Top Talent
Are You Using This ‘Secret’ Recruitment Tool? How Paid Family Leave Attracts Top Talent
In the United States, new mothers aren’t entitled to any paid family leave. This makes the U.S. the only major economy in the world without a federal family leave program. Despite this, a 2016 study by Pew Research Center showed that 82% of Americans say mothers should receive paid parental leave and 69% say fathers should receive paid leave as well. According to Time magazine, paid family leave is gaining bipartisan support, and large human resources consulting firms, like Mercer, argue that offering this benefit will actually help companies attract and retain desirable employees. Paid family leave encourages parents, usually mothers, to return to work after a brief absence instead of completely exiting the workforce. With the average cost of hiring and training a new employee being $4,000, offering paid family leave may be as cost- effective for your business as bringing on a new hire. Indeed, many companies are already rolling out generous family leave policies. At Microsoft, new mothers enjoy a whopping five months of paid leave, and new fathers, adoptive parents, and foster parents get three months of paid leave. Furthermore, Microsoft only works with suppliers and vendors who offer a minimum of 12 weeks of parental leave.
Microsoft is not the only technology giant using their leave policies as an employee recruitment tool. At Netflix, workers get an entire year of paid time off with full benefits. Plus, other companies in myriad industries now offer plentiful family leave as part of their employee recruitment strategies. Professional services conglomerate Deloitte doesn’t stop there. According to its website, “It’s not just having programs in place that is important. There needs to be a workplace culture to support it, too.” Of course, not everyone agrees about the best way to provide paid family leave, but one thing is certain: As competition in the labor market grows, paid family leave will continue to be an increasingly valuable recruitment tool.
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