A Guerrilla Marketing Tactic for Landscaping Companies: Give Away 100 Rakes

Want to drum up some local press, goodwill, and leads for under $1,500?

1. Go into your local hardware store in the fall and buy 100 rakes. (Other cheap options: leaf bags, hand trowels, or garden gloves.)
2. Tell the owner you want to give those 100 away.
3. Whenever someone comes in to buy one, hand it to them for free, courtesy of your company.
4. Attach a small note to all 100: "Fall cleanups are coming. So, the rake is on us. Or, give us a call and we'll do it for you." Include your website and phone number.

At $15 per rake, a fall campaign costs $1,500. At $5 per garden trowel, a spring version would only cost $500.

Why it works

• People get a kick out of it.
• The local paper might want to write about it.
• The hardware store might start recommending you.

Very little downside, lots of upside. It's a wacky idea, but a cheap one worth testing.