Flyers For Roof Cleaning - Headlines That Have Worked

dstowell said:
THe guy I work with thinks the line about jealousy will work wonders... I actually just put that on a flyer a week ago!!! LOL. we also put a thing about how fast your house will sell once it looks better than the rest.

No death threats .... yet ... for that ...

:p
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Yeah, that one worked good for us. "The Neighbors Will Think You Got A New Roof" !
 
Kleankings said:
Good thread. I read through this once a while back. Thanks for the info all.
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Glad you have enjoyed it! I remember starting this thread, several years ago. Even back then, we were busy as all hell, and no longer have to pass out flyers. But I once walked the streets of Tampa, knocking on doors till my knuckles bled, and handing out, or leaving flyers in mailboxes.
Of course, it was, and still is technically illegal to open a mailbox, and insert a flyer, but I did it anyway.
You see, failure in the roof cleaning business was not an option for me, 20 years ago.
I lived in what is called an "efficiency apartment" that you rented by the week, where you slept, ate, bathed and pooped, all in the same room.
They only rented these dumps weekly, so they could evict you fast, if you got behind on the rent.
Every dime I made back then, went back into my business, and it was tough going, in the early years.
I quickly found out what headlines worked on the Flyers, and what ones did not.

I don't advocate anyone breaking any laws, but let me share this.
At Bike Week over in Daytona Beach, I met a gigantic "Biker" named Monte, who turned out to be a Federal Prosecutor.
He is now a Federal Judge. http://www.jtbf.org/index.php?src=directory&view=biographies&srctype=detail&refno=167
I asked Monte if, as a Prosecutor, he would really prosecute someone who left Flyers in a Mailbox ?
He told me he would kick the asses of any postal inspector who asked him to prosecute someone for simply leaving flyers in mailboxes.
However, he did say he would put someone in federal prison QUICK, if they stole shit out of a mailbox.

When I left Flyers in mailboxes, or had my girl do it, while I cleaned roofs, every now and then we did get calls from the post office wanna be Cops.
Of course, I always played dumb, and promised not to do it again, and simply moved to a new postal area for awhile.

What you have to be more worried about, IMHO, is the vigilante mailmen, who will take your flyers out of the mailboxes, and shitcan them!
 
Apple Roof Cleaning said:
Glad you have enjoyed it! I remember starting this thread, several years ago. Even back then, we were busy as all hell, and no longer have to pass out flyers. But I once walked the streets of Tampa, knocking on doors till my knuckles bled, and handing out, or leaving flyers in mailboxes.
Of course, it was, and still is technically illegal to open a mailbox, and insert a flyer, but I did it anyway.
You see, failure in the roof cleaning business was not an option for me, 20 years ago.
I lived in what is called an "efficiency apartment" that you rented by the week, where you slept, ate, bathed and pooped, all in the same room.
They only rented these dumps weekly, so they could evict you fast, if you got behind on the rent.
Every dime I made back then, went back into my business, and it was tough going, in the early years.
I quickly found out what headlines worked on the Flyers, and what ones did not.

I don't advocate anyone breaking any laws, but let me share this.
At Bike Week over in Daytona Beach, I met a gigantic "Biker" named Monte, who turned out to be a Federal Prosecutor.
He is now a Federal Judge. http://www.jtbf.org/index.php?src=directory&view=biographies&srctype=detail&refno=167
I asked Monte if, as a Prosecutor, he would really prosecute someone who left Flyers in a Mailbox ?
He told me he would kick the asses of any postal inspector who asked him to prosecute someone for simply leaving flyers in mailboxes.
However, he did say he would put someone in federal prison QUICK, if they stole shit out of a mailbox.

When I left Flyers in mailboxes, or had my girl do it, while I cleaned roofs, every now and then we did get calls from the post office wanna be Cops.
Of course, I always played dumb, and promised not to do it again, and simply moved to a new postal area for awhile.

What you have to be more worried about, IMHO, is the vigilante mailmen, who will take your flyers out of the mailboxes, and shitcan them!
Click to expand...

What a great story! Thanks for sharing it.
 
Rapid HotClean said:
What a great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Click to expand...
Glad you liked it Ted.

Here is another true story - Signs posted at busy intersections are illegal! But, they work, or people would not leave them there!
I hit a good lick, and had some extra money left, after I paid the back rent on my weekly efficiency "apartment".
So, taking a leap of faith, I invested some money on 100 white back signs that simply said, in large bold red letters " Safe Roof Cleaning 813-655-8777"
None of this Softwash bullshit we see today, LOL
Besides, really, WTF is "Softwash", and will it work for underwear ?

My then 14 year old Son and I "hit the streets" with our message, and plastered the signs on every traffic light pole, at dam near every busy intersection in the Tampa/Brandon Florida area!
I was blessed with an athletic Son, and him and I got the signs up as high as possible, making them harder for the lazy sign Cops to remove!

We started on a Friday night, and worked all weekend, and still no calls!
So,, all stressed out and frustrated, I left for the GYM early Monday morning.
I was working Legs that day, and it takes time to properly do the heavy squats, needed for release of the growth hormone.
Sore as all hell from the hours worth of heavy ass to the floor squats, I decided I had had enough.
I went to the phone in the GYM, and called my voice mail, and this is what It said " You have 11 new messages, press one to hear your messages"
8 out of the 11 messages went like this "Hi, I saw your sign, and I would like to get a quote on having our roof cleaned"

I would have jumped for joy, but my legs were shot, from the heavy squats!

Of course, the sign Cops did call, and I played stupid, and never admitted to placing the illegal signs all over the place.
I did tell the sign Cop that I was a recovering alcoholic, and hired a commissioned salesman I met at an AA Meeting.
The sign Cop asked me for his name, and I said "His name is Skip"
LOL, then, the sign Cop demanded I tell him Skip's last name.
I told him "I don't know Skip's last name, I met him at Alcoholics Anonymous, and we never use last names".
The Sign Cop demanded I remove the signs, and I "agreed" to help him,. but I drug my feet (claimed we were very very busy), and that allowed the signs to remain up, for nearly a month!

I would rather face a phone call from some sign Cop anyday, who really ain't gonna do shit, then face eviction from the weekly efficiency apartment I lived in, way back then.

Those signs helped put Apple Roof Cleaning on the Map.
 
Apple Roof Cleaning said:
Glad you liked it Ted.

Here is another true story - Signs posted at busy intersections are illegal! But, they work, or people would not leave them there!
I hit a good lick, and had some extra money left, after I paid the back rent on my weekly efficiency "apartment".
So, taking a leap of faith, I invested some money on 100 white back signs that simply said, in large bold red letters " Safe Roof Cleaning 813-655-8777"
None of this Softwash bullshit we see today, LOL
Besides, really, WTF is "Softwash", and will it work for underwear ?

My then 14 year old Son and I "hit the streets" with our message, and plastered the signs on every traffic light pole, at dam near every busy intersection in the Tampa/Brandon Florida area!
I was blessed with an athletic Son, and him and I got the signs up as high as possible, making them harder for the lazy sign Cops to remove!

We started on a Friday night, and worked all weekend, and still no calls!
So,, all stressed out and frustrated, I left for the GYM early Monday morning.
I was working Legs that day, and it takes time to properly do the heavy squats, needed for release of the growth hormone.
Sore as all hell from the hours worth of heavy ass to the floor squats, I decided I had had enough.
I went to the phone in the GYM, and called my voice mail, and this is what It said " You have 11 new messages, press one to hear your messages"
8 out of the 11 messages went like this "Hi, I saw your sign, and I would like to get a quote on having our roof cleaned"

I would have jumped for joy, but my legs were shot, from the heavy squats!

Of course, the sign Cops did call, and I played stupid, and never admitted to placing the illegal signs all over the place.
I did tell the sign Cop that I was a recovering alcoholic, and hired a commissioned salesman I met at an AA Meeting.
The sign Cop asked me for his name, and I said "His name is Skip"
LOL, then, the sign Cop demanded I tell him Skip's last name.
I told him "I don't know Skip's last name, I met him at Alcoholics Anonymous, and we never use last names".
The Sign Cop demanded I remove the signs, and I "agreed" to help him,. but I drug my feet (claimed we were very very busy), and that allowed the signs to remain up, for nearly a month!

I would rather face a phone call from some sign Cop anyday, who really ain't gonna do shit, then face eviction from the weekly efficiency apartment I lived in, way back then.

Those signs helped put Apple Roof Cleaning on the Map.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting Chris. I have been reading and learning from your posts since the frickin' 90's! I'm a gym rat, and talking about squats and working out makes me like you even more. Now to get some signs and break the law. LOL.
 
Ralph Q said:
Thanks for posting Chris. I have been reading and learning from your posts since the frickin' 90's! I'm a gym rat, and talking about squats and working out makes me like you even more. Now to get some signs and break the law. LOL.
Click to expand...
I like you too Brother Ralph!
My lungs are toast from cleaning so many roofs now, plus I am almost 60 years old.
But trust me, I was one bad mo fo, back in my day.
Our entire family literally lived in the Gym.
Here is my brother Jamie Tucker http://gallery.rxmuscle.com/index.php?contest=47&year=223&bodybuilder=11510
I never ever looked like this, but I had very large forearms, from pulling 300 feet of big 3/4 inch hose around.
tired chris.jpg

My brother Jamie owns www.jamiesairconditioning.com
He is an A/C Contractor, and does very well for himself.

I am the oldest of 5 kids Ralph, that my Mom raised as best she could, with absentee fathers.
We grew up poor, now most of us are doing very well for ourselves.
But, we never forgot what it was like to be poor.
 
Lots of good information Chris
 
Apple Roof Cleaning said:
Glad you liked it Ted.

Here is another true story - Signs posted at busy intersections are illegal! But, they work, or people would not leave them there!
I hit a good lick, and had some extra money left, after I paid the back rent on my weekly efficiency "apartment".
So, taking a leap of faith, I invested some money on 100 white back signs that simply said, in large bold red letters " Safe Roof Cleaning 813-655-8777"
None of this Softwash bullshit we see today, LOL
Besides, really, WTF is "Softwash", and will it work for underwear ?

My then 14 year old Son and I "hit the streets" with our message, and plastered the signs on every traffic light pole, at dam near every busy intersection in the Tampa/Brandon Florida area!
I was blessed with an athletic Son, and him and I got the signs up as high as possible, making them harder for the lazy sign Cops to remove!

We started on a Friday night, and worked all weekend, and still no calls!
So,, all stressed out and frustrated, I left for the GYM early Monday morning.
I was working Legs that day, and it takes time to properly do the heavy squats, needed for release of the growth hormone.
Sore as all hell from the hours worth of heavy ass to the floor squats, I decided I had had enough.
I went to the phone in the GYM, and called my voice mail, and this is what It said " You have 11 new messages, press one to hear your messages"
8 out of the 11 messages went like this "Hi, I saw your sign, and I would like to get a quote on having our roof cleaned"

I would have jumped for joy, but my legs were shot, from the heavy squats!

Of course, the sign Cops did call, and I played stupid, and never admitted to placing the illegal signs all over the place.
I did tell the sign Cop that I was a recovering alcoholic, and hired a commissioned salesman I met at an AA Meeting.
The sign Cop asked me for his name, and I said "His name is Skip"
LOL, then, the sign Cop demanded I tell him Skip's last name.
I told him "I don't know Skip's last name, I met him at Alcoholics Anonymous, and we never use last names".
The Sign Cop demanded I remove the signs, and I "agreed" to help him,. but I drug my feet (claimed we were very very busy), and that allowed the signs to remain up, for nearly a month!

I would rather face a phone call from some sign Cop anyday, who really ain't gonna do shit, then face eviction from the weekly efficiency apartment I lived in, way back then.

Those signs helped put Apple Roof Cleaning on the Map.
Click to expand...

You can't get away with it around here. There are fines for everything.

My insurance agent is in his mid-60s, has lived here all his life and has never been in trouble. He's a widower, dresses nicely, drives a BMW SUV, and is anything but a wiseguy. We're good friends.

About a month ago, on a weekday morning at about 11:30 he was stopped at a light at a major intersection on a 4-lane boulevard in the middle of a prosperous suburb. It was raining. He pitched a cigarette out the window. A young cop two cars back saw it and pulled him over.

He has a concealed weapons permit and the pistol was in the console. The cop knew about the permit from the license plate and asked where the gun was. After my friend told where him the cop had him step out of the car, placed him under arrest, cuffed him, and had sit on the cruiser's front bumper while he searched the car from top to bottom.

The cop then told my friend he was taking him to jail for the cigarette offense, which in Oregon is a Class C misdemeanor (1-step down from a felony). My friend asked if he could have a ticket instead of having to go to jail and getting his car impounded. The cop said no and that by law he had to take him in.

Just then a supervisor pulled up and my friend pleaded his case to him, which was mainly I am Not A Flight Risk. The supervisor agreed and told the arresting cop to give him a ticket and let him go. Wonder what happened to "by law must I take you in"?

So my friend went to court, apologized to the judge and pled guilty. The outcome? A fine of $580 plus $35 a month to the dept of probation for three years! But get this, he had to pay the monthly but doesn't have to report in....unless he intends to go outside of the state over the next 18 months!

But that's not the end! Last Friday night his doorbell rings and it's a deputy sheriff with a court order to surrender his concealed weapons permit. Seems the judge had forgot to throw that part of the book at him.

But wait, there's more! He can appeal to get his permit back provided he prepays a $500 non refundable fee - win or lose.
 
Rapid HotClean said:
You can't get away with it around here. There are fines for everything.

My insurance agent is in his mid-60s, has lived here all his life and has never been in trouble. He's a widower, dresses nicely, drives a BMW SUV, and is anything but a wiseguy. We're good friends.

About a month ago, on a weekday morning at about 11:30 he was stopped at a light at a major intersection on a 4-lane boulevard in the middle of a prosperous suburb. It was raining. He pitched a cigarette out the window. A young cop two cars back saw it and pulled him over.

He has a concealed weapons permit and the pistol was in the console. The cop knew about the permit from the license plate and asked where the gun was. After my friend told where him the cop had him step out of the car, placed him under arrest, cuffed him, and had sit on the cruiser's front bumper while he searched the car from top to bottom.

The cop then told my friend he was taking him to jail for the cigarette offense, which in Oregon is a Class C misdemeanor (1-step down from a felony). My friend asked if he could have a ticket instead of having to go to jail and getting his car impounded. The cop said no and that by law he had to take him in.

Just then a supervisor pulled up and my friend pleaded his case to him, which was mainly I am Not A Flight Risk. The supervisor agreed and told the arresting cop to give him a ticket and let him go. Wonder what happened to "by law must I take you in"?

So my friend went to court, apologized to the judge and pled guilty. The outcome? A fine of $580 plus $35 a month to the dept of probation for three years! But get this, he had to pay the monthly but doesn't have to report in....unless he intends to go outside of the state over the next 18 months!

But that's not the end! Last Friday night his doorbell rings and it's a deputy sheriff with a court order to surrender his concealed weapons permit. Seems the judge had forgot to throw that part of the book at him.

But wait, there's more! He can appeal to get his permit back provided he prepays a $500 non refundable fee - win or lose.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the Police State, that is most of America today!

Getting back to the topic of the "illegal signs", they work, and that's why you see so many of them, despite the fact they are technically illegal.

But, get this, it IS legal for politicians to place them, to get re elected, or elected, but it is not legal for a struggling roof cleaner out there somewhere, just trying to feed his family!

I say "Fuk That" !

 Iif I were still having to do this, I would plant the signs Friday afternoon, and simply remove them by early Monday morning.
I would bet I don't receive any calls from the sign police.
However about half of my signs may be stolen by competitors, but it's still worth the small investment.

All it takes is for ONE CUSTOMER to see one of those signs, and you are "In Like Flint"!
You go do that one roof, then knock on the neighbors doors. Pretty soon, the entire neighborhood will "fall".

I personally have taken down entire neighborhoods, just from the results of one Illegal Sign.





 
Great article Chris. Here is a title that hasn't worked for me. MOLD IS KILLING YOUR ROOF. And yes KILLING was in red. Jackass I am. Ya I went there so what. It was late, I ,was tired and Vista Print had a great sale. So Ha, all the way to throwing money in the trash. Another time I ordered 200 knives off tv because I was up late and tired. Now that a great way to advertise knock on ppls door at 4am and say HEY look at how black you're roof is, then hand them a flyer. NOW THATS SMART.
 
Great thread.
I also find it funny about the political signs vs "bandit signs".
Im just starting out this year and plan to do some door to door along with other stuff. Im just having trouble finding what the exact definition of soliciting is in my area. It ranges from just no door knocking to no leaving any piece of printed material. I have also read that the no soliciting sings people put up on their own house hold know weight in terms of the law. Its like putting up your own stop sign. Since the govt did not place it there its technically not a legal signs.
 
If you like door knocking narrowing down the potential is a good start. Nice yard , nice house, nice car you get the idea just ppl who maintain their property but had a dirty roof Bingo= great door knocking opportunity.
 
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