So I have tried a bunch of different advertising and currently have an ad in a church bulletin. NOTHING has gotten me any calls…none, zero, nada….
YET, I have three prospective really good jobs all based on friends of friends calling me.
Maybe its more cost effective to just treat your friends to a nice dinner sometime and given them a boatload of business cards to hand out???
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Replies
I've found word of mouth to be much more cost effective than any other form of advertising.
Word of mouth is priceless. Can't beat it with a stick.
Networking wich leads to word of mouth. YOu can't beat it. What area of florida are you in?
"this dog may be old but he ain't cold. And he still knows how to bury a bone."
Lattimore
http://www.rehmodeling.com
I'm in Northern Westchester Cty., NY
Yorktown or Somers?
North of Millwood, Town of Yorktown, on Rt#100.
Staying busy?
We used to live there in the 70s
Grew up in Irvington, NY, been here 25yrs. Great spot overlooking the Croton Reservoir. It's been kinda slim pickens, and I have a rather extensive, fairly well to do client base. We'll see what spring brings. IMO everyone, except those with a bottomless well of funds, are running scared. I'm blessed in the fact that my wife has a wonderful job and a very good salary. No pressure (right now).
Thats where I went wong, wife is a teacher :>)
Swing by the Musscot Inn on Rt 100. Man I miss that place, killer pizza & clams! (hope there still in biz?).
Hope some day to get back that way!
Croton Dam Park, spent many a day there, Nice part of the Country !
Nothing ironic about it at all. A referral is a prequalified lead who already likes you. You can actively get referrals from all your past clients and acquaintences as well.
I have written about this alot in the past but I hope you called the friend of a friend and thanked them. Write them a note and send a bottle of wine or gift certificate for something showing your appreciation and genuine gratitude. Keep them upto date as to the progress of things with the referral and let them know you really appreciate all their referrals-they keep sending them.
Keep in touch with these folks on a regular basis-monthly, quarterly, and see how they are doing. Send them info on relevant things such as insulation and energy savings. Call them to see if there is anything you do for them and ask them for any referrals.
My wife is a realtor and has sold the same house-across the street three times now. Each person that has lived there is a client of both of ours, a friend, and a great source of referrals. A previous owner just lost her job two weeks ago while we were replacing all of her exterior windows. Another client, neighbor, friend of ours works in the same field and their company is hiring. We were able to help out and I am sure I will be doing the 200K addition to their house when the time comes (both peoples houses).
I will be happy to write more about this if you wish.
Bruce
Mike,
I run an ad in our church bulletin--- it runs me a bit over $600 a year---and I run it year in and year out--- in fact I was the first one to run one in color-----
now-- does it produce??? Yes and no-- I run it primarily as a donation-- the adverisers essentially PAY the costs of having a bulletin---
but for it to be effective as advbertising---well that depends on YOU
It works for me, because my family has been a member of the parish for 50 plus years, my 5 brothers and sisters went to the parish school, my wife AND my sister in law teach---or taught in the school, my wife is tremendously active in the parish---so for me, it works-- in fact the second roof we do this spring came from that ad.......
On the other hand-- I once ran ads in 2 OTHER parishes for a year--nada---zippo---nothing-- basically ,I was unknown there
so-- it will work to a certain extent-- but you have to be known as an active member of the parish community----and you have to advertise the right thing-- roofers, plumbers, electricians, insurance agents, pizza shops- all do well--- but I have never seen an ad for a homebuilder or kitchen specialist etc.
AND- I think you have to run it for YEARS
all that said---- your word of mouth jobs---are the gold mine. THOSE--- you strive for.
tonight-- send each of those freinds who referred you a nice handwritten thankyou note---and send one EVERY time they refer you, and always mention how important their word of mouth referalls ARE to you--
and when those # satisfied cuatomers referr you in the future- you do the same thing with them.
Tuesday I sent out hand written notices to everyone we did roofs for in March of 08,07,06 that I was going to stop by BRIEFLY just to check their roofs out and make sure they were still exactly as I wanted them to be------ If the customers have any concerns they are to let me know and I will adress those issues on the spot-------
Of course there will BE no issues-- but I already have a response from one of those customers THANKING me for sending that note and ASKING me to do additional paying work.
your best advertising?- a stack of post cards, a pen and a few lines of a well written thankyou note.
Best wishes,
stephen
I'm in the same boat. Except I must work for shut ins cause I dont get a ton of referrals. My last mailer did a little but not what I was hoping for.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I no longer advertise....everything is by referal.
The ONE exception, proving the rule....business cards pinned up at our local pizza joints.
Aint done it in a while, but when I did, it was much more cost effective than paid advertising.
Matter of fact....probably half of my current regulars were initially "pizza patrons".
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Proud recipient of the BT 'Truth In Print' award.
I find Angies List to be at the top of my new client generation. Check it out for newbies at ://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/Login.aspx. I got into it by offering to pay membership of $22 per month for my first client to list me. (You can't list yourself). I find the person to person referral is fine for getting business locally, but how do you expand into new markets? Angieslist.
Handy Dan
The guy who built my addition a few years ago has gotten two nice jobs as a result of my recommendations to people looking for a contractor.
I get almost all of my law clients as a result of referrals from other clients. I think personal recommendations mean a lot more than advertisements do, especially when business is slow and there are lots of people available to do the work.
Stockbrokers thrive on referrals. Actually, how many people call them up out of the blue? Practically none.
The biggest and busiest brokers frequently host what's called, "Client Appreciation Dinner." At some fancy CC or restaurant. They invite their best clients (as defined by whom brings in the most commissions) to bring their friends and relatives that have too much money to know what to do with.
They get them in there and get them all lickered up, feed them BS, and hold raffles for the most referrals.
I've seen some of these boys be able to buy new boats and houses after one of these dinners.
But this is different than the "cattle calls" where you get these fancy dinner invitations in the mail from some group you have no idea about. Those are specially prepared "seminars" set up by a marketing group that charges these brokers thousands to get a crowd in to hear their drivel. Commonly about some overpriced annuity.
When I started out, I made a postcard highlighting my skills, focus and that I was available. Sent it to all I knew.
I have been working steadily from that card, those folks and their referrals for about 4 years now.
The others have it right - friends, past clients, family are the best sources of business. When you get a referral, after you get the job send 'em a nice thank you note and a gift card to their favorite restaurant. Put 'em on your Christmas card list, too. Get calendars, even those cheapo fridge-magnet ones - slap a business card on 'em and send 'em out every year to them. They'll remember you.