I found this on the forum sometime ago and liked it :
Ok, so this is for plastering, andit’s been taken from our tiling forum, posted by a member named ‘tiler burden’- so I’m not taking credit. But this can be adopted for most businesses and atleast would give you some insight about how dificult / easy (that’s debateable)it is getting yourself know.
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hi
hope this helps people new to tilingfind work.
an associate of mine in devon, went ona 1 week course plastering and within 11 months had 7 lads working for him!!
HE GOT THE WORKIN IN, THEN GOT PEOPLEWORKING FOR HIM, KILLING 2 BIRDS WITH ONE STONE...LEARNING AND EARNING!!
THIS IS HOW HE DID IT, HEREGOES...........
Flyers - I delivered on foot nearly10,000 street by street in areas that had victorian houses which were terraced.My research suggested a return of only 1-2% but on that amount of leaflets itsa lot of work...
My other trick with flyers was to hitthe DIY superstore carparks near you on the weekend that got be several jobs.
Lastly keep an eye out in local ragfor planning applications, if they not published here your local counciloffices will have them available for you to view. Then go and pop a flyer in ora letter of introduction ideal if you see someone has applied for planning onfor example an extension.
Another thing I do is to put a flyerthrough the door of every house I see with a sold sign on it. People often liketo get work done before they move in, I picked up a five bed house top tobottom through this only last month.
Promotions - I give a free £25 Marks& Spencer voucher to any customer who recommends me to a someone thusresulting in a job. This is so easy and appears a little more upmarket thanjust giving them 20 quid. This can build a fairly formidable sales force.
Universities - Have you got any nearyou if so contact their accomidation office and ask for a list of approvedstudent digs. Next send a letter to property addressed to the landlord offeringyour services. Students are most competent at damaging properties.
Estate agents - Again letter ofintroduction or better still get shirt and tie on and visit them with aportfolio of work and some business cards. Lots of people do remedial workprior to selling. NB - if you get work from an agent make sure you give em adrink out of it.
Sign written van - This is mostimportant, need not be too flash but get it done professionally. Make sure itsays company name and plasterer in big letters and it MUST include a landlinenumber. I have the federation of small businesses (FSB) logo on mine it givescustomers confidence. Have a look at bottom of post hopefully there is apicture, it cost me £180 to have all four sides done.
Auctions - Most people at auctions aredevelopers get to an auction and try and put yourself about you will soon getto know the regulars do one good job for sensible money and word will soonspread.
T-shirts - we always wear companyshirts on site with name and number in big letters it looks the part and givesyou an edge. I wear one about as often as I can especially insupermarkets andanywhere busy (sad I know!). People regularly stop me and ask for a card.
Business cards - I shift about 75cards a month give them out whenever possible make sure they look professionaland get them laminated so they last longer.
Mugs - bit of a weird one I know but Iget them made by my mate for £4 each got company name and number on. Give themto customer when job done they less likely to lose a mug with your number onand it is subconsciously welded into their mind they will recommend youwhenever someone talks about getting plastering done.
Independent builders merchants - getsome cards in there and get them a crate of beer at xmas they will push yourbusiness if you are good.
Website - my website is very simple itis not designed to attract business but is there as a point of contact ifpeople lose your number. All they have to do is stick my company name intogoogle and up pops website with contact details.
British networking institution do agoogle search under BNI - bit of a pain in the --- but can work well in the earlydays.
Think your advert through also - Iguarantee to give a same day quotation early bird catches the worm and allthat.
My advert offers people the chance tovisit work in progress and talk to happy customers works a treat. Also offerweekend work and evening work to fit around modern folks lifestyles.
When you go and quote a job make sureyou sell the product to the customer from the moment you get in the door iestress you do two coat work and your clean and tidy etc. In the early days Iwould get wife to ring me when I was with customer and ask for a quote givesreal customer confidence to know you busy.
PPS My ad in the local rag is 2x3 cmbox every night of week and costs me £400 a monthbut I get about three or four calls a day so it is worth it to me.
Cheers
ed
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