Any Ideas to boost business?????

[trev]

A friend of my mrs works in a very popular old style spit and sawdust pub. She took some of my cards and handed them out to people, I've picked up a fair amount of work from there. Go into your local takeaways, generally they're run by asians who are a fairly insular community (hardly surprising sometimes when you see some of the crap they get thrown at them) and so tend not to know many tradesmen. Be aware though, they like to haggle and feel like they're getting one up on you so put a little wriggle room on your prices.

 

[alarm man]

A friend of my mrs works in a very popular old style spit and sawdust pub. She took some of my cards and handed them out to people, I've picked up a fair amount of work from there. Go into your local takeaways, generally they're run by asians who are a fairly insular community (hardly surprising sometimes when you see some of the crap they get thrown at them) and so tend not to know many tradesmen. Be aware though, they like to haggle and feel like they're getting one up on you so put a little wriggle room on your prices.

agree with the asian shop keepers,they do like a bit of banter on price,tho once you get their trust some of the best customers to have,

 

[calpol91]

A friend of my mrs works in a very popular old style spit and sawdust pub. She took some of my cards and handed them out to people, I've picked up a fair amount of work from there. Go into your local takeaways, generally they're run by asians who are a fairly insular community (hardly surprising sometimes when you see some of the crap they get thrown at them) and so tend not to know many tradesmen. Be aware though, they like to haggle and feel like they're getting one up on you so put a little wriggle room on your prices.

Totally agree. Flyer asian areas, i do alot of my work for asians, as trev said, they do haggle, but ive never had a problem being paid...

Their community is always alot tighter, so word of mouth is great, they all know alot of people, not like us who keep ourselves to ourselves these days....

 

[trev]

I started with the Asians completely by chance. I walked into an indian restaurant just as the lights blew, owner said to me "Can I help you?" I said "We can help each other, I'm an electrician and I've walked in just at the right time"
They are, as said above, a very tight knit bunch and word gets round very quickly. Do a good job at a reasonable cost (which you let them think they've won the argument on) and you'll be good for ages out of them.
The Chinese are included under the asian banner too by the way, not quite as good but still worth a few business cards

 

[trev]

A bonus to all this restaurant/takeaway malarkey is that A) you get to see the state of the kitchens and can make an informed decision on the safety of the food on offer and B) Discounts/free currys

 

[SW1970]

So james the spark, six months in; how's it going?

 

[calpol91]

A bonus to all this restaurant/takeaway malarkey is that A) you get to see the state of the kitchens and can make an informed decision on the safety of the food on offer and B) Discounts/free currys

Haha funnily enough, i had some work for an asian couple today, i wanted to get the job done tonight, out of the blue, the customer walked in with a plate full of samosas, rice wi chicken in and allsorts of other bits and bats....

Working after all that was hard work let me tell you......

You dont get that with white customers....

Just to top it off, she came round with a cheuqe without me even asking :hurray:

 

[trev]

Say what you like about the Muslim community but speaking for the ones I come into contact with hospitality and treating people right is a massive part of their culture

 

[Welchyboy]

i have found the asian community to be similiar to some of the above posts, serious businessmen who allways push hard you for your best price, but i suppose thats the culture in a lot of eastern countries

that aside they stay to their word once the deals done and i have had no problems with payment so far

 

[LightingExpert]

One that has worked for us in the past is, drop off your biz card with all the letting agents in your area, and follow up every week - guaranteed to get jobs

Also have you set up your free google places - ( i can help you here)

hope it helps

 

[Welchyboy]

Also have you set up your free google places - ( i can help you here)

hope it helps

LE - I have just had a website made have any ideas on how to make it more visible without paying out for SEO services?

 

[Andy B]

I did a test on an indian restaurant months ago. Agreed a price in advance. I haven`t given them the report yet. I`ve been phoning them about 3 times a week and he wont answer his phone. So I`ve got to go to his house now and speak to him.

 

[Snapester]

I have done a few jobs for the asian community and well one didn't pay the other didn't pay and well i don't do work for them now. If only the law was on my side when trying to get money back.........

 

[oldtimer]

When someone says we will discuss the cost after you have done the job because you see in my culture............ funny enough I dont get these jobs as I am too expensive:thinking::thinking: as I just dont need the hassle

 

[trev]

I've done a lot for the local muslim community and have had very little problem. Several years ago one told me that they like to haggle on price so I always go in a little higher to give me some wriggle room. Once the hands are shaken that seems to be that.
You do have to be a little firm at times because a common thing is "While you're here could you do...."
I never discuss prices after the job, they get a survey visit then a price and give the go ahead or not as the case may be