How do you increase workload.

[123]

If works slow, offer a free visual inspection/safety check as a way of getting your foot in the door, from this you could generate EICR's and obviously pick up any remedial work. Just be honest and fair on your prices.

TBH I think everyone see's that kind of thing as you are fishing for the remedial works...even if you are honest with your assessment of installation, the customer most likely still may not trust you much and fish elsewhere or do nothing.

 

[Leesparkykent]

TBH I think everyone see's that kind of thing as you are fishing for the remedial works...even if you are honest with your assessment of installation, the customer most likely still may not trust you much and fish elsewhere or do nothing.

There are firms out there whose whole business is based on this model so it must work to some degree.

 

[ferg]

Loss leaders are common practice for just about every industry.

I must admit I'm not keen on the free visual inspection idea but it is only dodgy if you use it as a way to invent work that doesn't need done.

I hate PAT testing but do it for customers I want on my books to get a foot in the door.

It's no different to doing a favour for someone you get a lot of work from.

By far the best advertising is word of mouth as others have said put every effort in to every job.

 

[Octopus]

There are firms out there whose whole business is based on this model so it must work to some degree.

Coupled with scare tactics..... Generates work.

 

[Andy78]

That particular doesn't sit well with me. I can only see an offer of free anything attracting the customers with very tight budgets who are less likely to spend on improvements.
I can see how some companies make it their business model and do very well out of it, but I don't see how I could without being misleading to some degree.

 

[HandySparks]

i was just curious on as to how a lot of you advertise to increase workload or if you have certain methods you use to gain contacts.
I have being contacted by yell who want to sell me sponsored ads for certain areas. (Any one got any experience on weather this is worth it).

Got a website?

 

[Sb8389]

Got a website?

Yes got a website pal. Not exactly at the top of google so can’t say I generate much work from it.

 

[HandySparks]

Yes got a website pal. Not exactly at the top of google so can’t say I generate much work from it.

It's an easy and cheap way of bringing in more business if you get it right. Care to put up a link?

 

[alamski]

Do not sign up to Yell, a serious waste of money, I learnt the hard way.

To get the ball rolling (free options) try the following:

- Register your business on Google Maps/Places (get yourself verified) and ask customers you have worked for to leave some reviews.
-Sign up a Facebook Business Page do the same as above. FB will try and get you spend money to "boost" your visibility, don't.
- Setup a basic 1 page website (only bit where it will cost a bit of money)
- Search for free business listing sites FreeIndex etc post your business details there.

Hope this helps bud.

A

 

[a-z electrics]

I started out 6 yrs ago and got going with ratedpeople.com.. I dont use them now as most work comes in by word of mouth (heed carefully the advice given here by the others) and it costs a couple hundred to sign up BUT you can pick your jobs, area and if you do fast replies and visit, you usually get the job most of the time. It takes time to build up a rating and reputation but there is no magic button..