new start ups

[Leshark]

Word of mouth rules, I have magnetic signs but have not used them in 2 years, make sure all your friends know what you do, I have 2 young children, and about 20% of my work comes from their school friends parents, Network.. Pubs another in your local

 

[Mitch]

Hi, I'm in my first year of trading and have a very expensive yell site, I belong to a very good website called essential experts, I do flyers and small adds in free mags. but nothing comes close to word of mouth and being helpful to clients, I also have a small group of friends in different trades who i recommend and they recommend me. its taking a long time but getting there, vans sign written but it is kept on my drive, best advice I got was if you make an appointment keep it and always be on time then tidy up after.

 

[grantr37]

Do people normally get their van signed?

I bought a couple of the magnetic signs, so I can use them or not as I wish, and I use them maybe 50% of the time.
My problem is that I think signs advertise there are likely to be tools and materials to tempt someone to break in.
On the other hand, if I don't use them, I know I'm missing out on free advertising - and I know proper permanent signs look a lot more professional.

magnetic peel off signs are the way to go I think, as the fact that tools are inside is not something you want to promote too much.....some places you go to work do not want signed vans sitting outside, some others will only let signed vans onto site......and the thieving type look at the artwork on the van and see tools for the taking....

 

[FAA Greenie]

I'm just into my third year. The first was up and down as I expected. I was lucky really, I knew a few local builders who were having trouble finding a spark so they put a bit my way. From then it has all been word of mouth, I find, as said above, that spending time with the customer, explaining what you are doing and why, is a good investment.

Since then, i have gained two kitchen fitters, a few plumbers and a few more builders that put enough my way each month to make it work. Plus the word of mouth jobs that those generate.

That said, January was very slack this year but that's expected I suppose. I went from having nothing to do last week to having to juggle the next two weeks around in a matter of a weekend!!

What frustrates me, probably because I don't have the experience to deal with it, is the phone calls from regulars giving it the "Chris, just started an extension mate, can you come and do the first fix tomorrow"? It's not like they only got the job yesterday is it !!!!!

 

[craigbisby1]

It may help visiting networking groups like BNI etc. I'm a member of one in North Wales and the spark there gets quite a bit of business from it. The only downside is the initial cost if you do join especially if you are on a tight budget but from this you will gain more customers which in turn will get you more trade from word of maouth if you do a good job

 

[S33dct]

I'm a young electrician, but have worked only on big projects I.e. Heathrow airport. I'm looking also to start on my own in the near future as I get offered a fair amount of private work; 90% of which is domestic. What's people's views on me taking the plunge and taking on the work with little domestic experience?