Newbie seeking marketing advice

[Philip Murray]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to this forum returning to the Electrical Industry after a 10 year gap.

Having upgraded my qualifications I decided to focus on seeking work in the testing and inspecting field.

I've purchased a brand new Kewtech KT63, had my first 500 business cards printed and wanted to ask the group where would be a good place to start putting out my cards to try and generate some new business.

I'm thinking Estate / Letting agents, property management companies, mortgage lenders, etc but was wondering if anyone in the group has had success in other area's (i.e. Breakfast Networking Groups for instance)

Thanks in advance for any advise you can pass on to help me get started!

Phil

 

[Octopus]

Avoid estate agents ...
They want tests for peanuts ..... I think you may struggle to make a living doing testing only.

Where are you based?

 

[Jay Sparks]

As above, you may struggle just doing testing unless you spend loads on advertising! There are plenty of companies out there that are doing EICR's for £30 to £50!

Yes we know that these are not worth the paper they are printed on but the customer(s) only see the cost, not the quality.

But the best marketing/advertising is word of mouth from satisfied customers. I personally have found the cards are only any good when you give them to an existing customer to pass on to friends/family.

Jay

 

[Philip Murray]

Avoid estate agents ...
They want tests for peanuts ..... I think you may struggle to make a living doing testing only.

Where are you based?

Hi Murdoch,

Thanks for the EA tip.....I'll give 'em a miss!

I have another Business Interest so I'm not to fussed about making a living from testing per se....it's more about trying to generate another income stream.

I'm based in Cambridge.

 

[Philip Murray]

As above, you may struggle just doing testing unless you spend loads on advertising! There are plenty of companies out there that are doing EICR's for £30 to £50!

Yes we know that these are not worth the paper they are printed on but the customer(s) only see the cost, not the quality.

But the best marketing/advertising is word of mouth from satisfied customers. I personally have found the cards are only any good when you give them to an existing customer to pass on to friends/family.

Jay

Hi Jay,

Yeah, might be worth doing a couple of 'freebies' to friends and neighbours initially to get the word out. I'm thinking I could ask for a donation to charity and a testimonal rather than do it for nothing!
Phil

 

[Octopus]

Hi Jay,

Yeah, might be worth doing a couple of 'freebies' to friends and neighbours initially to get the word out. I'm thinking I could ask for a donation to charity and a testimonal rather than do it for nothing!
Phil

My tip - don't do anything for free or a heavy discount .... or else everybody will expect it.

Do you have PL and PI insurances in place?

 

[Philip Murray]

My tip - don't do anything for free or a heavy discount .... or else everybody will expect it.

Do you have PL and PI insurances in place?

Yep, fair comment Murdoch!

No insurances in place as yet but I realise this should be top of the "to do" list.

I'm thinking I might "cold call" my local area initially and visit all the letting agents, property management companies and mortgage brokers and leave 'em a card.

Networking groups might be another option as you tend to get a few solicitors, accountants, etc attending these events.

 

[Octopus]

^^ Lettings agents are worse than estate agents ..

 

[Philip Murray]

^^ Lettings agents are worse than estate agents ..

So that just leaves property management companies and mortgage advisers....

 

[Octopus]

So that just leaves property management companies and mortgage advisers....

I wouldn't be getting too excited.

Management companies = like letting agencies

Mortgage advisors - I very much doubt they they would be interested

 

[Jay Sparks]

You might want to try sending your cards with a covering letter/email to local builders, plumbers, joiners, property maintenance companies etc. This won't necessarily get you much testing but you might get small jobs to do along side your other business.

Also try schools, doctors surgery, local shops etc.

Jay

 

[Taylortwocities]

Also local on line groups. ie Facebook. Although they do not like advertising, my local one allows it on the first of every month.

We also have a group called something like "Toytown Recommends"
You can get some relative to recommend you to the group.

 

[Philip Murray]

Also local on line groups. ie Facebook. Although they do not like advertising, my local one allows it on the first of every month.

We also have a group called something like "Toytown Recommends"
You can get some relative to recommend you to the group.

Also local on line groups. ie Facebook. Although they do not like advertising, my local one allows it on the first of every month.

We also have a group called something like "Toytown Recommends"
You can get some relative to recommend you to the group.

Aaah yes....social media, a very underutilised (but often abused) commodity!

A have a linked in account but hadn't considered Facebook....thanks for the tip!