I need some ideas on marketing my families construction business. Very old fashion, I would like to expand the business. We have excellent clients and do relatively big jobs. I am now in the process of a website, photo album (for estimates) and new business cards. There is no branding for the company at all. No specific logo, colors, etc. which i will focus heavily on.
I would like to capitalize on residential extensions, we are very efficient and seem to make the best money in this area. In my local area I have stats of the average income of surrounding towns. I know the area we need to market heavily in.
What are some effective channels to use and effectively convey my message. (Newspapers etc.)
What do I really want to bring to the consumers attention, how can I grab their attention? My main concern is getting traffic to the website, the website will show quality and experience.
Any ideas for incentives to bring traffic to the website or even on website? (Free estimates)
Question posted courtesy of: Article Submit
March 13th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Use your website mainly as a portfolio, reference and contact tool. Allow the viewers to input their information to schedule an estimate. But the website should NOT be your main vehicle to expand your business. But DO make sure to get your business listed in local directories that focus on your area - the online yellow and super pages ect.
Also - yahoo reviews are a good place for local references. Ask your previous clients and friends to rate and review your company. Often these reviews are connected to the 360 profiles.
Offer some free tips on your website as well - possible cost or time saving tips - seasonal advice that pertains to your line of construction. Update regularly for SEO practices with fresh content.
Now that you have a site - put your URL on everything you can. Flyers, in the yellow page book, business cards, letter head, bulletin boards, the hardware stores, laundry mats, newspapers, car advertising, trade papers, co-op with complimentary companys - real estate industry service providers - such as landlords, investors, rehabers ect…..
Let the website do the work for you - but you still have to get your URL and business name out there.
Make sure your offer and brand position attracts the right market. It is easy to attract the wrong customer or push the market you want to push away. I recently read a story about a Law firm who hired a marketing to bring them new clients. It worked and the marketing company successfully brought them thousands of new customers - but they were the wrong niche that the firm did not service to. Costing the law firm negative side effects in the local community.
Word of mouth will always be one of your best referral systems. Do not be afraid to tell them, If you think I did a good job, tell your friends about us!” I am not sure what type of incentives you could offer - but if you think of any - give it a try. People talk with motivation!
March 14th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Put an ad in their magazines.
Get flyers delivered to their homes.
When you’re doing a job, offer some incentive so that you can have a sign out front that says your company name, so that people know who’s working on that person’s house. Also you can get magnetic signs made up for vehicles, which is especially good if you use work vehicles for home as well, so that when you’re off work you can take the magnet off.
Offer people something. Like you have a small business, so offer them quality. Say something in there like “We don’t do it cheap, we do it right, for a fair price.” or something like that.