Sure it’s harder now it was five years ago to use a thriving painting business, but i am not saying it can’t be done. You just need to direct much more of your time and energy to what really matters.
I’m from a small town in Ohio although many here are feeling the impact of the struggling economy I’m posting record numbers and having my best years yet! Why? Because I realized I desired to alter my focus when I saw that money was getting tighter. I stopped employed in my company (painting) and started focusing on my company (marketing.)
Customer satisfaction is definitely job one, repeat and referral business is what keeps the cash arriving during the tough times. Never forget, painting is a service business, it’s built on happy customers and a happy customer is really a loyal customer.
Here are some easy strategies that cost little or nothing, so when used regularly can make a big difference inside your bottom line. You may be acquainted with some of these ideas, but they are you currently practicing them? These strategies might be simple, but there tried and tested winners. I only promote the minds that I’ve tried, used, and had great results with. They will help to keep the phone ringing until better times get here, that are perfect nearby!
1. Interact with your visitors: As the who owns a painting business the best use of your time and effort should be getting the word out by what you do. The easiest method to accomplish this is by getting just as much one on one “face time” with customers as you possibly can. Create a summary of everything you need to do for the customers that add value, commit it to memory and be ready to inform your story on every sales call you make. It’s not going to matter if your competition is doing the same things, especially if you are the just one talking about it for your clients. Don’t just let your work speak for itself; your potential customers need (and wish) to be removed on why they ought to make use of your services.
Make certain they understand the value that you provide and why your small business is the best option to color their house. Take the time to get to know your customers, allow them to become familiar with you and also why doing a quality job is important to you. Remember people work with people that like and trust.
2. Sell Top of the Line: A great way to convince your customers that you care about their home is by using the best products available. Homeowners know most of their hard earned cash is certainly going for the labor. Educate them concerning the various kinds of paint available and be sure they are fully aware you use the highest quality products using the best warranties available. Remember, doing a quality job ranks higher within the minds of house owners then providing a minimal price. In other words homeowners pays a higher price when they believe the caliber of the merchandise and also the service you provide warrants it. It’s just yet another way of adding value to your business without adding more work.
3. Press Releases: This is an extremely valuable advertising tool, but only if you’ve something of value to own media. Small community newspapers are always searching for residents who’ve something of great interest. Visit and satisfy the editor and let them know what you are doing. Find explanations why your business is newsworthy:
Celebrating a milestone like 20 years running a business or 500 satisfied customers
Taking part inside a community project
Adding a related service
Dedicate some of profits to some favorite charity
Announce steps your company is taking to visit green
Working on an interesting or unusual job. (plus a photo)
Obtaining a story about your business in your local newspaper will place you miles in front of your competitors. It is the single strongest type of marketing That i’ve ever done, and the best part – it’s free!
4. Flyers and Door hangers: There is a reason why everybody in the know, when it comes to marketing services recommends distributing flyers – it’s inexpensive and it works! Just be sure you keep the message short and simple, people won’t see clearly when there is an excessive amount of copy. You’re not selling them at this time; the thing is to get the homeowner to pick up the phone and call to make an appointment. Make sure to include:
Who you’re
What services you are offering
A catchy slogan
A proactive approach
Phone number and/or e-mail address
Something similar to:
ABC Painting
Our company specializes in most kinds of exterior painting and staining
“Were unsatisfied until you are”
Call anytime for a free estimate
123-456-7890 – Joe@wherever.com
5. Advertising boards: After you have determined who your ideal customer is, determine where they shop. Ask to put a flier along with some business cards on the bulletin board, or cut the bottom of the flier into strips and put your phone number on each strip so people can tear off your number. Use bright colored paper or poster board. Bright yellow or goldenrod is the most noticeable. Don’t try to express an excessive amount of in your posters. Keep the words simple, easy to read, and to the point.
Hardware and grocery stores make the perfect start; I’ve also gotten work from beauty shops, bowling allies, churches and community centers.
6. Classifieds: These can be affordable and worthwhile if you don’t get too wordy and then try to say too much. Write an easy headline that grabs the reader’s attention then ten or twelve words instructing these phones take action. “Call for any free estimate” is a good choice.
After they call, you can explain all the benefits of doing business with you, and set up a period to stop out and talk to them regarding their home and their needs. It’s much more effective to operate a small ad over and over rather then blowing your advertising budget on a single or two larger ads. Repetition is the name of the game in advertising. Your clients need to visit your ad in publications more often than once, sometimes many times during a period of time before they’ll invest in calling you.
7. Connect with Past Customers: Whether by telephone, e-mail or letter speak to your past customers and remind them that the clients are prepared to serve them should they need every other painting completed in the future. Quality service and satisfied company is what creates repeat and referral business. That is what will keep your company successful within the long term.
Each summer I take out copies of all of the proposals I listed in homeowners the year before that didn’t have painting done on there home. I call every one of them back and provide to do the job on their behalf this year, then tell them that even though I’d price increases both in paint and labor I’ll honor the price I gave them the entire year before. It’s my job to get six or seven jobs each summer with that method. Sure it’s last years pricing however i already put the time into selling the job this past year. Remember every job counts.
No matter how solid your small business is you have to keep the name out there. You have to always maintain understanding of your company locally and keep developing great customer loyalty.
8. Job signs: Small inexpensive signs could possibly get your name all over town. Bought in bulk, these signs choose around five dollars each. They can be put on busy street corners, in peoples’ yards or they can even be connected to the back of the work vehicles until you can buy magnetic signs or ask them to professionally lettered. Nobody wants to be the first one to consider using a new company, getting your register a homeowner’s yard gives everyone an opportunity to call at your work before they contact you. It shows that the customer is happy using the work and you are proud to show what you can do.
9. Property Managers: Call on real estate companies, apartment complex managers, and builders. They’re always searching for dependable painters who can start working on short notice. You won’t get rich employed by these folks, but you need to begin somewhere. And, these people are a great way to get busy, create a reputation and put some cash in your wallet. And, who knows what doors you’ll open if you just happen to be in the right place in the proper time. It’s always smart to be networking and meeting people even if they are not the ideal painting jobs for you right from the get-go.
10. Become a follow-up warrior: While you construct your painting business, make following up one of your success strategies. When there is something you want (like a high profile painting job) pursue it and follow up before you get it or they hire someone else, your competitors may not. Use your initiative to gain the advantage. A lot of the success I’ve enjoyed during my painting business stems from persistence and following up.