Step Over Your Industry

Another year ends, and still home improvement contracting scams rank on the top list for consumer complaints. Construction and home improvement fraud came in third on the 2005 list and consistently has ranked as one of the top three consumer complaints since 1984!!!!

If you read it in the newspaper, or see on your local news, it has got to really upset some legitimate contractors who see their industry to continue to be ruined by a few bad apples. So what are you suppose to do? Well, we will begin adding articles about creating a public relations plan for your local media, but please feel free to read this article

Ask The Expert

Whether you’re a landscaper or plumber, both, or none of the above, we know you have questions that you need answered. That’s why we’re offering you a chance to get them answered, free of charge, directly from the brains of some of FootBridge Media, the leading marketing firm for contractors.

We’ll then take your answers and post them right here . So if you are having trouble with database management, or simply want to know the best way to generate referrals, then ask your question today! By clicking here

Postcard Marketing

For contractors the postcard can be one of the most powerful tools. This tiny billboard is actually a powerhouse of a marketing tool with almost unlimited uses. Harness this little dynamo and you’ll find a surge of new business opportunities. Recently we added a new article on postcard marketing that you should take a look at, if you are planning an upcoming mailing.

Also, each week we will be adding a new postcard for specific contractors. You can check it out in our Direct Mail section, under Resources.

Recognition is Contagious

One of the simplest ways to increase your referral business is to recognize your client who referred you. If a client has referred a friend who ended up hiring you, or if a client gave you a wonderful testimonial, show your appreciation by awarding them with “client of the month” honors.

Now I know many of our clients are already implementing this strategy in their newsletter, but you should also be implementing it online. Each month, when you are choosing your new client of the month, send it to your marketing consultant.
It would be even great to have a picture of them on your website. And once it is on their website, let them know. You will not believe how many people they would let know that they were “Client of the Month”, on a website. The referrals and visits to your website would be great.

This little recognition will encourage others to refer business to you.

By providing acknowledgment and appreciation for referrals you encourage the referring client to refer again. Plus, every other appreciation-starved client reading or viewing about the “Client of the Month” will subconsciously crave to be the client-of-the-month too.

Exposing Your Expertise

One thing that I find amazing is how many contractors are unaware of how much they really know. The reason people hire home improvement services, albeit a new heating system or a kitchen remodel, is because they have no idea of what the process is, how much it costs, and what goes into the implementation of the project. A contractor’s knowledge and expertise is one of the most important marketing tools they have. Using, what we call “consumer education” provides you with several important advantages over your competition.

First, offering free information is a tremendously effective way to attract potential clients into your lead funnel. Think about it. When most people are interested in making a new purchase, especially a large purchase, the first thing they are going to do, is gather information.

When spending a large amount of money, on something they are very unsure of, they will gather information, to find out cost, time and process before implementing or purchasing this service. It is very rare for someone to walk off the street, and just throw down a large amount of money in your lap, without doing any research. Before they sign a contract, before they call a contractor, before they even know what they want, before all of this, they want to gather information. In nearly every case, before a potential client will call a contractor – any contractor – they seek out information. FULL ARTICLE