I have a small Handyman/?Home improvemt Bus for two years . It did OK until sep Now business dropped off W?

Question

I dont know why Business dropped off? I cant figure it out I used to get 3 to 6 call a week now 1 or two. Some say its due to the housing market etc. But its so so strange.. Help !!!!

Answer 1

Maybe you are not doing enough marketing/advertising for your business. You might try taking out an advertisement in the newspaper or posting info about your business in supermarkets and bulletin boards around town.

Another reason might be the economy/housing market, but I doubt it because there is always a need for a good handyman. So now you have to ask yourself if maybe your competitors have taken all of your business. If this is a possibility, try to figure out what the best value of your business is, and focus on that. Are you the least expensive or most expensive? Are you the fastest or highest quality worker? Do you have specialized experience for certain types of jobs? Try advertising to those customers. Also, is your level of customer service good enough to keep customers and also to get new referrals to their friends?

By answering these types of questions you could find a way to get more business. I also recommend you call the local office of the Small Business Administration, there is free help for small businesses to get back on track. I wish you success!

Answer 2

Do you advertise in the paper in the Handyman column? Does your city have a weekly paper that has all kinds of ads in it, and do you advertise it that, too?

Maybe you could get a job in a supermarket stocking shelves at night till your business picks up.

See if there are any jobs available in places like home improvement stores like Home Depot. With your knowledge, you would be a valuable asset. Or a hardware store. So many times there are employees there who don't know a nail from a bolt!

Make up some flyers on your computer listing your skills, and that you are available for whatever jobs you do. Then go around neighborhoods and leave the flyers on the doors. I find these rolled up and attached to my storm door handle with a rubber band fairly often. Many times people have leaky faucets and running toilets, but just don't bother to get them fixed. A flyer would remind them about it and you could possibly get some jobs this way.

I'm sure you are discouraged, but there are creative ways to find some odd jobs till your regular business picks up.

You could offer $10 to a customer if they refer you to their friends, and the friend hires you for a job. If it's a huge job, you could give them more. Satisfied customers are your best advertisers! Especially if they have an incentive to recommend you!

This is kind of a bad time with the holidays coming up, and people have gifts to buy, etc. But it's also a good time to find a temporary job, because of the increased shopping in the stores.

I hope you can think of something! Good luck!

Answer 3

The entire economy (housing, manufacturing, etc) came to a grinding halt in August-September.

The first 6 months of the year were the best we have seen in 5 years, July-present, the worst in 10.

There always tends to be a slow down near election times ( I have tracked our sales back 10 years and there is slow down), my gut tells me that people are waiting to see what happens next week.

Even though next weeks outcome has nothing to do with anything, the elections produce fear and uncertainty, and as such, people quit spending & fixing.

We are praying that things pick up after the election and before the holiday slow down. If not, then we will have to lay off nearly every employee for a while and pray my husband and I can do all their jobs until sales pick back up again.

Welcome to the new America

Answer 4

Get out and sell your business. Send your info to realtors, they always need people to fix up homes. Also contact the local chamber of commerce.