advertising questions?

Question

i am starting a draincleaning and plumbing company i am in the yellow pages but it is expencive so my adds are very small right not i have the equiptment and van and invoices and afew accounts and custamers but i need more work so i can stay bussy atleast 40 hours pre week anny tips or advise to get more advertising and custamers keep in mind i have very little money

i do do flyers and i do do a good job and ger referals but i need more!!!!

Answer 1

Create some flyers and print them on your PC, and post them around where you can - supermarkets, churches, etc. usually have bulletin boards. You can also find out if your town or city has a chamber of commerce; if you join, you can have access to networking with other business people, who presumably have drains and plumbing that need maintenance. You can try 'word of mouth' advertising - perhaps you can offer a discount or a rebate to anyone that sends you a new client?

Answer 2

I agree with the flyers options - keep it local and build your business up from there.

Your best source of advertising is word of mouth at this early stage - make sure you always do a fantastic job, EXCEEDING what people expect of you. This will be worth the time and effort when you get repeat business and recommendations.

PLEASE get someone to double check the spelling on your flyers. (Sorry if that sounds patronising ..if you just wrote your question quickly, that is?!) I wouldn't give anyone business if they had mistakes on their communication....but then, I'm grumpy like that!

Generally, make sure that your quotes are good value compared to others in your area. Study the competition - get a friend to pretend they need work done and find out how they operate re prices, services, etc. (Don't feel bad about wasting their time, business is business.) Don't underquote though as people want VALUE which is different to the CHEAPEST. You will be justly rewarded for a job well done. Build your reputation through integrity and hard work. (I don't know about your area but we have a lot of sharks in draincleaning/plumbing. Can you get eventually get an affiliation with a local council which provide lists of recommended tradesmen to people worried about unscrupulous companies? Is there a trade association you can join which will give you an accreditation only available those who meet certain standards? Customers will see this as peace of mind.)

What about approaching councils, apartment block managers, etc for contract work where you are on call for them for a retainer or to do regular work?

Good luck.

Added - ok, why not offer evening/weekend service? Ie no one needs to wait in for you to arrive, taking time off work, etc? Work out what you could do differently/better based on what people need/want. (Obviously emergencies happen when they happen but I mean scheduled work on drains, etc?) Also try and use the local paper...lots of people read them and it's not as expensive? Get involved in your community and help spread the word that way - people like to use people they know. Networking can be hard work but stay positive and you'll do great.

Answer 3

Try to get your present clients to get you new business. Do this by doing a great job, being friendly, having a fair price, etc. Word of mouth is the best, cheapest way. I know this probably doesn't help much though.

Answer 4

Creat a flyer yourself pass them out....... put stickers on ur car...... have ur present customers spread the word.... lots of inexpensive ways.... do a bit of a research and u'll find a lot of ways.... Try inc.com