Promoting Your Business: The County Fair
By Michael StoneIt’s summer, and that means community gatherings for people wanting to have fun. In our area, the main event is the county fair. I’m confident there is a similar event in your area.
Marketing Your Business
By Brian JavelineDon’t come up with excuses to not be marketing your business. Eventually you will be in the worst position of all, and that is when you say “I need quick help to get my phone to ring”.
Share Your Cards
By Michael StoneBusiness cards are a simple, inexpensive way to provide everyone you come in contact with the information they need to reach you.
Canvassing: Connect with the Neighborhood
By Michael StoneOne of the more unpopular things I recommend is canvassing the neighborhood around your jobs. It’s unpopular because it’s misunderstood.
Doing What’s Right
By Michael StoneHow should you handle a mistake? What if it’s a mistake you made over a decade ago?
Lower Your Price, Gain Exposure
By Michael StoneShould you take every opportunity to increase exposure for your business?
Can They Find You?
By Michael StoneIf you’re a dependable, responsible construction-business owner, do potential clients in your area know you exist?
Getting Ahead
By Michael StoneAs we head into Memorial Day weekend, we want to share an upbeat note we received in April from a client.
A Reputation for Cleanliness
By Michael StoneEvery day we drive by a new home under construction. I don’t know how many people pass this new home every day but I would guess it’s in the thousands; the road is always busy.
We Don’t Advertise
By Michael Stone“We don’t advertise” is well meaning mischief at its worst. It cuts your company off from a large pool of potential clients who are looking for a contractor to help them get their job built.
Let Them Know What to Expect
By Michael StoneIf you’re doing service work, make sure your client knows what to expect before you start.
Website SEO Scams
By Brian JavelineI received a note from Michael Stone. He said, “You wouldn’t believe some of the stories I hear from contractors being approached by people claiming they can help with SEO or getting leads. I want to cover this in a newsletter.”
Generational Differences
By Michael StoneI’ve been reading advice in a few construction magazines on how to sell to millennials, and I don’t understand the fuss.
I Don’t Need Any Leads!
By Michael Stone“I have more work than I can do. I tell new leads to call me after the first of the year.”
Working for Big Box Stores
By Michael StoneA young guy asked if signing on with one of the big box stores was a good idea. He hasn’t discovered yet that getting a lot of work doesn’t mean you’ll make lots of money.
What’s a Reasonable Advertising Budget?
By Michael StoneHow much should you spend on advertising? How much is too much?
Leads are Gold
By Michael StoneToo many contractors care only about getting leads. They believe that if they get enough leads and can bid on enough jobs, they’ll be successful. That’s not the case.
What’s Your Specialty?
By Michael StoneIf you're one of the many contractors who start an advertising message with, "We specialize in . . . ", good for you. But if you follow that statement with a long laundry list of things you do, you're hurting your business.
Getting Involved with a Storm Chaser
By Michael StoneLast week, a contractor called to ask my opinion on getting involved with storm chasers that were in his area.
Getting Business as a Sub
By Michael StoneOne of the questions we’re asked most often is how a subcontractor can get jobs. How do you go about meeting general contractors and letting them know you’re available to build their jobs?
Take Charge of Your Company Name
By Michael StoneClaim your business in local search sites and social media. Almost always free, only takes a minute, might bring in leads, and it will protect your name.
How to Start Your Website
By Devon StoneBuilding a website for your small business doesn’t have to be expensive, and it isn’t that complicated when you understand how it works.
Watermelons and Sales Leads
By Michael StoneYou might not think of watermelons, but one of our clever coaching clients shared a method he’s used to attract new leads for his business.
Marketing is just like planting seeds
By Michael StoneFor those who don’t understand the need for an ongoing marketing and advertising program for your business, let me try this analogy:
Connecting with Potential Clients
By Michael StoneIf you aren’t getting a response to your advertising, either printed or on the web, you aren’t connecting with your potential clients. You must connect with them.
Missed Opportunities Cost Money
By Michael StoneI talk with contractors all the time who miss one opportunity after another and never seem to connect the cost of this miss.
A Bait and Switch Scam?
By Michael StoneLast weekend I passed a billboard on the side of the road. It loudly declared, "We will build your new home for $32 a square foot."
Learn to Paint Pictures
By Michael StoneConstruction (with the exception of new homes) is a service business. Your focus can't be on putting pieces together to build a job, it has to be on your clients.
Newsletters for Marketing your Construction Business
By Michael StoneWe receive newsletters every week from construction-related companies around the US and Canada. We applaud all of you using a newsletter as a communication tool.
What Goes On a Business Card?
By Michael StoneOne of the topics was business cards, we spent several minutes reviewing the value of a business card and how it can help promote your company.
A Market in Holiday Lighting
By Michael StoneYou need to start planning your advertising to potential clients that you are available to install and take down Christmas lights and decorations.
Your Image in a Few Words
By Michael StoneHave you thought about the image you project? It's important to create an association between what you provide and what your potential client wants or needs.
Construction Business Advertising Example
By Michael StoneI don’t know much about their company, but I do know they understand communication with their customers and all those they do business with.
Specialize in Construction – Stay Focused
By Michael StoneAfter working with a few hundred coaching clients, I believe that the key to profitability in construction is staying focused on doing a few things well.
I Work By Referral Only
By Michael StoneIn a recent class, I made the statement that referral leads should never account for more than 20% to 25% of your work. Boom, the argument was on.
Does Your Construction Business Have a Website?
By Michael StoneToday websites are becoming a must as the customers who have money to spend are doing so by way of the Internet.