Author Topic: Marketing my business  (Read 1038 times)

Offline Kentactic

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Marketing my business
« on: April 22, 2013, 04:44:41 PM »
If theres any guys in here with business marketing experience i could use some tips. Im starting my own business specializing in Residential and Commercial Irrigation. New installs, Existing system upgrades/repairs etc. Im still trying to obtain my Contractors license but ill have that in the next few months. Id like to have my ducks in a row with jobs rolling in right away when i get my CL to cover overhead. The company name is IrriPro, "irrigation professionals" ive got a logo already. I was thinking about getting my truck wrapped for some free advertising as i drive. Any other ideas?
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Offline thatGirl

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2013, 05:13:40 PM »
If you're going to advertise with your truck, get the magnetic signs with your logo and contact info that you can pull on and off-- avoid paint.  There are some occasions when you might not want to be connected to your business or vice versa.

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Offline special-k

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2013, 05:24:03 PM »
A magnetic sign is the way to go.

I've known of upper-class gated neighborhoods that will charge an outrageous fee for any vehicle with "advertising" on it going through the gate.
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Offline mountainredneck2051

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2013, 06:21:23 PM »
craigslist, newspapers, phone book, google advertising, ect.... is gonna be the best way to get jobs

we did the signage on our vehicles, didn't get a fucking job from it
the only effective vehicle advertising is if you do something cazy as hell to your vehicle
we put a bigass glassblock window on the top of our vans and we got alot of work from that but regular signs aint worth a fuck as far as i have seen in all my years
that and find restaurants where locals go to eat, small diners that everyone grew up going to, (you get the point)
and eat breakfast and lunch there
if you get in good with contractors insurance companies and shit from people you meet there you will really start to get work when they need to sub contract out work

if you need more tips give me a call, i been owning/operating/working for businesses since i was 3 so i know how to make the little guy companies pay off
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Offline WhiteWolfReloaded

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2013, 12:57:33 AM »
I wouldn't do anything crazy to your vehicle. Magnet at best. The guy I usually get firewood from started out of a s10 pickup. His advertisement is a magnet on the tail gait with just his number and "Firewood." Dude was able to quit his full time job and make more money just selling the firewood.

Mountain is right on about restaurants, but I'd say a heavier online presence will get you more business than anything else. There is one other option I'm not all for and I take issue with, but  :-\ a lot of people tend to go to church solely to promote their business. My church for example, like most, will only allow businesses owned by members of the church to promote. Obviously depending on the size of the church this can rake in some serious cash flow. Like I said though, I'm not all for it because a lot of hypocrites end up in the church that way. At the same point maybe they learn something while attending. I don't know, but it only takes an hour a Sunday. Tell you another perk, you'll definitely meet some preppers  :))

Also check in with other small business owners like garages. A lot of the guys I know who own repair shops will promote for other businesses if they get some kind of perk out of it. Like 5% off or some kind of referral commission.

The biggest target you should have though is your local real estate agents. Make up some sort of "promotion" so home buyers can get a discount, free estimate, or other complimentary service. Some times you may even get simple maintenance jobs set up just to keep homes for market kept up for showing.

Hope some of that helps man, but I'll tell you above all else is customer feedback. Word of mouth travels far.

Offline Kentactic

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2013, 10:30:36 AM »
Some great ideas here guys! Im loving the Real estate angle. And i could totally do a booth at my local weekly farmers market. I could make a small display of run of the mill heads vs more efficient heads and actually have them spraying. That will bring people to my booth if nothing else.
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Offline mountainredneck2051

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2013, 04:44:56 PM »
the main idea with it all is aggression

the most aggressive salesman gets the most jobs
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Offline special-k

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2013, 04:58:08 PM »
THE DARK SIDE OF MARKETING:

I've recently been helping a friend with marketing their business; mostly proofreading, composition, and layout of marketing materials.

BUT... The one single thing that has helped her business the most was taking out the competition.  After a few well placed calls, the competition is now facing criminal & civil charges, and will never have a business license in this area again... Just sayin'.
"It wouldn't do any good.  I've had the shit beat out of me a lot of times.  I just replenish with more shit."  - Billy McBride

Offline Reaver

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2013, 05:54:16 PM »
Paint is a bad idea bro, I even heard one time somewhere that someone's insurance dropped them due to being connected to a company..... [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at cant recall where I heard that
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Offline Kentactic

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2013, 08:52:03 PM »
THE DARK SIDE OF MARKETING:

I've recently been helping a friend with marketing their business; mostly proofreading, composition, and layout of marketing materials.

BUT... The one single thing that has helped her business the most was taking out the competition.  After a few well placed calls, the competition is now facing criminal & civil charges, and will never have a business license in this area again... Just sayin'.

To each their own but i would never turn in a person for breaking one or more of the many BOGUS laws to do with small business'. Id prefer to proudly display that im Licensed and insured rather then point out that the competition isnt.
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Offline special-k

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2013, 08:57:02 PM »
To each their own but i would never turn in a person for breaking one or more of the many BOGUS laws to do with small business'. Id prefer to proudly display that im Licensed and insured rather then point out that the competition isnt.
I'm actually with you on that...BUT, her competition was leaving a fairly destructive trail of fraud and botched/incomplete jobs.  I HAVE NO USE FOR A CON ARTIST!
« Last Edit: April 23, 2013, 08:59:05 PM by special-k »
"It wouldn't do any good.  I've had the shit beat out of me a lot of times.  I just replenish with more shit."  - Billy McBride

Offline Kentactic

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Re: Marketing my business
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2013, 10:16:21 AM »
To each their own but i would never turn in a person for breaking one or more of the many BOGUS laws to do with small business'. Id prefer to proudly display that im Licensed and insured rather then point out that the competition isnt.
I'm actually with you on that...BUT, her competition was leaving a fairly destructive trail of fraud and botched/incomplete jobs.  I HAVE NO USE FOR A CON ARTIST!
I gotcha
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