Creative Ways To Get Biz In A Recession..

Hammer_Nail

Creative Ways to Get Biz in a Recession.. anyone have suggestions? How about adding something free to a project? Added service? Can we start a list. Happy Holidays !

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Illinois Window Service

Mike Finley

For instance if you specialize in building additions, I think you should offer to build the customers 1st addition for free. But make sure they know when they want to build another addition that you won't be doing that one for free. (Maybe only 1/2 price on that one.) This will get your some business quick!

If you're going to give stuff away, you have to do it right. You have to offer something that none of your competitors can touch, then you have the market to yourself.

Jason Whipple

How bout a free bowling ball with every kitchen remodel?

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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silvertree

Giving free stuff seems to attract the mooches in my opinion. You have to give something away everyone would want. That means money for most people. This week there was 2 window guys offering discounts in Mpls. One offered 10% off contract pricing, the other guy was offering 50% off contract pricing.
The 50% off guy was doing the classic "Crazy Eddie" sales pitch. "Buy now, because my accountant wants to have me committed".
When I see that, I know I won't be doing and money off ads.

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Vote for Pedro
Kitchen, bath, St Paul remodeling
Minneapolis Remodel Blog
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TBFGhost

...go find an area that is surrounded by dense woods with homes mixed in.....start a roaring forrest fire and watch the jobs start rolling in!

CNC

not funny.

ok kinda, but twisted.

BKFranks

Be like the local bank, offer a free oven mitt or a toaster. Seriously now, How about low-balling the price and making everything an extra? Just throwing an idea out there.

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Patrick

We started raising our prices, and our closing ratio actually went up. No free stuff for us.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

SethHoldren

Here's an idea that I believe has real legs:

Offer a free "Green Home Conversion Kit" with every in-home construction consultation.

You could do a pre-screening phone interview to eliminate the tire-kickers and minimize the expense.

I met an alternative energy guy who sold these a couple years ago, but he seems to have disappeared.

Each kit contained an in-depth tip sheet and how-to guide, some compact fluorescent lightbulbs, a couple of pressure reducers, and several other cool specialty items which I wish I had written down. (If you are a "green building" expert, please chime in with more "gadget-y" type things to add to this kit)

The whole kit was like $40 or something.

Anyway, you could build your own kits, have someone with a sense of style package it up with a fancy box or something. You could really make a lasting, positive impression on your prospects.

I really love this idea. First movers could create a real USP by doing this locally.

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Grumpy

How about a "Free" 1 year inspection? Seriously I wouldn't advertise giving anything away from free.

Danahy

I hear a 'Bad Boy' Furniture ad on the radio 20 times a day, saying something about during these tough economic time's Bad Boy has put a price freeze on all their instock items. The psyc behind this ad appeals to me.

Grumpy

Yeah except they raised their prices right before they froze them

A company who has closer salesmen working for them can offer what ever free they want, the whole point if youa re using high pressure is just to get the customer in the door. From that point it's up to the closer to use his tricks to close the sale, and usually for much more than the low ball price advertised.

We don't operate like that, but I find most of the companies that advertise to be the cheapest, are usually the most expensive.

Kenny K

great idea!!

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Replacement Windows and Vinyl Siding by Illinois Remodeling Company

Burby

Seriously, with all the free toasters, ovens, tire rotations, 0% down for 3 years, ect ect, including a free RCH, most upper end H/Os know in the end, it only cost them 3xs as much for that freebie, than if they had gone out and purchased the car itself, instead of putting up with a sales pitch to have the free tire rotation, or go get the redhead instead of the free RCH & have the RCH without strings attached. To much of this has gone on for to many years to be any different today.

Try doing this, just as an idea. Run an ad in the Sunday paper or make up some flyers: If your company is repairs or remodeling, be a bit more creative, but to get the idea.
"$399.00 special. While things have slowed down during these economic times, now is the time to call me to schedule your home needs that you have been putting off due to everyone being so busy to take time for the small jobs in your home". Offer to do an evaluation of their home for $399.00. In the fine print put limited to no more than 4 hrs door to door. Upon arrival intro yourself & your company. During your time talking to the H/O explain the things that set you apart from others in your area, just keep it honest. Have a preprinted form to go by, check as go around the house, spend an additional 15 to 30 minutes max after you complete your walk thru. Problem areas discovered, offer a free estimate, keep in mind free estimate is approx 1000 to $1500, 5000 to $8000, that is a free estimate. A more accurate estimate should be charged for, regardless of economic times.
Those looking for freebies won't bother to call you. It shouldn't take more than a few hours to do a walk thru, look for trouble areas, (so easy to pick out, just make a note "needs attention") Something along those lines, just to get in the door. During your time talking to the H/O explain the things that set you apart from others in your area, just keep it honest. Either you'll pick up some jobs or at the least, will keep you or someone qualified working & making a buck or 2.

If a Builder, you know there is no better time to build than now, with all the prices being so low, allows for more profit on your end. Sell the pitch to take advantage of all time low prices, it is true & most know this, at least most with money do. There is money out there.
So many (with money) are just waiting to see what this new administration will consist of as far as who, & the direction they will head in now all the truth stretching is over & what will be is getting closer to what is.
Most of you know a sale is as close as getting 10 minutes to talk to a sincere H/O. No matter if it is repairs, additions, remodeling, or building a complete home.
Charge to get in that door & you will find sales, regardless what it is you are looking for. This will keep all the free estimate shoppers out.
What separates a salesperson from a hooker is $$. A salesperson will end a sale $$ higher than expected. Drop a $ and you become as a hooker, all prices are negotiable. That isn't business or profitable business at least.
How ever you have to do it, if your work is limited, find a way to charge to get your name out there during these times. The jobs you pick up just may be some of your best Customers yet.
Leave the freebies to the hookers, that is their business.

Just some ideas for those slow on work

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BACKWOODS

I have been telling all my clients that I will be going up 8% the 1st of Feb 2009. Any job they lock in before that date will guarantee them the current price. It has got more than a few off the fence.

tin man

Offer a free Energy audit.Get in the house check the windows and doors,look at attic insulation.The good leads get free gift weather stripping,3M plastic window cover,new light bulb.
Bad leads candle and pack of matches