Most Effective Tool

Heritage

The most important aspect of any construction related business is marketing. Knowing that, I myself as a newb feel a bit overwhelmed @ the sleu of marketing tactics and relevant costs. My friends talked me out of dropping 6k on phone book advertising. There's the web-site, flyers, personalized mail, door-hangers, going door to door, lawn signs, truck/van graphics, vehicle wraps, sign rentals...and the list goes on. I even leave my business cards in the creases at intercoms of drive-thrus (mostly Tim Hortons)---don't steal my idea ! I got my territory marked when it comes to Timmies . But for a new business with limited capital for marketing that can only afford 2-3 forms of ads, what would you guys say are the top 3 forms of advertising (most effective) In other words, where should we the new guys be focusing our resources on? Word of mouth is a given! I would love your collective feedback.

dayspring

I left the metro Atlanta area after living there 15 years and moved up here in the mountains of SW North Carolina. I had a pretty good business in Atlanta but my new wife couldn't handle the rat-race
When I started out here, I didn't know anybody and nobody knew me. I didn't have much if any money, just some tools and a truck. It was not easy to get recognized. I tried all kinds of things.

• I visited and or emailed every realtor in town.
• I made cheap flyers on my printer and tagged mailboxes, yeah I know you ain't supposed to do that.
• I put business cards everywhere I could.
• I told the supply houses that I needed work and asked them to refer people
• I ran the cheapest ad I could in the local paper, which only come out once a week
• I have a website, that I have got to re-work real bad, but being in a vacation home town, it has brought me several jobs.
• I joined the local Chamber of Commerce, mainly to just get listed.
• List your business on both Google and Yahoo local, you don't need a website.

We liked to have starved the first two years. Not too bad now after 5 years here. Like you said, word of mouth is best but that takes time.

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"Never met a man yet that I couldn't learn something from"
http://remodelingncarolina.com

woodmagman

Do you mark your territory before or after you stop at Tims. Because all that marking may be going down the drain if the potential customers see you leaning beside your lettered truck, making yellow snow arrows.

woodmagman

Hertitage....get into the customers face. Go were they go, trade shows are the best for building fast results.

vinylguy

check out canvassing learn it do it and you'll pass everyone by and be really well known to your demographics.

Susan Betz

We've brought in more big business through our web site than any other means. I would tell anyone, even if you have a very basic website, make sure it's on your biz card, fliers, magnets, truck, EVERYTHING.

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Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

Heritage

Thanks for the replies

Nice web-site Susan. It's simple, easy on the eyes just the way I like.
I hate the sites that go overboard or the ones that look like it took 5 mins to design. Simple, professional, with a look that doesn't scream "we want your business".

Susan Betz

Why, thank you! It's a work in process.

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Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com