Newcomer Needs Advice Please!

totalstorage

Hey guys,
The main question I have is in regards to dealing with obtaining information about upcoming jobs in my area. After some crummy experience with lead services myself and reading all the horror stories in the forum, I have decided that probably is not the way to go.
My goal is to be able to contact subs, GC's, ect... before they get on site, but sometimes I just dont know where to start.
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

TxElectrician

You may want to check with the building dept and see if you can get a list of the permits that have been recently pulled.

Publisher1

For non-residential (homeowner) construction, the leads services may still be useful. This is NOT the SM space -- this is the world of McGraw-Hill Construction, Reed, and a variety of other regional services, many of which have been around for decades.

Here, the non-residential leads services again are primarily useful for mining contact data and gaining a sense of who may have jobs in the future -- you then can work on building your relationships with them. (And, yes, under the right conditions, you may get your foot in the door for current work.) Bidclerk and McGraw Hill Eleads are reasonably inexpensive options on the commercial side. (I can't see similar value in residential services simply because homeowners simply don't consume as much, and the cost per lead is way too high.)

The other route to go (more effort, but better for relationship development) is participation in chapter activities of relevant client-focused business associations. Best way to get involved here is through your existing personal network (which I realize won't help you much if you are just starting out.)

MattCoops

Get the Blue Book and go canvassing at the offices of local companies. Befriend the secretary and find out who the decision maker is for hiring people. Get in front of that person, and be prepared to give them an efficient pitch of who you are and what you do and why you'd like to work for them. (Do some research on their upcoming jobs before walking in the door. Again, building department had permits for public knowledge.)
Be sure to have some professional-looking information to leave them. Something to remember you by. And get their card to follow up.

good luck

__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

Magic Hammer

What are you selling?
That would help to know how to market your service.

__________________
Skye Builders, inc.
Decks,Sunrooms,Windows and Siding
www.skyebuilders.com

totalstorage

Our company deals with job-site storage; i.e. 20 and 40 ft. containers as well as 53' trailers.

Thanks for all the help so far from everyone; every little bit helps.

OGStilts

Adding your location to your profile might help too.

__________________

Chicago Home Remodeling-
Chicago Luxury Builder- Basement Remodeling- Kitchen Remodeling-Chicago Bath Remodeling

totalstorage

Good call OGStilts (Should be fixed now)

Any other ideas? Thanks again guys.

Solar Control

The great advice given above in posts three and four should keep you busy for a couple of weeks. The Blue Book referred to is at thebluebook.com. There is a book dedicated to your area in SC.

Matt's advice is especially spot on. Reread it and practice.

You may also want to check out members of the AGC. That will give you some additional GCs to contact.

In some cities there is an association for minorities and the disadvantaged (females sometimes included) that has plans and specs available for free. If your genes allow, this is a good way to save some money.

Good luck.

__________________
Solar Control, LLC--| --Motorized Shades & Blinds--| --Google+

totalstorage

When you guys talk about canvassing, do you mean just showing up at the office? Our company is pretty anti-dropping in on people (other than job sites, and even then sometimes youre not always welcome!).
We usually identify a potential partner, try and get a ideal contact, send them some info through the mail, then follow up and try to get a face to face meeting.