Presentation Folders..

ruskent

I attended a seminar this week and the instructor gave the class a good idea. What he goes out to met with the client the first time he gives a folder with pictures of work, product catologs, warranty information, list of references and addresses where work can be seen from the road, insurance certifcate, and a few other things.

I think this is a great idea. Does anyone do anything like this. He said he does this at the first meeting, which will really give a me a professional edge on my competitors.

He uses a standard folder from staples, but i am looking at have a folder custom designed at about 3 dollors a peice.

What do you guys think?

Ofcourse i proably would not use this for small projects or jobs i do not want.

Matt

RobertCDF

I do something very similar... But most of the time I forget to bring it along. I started doing it when I was slow, so when I am busy I often forget.
I think it is a very good idea I have seen my folder turn into the thing they put all the info about the job into. Contract, estimates, product info.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Debookkeeper

I think it is a great idea. Even a brochure can hold a lot of information, with pics and can be left with the customer. I have made one for my GC using Microsoft Publisher.

Melissa

Yes, I've been meaning to put something together like this. Ours would be kind of like a booklet printed up at Kinkos- not that expensive and each time we have more pictures to add, I can redo it and print a few more out at a time.

After you do yours, let us know how you did it!

ruskent

You guys all seem to think its a good idea, so i am going to go ahead with it. Now i just have to find a place where to get custom folder made up for less then 3.25 a peice. But even if i can't find them cheaper i doubt i will be handing out over 125-150 of these a year tops. These will only be used for high end leads.

Matt

go dart

we've used presentation folders for yrs now. printed in company colors they include copy of ins certificate. vendor list, company imfo and contract. i believe it helps set us apart from the others

Danahy

I use a nice folder like that when i deliver my estimates. I find that I've switched my selling focus over to prequalifying them at first. If they're worth it I will go the extra mile.

This is part of my "not trying to sell the farm" thing I've been dealing with lately. Like for example; Had a customer ask me in an email, how long it would take for the project, and how exactly was I planning to do the work, where will I start, where will I finish etc.

... there in lies the trap, and I admit I fell for it.

After typing up a full page 101 instruction book on everything I know, they sent me an email back saying that they are going to go with a guy that painted for a friend of theirs.

Lesson Learnt;
- They had already knew who they were going to go with in advance.
- My estimate helped them to guage where their guy should be.
- My instructional booklet I typed for them is now in the hands of my competition.

Melissa

Same exact thing happened to us- I typed this 3 full page document answering this guy's 3 full page document full of questions. Then, when he never got back to us, we called and found out, he went with someone that many people from his work have used- the customer worked for a big electrical contractor.

What I learned was to answer their questions, but don't do it in email, and don't spend too much time on it.

red_cedar

Depending on the how the lead was generated. Internet leads initialy get literature mailed to them prior to coming out.On the first meeting I try to find out their needs and to size up the customer and measure. Always I will have brochures and sometimes a list of completed jobs. On the second meeting I come in with a binder tailored to their interest and home that has, brochures, warranties ( manufacturer ) insurance, license, etc.. Goes over pretty well. Always looking for ideas though.

dirt diggler

um .... yeah

what do you normally do??

dirt diggler

oh don't mind the ninja --- i have no idea how he got there

ruskent

What i normally do? My company is still young so i am still coming up with standard procedures.

I think the folders is a great idea though. When i go out for pool estimates i can have the pool brochure, pool warranty info, pavers/wall block brochures, fence brochures, pictures of design done by my LA. etc. I think i'll also through in a pen in each folder too.

All in all i know the competition is fierce out there and i got to do whatever it takes to make my company look more profesional. And i'm ready to start making a living!!

Matt

dirt diggler

yeah, you definitely need folders

throwing a stack of paper clipped brochures down on the table in front of someone who's looking to spend $60K is hard to do

I used white folders from Staples (or whereever) --- the glossy kind, not the cardboard-y kind.

I wouldn't go out and get too much stationary. Costs a lot. Eventually do it, but not right off the bat (put it in your pricing)

72chevy4x4

I've been using a comb binding system for prospective clients for many moons now. All of the stuff can be purchased from Staples-you'll need the binding machine (maybe $100+) and the combs come in different colors and sizes. I usually use a clear front cover and solid color back cover-then print something nice as page 1 whcih shows through the front cover. it takes time, but I'll make 20-30 of them at a time.