Whats In A Name And A Business Card???

MR2LE

I would like some honest opinions on the Name of a business (Handyman Service) and also an opinion of a business card. I have been a homebuilder for over 30 years. I have never advertised and only used a basic business card during this period. I recently moved 30 miles to a major city in the midwest that has been hit very hard by the economy. The home building business shut down, sub prime lending, foreclosures are the big news items in the region. I moved in hopes that a larger population would be a positive move but have no network of people or contacts in the area. Logic seems that people may stay where they are and require services. I have gathered much info on Handyman Services. Some suggest a Name that seperates your name from others. I developed this idea and card. The opinions I have recieved or anywhere from great to ridiculous. I have all the job and business knowledge to run a business but marketing that business is something new to me. Word of Mouth was always on my side. I am just seeking opinions and ideas and would like to say thanks for your opinion, The actual image is much better quality than the uploaded image. Thanks

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sutcac

Just off hand, I really like your logo. But the business title would seem to me to maybe attract some clientelle but be somewhat off-putting to others. I think just the logo sort of hints at age and experience without making it even more overt with "Grandpa's..." And then your focus further on the age thing with your catch phrase in the middle.

I would focus less on age and more on experience, reliability, etc.

Just my two cents. I wish you the best of luck, things are tough here in central California lately too.

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Blockade

You have a lot of tag lines....is Grandpa’s Handyman Service the name of the company and is it an incorporated and licensed business?
The logo relates to carpentry and not electrical, plumbing and painting. This contradicts the name handyman.
When you shrink the card to business card size the logo becomes a black spot and the writing blurs.
I like that fact that you are marketing to people who may feel more sure of a grandpa figure, but if you are marketing to that and a picture of Grandpa Lennox is being used then Grandpa Lennox needs to show up with his glasses on the tip of his nose.

Mike Finley

What exactly do you want to know?

You've created a down home, good ole' boy image with the combination of everything you have so far.

In my opinion handymen businesses are the one home improvement business that definitely benefits from staking out some sort of image to go along with it. So if that's what you wanted to do I think you've done it.

SethHoldren

I think if you have a clean vehicle with a nice professional looking sign on it, the "Grandpa" thing works. You should also be very neat in appearance and jobsite cleanliness, as well as friendly.

If none of those things describe you, and your truck is so rusty you could "throw a cat through that thing," then I would move away from the "down home" image.

So, if you look like this, then yes:



However, I'd say no to "Grandpa" if you look like this:

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Blockade

I swear, the Good Old Appellation Mountain Man is responsible for the cancellation of the Flintstones, he appears to be wearing Pebbles dress as a sock…or is that what 50 years of re-runs does to the innocence of drawn characters.

Heritage

I like it

I would expect a certain follow through with the image and pre-conceived idea in my mind (like others pointed out).

I would expect a clean, honest, good natured (salt of the earth) kind of gentleman to show up. I expect for you to be very knowledgeable. I, unlike the previous poster wouldn't necessarily put any emphasis on your van/truck. It could be a beater, I wouldn't care.

I would also expect for you to take your time.

That's the image in my mind from your business card. I would expect all of the above.

With that being said, if you follow through with my expectations I would not only give you all kinds of work and treat you with more respect than some Handyman service employee, I would tell everybody else I know to call you. I really like the "Grandpa" bit. It puts people's guard down.

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Heritage

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GregS

Grandpa makes me think of Grandpa Simpson type. A clueless old guy who will spend more time telling stories about his time back in the war then actually doing the work you hired him to do.

It would also make me think they wouldn't have the knowledge of newer systems and products because they are stuck in their old ways.

rbsremodeling

if your looking for a handyman I would assume your looking basic repair work and not for someone who puts in newer systems and products. You probably would call a licensed plumber, electrician or remodeler at that point

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ScipioAfricanus

Alright, I know we are just a bunch of dumb-butt contractors but I just have to correct something. It is the 'Appalachian' mountains and I think you meant 'innocence' not innocents. Sorry, don't mean to be so picky.

Say Heritage, is your avatar a profile of Hannibal? If it is I love it, but just remember Scipio was the only one to have defeated Hannibal.


BTW MR2LE, I think it is a real good concept, needs a little tweaking but sounds like you got some good ideas from others here.

Andy.

Blockade

I stand corrected on innocence, if I coined the Appalachain's as a place where mongrels sit at computers I may offend them, so I shall leave it spelled as it is, just to keep the peace....the spelling is fitting for the characters place of residence...

I too find it necessary to comment on the avatar of Heritage, is it not like a tattoo, you should always have portrait looking into the body or in this case at your writing, I feel as though Heritage feels unworthy or maybe shy or is it that he is plotting…..

MR2LE

Thanks for all your suggestions and opinions. Some very good points and enjoyed the entertainment too. The opinions were about the same mix as I received from friends etc. Read one post and agree its OK, read the next and agree maybe not. My original thinking was something to get their attention and not so much an ABC name, that Grandpa might add some comfort level to it as well as indicating experience. As suggested , I do worry about being that old man thing but also know many "Grandpas" that can outrun their younger counterparts and also hope that the new generation of grandpas is recognized. Oher points that were made about apperance. I have always appreciated clean vehicles and presentable workers, a clean image. I have seen the best craftman step out of the worst truck and the worst craftman step out of the best truck, but overall I have seen the best craftmen step out of the best trucks. Will probably tweek it some and go for it. Past experience suggest workmanship and value will usually lead the way and probably applies to this type of business too. Thanks again, I respect all your opinions. MR2LE

RT Marketing

I've worked with a lot of similar businesses for a while. I've designed A LOT of business cards and here are my suggestions.

The logo is cute and I like it, but I would change the type. The young enough to work thing kind of throws me off. I think I would leave off that part and keep the experience to know how. or change it to the experience and know-how. If you have room, I would include at least a few services that you offer so people immediately know. Also, you can get full color business cards now for a similar price to just black and white. What would be neat to do with your card would be to place a light wood grain background and make the text and logo look almost as if it were burned into it. I'd have a lot of fun designing this ahaha. Good luck in your business! I can give you any advice you need - that's what our company specializes in 'marketing for Contractors, Builders, and Developers

MR2LE

On the suggestions of of many replies I changed the name and tag lines. Tried to keep it simple and went for it. Got Bonding , Insurance and City registration stuff done. Friend is signmaker. We cut signage and applied to vehicle. Drove to one of the Office stores to have some cards printed. We were waiting in the parking lot solving most of the world problems and a lady tapped on the window and ask if we were the handymen and replied with a yes. She ask if I had a card and I said we were waiting on them to be finished. Cards were finished as she was also having print work done. She was having problems finding anyone to take care of the typical HM stuff. $he was happy as she got in here Mercedes and drove away with card in hand. The city Im in has about a One Million population. I googled and got the top ten handyman services and started calling. I was only able to speak to one live body ( 2 week BACKLOG)and 9 recordings. This brings up another question. If I get a recording I usually hang up. If I get a speaking human I am more inclined to do business. My question is, whats your opinion of answering machines. Is it the norm for this type of business. Thanks MR2LE

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Tommyboy54321

I love the name! Love the pic! I think you are seperating yourself from the competition really nice. Wondering how it works out.

davitk

I like the new name, "Grandpa's" gave me the impression of 1950's pricing , you know, just enough "profit" to afford that new saw file you've been drooling over at the hardware store. Good luck in the new venture!!

MattCoops

I think a business card has to set you apart from others.
Ever walk into a specialty store and see all the slurry of contractors cards pinned all over a cork board or scattered on top of a counter.

Creative, out-the-box ideas are needed to open eyes and have people remember you.

I'd like to see other business card ideas like this one:



If a landscape contractor gave me a card that looked like that, I'd definitely call him.

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Chase99

The new design looks great and I can easily see it at the side of truck. Now that the card is looking good keep the image bulding going, nice work shirts with logo, the truck and even a web site or blog.

Let us know if the new card shows an increase in leads/people calling you.

ECALEXANDER

Sorry to bring up old post but this is what they tell people down here.
louisianarebuilds dot info/node/1334
Common Contractor Scams

Has a company with a name like "Jesus Saves Construction," "Marine Construction," or "Honest Joe's Landscapers". These names are often a cover-up. It doesn't necessarily mean they’re trustworthy - in fact, it usually means the opposite.