Creating Your Own Lead Source Company

karunnt

While doing some research on lead sources I had this idea. I don't know if contractors do this informally but I have not seen anything like it before.

Instead of relying on some business to setup a 'approved contractor list' why not setup one for yourself.

1) Get together with a bunch of other contractors and setup a pretty rigorous selection criteria (credit check, criminal, background, certification, etc.). Be honest because you really want the best companies.

2) Then make sure all of your members pass and use an external checking agency. Be honest here also.

3) Then give the 'group' a name like a formal organization. Maybe incorporate it like a non-profit etc. ie. Bay City Local Contractors. You might be able to use a city name if you are a non-profit. Check local laws.

4) Get a website and market this to local business. Do good work and have a formal process for handling disputes, get insurance, have a way to kick a company out of the group etc.

5) Stay current in background checking and recheck regularly.

Since this is your business you can take more pride in its success. Maybe you do this already and have a list of other trades you do business with but by making it more formal and exposing the process to the public you create a 'circle of trust' that the customer feels comfortable within.


PS.

When this is setup you can market your services to large companies that need contractors. eg. strata companies, property management, realtors etc.

RemodelMania

That's a good idea, I think. I was also talkign to a buddy in the mortgage business and they set up a nationwide blog where they all post about FHA loans in their local area. Since there is so much posting and linking going on from so many different people, the blog has become super high ranking in Google and he gets almost all of his leads this way. he has stopped any other online advertsing!

PGD

For a local business this sounds doable, like L.A or N.Y but could you imagine having to compete nationally? It will take a few million bucks I'm sure! the best you could hope for then is getting bought out by servicemagic after grabbing some market share LOL!

the construction field is just too competitive to "start up" a new business w/out major $$$$

RemodelMania

Yea, if it was a full-fledged lead business nationwide then I would agree -- you are basically describing service magic. If it was just a blog that just generates visibility and sends leads to your web site then that is not too hard or expensive.

Darwin

I'd just rather build stuff........