Effective Advertising

InPhase277

I have an electrical contracting business in Atlanta that's a couple of years old. Most of my customers came with me when I left my employer to start my business. I didn't do this to cut my boss's throat on purpose, the customers just followed me!

New customers have come from word-of-mouth. I have never needed to really advertise there. Now, I have moved to Alabama to take care of my sick mother. The Atlanta work is still being handled by my partner, and I keep good tabs on it from here. What I want to do while I'm in AL is start a service company. I am licensed here so that's out of the way.

My question involves advertising. I have no experience with this and want to know some of the most effective forms used by other tradesmen. I have a phone book ad coming out, a yellowpages.com ad and some newspaper ads. What are the best ways to go about bringing in new customers withou an established customer base like I had in GA?

InPhase277

A-Bulb

Call up some realtors and property management companys I picked up Quite a bit of service work this way and also a new home from a realtor that works with a bunch of builders.

kriscad

I suggest the following:


1. Our local cable company has a AD for $30.00 a month - it rotates out with the other ads, and is located near the NBC, FOX, ABC channels.

2. Local paper that has ads - seems to get us more customers than anything. We run that 2 x 2 ad all year around. cost $125 a month

3. Lowes has a great business card cork board at most of their stores. I know a guy who does painting and trim work and he gets a ton of work from leaving 5-7 business cards.

4. Magnetic or Vinyl logo on your truck or van.

5. Small magnets that you can give out to customers. Those run about .20 cents each and work great.


Goodluck