Getting Service Jobs

gravtyklz

Well we're gonna try to change our focus over to Service jobs.....

These new construction jobs are too big of a pain. Too many low balling electricians, and too many poor GC's.

Ive read some of what you service people have done to get yourselves busy.

I know to advertise and what not, but how did you guys effectively advertise?

Fliers, Ads, door to door?

How about landing commercial jobs? Do you go by places and give them your card or?

eleservtech

Advertising is deffinately the key. Yellow pages and radio. Dont start off too small in the yellow pages and dont go too big. You want to be at about a half page to start out and once you get bigger go full page or even double trucks. It takes a while to get there though. Well maintained vans are a plus. You want something people will see ( magnets are no good people cant see them). I cant stress the well maintained vans enough. No more trashy vans , wire holding on ladders (bungee straps dont cost that much guys) In vest in shoe covers, mats drop cloths. Appearance is everything in the service field. Clean your guys up and put them in uniforms. Youve to be carefull with door to door, check neighborhoods for solicitation restrictians. Youve just got to get your name in the peoples face and keep it there.

C&B

word of mouth is the best around here
be sure to return ph calls, answer the ph people want to talk to someone now .if you do not answer they will call someone else
be there when when you say u will ( on time if not call them)
everyone is always in a hurry i want it fixed yesterday!!!!!!!

good contractors are the ones who are busy

ABLE1

Did you ever price one of those 1/2 page ads in the book??? In 1992 the cost of a 1/2 page was $695 per month, thats $8340 per year. Starting out that can a bit of cut into the wallet. BTW that is a 1 year contract that needs to be signed. Only way out is to fold the business. Not good. Hope you have a lot of Service Work to pay for that Yellow Page ad, not to mention the insurance, gas, maintenance, tools, materials, taxes and the other important thing....... food and a roof to sleep under.

eleservtech

you have to spend money to make money

ABLE1

No question about that.

Controlled spending is better than a flash in the pan. It would really depend on how much an individual company or person can afford at any given time.

Good luck and have a nice weekend.

RobertWilber

I have read much about "presence"
Everyone knowledgeable seems to agree that nobody knows your name til they have seen it six times, at least!
I get best work from referrals
Some of the lead services can get you started, but you buy a lot of bad leads for shoppers
You just have to stay out there, put your name around, be honest and fair, do good work and then one day, after a couple of years of that, you "get lucky"
I never have found that magic bullet ...

Look at what real estate people do ...
Sell, Sell, Sell
Tell EVERYONE what you do!
Get your hair cut? Tell the barber!
Eat? Tell the butcher!
Drive a car? Tell the guy at the gas station!
Give everyone a card...I have gotten jobs from cards I gave out 5 years before!
Remember, EVERYONE has an electrician already. YOU just want them to think of you when they can't find Harry...