New Guy Needs Input

ipaint

I've been doing carpentry and painting for 27 years. Worked my way through college, I've just about seen it all. Up until a couple years ago I was solo, but since I found a guy who's been with me about a year and a half. I always relied on word of mouth, referrals, yellow pages and my website as my main marketing tools. I do very professional work, but no new construction. My worker and I are working out great and I'm looking to expand.

Within the past year I've had a real hard time booking work. Everything I've done in the past has been totally professional and I continue to do that. But there are times when I can't give a paint job away. Here it is almost April and in the past I'd be booked out 2 months or more and I'm lucky to have two weeks.

I can't go any lower on my pricing or I'm going to have to go work for someone else. Any ideas out there? Thanks.

farrellpainting

ipaint, that's pretty rough!

just a few that i didn't see:

truck lettering
yard signs
local newspapers
door hangers

how big is your yellow page listing?a 1/4-1/2- full color page will make a big differece in the amount of intrest people have in your company!

apperance is a big factor also, could your logo use any improvements to convey a better image of your company!

improve on your selling abilities!

call prospects and ask tell them your trying to improve your sales efforts, and ask them why they chose not to go with you, and what could be a solution?

thats about all i can come up with, GOOD LUCK!

ProWallGuy

Why are you lowering your pricing?

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Woz the Painter

Drop your prices so low, or better yet do jobs for free, then you'll have work up the ying-yang...

Workaholic

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Sean

Brian

Customer retention-- contact all of your past customers, as well as anyone you gave an estimate to that didn't hire you. It could be as simple as a postcard or as elaborate as a newsletter.

Thank them for their past patronage, announce a spring special, just say hello. The message is less important than staying in front of them.

It's relatively inexpensive and it works very well.

Brian Phillips

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Houston Interior Painting
Houston Exterior Painting
Houston Painting Contractor

ipaint

FerrellPainting....I am in the process of upgrading my truck signage, business cards, fridge mags....all that. I always ask folks how they found my name to track my advertising. Regarding you and Brian on the sales and public relations front, I'm always doing follow ups and asking questions....I've learned over the years to read folks pretty well and I try to concentrate on sales where I know people are serious about having work done. So...I understand and appreciate your points.

I think one of my biggest problems was being solo for so long. I could rely on my current ways of advertising, etc. (word of mouth and referrrals built my business) for myself, but when I brought on a worker(s) and got them up to speed, we are burning through every job almost as fast as I can book them. So...I've got to network better...maybe join the PDCA, Chamber of Commerce, Playboy Club....something.

I've changed and spread my advertising dollars around some too. I don't know what a yellow page ad runs in your area but here they are off the map, and the business card size AD I had over the past three years stopped generating the kind of leeds I had come to expect. So I made it smaller and believe it or not I'm gettimg more calls off that then I was with the larger AD. Go figure.

Anyway, thanks for the constructive criticism. I've been at it for along time. I didn't get this far sitting on my ass. Just keep movin'. Peace.

farrellpainting

ipaint, yellow book ads are off the charts in my area as well!

I've thought about fridge mags as well. I decided that they are more maintenece biz oriented, and therefore it would be a waste of money for a painting biz! However, I will be having some made for a residential plowing service that i will be starting this fall!

P.S. ever thought about Pwashing?

ipaint

"...P.S. ever thought about Pwashing?..."

I did two today. I do it all...In/Ex, carpentry, deck restoration, some faux, pwashing, basically the whole magilla. Take a rotten treasure and totaly restore it. Educate my homeowners....I mean I go all out.

I'm telling you I've seen it all. And some of it I hope I never see again. I've found my niche. I probably just need to do more marketing in a more up front personal kind of way....Get my name out more.

Thanks for the input.

Joewho

AARRGG, I'm giving away all my tricks............

Go to the municipal or county Board of Realtors. Join the MLS. You don't have to be a realtor to join. This will get your name and services on the MLS list. Usually, the monthly mls book has page or two reserved for contractors and services. At the very least you'll get a couple of calls. At the most, you can then go visit Real Estate Offices and pass your cards out. Guarantee you'll get some work, but be prepared to adjust services and prices accordingly. Some high end work, mostly quicky repaints.

This is a targeted group and is easy to network with. You will get paid since most property is for sale and can't afford a lein or any other hindrance to a closing. Realtors need reliable ,honest people. The low budget job you do to help sell a house, leads to a high budget job for a newly purchased home. It goes from dealing with a Realtor to dealing with the customers directly, then referrals, etc. etc.