I dont think you will get the response your thinking it will. You would be better off converting traffic into sales.

 

I think the problem is that many people are weary of giving out there e mail address for a chance to win something. Heck, I have about 50 million dollars waiting for me in various lottery winnings, but I refuse to give them my email address.

 

Thanks for the responses. The whole idea behind a squeeze page is the give something of value away in exchange for your e-mail address.

What about a pdf on how to select the right contractor for your project? Or some type of educational pdf. It would be alot simpler to execute and might hit upon the old immediate gratification thing we all love.

 

I think if you increase your seo you will find the phone will ring just fine.

My wife has reward cards for every store, and I just keep telling her it is for email marketing and so they can track your spending patterns. She doesnt care they send her a 10 dollar coupon every once and a while...seems pointless to me to maintain a separate email for this nonsense.

Point is, myself like alot of other people cant stand being "marketed" to. Some companies have gotten real good at providing something with a perceived value for "free" if you just fill in the form. Like Website grader, or hubspot to be more precise.

A chance to win something angle is ignored by consumers now a days.

 

Here is the thing, the big companies do it because it works. You need a venue to inform people where to sign up and then it will most likely have some results. If you want to grow a business you have to market to People. Do it then judge it and then decide if its worth doing again. 3 hours of labor is not a lot to risk.

 

I think if you increase your seo you will find the phone will ring just fine.

My wife has reward cards for every store, and I just keep telling her it is for email marketing and so they can track your spending patterns. She doesnt care they send her a 10 dollar coupon every once and a while...seems pointless to me to maintain a separate email for this nonsense.

Point is, myself like alot of other people cant stand being "marketed" to. Some companies have gotten real good at providing something with a perceived value for "free" if you just fill in the form. Like Website grader, or hubspot to be more precise.

A chance to win something angle is ignored by consumers now a days.

Agreed! Do something customers want to be part of.

 

I wouldn't trust three free hours of repairs. At least if I am paying I can complain and be more particular about the results.

I agree with the others, increase your SEO and the calls will come.

 

I wouldn't trust three free hours of repairs. At least if I am paying I can complain and be more particular about the results.

I agree with the others, increase your SEO and the calls will come.

That being said you can start by making me the first winner. Ill even write you a nice review :shifty:

 

The next time I'm in Dayton your getting new casing on any window in your house! Not that small 2 1/4 crap either. I'm talking the big stuff! hehe Appreciate the response! Jim

 

Really appreciate all the responses. What do you guys do with the e-mail address you have now? Do you at least keep your name in front of them every so often with a home tip or simple newsletter?

If you go back and contact all your old customers, be it with a phone call or e-mail I'm willing to bet you might just get a job or two from it.

The e-mail list to me is just another way of "keeping in touch" without bugging them too much. A monthly newsletter just to say we are still here. People forget about us faster than we would probably like to admit.

I think while I'm at it why not gather a ton of potential customers. Not to spam them at all...that would hurt way more than it could ever help. Just to say, "look at this awesome project I just completed."

Thanks again for all the responses! Much appreciated! Jim

 

Only send emails to people you have done business with or personally know. I have learned this the hard way. People will not think positive about you if you have their email. Let's say you get 1 free job on a Saturday but 500 people are mad. You made no money and people don't like you. Put a free ad on craigslist. You might get a few jobs, it's free, you made money, and people don't dislike you. There are many ways of advertising besides craigslist but don't waste your time on an email blast!
Alex

 

Jim, My first response (from a contractor perspective was.....interesting)

But then I put myself in the shoes of a client. It didn't sit as well. The objection you might have will be that it sounds like you are hurting for work, and are planning on bombarding everyone later with ads. Just my opinion.

I'm afraid that you also might attract the wrong type of clientele. People who want quality are willing to pay for it, and those are the people I want as clients. Those who want things for free tend to be people I DON'T want as clients.

If you go ahead with something like this, keep us posted. Just a couple thoughts though. I would work on wording the entry rules carefully to include geographic boundaries and type of work.

You don't want the winner to be some guy from Indiana who plans to have you clean his gutters. :laughing:

Just my 2 cents.

:thumbsup:

 

I hashed this idea out a couple years ago when I added Repair to my business model. Ultimately I decided not to do it because I just saw too many ways for it to backfire on me with the winning customer.

You and I know that three hours of our time is quite valuable but the customers won't necessarily know that. You'll have to deal with all the problems that arise from not being able to just do a clean three hours of work. The customers may think that painting their living room or installing a new entry door is a three hour project. They may be unhappy about having to pay for materials. The list of possible problems is long.

Sure, some customers will be thrilled that you cleaned their gutters or installed some Ikea cabinets but the risk for bad press is just too great.

Now if you could offer a specific service you'd really be able to control the situation. Maybe something like thermal imaging of their home or a chimney cleaning, gutter cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, or any other predictable service.

 

Thanks for the input. My idea was to pick the project I think would be the best bang for the buck. Basically to show the most improvement within the three hours. Go there the day before and gather a list.

While thinking the idea was a home run I for sure got some...well, constructive criticism. I really appreciate it. It made me take some views that I hadn't really thought of. I'm not going to throw it out just yet. Maybe rethink it.

I firmly believe you need to cultivate your list once you get it. Keep a loose grip on your customer base.

Jim

 

I had an offer where I would inspect the furnace (superficial) and replace the air filters for $15.00. It was an opportunity to introduce myself to the h/o, and put my sticker on the furnace.

I don't know the end results, but, I think it will pan out. Bottom line, get to meet the h/o first, and then ask for their e mail

 

I own a sprinkler business and send out postcards to my customers in the spring and in the fall (spring start ups and blow outs). These are all great for reminding customers who does their sprinkler work. It doesn't make them mad because these people were gonna call us but needed a reminder.

I've tried to send mass emails to an organization that I became a member of and it didn't turn out well. I did have permission, I did get a few customers but I received multiple calls asking how I got their email and asking who gave me the info. Not fun...

Marketing to past customers is extremely easy if you do great work and they like you, they will be there year after year.