I am trying to get my business up and running, about 2 months ago i set up my website, listed my company on directory websites gumtree etc, try to drum up business but I have had about 3 phone calls and 2 jobs over 2 months, this may be normal for someone starting out, I am not expecting jobs to be flooding in but a thought I would have been getting contacted more often. So do you guys have any tips or advice on how to get your company seen to get customers ? I also would like to know if rated people, trustatrader etc is something I should sign up for also.
- Thread starter JM ELECTRICAL
- Start date
O
Octopus
Do a search in this section - this subject has been done a few times. Unfortunately referral is probably your "best friend" and that takes time.
G
Guest569
word of mouth comes over time...online advertising is good for me but I'm currently spending £400-600 per month on online advertising alone.
You could approach some local contractors to see if you could get a few days subbing work here and there to boost your income whilst you build your business up.
D
dan86
as Murdoch said really.sadly no quick way to gain a decent customer base. stick an advert in your local paper, drop leaflets through doors, leave a few cards with everybody you do a job for, or even quote for for that matter. it'll come with time 
best of luck mate.
best of luck mate.
O
Octopus
Cripes - what's the return like? If you are looking at small commercial/domestic I wouldn't think that such a focus would work.
Yeah I know it's going to take time just wish there was an easier way lol, JRCProperty if you don't mind me asking what type of advertising do you feel gives you the best value for money ? I was thinking of ordering flyers and business cards from vista print and posting them round my area do yous think this worth my while ?
D
dan86
I personally think that whatever you can afford to do is worthwhile. especially when just starting out.
O
Octopus
Flyers are worth it - average call rate is 1 to 2 % - and make sure your have your logo'ed fleece on so that when you see homeowners they get a "good" first impression too. Also you get good exercise too!
With flyers the more robust the better - I used Vista print "rack cards" - and my findings were that people kept them - whereas A5 light paper flyers may simply go in the bin.
Doing nothing is NOT an option, spending £100 per month, for the first year, wisely, will pay off.
With flyers the more robust the better - I used Vista print "rack cards" - and my findings were that people kept them - whereas A5 light paper flyers may simply go in the bin.
Doing nothing is NOT an option, spending £100 per month, for the first year, wisely, will pay off.
I am going to order some flyers then can't argue with the price of them off vista print either, just really want to get stuck in !
G
Guest569
Well Im not ashamed to say I started my business more or less off Rated People. Start small doing odd jobs. If I where in your position, Id do as many really small jobs as possible, may only be £30 pounds but its customer testimonials that are key.
I spend a lot per month but usually I still pick up at least 4 rewires per month from Rated People, so doing the math you can see its defo worth while. Occasionally Ill get rewires from MyBuilder and I even secured a rewire today through gumtree! I don't recommend gumtree as its full of chancers and folk wanting 1k rewires but I usually have an advert on there as it ranks well on google.
On my fleeces, t shirts , hoodies and soft shells I have my logo on front, web address on back and "electrical rewiring" on the sleeves. When I price a rewire and they see the sleeves they know I specialise in rewiring. Its small things like this that can be the difference in winning the job or not, all in my opinion of course.
At the moment Im about
£300-400 Rated People
£50 My Builder
£50 Gumtree
£30 a day budget on Adwords ( I'm getting loads through this )
£700 a year Trustatrader
Id say my work is 60% online leads and 40% word of mouth.
Flyers etc don't return much but its good to hand to cutovers when quoting.
When I price a rewire for example I hand an "are your electrics safe ?" flyer and an 8 page booklet about rewiring. The booklet took me months to design and create and cost a lot but its a winner.
I spend a lot per month but usually I still pick up at least 4 rewires per month from Rated People, so doing the math you can see its defo worth while. Occasionally Ill get rewires from MyBuilder and I even secured a rewire today through gumtree! I don't recommend gumtree as its full of chancers and folk wanting 1k rewires but I usually have an advert on there as it ranks well on google.
On my fleeces, t shirts , hoodies and soft shells I have my logo on front, web address on back and "electrical rewiring" on the sleeves. When I price a rewire and they see the sleeves they know I specialise in rewiring. Its small things like this that can be the difference in winning the job or not, all in my opinion of course.
At the moment Im about
£300-400 Rated People
£50 My Builder
£50 Gumtree
£30 a day budget on Adwords ( I'm getting loads through this )
£700 a year Trustatrader
Id say my work is 60% online leads and 40% word of mouth.
Flyers etc don't return much but its good to hand to cutovers when quoting.
When I price a rewire for example I hand an "are your electrics safe ?" flyer and an 8 page booklet about rewiring. The booklet took me months to design and create and cost a lot but its a winner.
Try to decide how much you can spend per month, and how/where it is best spent i.e. a brief marketing plan. I found many of the free listings generated virtually no work, you will need to pay for whatever you think will work best - leaflets, local paper ads, etc. As mentioned, word of mouth is best but takes a long while to build up.
I found once I started advertising, I got all sorts of calls from people trying to relieve me of my money for ads and listings of dubious value. When I started on my own, some weeks I got more of these calls than calls from potential customers. They would quote all sorts of statistics and promise great results, I nearly wavered once or twice, but in the end I ignored all these calls and stuck to my plans.
I found once I started advertising, I got all sorts of calls from people trying to relieve me of my money for ads and listings of dubious value. When I started on my own, some weeks I got more of these calls than calls from potential customers. They would quote all sorts of statistics and promise great results, I nearly wavered once or twice, but in the end I ignored all these calls and stuck to my plans.
I feel your pain the calls from advertisers are constant, I think I will get flyers and business cards made, join rated people and do small jobs like jrc said just to try and get some referels, get an ad in a local paper, and then take it from there.
go and visit all the letting agents in your area. they will probably tell you that they have plenty of tradesmen on there books but if your persistent you eventually get jobs. Also try all the shops and other small businesses and restaurants. even if they haven't got work for you they will sometimes let you put ads in the window
Getting cards in takeouts, shops, post office etc works well, people are browsing/standing in a queue...captive audience.. Always be polite, even when out and about...people remember your face surprisingly often, offer to clean up (though its surprising how many people tell you not to bother and they will get it once your gone)
Never let someone shortchange you on the bill and "put a cheque in the post for the difference" often the cheque never turns up...had that once..
Subbing can work well, just be wary of some companies...I got asked to sub for one company, did a quick google and found they owed quite a lot of people money for services rendered....
I have an ad with Yell, that I'm considering expanding the area of as its making some half decent returns.
Also make sure your listed in Thomson local, 118s, etc
Be wary of Scousers touting - Police Welfare magazine (what force am I covered by tends to throw them, thats funny the local community police officer never mentioned this but did mention scams like yours also gets the message through), crime prevention monthly, disabled childrens network, fire prevention yearly as they are ALL scams...
It takes time mate, lots of time, get comfy footwear, if you are half decent with design progs, make something up, or get someone to do one for you...buy heavy weight glossy paper and print 4 to a page...perfect fridge sized postcards that look tidy and people hang onto...might not get an immediate return but its surprising how often you will get a call 5 or 6 weeks down the line when something needs done or the lights go out etc.
If your half decent at other trades - put down odd jobs done or similar, also if you know other trades or can arrange them put down "all trades supplied" (just make sure your PL covers you for sub contractors...)
Never let someone shortchange you on the bill and "put a cheque in the post for the difference" often the cheque never turns up...had that once..
Subbing can work well, just be wary of some companies...I got asked to sub for one company, did a quick google and found they owed quite a lot of people money for services rendered....
I have an ad with Yell, that I'm considering expanding the area of as its making some half decent returns.
Also make sure your listed in Thomson local, 118s, etc
Be wary of Scousers touting - Police Welfare magazine (what force am I covered by tends to throw them, thats funny the local community police officer never mentioned this but did mention scams like yours also gets the message through), crime prevention monthly, disabled childrens network, fire prevention yearly as they are ALL scams...
It takes time mate, lots of time, get comfy footwear, if you are half decent with design progs, make something up, or get someone to do one for you...buy heavy weight glossy paper and print 4 to a page...perfect fridge sized postcards that look tidy and people hang onto...might not get an immediate return but its surprising how often you will get a call 5 or 6 weeks down the line when something needs done or the lights go out etc.
If your half decent at other trades - put down odd jobs done or similar, also if you know other trades or can arrange them put down "all trades supplied" (just make sure your PL covers you for sub contractors...)
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