Increase in work lately

[BluSparx]

Has anybody noticed an increased amount of work lately.

Don't know if it's due to my new website, appearing in google listing, word of mouth, advertising, new leaflets. But hey I like it - keep it coming

I have tried all possible methods of advertising for minimal cost now going to try direct marketing to lettings estate agents see what that brings. 6months of operating on my own and work starting to flow nicely at least for the next few months.

Any tips from you experience self employed guys on how to drum up more business for minimal cost.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Yes mate....it's been dire for a while....but things do seem to be happening again.

 

[accordfire]

It is definitely picking up.

Interestingly, one of the various junk emails I keep getting - bank, government, some other faceless wonder - was claiming that there were over 35000 new businesses started in the last six months - more than this time last year, or earlier this year by a long shot.

We've noticed an increase in almost every area of business lately, which is goooood! Much as I like to think that's all down to my sparkling wit, irresistible charm, and outstanding salesmanship, I think a lot of it has to do with good word of mouth, and good google/website referrals.

Certainly, on a bang for buck basis, Google advertising and the website both out perform any other we've used, apart from word of mouth.

Of course, word of mouth is only ever going to be good if you back up what you claim to the LAST customer as well as the current one.....or the word of mouth will be a killer.

Under promise, over deliver. Golden rule.

But the better one, I think is simply to do what you say you will, when you will. People remain more impressed with the service they expect, than one they don't - either way.

And the trick to that one is perception, and not just delivery. Keep a close eye on what people THINK you are offering, as well as what you are. They're so often different, and it is the key reason why people end up dissatisfied.

An example - "New 8 Way CU fitted for £200!".

What you you think you're getting for that?

One company, advertising that very deal lately, was offering literally that - a cheapo 8 way CU, main switch, 8 MCB's, no RCD, no cert, no anything, other than an 8 way CU.

You know, and I know, that there's hellish few places in the UK you can fit an 8 way CU without RCD protection, or without a board full of RCBOs......or without a cert. Customers don't, and expect that these things are part of the package, just because they should be.

You might advertise "New 8 Way CU fitted for £500!" - fully intending to convey that it includes full RCD protection, RCBO's on every way, proper certification, and attention to any other minor issues - like fitting of the correct meter tails "while you're at it", or time taken to identify and label each way on the new CU.

How does the customer tell the difference between the two on the information provided?

Seems to me, on the face of it, if I can get a new 8 way CU fitted for £200, it's a bargain......although, we know it isn't given the differences explained above.

So, the same advert might be better worded....."New, 8 Way CU fitted to latest Regs, Full Certs, only £500!" Few more words, but explains a whole lot more.

And this is very important when running something like a Google Ad Words campaign - you only get so many words in your ad.....make sure they're the right ones!

It applies over all formats for advertising though. And it is the main area we all fall down in as "amateur" advertisers......PERCEPTION. It's what your potential customers THINK you are saying, and not what you MEAN to say....try it. You'll see what I mean.

It's always a good idea before committing to any advertising to get someone as non-industry as you can to read your intended ads, and give you their thoughts - they are far more likely to know how to describe what you're offering in NON Electrician terms, than anyone in the game.

Sorry - hijacked the thread a little - but yes, business is increasing......

 

[BluSparx]

Hi bill

Don't worry about hijacking the thread your comments are taken well.

I must admit it was daunting going into the self-employed arena but the best step I have taken for a long while.

 

[accordfire]

Hi bill

Don't worry about hijacking the thread your comments are taken well.

I must admit it was daunting going into the self-employed arena but the best step I have taken for a long while.

It has a lot to recommend it - and many pitfalls too.

To be honest, forums like this, I think, make it easier (and more rewarding) than ever to avoid mistakes, gain support, and remove the feeling of "isolation" that can come about running your own business.

There are a relatively high proportion of guys out on their own here- and whether it's technical or business, it almost always helps to know someone else understands where you're at, and the issues you face. And lets face it, the missus almost never really does, and the bank manager certainly never does, lol!

It's a sad fact, I think, that you can be the very best plumber, electrician, decorator, or whichever trade, and fail miserably, just because you don't have the same level of experience in actually doing the "business" parts of business. And more sad is the fact that too many are willing to bank on the fact that some don't have that savvy, and make their money taking advantage of it, increasing the tradesman's suffering (and banks can be among the worst at that too!).

On the other hand, a good job, well done, can give a higher high than almost anything else - especially a job that comes in "out of the blue" from an advert of some sort. That buzz you get when someone say "I found you on Google" - and you win the work, and get paid!

It's one thing, to me that's held good, though, in all aspects of both trade and business - if in doubt, ask! And in here, there seems to be a wide range of experience, and a large number of very willing givers, who can help almost across the board. I think it's not long til we get a "stuff the NIC - we're electriciansforums.net approved".......lol!

I do enjoy the fact in here that it is social and helpful, rather than just "I'm better than you" - makes a far better forum I think.

I'm always happy to help however I can - if I can - might as well put the BSc in Business Studies/Accounting to use somewhere lol! That and twenty six years of electrical/security/fire too, anyway.

 

[ezzzekiel]

agree i aint been around much for last few weeks, just way too busy

 

[Deleted member 19807]

yep last 2 months busy as hell, might change when vat goes up and people are put off the bigger jobs.

 

[accordfire]

yep last 2 months busy as hell, might change when vat goes up and people are put off the bigger jobs.

It might change, but somehow I doubt it.

Realistically, on purchases, the VAT increase is only £2.50 in every hundred.

Effectively, to the customer, assuming a 35% mark up on materials (I've not accounted for labour rates at all in this example) you will end up with a difference in every hundred pounds of product sold of £3.38 increase, to maintain the same margins.

It follows that for every thousand, then, the increase will be £33.80.

If you charge, say £30 plus VAT an hour at present, then you charge £35.25 with the VAT for now. That will increase to £36 to maintain margins, or an actual increase of 75p per hour.

So, a job that would have taken a £100 of materials, and 3 hours at a 35% mark up, now, would be £225 plus VAT = £264.38

After Jan 4, the same job will be £225 plus VAT = £270 - a total increase of £5.62 on pre-Jan 4 rates.

Sure, it looks a little scarier at thousands of pounds worth of work, say, £5000 of materials, plus 40 hours of labour at the same mark up - pre VAT will be £7075 plus VAT = £8313.13 and after VAT will be £8490.00 - an increase of £176.87.

On the brighter side, not VAT registered businesses won't fare any better, as they still pay VAT on purchases, and margin will work in the same way. The other bright side is that it affects everyone, and not just some - we've all got to increase prices to meet the VAT hike.

I honestly don't think most customers will notice it any more than they already do.

I don't think too many folks noticed (or acted, more specifically) when the VAT went down.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

I think it will be more of a mind game then a numbers one, with all vatable items and services going up i think people will just cut back, i am not vat registered and will be pushing that fact on every quote, my customers will be saving £20.00 in every £100 of labour over a vat registered company.

 

[accordfire]

I think it will be more of a mind game then a numbers one, with all vatable items and services going up i think people will just cut back, i am not vat registered and will be pushing that fact on every quote, my customers will be saving £20.00 in every £100 of labour over a vat registered company.

Yah, true, but only if they're also not VAT registered....and if you get £70k successful.....you lose your advantage

 

[Deleted member 19807]

i'm just a one man band out in the sticks, only do domestic so none of my customers are vat reg, they always pay when job is done so no cash flow problems and they give me a christmas present, got a bottle of cava just last week, If i do 30k i have been over working and take a long holiday to recover, not into the rat race any more just a gentle plod through the week.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Stuffed out with work till mid march, a few days here and there free for the just in case jobs that crop up.

 

[accordfire]

i'm just a one man band out in the sticks, only do domestic so none of my customers are vat reg, they always pay when job is done so no cash flow problems and they give me a christmas present, got a bottle of cava just last week, If i do 30k i have been over working and take a long holiday to recover, not into the rat race any more just a gentle plod through the week.

I envy you fella!

Really I do.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

Ya, its not a bad life,