My main source of new customers is the internet. I have not tried too many other ways of advertising, besides lawn signs and the lettering on my truck and trailer. Since I am going to be starting a roof cleaning division I will have to try some other methods of advertising. I will be watching this thread.
I have Mailed out thousands of post cards with lousy results. Flyers are decent but again a lot of effort with small results. I think Arts right signs are ok results with less effort.
A lot of little things help as well. Such as having you and any employees wearing company lettered apparel. You can go around to community centers or lumber yards and stores and ask to leave some business cards there. Some guys use door knocking and have had success, I have not tried this myself though. Once you do start getting some calls, always be sure to ask how they heard of you. That way you actually know which form of advertising is working for you. Zach
there are many ways to gain new customers but one thing is that you must constantly put yourself(business) in front of them. the key to success in advertising is repetition.
Good to have you posting and getting involved here. There are a dozens of threads started using the same question. Not sure your level of experience but whatever you do make sure you get in 2-3 free friends and family roofs with some pics. Get a little portfolio going. Get that website started this year so it can work for you by the next.
You never mentioned what's your budget. $100? $1000? $10,000? Flyers are your cheapest way to start. But that alone wont get you much. Knock on doors and "educate".
Like Art said, bandit signs are effective and inexpensive. But theyre only effective if you know what youre doing. I wasted alot of time and money before I got it right.
Do some reading here my friend. I wasted thousands on crap that didnt work. Like Barney the purple dinosaur suit I bought. Almost got me arrested for blocking trafiic. And dont do the "logo on Speedos". Unless you want alot of scary old men following you around.
The internet is the quickest easiest way to let the public find you. But postcards and mailers do work just have to do a large volume. Some local newspapers that have multiple papers or do multiple towns can and will do postcards. The good thing about using a local paper instead of a mailing company is the discounted bulk mailing the paper company can offer you.
The internet brought me the most business this year, but without question, it is NOT the only answer. If I relied solely on the internet, my business would fail. A combination of a good ranking website that converts potential client, some form of direct advertisement and other crafty ways of staying in front of the customer are key to building your business.
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Did you pick the location of the billboard or did a marketing firm? Is it highway (chiching!) or more localized? I thought about doing a billboard to A) Get leads And B). Inflate my ego. It was a huge highway billboard. After printing the canvass it came to roughly $7500.00 for 3 months. Maybe in a few years.
Well my first thought is, if there looking up at the billboard, they are hopefully looking up at roofs. I haven't decided whats pictures I am going to go with or the design, also ya it is on a highway. Main highway coming into my town.
As an owner of a marketing company as well as a roof cleaning company I would suggest you pass on the billboards. They are to expensive and the read time on them just will not send the message you want. If you go ahead do not use more than 7 items. Items = words, photos, logo, phone # etc. 2 pics plus 10 words = 12 times which is 5 to many. Most billboards are used to direct people to businesses not sell services. No one stays at a hotel from a billboard but they use it to find it from the road they are traveling on. Hope this helps.
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All Washed Up 505 Carriage Hill Drive Forest, VA 24551 434-841-9889 David@AllWashed.com
Ed(& others) a great place for billboard is at a railroad crossing (esp. in an afluent neighborhood). The only time I notice billboards is when I'm sitting there and have time for the image/message to sink in. Most people driving by on a highway would see the sign and in a split second later its out of their mind. By sitting there for 2 minutes the message sinks in and they have time to write down your info.
I'm not sure if its more costly but I'm sure David could answer that one.
The main thing that effects the cost of a billboard is the # of cars that pass it each day. They sell it as more cars = more impressions = more sales. You have to remember that they are sales people and will tell you what you want to hear in order to make the sale.
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All Washed Up 505 Carriage Hill Drive Forest, VA 24551 434-841-9889 David@AllWashed.com