Advertising your business
- Thread starter gooner49
- Start date
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Johnmelad502
Naff all seems to work - simple
yell will bring you custom but will cost you £1,000 to get £100 worth of work!
touchlocal again **** poor performance
local rag total waste of time you will lose money not make any!
previous customers - no loyalty will go elsewhere to save a quid!
leaflets - 1 out of 2,000 may get you a job!
this is my worst year ever and i'm seriously looking at going back to shop work as i ain't making sod all in this game anymore.
yell will bring you custom but will cost you £1,000 to get £100 worth of work!
touchlocal again **** poor performance
local rag total waste of time you will lose money not make any!
previous customers - no loyalty will go elsewhere to save a quid!
leaflets - 1 out of 2,000 may get you a job!
this is my worst year ever and i'm seriously looking at going back to shop work as i ain't making sod all in this game anymore.
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my missus with a sandwich board on her back
I've tried allsorts,
Local papers: useless
Yell: useless so far (has been about 4 months!) but only needs 1 job to pay for its £185 per year.
Local freebie mags: seem to work best for me although not great.
Leaflets: get the odd enquiry but hard work if delivering yourself.
Every business/area is different though so trial and error really.
Local papers: useless
Yell: useless so far (has been about 4 months!) but only needs 1 job to pay for its £185 per year.
Local freebie mags: seem to work best for me although not great.
Leaflets: get the odd enquiry but hard work if delivering yourself.
Every business/area is different though so trial and error really.
99% of my work is word of mouth 1% is yellow pages (or 'the theif's' as they are affectionatly know as by me) I have managed to scrape by since times took a turn by being adaptable and doing almost any aspect of work within my capabilities. Self employed can be a real struggle at times.
A good website with good keywords on your products and the services you offer with the keywords showing your area you want your work in has always worked for me!
There are some good posts here, but no-one has the 'magic' formula to get new and lots more customers.
I know that Homeserve have taken a Big share of the plumbing,drainage and gas work.
I know that Homeserve have taken a Big share of the plumbing,drainage and gas work.
Is there? A magic formula I mean?
Depends on your trade, the type of clients you're after, the area you work in. Magic formula for me could be rubbish for you.
Test, measure and extend that what works best for you, which brings in the most clients you want to have in the most cost-effective way. There's your "magic formula"
Everyone will have different experiences and therefore can only advise on what works for us.
Think about how you, your family and friends find goods & services. However you all do it, you can be fairly certain 99% of the population will too.
A key point on mail shots, flyers etc. The business generated from them is roughly 2%. But you could land high value work or low value.
See where your customers are: There is no point trying to sell ice to eskimos. An example: We don't advertise in certain areas as we know that the area is very low income and unlikely to respond. However if we have a great Deal or Sale on, we do advertise in that area. So be targeted with any adverting you do
What doesn't work for us
Regional Press
Local Press
Both are so crammed with adverts, its hard to make yourself heard
Yellow Pages (when was the last time "you" used it)
Thompson (Ditto)
Things that do work for us:
Google Local Business pages
Local Handbooks: Check out Hogsty end: http://www.hogstyend.co.uk There should be loads of these types of publications in your area, covering all areas. These are hand delivered to every home & business in the their circulation and don't cost the earth. A full page is £100 or there abouts. You can have 1/4 pages etc.
One thing we found with booklets like Hogsty, The Vine etc, is that the loyalty from the readers is very high and they also trust the publication.
All the best. If you want any more info, please feel free to ask
Think about how you, your family and friends find goods & services. However you all do it, you can be fairly certain 99% of the population will too.
A key point on mail shots, flyers etc. The business generated from them is roughly 2%. But you could land high value work or low value.
See where your customers are: There is no point trying to sell ice to eskimos. An example: We don't advertise in certain areas as we know that the area is very low income and unlikely to respond. However if we have a great Deal or Sale on, we do advertise in that area. So be targeted with any adverting you do
What doesn't work for us
Regional Press
Local Press
Both are so crammed with adverts, its hard to make yourself heard
Yellow Pages (when was the last time "you" used it)
Thompson (Ditto)
Things that do work for us:
Google Local Business pages
Local Handbooks: Check out Hogsty end: http://www.hogstyend.co.uk There should be loads of these types of publications in your area, covering all areas. These are hand delivered to every home & business in the their circulation and don't cost the earth. A full page is £100 or there abouts. You can have 1/4 pages etc.
One thing we found with booklets like Hogsty, The Vine etc, is that the loyalty from the readers is very high and they also trust the publication.
All the best. If you want any more info, please feel free to ask
And why not? Suppose the eskimos want a higher quality ice than they have now - or different taste/colours etc? Never say never
"previous customers - no loyalty will go elsewhere to save a quid!"
I totally disagree with that statement. Do a good job with good customer service and you will build a business which will grow and grow. Very few people will ditch a good service at a reasonable price for a few quid less.
I totally disagree with that statement. Do a good job with good customer service and you will build a business which will grow and grow. Very few people will ditch a good service at a reasonable price for a few quid less.
Couldn't agree more, obviously there is the odd exception to the rule, but if you are any good and likable then they will come back to you.
I have just started my painting business and ive got some good work by putting business cards in the posh villages that surround my town it works so far!!
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