Best Way To Advertise

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Best Way

Best Way

Word of mouth is the best way but remember that'll take some time. 22 years in business never use any yellow pages only what the tel company gave me free. runn adv. in tel book or news papers mostly you'll get " young man do fix lamps, toasters, etc......., again this worked for me.:D
 
What type of work...

What type of work...

What type of work are you looking for?

I'm a one man shop. Being small and with my experience, I focus on residential service calls and room additions.

About a month or so ago I started taking the names and address from the Sunday paper Real Estate home transfer section to build a database. Each Monday I'm sending out Post Cards to people that I've entered from the day before. The cost is low and it is not too labor intensive.
 
1793 said:
... it is not too labor intensive.
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You could even reduce that intensity if you have the cards addressed using an excel (or similar) database.
When, and if, these cold calls produce a result...you already have some of the particulars in a database to transfer to a contract ;)
 
celtic said:
You could even reduce that intensity if you have the cards addressed using an excel (or similar) database.
When, and if, these cold calls produce a result...you already have some of the particulars in a database to transfer to a contract ;)
Click to expand...

This is entered int an Excel sheet and mail merged with word. I am running Quick-books but I have not tried to link directly into Quick-books.

This has worked well for me.
 
That was the plan ;)

****
I think that sort of advertising is illegal in NJ though.
I have some foggy recollection of that....can any NJ guys confirm/deny this for me?
 
celtic said:
That was the plan ;)

****
I think that sort of advertising is illegal in NJ though.
I have some foggy recollection of that....can any NJ guys confirm/deny this for me?
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What would be illegal about using public record information? :cool:
 
Yellow pages were a bust for me. I tried it for a couple years and paid more for the ads than I grossed from them.

I advertised in local neighborhood newspapers, and that turned out pretty well. I also managed to snag some good jobs just by posting my business cards at coffee shops, hardware stores, etc.

Angie's List is a good source if you're on it. Once you get a good reputation there, they invite you to advertise with them.

Putting out the word among your friends is a good idea, too. I've gotten plenty of good jobs that way.

I no longer advertise and only take on new business via word of mouth.
 
1793 said:
What would be illegal about using public record information? :cool:
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The issue I recall is not the use of public information, but rather the use of direct unsolicited mailings to prospective clients.
 
I really do like the idea - and I have access to home sales data :D - but I have that nagging idea buried in my head....since no one else will do the leg work for me, I guess I have to do it myself :mad:
 
celtic said:
I really do like the idea - and I have access to home sales data :D - but I have that nagging idea buried in my head....since no one else will do the leg work for me, I guess I have to do it myself :mad:
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I'm starting the investigation in my area as well. If you would let me / us know what you find out and I will do the same.



Edit to remove incorrect information.
 
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I use the yellow pages in the countys I want to work in. Word of mouth adv. is your best bet but that requires your name being out there. Also I use a web site called servicemagic.com it has kept me busy in the slow FEB month.
I feel that WOM advertising is the best, so do good quality work, and it will work.:)
 
celtic said:
The issue I recall is not the use of public information, but rather the use of direct unsolicited mailings to prospective clients.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I get that kind of stuff all the time, it's called "junk mail". :grin:

Big Blue used to have cork boards in each department, so I started putting my business card there. For a while I was about the only one on the board. Had several jobs from there. :cool:

My barber also has a board. Also a restaurant that I remodeled lets me put a small stack at the register, I check it ever time I take the wife out to eat there. :smile:

Joining the Camber of Commerce helped my A/C buddy. I have been invited to a meeting with them next month.

Oh, and the truck lettering - I get a job or 2 a month from someone who saw on of our trucks!
 
Minuteman said:
Yeah, I get that kind of stuff all the time, it's called "junk mail". :grin:

Big Blue used to have cork boards in each department, so I started putting my business card there. For a while I was about the only one on the board. Had several jobs from there. :cool:

My barber also has a board. Also a restaurant that I remodeled lets me put a small stack at the register, I check it ever time I take the wife out to eat there. :smile:

Joining the Camber of Commerce helped my A/C buddy. I have been invited to a meeting with them next month.

Oh, and the truck lettering - I get a job or 2 a month from someone who saw on of our trucks!
Click to expand...


These are all great! also get involved in a networking group there are realitor and contractor and others who need people like us and when they get to know you the word spreads fast.
 
1793 said:
I'm starting the investigation in my area as well. If you would let me / us know what you find out and I will do the same.
Click to expand...
I've looked at both, the KRS ([FONT=Arial, Verdana, Helvetica]KY Revised Statutes) and KAR ([FONT=Arial, Verdana, Helvetica]KY Administrative Regulations) and have not found anything that would prohibit this type of advertising.
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