Networking

T

Tim Smith

Member
I created a letter and mailed to other contractors, such as:

Landscapers
Plumbers
Carpenters
Roofers
Masonry
Electrictions
etc

In this letter, I introduce myself, explain my services, and added a discount coupon for the contractors own personal property.

I mail this letter, a flyer, and business card to approx. 200 contractors.


Has anyone else done anything like this?

What do you do to network?
 
Writing such a letter is something that has been on my mind for about three years now, but I never seem to do it.

I hand my business card and chat with any painter or deck builder I run into............
 
I don't bother with painters anymore, they are P#$$ing me off so much lately that I am thinking about adding house painting to my services. Besides every painter trying to say homeowner need to paint their house because the dirt won't come off, or pressure washers don't know what they are doing, I have been told this by a few customers lately, I actually got bitched out by a painter once who hired me to clean a house before they painted it and then the customer cancelled the painting because they said after it was washed it looked new anyway. He (the painter) was not very happy with me.
Deck builders on the other hand seem to work out great.
 
I sent the letters to deck builders, painters, etc - the list is huge. Any contractor that goes into residential home was fair game.

In the letter, I offer a finders fee for any work referred.

A electrition goes to home to work on the electric - he notices mold on the siding or a deck in bad shape - He saids, A company by the name of TIDALWAVE can make remove that mold from siding - tell them that I sent you. Charge the customer a little extra and send that contractor a check. I know this seems too easy - but this has work in other businesses of mine.

You will find that most contractors will not push your services, but if pressure washing is mention on the job site or anytime, your name will come to mind. The contractor will state your name. No finding fee.

The purpose for offering a discount on their personal property - what better way to show someone what you can do - knock their socks off & you have a very happy customer that deals directly with your target market.


I also follow up with Christmas Cards.


I'll stop here - could go on forever.
 
Ron

Last year, I too sent letters to other pressure washing businesses. Just an introduction letter of the services I provide. Met up with a fellow contractor that does commercial work only, but gets calls on residential all the time - he now sends me the residential work and I send him some commercial work from time to time.


I've sent letters to Insurance agents, realtors, etc.

Chamber of Commerce Directory is free and makes one hek of a mailing list. Yellow pages is a good mailing list.

I've been doing my research on these Property Management organization.

Ron - I have to put you on my Christmas list - who knows, you may need a contractor someday here in the southeast Missouri or as we like to say "Gods Country" - home of cornbread and sweet tea.
 
Now just a minute Tim, there's cornbread and sweet tea in these here parts too!!!! LOL :D


Tim, great marketing info, keep it up.

Reed
 
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Just a diffrent point of view

Just a diffrent point of view.

I target the larger of these companies that have 5 or move vans, and sell them fleet washing services.

PS I only do Fleet and car washing.
 
Try a Joint Venture:

Team up with another contractor who has the same types of customer as you. You can do a joint mailing with the other contractor and share cost. If you both have a customer list, that contractor can endorse your services and you can endorse their services. You both would gain new customers from each other list.

Be sure to pick a contractor with a good reputation - You have created a business partner and salesman.

You have increase your customer list (target market).

Networking.
 
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Ron, Mike, Reed, Steve

We should join forces and create a national wide pressure washing company. We can create a company and create officers, the whole 9 yards. We can franchise it out. We would have offices in AZ, TN, IN, MO. We could create a franchise package that include instructions/advice on marketing, operations, purchasing, etc. I'm kind of joking, but wouldn't rule it out.
 
Wouldn't that be nice, huh? Get a representative of each area of cleaning and start a referral service and contractor locator.

??????????????


Reed
 
Reed

Now your talking. There will be a group that will do this - some day.


What other things could be formed by group of contractors from around the USA?
 
I belive the Delco site does have a listing of contractors.
Complete with how many wash rigs and the type of work they do.
 
2003 - I received 9 Jobs off referrals at a total Gross of $3,525.00

The mail-out cost me $157.39 total.

Three contractors mailed the $25.00 Coupon Rebate - cost me $75.00


Name Recognition is the Key.
 
Thanks for input Tim. You are correct about name recognition. I am evaluating a "makeover", including name change that could achieve better response from target markets.
I really like the subcontractor referral concept.
 
Bill

You should share your ideas with the board - Your Makeover.



Start a thread here in the Marketing Section -- I will be glad to discuss your ideas. There are a lot of contractors on this board that have great input.

*Post your logo, name, etc.



If you like, I would enjoy the thread and maybe you will benefit.
 
Has anyone worked on Networking this off-season?
 
Since I originally sent the networking letter in 2003 - my referrals have gotten stronger and stronger from other contractors -- a fuel in the old word of mouth campaign.

Did anyone do any networking - if so, did it pay off?
 
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