|
Random thoughts:
I'd think you'd have better results with referrals than advertising. A business coach I know talks about how much money is wasted on advertising. People do it because the feel like they have to. If you DO run ads, track the results. If it doesn't work then stop doing it or change something. If you change something track those results until you find something that works.
Referrals don't necessarily happen automatically. Make the customer happy, then ASK THEM to please mention you to their friends and family. After you're done with a job check back with the customer a few weeks later to make sure they're STILL happy.
There are so many companies (big and small) that do average work and think that's enough. It really doesn't take much to stand out. Do what you say you're going to do when you say you're going to do it, work for a reasonable price, and show you care by following up later. You will be a rockstar to your customers and they'll be happy to tell others about you, especially if you ask them to.
Do you know any real estate agents? Lots of big and small repair work going on with foreclosures. One of my clients specializes in foreclosure rehab for banks and agents. Can you sponsor an agent's lunch for some real estate offices? One of my biggest clients (medical, not construction) spends way more money buying lunch, snacks, muffins, etc for her client's office staff than she does actually advertising. The results are incredible.
__________________
Lee
|