I want to talk marketing a little bit. I know marketing can be a dangerous word because as soon as you hear it, it typically equates to spending money.
However, spending some cash on marketing is necessary for companies, including plumbing. It’s the way you attract customers. Those customers will then pay you for the work you are providing and, if you do a great job, will refer you to their friends and family, equating to more money.
Some of that earned money should then be put back into the marketing budget. That, theoretically, should be the way a company does things.
GOOD FOR YOU
There are some companies, though, that don’t put anything toward marketing, and from a potential customer standpoint, it can be frustrating if you need to hire a plumber.
Thankfully most of the plumbing companies in the area I live have nice websites, bright and attention-getting advertising on vehicles, billboards and other means to get that information out. There are some out there that I’ve ran across, though, where all you can find is one reference to them in a Yelp review.
Having the websites, vehicle advertising and so on will help those potential customers find you easier. A simple review page on Yelp, Google or whatever is not going to help very much.
GETTING A START
The first step in getting your marketing efforts started on the right foot is deciding what would work best for your company. Where do most of your customers or potential customers look for contractors?
My guess would be most are searching on Google for area plumbers, so a website is likely the very first place you should focus on. Whether you build the site yourself using WordPress or one of those sites that guide you along the way, the first thing you should do is make it your own.
Drop in some eye-catching photos of your crews on job sites, photos of your trucks and your facility. Make sure the correct address and phone numbers are listed on your website, and have a way for customers to reach you through the website, such as chat, a contact form or email address that actually gets checked often.
Don’t forget to list what services you offer, and it could be useful to drop in a base price ($99 per service call, as an example). That way the customer knows what to expect right away.
OTHER MARKETING EFFORTS
After you have the website up and running, it is time to work on the other marketing stuff. Your service trucks should have your company’s name and contact information on them, but don’t overcrowd your trucks’ design. People don’t have a lot of time to focus on trucks as they travel.
Hand out business cards, notepads, pens or whatever you can think of at the local home show in your city where hundreds of potential customers are roaming the show floor.
YOUR ADVICE
These are just some quick and easy ways to highlight what you do.
What are ways you have promoted your company? Is there something you are doing that is unique and could benefit others? Email me at editor@plumbermag.com or call 715-350-8436.
Enjoy this issue!
