Estate Agents Sign Posts

[dagsky]

Hi all, i've been reading the forums for a while but only actually registered now to make my first post!

Ok so i;ve come up with a new idea for my own business and as the topic suggests its to put up signs for estate agents(FOR SALE etc). Ok now i have been doing some research of the competition out there and have only managed to find 2 main companies that seem to be controlling the market. I have found out what they prices are and they do tend to sell franchises but i'm not going to buy a franchise when this sort of business is not complicated. Its just plain simple hard graft and i don't see a need to folk out +15k and still have to get leads myself!!

Ok so i just tried to test the water on an estate agent that i thought i can afford to be a guinea pig, so i just walked told the guy what i do and how much and starigth away he says to me heres my business card, bring me some brochures in on monday and i'll have a look and i may have some other work for you!! WOW i think to myself!!

Now heres where i need some help, i'm not so geared up in marketing or how exactly to go in and present this business. Obviously i've just had an idea, i have the vehicles that can be used for the job and i have the space to accommodate the business. So now i've got to make either some brochures or leaflets or something that says this is what service we provide and this is how much it costs. Now i have NO clue what to say or how to say it!!

So if anyone can help put me on the right track i'd appreciate it....

 

[Calibre Designs]

Hey there...

It seems like your attempt to "test the water" has backfired but in a good way indeed. I must say that your thoughts on preparation, marketing, corporate image etc...is lacking. For any company to take you seriously, you have to have these things ready. It sounds like you need to have literature designed quickly.

We have very good packages put together to help startup companies. We keep costs in mind as we appreciate that its hard at the very beginning. In fact we are just completing two design jobs for small startups. Added to the fact that we have several clients who we do design work for in our local territory.

If you would like to have a brief discussion then please do not hesitate to contact me. Calibre has been formed by a group of designers and we always present different design ideas to our clients that will add more flavour to the quality of work they receive from us.

Thanks

Kay
Calibre Designs
e. [email protected]
w. www.calibre-designs.co.uk
m. 07786035576

 

[dagsky]

will get in touch! Ya even if i have to say so myself i need to get my act together on this, but as i've no experience in starting my own business i'm rather ill prepared for it! I suppose with the help of others in pushing in the right direction hopefully i can get it off the ground and running....

 

[glencooley.com]

i will be entirely honest, the service you are offering the 20+ estate agents where i live would bite your arm off to do WITHOUT corporate branding. The reason I know this is that my sister inlaw works at the regions largest lettings company and my father in law has a gardening business doing over 300k a year and he does not a shred of advertising.

Just go see the guy and explain what you do, if it needs 5 pages of spiel or 25 pretty pictures then you need to talk to other companies.

 

[dagsky]

If i understand you correctly, you're saying that these companies wouldn't give me time of day unless i was from a well known company already?

In the meantime i was thinking perhaps just a flyer may be sufficient enough to get wat i do across to potential agents. I mean really wat else can you really ramble on about besides stating this is wat you do and this is the price! Or am i wrong once agin?

 

[Denise]

I think if your straight up from the start, and tell them its a new business venture, and you would love local support. etc..etc...give them a good speil, then you have nothing to lose. I have done it...it works...!!!

There are a lot of companies who will support new business start-ups, and we all start somewhere, you will learn along the way, dont going putting all your eggs in one basket, because this agent has asked you for brochures, spend your money wisely.

Also think about maybe hitting a new target audience..Instead of just estate agents?

Lots of people are selling their houses themselves.. Maybe get a website going, selling signs for private home sellers.. Do some maybe simple designs they can choose from? And they can also have the option add their contact details to the sign?? Something new & fresh?
Make the sign...and send it by courier.

Simple..hee..hee..

good luck

Denise

 

[glencooley.com]

If i understand you correctly, you're saying that these companies wouldn't give me time of day unless i was from a well known company already?

In the meantime i was thinking perhaps just a flyer may be sufficient enough to get wat i do across to potential agents. I mean really wat else can you really ramble on about besides stating this is wat you do and this is the price! Or am i wrong once agin?

No on the contrary I was saying its a great idea and estate agents where I live would love this service. What I was trying to say is that you dont need corporate branding especially not at this stage.

i will be entirely honest, the service you are offering the 20+ estate agents where i live would bite your arm off to do WITHOUT corporate branding. The reason I know this is that my sister inlaw works at the regions largest lettings company and my father in law has a gardening business doing over 300k a year and he does not a shred of advertising.

Just go see the guy and explain what you do, if it needs 5 pages of spiel or 25 pretty pictures then you need to talk to other companies.

 

[freelancer]

This sounds like a great niche.

Personally, I'd get yourself a brochure printed out a.s.a.p

Put in it things like this:
Services you offer
Prices
Typical purchasing process, describing payment methods e.t.c
Contact page.

Nice, easy and simple. You may also find a website would be of use, nothing to do complex, but acting as an online brochure almost.

 

[lockie]

You could also tell them you don't have an brochures as such as this would mean dearer prices.Get a website setup with all the information on it then direct them to that, you can also change it quickly as and when.This is far more cost effective and works as its something i do myself.

When you explain you would have to put your prices up for brochures it suggests to the customer you have good prices compared to those that use brochures giving you an small edge on your competitors.

 

[freelancer]

You could also tell them you don't have an brochures as such as this would mean dearer prices.Get a website setup with all the information on it then direct them to that, you can also change it quickly as and when.This is far more cost effective and works as its something i do myself.

When you explain you would have to put your prices up for brochures it suggests to the customer you have good prices compared to those that use brochures giving you an small edge on your competitors.

To set your own website up isnt too hard. I reccomend you try systems like wordpress and mambo, wherby there are millions of plugins and free templates available.

Nice idea about the no brochure thing too. But, it would have been better to tell him there and then.

 

[Denise]

I am with Lockie on this...I would'nt get a brochure printed, too expensive, and most people throw them in the bin..

Definately get a web site going...and use this as your brochure. Easy, quicker, and by far definately cheaper.

When you do your marketing, as lockie said...direct them to the website.

 

[Calibre Designs]

I agree with most. Major corporate branding is no required if you are straight with them. Est agents in our local area are quite nasty. Some of our clients are very pushy. Your clients will either listen and give you that break or will just say don't waste my time.

We are very experienced with setting up startup companies. Because we understand your situation, we have devised several packages at low prices to help small business to get going. Expansion can come later when you have really tested the water by arming yourself with a basic identity and introduction enough to make a decent presentation to your target clients.

I have meetings all day tomorrow, half day wed, full day thurs etc. If you would like to discuss then today for Friday would be best for me.

Thanks

Kay
Calibre Designs
[email protected]
T. 01707 266224
M. 07786035576

 

I am personally with Denise on this one, a website is something that is quick and easy to get someone to have a look at. Then they cannot back away by saying "have you got a brochure I can have a look at..."

By asking if you had brochures it could have been a genuine request or it could have been a "I don't want to be sold anything and it doesnt look like he has brochures with him so it'll be a quick way to get him out of the building..."

That is just a possible mind.

 

[Denise]

Put it this way.... I am in business, and have been for many years....

Am very upfront, not afraid to say I am not interested in something,

...and even I ask for a brochure to get someone out of the door... in a very polite sort of way...Not to offend them, as they may geuingly be very nice.

 

[estwig]

Gotta agree with what has been said, you don't need brochures or even a website. Business cards are a must so the agents can contact you.

What would you put on a brochure or website anyway?? No offence but it is a very simple business, van, bag of nails, bundle of wire, posts and sign boards, that's it.

Beware estate agents, slippery people, apart from that.........Good luck.

 

[dagsky]

wow thanks for all your tips! Ya i think i'm not going to go down the brochure route instead i'm going to build a website and get business cards printed that include the web address and then tell to check online. Do you think its wise to actually display prices in the open or have them contact me for prices?

 

[dagsky]

ok while we're on the topic about websites, any ideas of who's got a good deal for hosting? I'd need to register a domain and then i think also choose a hosting package if i remember correctly. Correct me if i'm wrong but domain name registration still takes 3 days? As for the business name how does Boardsrus sound?

 

[Calibre Designs]

I was thinking more on the line of...

company logo
themed design on business cards and letterheads
Introductory letter on letterheads also used for quotes/invoicing/general
simple good looking website
small flyer - for company launch and website launch

Didn't the estate agency expected to see you with something soon?

I wouldn't place prices on at this early stage
www.boardsrus.co.uk is available - you'd better buy it quick
People like 1and1 or 123-reg can buy and host at little expense

Hope it goes well.

 

[dagsky]

yup!! He said swing by on monday and drop me off some info!! I'm not sure what info to go give him right now and obviously 1st impressions count! So by me going in there and giving him something printed off from my home printer may not please him!! LOL!

 

[Calibre Designs]

Yeh thats true...kindly ring him up and say that it will be soon but not today. People appreciate those simplest things. It shows that you are reliable, you've not forgotten and display a trying please bear with me type of attitude.

Works wonders...

 

[estwig]

I understand calibre is touting for trade, but the sign board game with estate agents has very tight margins, anyone can do it so it doesn't pay well and the agents will mess you about.

The agent won't expect too much, a bullet point print out of prices and service offered will probably do.

Try not to spend too much money until you are sure this will work, maybe try talking to some more agents first.

 

[lockie]

Over the last few years estate agents have had it good and also have become a little too up themselves as a symptom of the booming housing market, keith is so right when he says they will mess you about.
They will promise the earth if it suits them so beware.

Get some cards made up, goodprint.co.uk is superb especially if you use the discount code forum50 at the checkout as this gives you 50% off.You could have some nice cards made and back to you within a week for less than £50 for a 1000.

 

[Calibre Designs]

Agree. As I have previously posted, estate agents in our area are quite nasty so just be aware that they will mess you around. Our design work is charged with a deposit and printing work is 100% paid up front.

I understand calibre is touting for trade

We currently lead a team of designers. Some training and some mentoring. Projects like these are perfect for them - very often they produce much better results than design studios. I am from a product/packaging design background any my graphic designer work on larger/technical projects so our time is well filled I assure you. Having said this, I would like to see the training that we are leading, thrive!

Hope that clears things up a little.

Kind regards

Kay
Calibre Designs

 

[estwig]

I am sure you are very good at what you do Kay, my point is there is no need for this level of service or expensive, for a business putting up estate agents sign boards.

 

[Calibre Designs]

Hi Keith,

Thank you for your comment. I once offered to carry out the initial design work for free purely thinking about the methodologies of our training and to help a forum member. What a pickle that ended up being. It had not been received too well from other designers.

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42944

Help is here if needed.

 

[dagsky]

Ok progress is being made!! I have bought a website which can be seen here template-download.net/previews/t463/

It will be customised by my mate in that the ABOUT US etc squares will now be changed to sign postshopefully giving more of a feel to what we do. The Pictures on the left hand side will be changed to pictures of boards erected. Let me know your thoughts on this please and feel free to put forward advice and the critics you have you go to!!

Ok now that, that is being sorted would anyone like to give me advice as to how i go and approach agencies? Do i call them on the phone and explain what i do? Do i make an appointment to see them or just drop in? Also do i ask for the manager or is there someone else that i speak to?

Ok so moving onto the sales patter..... any ideas of what i should say?

 

[sonicweb]

Hi, if its any help to you I used to manage an estate agency before i went into business. I used to get approached quite often by guys wanting to do the boards, mainly one man and a van kind of set up.

One thing to bear in mind is that many estate agents don't actually own their boards, the board erector does. Many agents are just "renting" their boards.

This way as an agent I didn't have to keep buying boards and the board company simply recycled the same stock. It actually worked out cheaper for me to let the board company print AND erect the board rather than having the boards made and erected seperately.

It was because of this that most of the smaller guys didn't get a sniff. I would suggest having a word with a sign printer.

Also, the two main companies in my market were, "agency signs" and "estate signs", have a look at their set up.

Cheers.

 

[dagsky]

Hey thanks for that bit of info, appreciate it! I did gather this info from the other guys that most of them will produce the boards for agents and it could be costly in the rigion of £30+ just for 1 board!! If you could pliz send me the urls in a pm of the 2 companys you talking about as a google search only seems to find wat i think is the second company but they just seem to be about printing the signs and not putting them up....

 

[sonicweb]

I'll see if i can dig those url's out for you. I do remember looking in to having boards printed myself and I managed to get it down to £15 per board. They were a small set up in Derbyshire if I remember correctly. If the company name comes to me i'll drop you a message, it was some time ago.

 

[estwig]

Taking things a little of topic, sorry about that.

If all this talk of estate agents is making your blood boil, EA's can have that effect on people, take revenge!!!!!!!

 

[Calibre Designs]

Keith,

Thats the funniest thing I have seen for a while. hahahaha...laughing my head off. It would be so tempting to show this site to some of our clients although I don't think it will go down too well. I wonder if there are other things around with different occupations.

Revenge on Double Glazing Salesmans
Revenge on Traffic Wardens
Revenge on Pickpockets

Well done! *hat off*

Kay

 

[estwig]

just so long as they don't do a Revenge on Builders!!!!

 

[dagsky]

LOL!! So how come no one has made a comment on my intended site? The silence is deafining..

 

[estwig]

Tried to take a look for ya mate, but got a 404 page
http://www.template-download.net/reviews/t463/

 

I've seen it, I believe in unique designs for businesses though but everyone has to start somewhere.

 

[dagsky]

Damn its vanished!! Anyway i assume someone must have bought the design template for UNIQUE price meaninng the template gets removed.... Ya i mean this is all about trial and i don't really want to spend a fortune and fall flat on my face.... I still have 1 more trick up my sleeve for a business venture but i guess i'll have to start another topic so this one doesn't get neglected...

 

[dagsky]

mope just checked agin and its still with the parent site called templates247.com and its on the main homepage on 2nd row and 3rd col its called coldriver....

 

[dagsky]

Ok bit of help needed propbably from the it guys, what kind of hosting do i need? There's so many packages i don't know what to go for!! Obviously the site has to be able to host a flash website and it will also need to be able to host a database, probably mysql as i think its free on some packages! Also what kind of space do i need and traffic allowance aswell. And finally any good deals that i should go for with a hosting company?

 

[Calibre Designs]

Hey there again...

www.1and1.co.uk are very good. I had lots of questions when setting up and they answer well within 24hrs. Very helpful. I think you just missed out on free 1yr hosting but from £1.99 per month, its worth it. No problems so far.

That even includes free web site templates I think so you can save yourself the expense of buying a template from an outside source.

Hope this helps.

Kay

 

A starter package would do you. There are some guys on here that can provide you with the hosting. Post in the tenders section.

I personally wouldn't touch 1and1 with the longest barge pole I could find. I had a run in with them and don't like the way they work.