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sas carpentry

hi all,
Just wondering what you find best for free adversing Trade services,
Do you think dropping business card in letter boxes works,I'm not sure as I've tried before with only limited response.
What works for you?
after you have joined directory's etc.
 
I'm trying several approaches at the moment.

Local flyer delivery
Local Paper
Local advertising booklet
Web site (even trying to get my head around adwords!)
Shop window / newsagants

More important then the location of your ad is the actual content / design - 500 well produced relevant flyers will get a better response that 1500 badly printed, messy poorly designed flyers.

Rather than drop flyers through the letterbox - how about having then added to your local free paper as an inclusion? A flyer tucked inside a paper is more likely to be looked at than a lone flyer stuffed through the letter box. Just check what other ad's are included in the paper as you don't want yours to be one of a dozen!

As for online directories, avoid anything that wants payment - never heard anything good about them. Try listing your business for free with Thompson, Google maps, Brownbook, Craigslist, Freeindex and any other local free directory - every ad not only costs you nothing but it will give you another link to your own site boosting page ranking (I believe)

Important thing to do is to monitor the results - make sure you check where people saw your ad so you know what works and what doesn't.
 
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Beachcomber said:
A flyer tucked inside a paper is more likely to be looked at than a lone flyer stuffed through the letter box.
Click to expand...

I disagree.
A flyer in a newspaper may well just be thrown away without even looking at it. A flyer on its own with a nice clear message will at the very least be seen and if the person is interested in whatever they will then read it.
 
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The Trading Post said:
I disagree.
A flyer in a newspaper may well just be thrown away without even looking at it. A flyer on its own with a nice clear message will at the very least be seen and if the person is interested in whatever they will then read it.
Click to expand...

definately right IMO. I always pick up lone flyers and read them whereas when there a wad inside a free sheet (which is rubbish in itself) I sling them as usually they are coroporaty stuff from people like Carpetright etc
 
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Matt1959 said:
definately right IMO. I always pick up lone flyers and read them whereas when there a wad inside a free sheet (which is rubbish in itself) I sling them as usually they are coroporaty stuff from people like Carpetright etc
Click to expand...

THis is where your homework comes in - you check whay inclusions are in a particular weeks copy and avoid the ones stuffed to the gills with poo. Simples.
 
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Beachcomber said:
THis is where your homework comes in - you check whay inclusions are in a particular weeks copy and avoid the ones stuffed to the gills with poo. Simples.
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but why would there be more people look at a flyer inside a paper than look at one lying on the doormat. I mean, if its on the doormat, you have to pick it up at least - I defy anyone not to glance at it on the way to the bin, which is where the most important point kicks in - does the leaflet have impact? as most don't...if its in the paper, you'll only see it if you read the paper....
 
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depending on your keywords freeindex.com is quite good, if you can get more reviews than every one else you sit at the top of the pile.
 
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It depends upon your business!

What do you do?
How big is your business?
How big do you want it to be(realistically)?

Regards.

Happy Dayz 4U
 
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Trying to build up residential customers in north London area with minimum out lay on advertising costs.
Due to lack of site work contracts!
my vision is to have a small firm about 5 carpenters all working full time self employed basis.As many of my site work colleagues are struggling as well,I figure we can improve the image of tradesmen in the residential side of property maintenance as well as earning a decent living.
The problem is trying to fund a large advertising campaign.
 
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I would recommend a website to begin with.

Also have you tried Bill Board advertiseing?? As this is very useful!

Kind Regards.

Happy Dayz 4U:)
 
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Best results for us came from handing out leaflets at relevant DIY stores, gives people a chance to ask questions there and then and book appointments too :)
 
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maxine said:
Best results for us came from handing out leaflets at relevant DIY stores, gives people a chance to ask questions there and then and book appointments too :)
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Don't the staff / management get the hump?

Got to admit, I have picked up a bit of trade while in DIY stores - you spot a couple scratching their head and looking confused, saunter over and offer help. Even if you don't get a job out of it, it's nice to be able to help out - particularly when you see they are about to spend a fortune in B&Q when you know the same thing is half the price down the road at a trade centre.

Good for the Karma. ;)
 
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My Take

Leaflet/flyer min 1000 to see what your response rates whether it's worth pursuing this on regular basis, avoid newspapers as others have quite rightly said most people want to read the paper not a load of leaflets, if you can pay a bit more for get a solus delivery, have good copy (don't have your company name at the top) sell the benefits of using you, get your potential customer on an emotional level.
Print it on the best quality paper you can afford, the letterbox can be a harsh environement you don't want to present your company all screwed up because of poor quality paper! know your target market and where they live.

FreeIndex! superb have had loads of business through it - a must

Hope that's useful

Chris
 
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Beachcomber said:
Don't the staff / management get the hump?

Got to admit, I have picked up a bit of trade while in DIY stores - you spot a couple scratching their head and looking confused, saunter over and offer help. Even if you don't get a job out of it, it's nice to be able to help out - particularly when you see they are about to spend a fortune in B&Q when you know the same thing is half the price down the road at a trade centre.

Good for the Karma. ;)
Click to expand...

No not at all. I mean I don't just turn up and harrass people :) I organise a date with the place in advance, go through the leaflet that I intend to hand out in advance, in some cases they will encourage me to make any offers in association with them on that day, and then they make me tea all day :)

Some places are friendlier and more supportive than others but maybe it has worked out ok so far because I havent just turned up unannounced and assumed it was ok.

I have to be really really careful and respectful of the sales staff though and keep my mouth shut if I know the punters can buy for less down the road!
 
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Don't think leaflet drops are a very good idea for trade businesses. Once you have built up a reputation you will find you have more enough work to cope with. You need to find some niche areas and possibly go more up market into cabinet making, design and craft. Consider exhibitting at a few shows and hand out leaflets, get a simple website with examples of your work, joing a trade association, target builders, property developers, architects, local authoriities, garden designers etc who may be looking for carpenters. Also letting agents are always looking for people who can good quick repairs.
 
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I've found Google Adwords to be good, start off slow and put a max cost per day on it and review it daily. I have found it improves our ranking for little outlay. As I suspect your business is more local than mine I think that local directories are a good idea. I've recently joined BT Tradespace and it seems to be a good network for local businesses. Applegate is a great b2b directory if you do b2b rather than consumer - you can stick to the free listing without paying for additional bling on your entry.

Hope this is helpful.
 
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Lorro2 said:
Don't think leaflet drops are a very good idea for trade businesses. Once you have built up a reputation you will find you have more enough work to cope with. You need to find some niche areas and possibly go more up market into cabinet making, design and craft. Consider exhibitting at a few shows and hand out leaflets, get a simple website with examples of your work, joing a trade association, target builders, property developers, architects, local authoriities, garden designers etc who may be looking for carpenters. Also letting agents are always looking for people who can good quick repairs.
Click to expand...

It's all part of the marketing mix Lorro2 has said is good & valid points and leaflets are just part of it all.
Saying that they are not a good idea is contrary to the experience of some of my clients, it's all about good copy, good quality of stock, knowing your target market, selecting a professional team to distribute and repitition.

It's all part of the mix
 
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Lorro2 said:
Don't think leaflet drops are a very good idea for trade businesses. Once you have built up a reputation you will find you have more enough work to cope with. You need to find some niche areas and possibly go more up market into cabinet making, design and craft. Consider exhibitting at a few shows and hand out leaflets, get a simple website with examples of your work, joing a trade association, target builders, property developers, architects, local authoriities, garden designers etc who may be looking for carpenters. Also letting agents are always looking for people who can good quick repairs.
Click to expand...

Try www.trades4work.com they've opened the doors to all and sundry now, its free with free banner advertising & its all about what the fella above is talking about
 
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sas carpentry said:
Any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Yes, a couple.

1. Offline networking. You should have a local BNI network near to you. The trades always do quite well there. Aim to visit at least 4 or 5 and target those that have a strong 'power team' of tradespeople i.e. electrician, builder, plumber, heating engineer; they can and do refer a lot of work between them. Cost around a tenner per meeting whilst visiting. There's an annual membership of £400 if you want to join but it still compares quite well with leaflets/ drops/ads.

2. Public Relations. Powerful and often over-looked and often referred to as free advertising. It can be easier to get free coverage than you think so long as you have a worthwhile story to share with editors of your local newspaper. You just need to find that angle whether it's a charity thing, an event, a survey, a local 'first' or a special innovation in your trade, for example.

I have tried both and obtained a lot of business from networking. However, the reward:effort ratio is greater with PR especially if you can keep up a stream of news. This is because your story and hence your business will be seen by a much wider audience.

Let us know how you get on.

Best Regards
 
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We always post flyers when we go quiet usually in Jan. We find they get a good response and always pay for themselves. We also attach a business card via a paperclip to the flyer (Flyer is on card not paper) and we have had people phone us over two years later and said "I kept this from a while ago"
We have just had a website and we find it is comming up on Google's firt page for certain key phrases just because it was written well.

P.s. We're a garden mainenance and Landscaping company. jhps-gardens.co.uk
 
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