hi all ! need help generating some business !

[rmc tiling]

hi all ,

I'm a noobie on here and wanted to say hello ! also i was hoping to get some advise on advertising my floor and wall tiling business in Liverpool to get myself established and start getting work more consistently !

Ive read some really good posts on here about writing to customers who have applied for planning permission but I'm having some difficulty wording the letter , any advise on this would be really appreciated .

any advise would be greatly appreciated ! thanks in advance !

Ryan

 

[Hillyer]

Hi Ryan,

How have you gone about advertising your business/services so far?

What services do you offer? What prices do you charge? How do these vary from the other tiling businesses in your area? How long have you been trading?

I have not done any wording or writing of letters. There are people who do that on here.

Do you have a budget to spend on advertising? I would suggest getting some leaflets printed and begin posting them in your local area. Maybe you would prefer talking to the person on their doorstep. Try ringing the bell and greet them, introduce yourself, and let them know why you are there. Maybe they have a cracked or missing roof tile? Or a bad/uneven driveway. Suggest that they get it repaired?

 

[rmc tiling]

hi and thanks for your reply.

so far i have just advertised in my local news paper and handed out some flyer's out side a local tiling shop aswell as leaving business cards in some shops. so far there hasn't been a great response to this .

i offer a standard floor and wall tiling service , i have just finished a two year collage course learning the trade and have done a few jobs over the course of the last year but i need to really push on now and work on a regular basis .

i charge what seems to be the standard 15-20 pound square metre depending on the job and what ties a used .

again thanks for your reply and i look forward to more help and advise.

ryan

 

[iArtist]

hi all ,

I'm a noobie on here and wanted to say hello ! also i was hoping to get some advise on advertising my floor and wall tiling business in Liverpool to get myself established and start getting work more consistently !

Ive read some really good posts on here about writing to customers who have applied for planning permission but I'm having some difficulty wording the letter , any advise on this would be really appreciated .

any advise would be greatly appreciated ! thanks in advance !

Ryan

I offer a sales letter writing service

check out my website re writing services for details

 

[CKG]

hi all ,

I'm a noobie on here and wanted to say hello ! also i was hoping to get some advise on advertising my floor and wall tiling business in Liverpool to get myself established and start getting work more consistently !

The best thing you can do is get out there among the movers and shakers of the tile world and make yourself known to them. Just pick up the phone and put yourself around.

Think of people who you will get repeat work from and go make friends with 'em. If you do a good job they will use you again and again.

Builders, bathroom fitters, kitchen fitters, tile shop owners = lots of repeat work, which is a good, solid foundation to build your business on.

In my opinion going after one off jobs is not the best way to spend your very precious time.

 

[AboveParr]

CKG has it about spot on IMO - Talk to Plumbers, Kitchen Fitters, General Contractors etc

Also, I may get well and truly shot down in flames for this because it's not for everyone by any stretch if the imagination, have you thought about attending a local BNI meeting? If you find the right group it can bring a lot of business, but you need to be able to cope with the early mornings every week (and the cost!).

The tradespeople in the group I was a member of referred literally thousands of pounds worth of business to each other (but like I say you need the right group - no guarantees)

If you want any more general details feel free to PM me...

 

[Joe E]

I have a client who is a tiler he uses me every now and again for a leaflet drop usually between 2-3k and generally in the same target area's he has identified feedback I get from him re his response rates is usually very good but I think mainly its because of the repetition and of course his copy is quite good.
So I recommend get more buy in from your local community! leaflet drop them reguarly not a carpet bombing but just every now & again, either use a reputable local distribution company or if you have the time yourself, obviously this is isn't the only route to generate business

Hope that's useful

Regards

Joe E

 

[Tw Installations]

The best thing you can do is get out there among the movers and shakers of the tile world and make yourself known to them. Just pick up the phone and put yourself around.

Think of people who you will get repeat work from and go make friends with 'em. If you do a good job they will use you again and again.

Builders, bathroom fitters, kitchen fitters, tile shop owners = lots of repeat work, which is a good, solid foundation to build your business on.

In my opinion going after one off jobs is not the best way to spend your very precious time.

This Is the best way to do it!

Tommy

 

[Mel72]

I am afraid I would not recommend leafleting.
Having worked on many campaigns over the years for small businesses I explain to people that you can either fork out spending an outlay to write and print the leaflet and then put it through people's doors and hope.

Probably they get bombarded by leaflets, I know I do and throw them away as at that particular time, I don't need any tiling. However 1 year later when I do, I cannot think where I put that leaflet and depending on the year I have had, might not remember having ever got one.

The best way of marketing is to only pay when someone is looking as a very warm lead for a tiler in Liverpool. No wastage, no outlay cost.

Type into Google Tilers in Liverpool and have a look what your competition is. Do you have a website? If you don't - get one as it is the only way you can take advantage of Google! it doesn't have to be more than a couple of pages, An intro to your services, some photos of your work, your contact details - that is it but do NOT have anyone build you a website in Flash.

TOP TOP!

Flash is not liked by Google.

Then buy a very simple Pay Per Click campaign, so that you only pay say 60p as an example for every person in Liverpool who is looking for a tiler.

Then think how many 60p's would go into a thousand - and I am afraid to say that even with the best letter writing in the world, you wouldn't get that many enquiries.

Hope that helps.

Mel

 

[estwig]

hi and thanks for your reply.

so far i have just advertised in my local news paper and handed out some flyer's out side a local tiling shop aswell as leaving business cards in some shops. so far there hasn't been a great response to this .

i offer a standard floor and wall tiling service , i have just finished a two year collage course learning the trade and have done a few jobs over the course of the last year but i need to really push on now and work on a regular basis .

i charge what seems to be the standard 15-20 pound square metre depending on the job and what ties a used .

again thanks for your reply and i look forward to more help and advise.

ryan

Two years at college to learn tiling???

I think not, no no no, you is pulling my plonker.

Spread sticky, stick tile, repeat, rub in grout, finished. It don't take two years to learn that.

Somefink smells fishy???

£15-£20 a meter*, nearly fell off me chair laughing!!!!


*A half decent tiler can easily do 10 meters a day and be in the pub by 2 o'clock.

 

[Joe E]

I am afraid I would not recommend leafleting.
Having worked on many campaigns over the years for small businesses I explain to people that you can either fork out spending an outlay to write and print the leaflet and then put it through people's doors and hope.

Probably they get bombarded by leaflets, I know I do and throw them away as at that particular time, I don't need any tiling. However 1 year later when I do, I cannot think where I put that leaflet and depending on the year I have had, might not remember having ever got one.

The best way of marketing is to only pay when someone is looking as a very warm lead for a tiler in Liverpool. No wastage, no outlay cost.

Type into Google Tilers in Liverpool and have a look what your competition is. Do you have a website? If you don't - get one as it is the only way you can take advantage of Google! it doesn't have to be more than a couple of pages, An intro to your services, some photos of your work, your contact details - that is it but do NOT have anyone build you a website in Flash.

TOP TOP!

Flash is not liked by Google.

Then buy a very simple Pay Per Click campaign, so that you only pay say 60p as an example for every person in Liverpool who is looking for a tiler.

Then think how many 60p's would go into a thousand - and I am afraid to say that even with the best letter writing in the world, you wouldn't get that many enquiries.

Hope that helps.

Mel

Slightly confused by your post Mel72 you say your wouldn't recommend Leaflet advertising but PPC as I understand it does not gaurantee orders from your website I'm not an expert on Google Adwords or other PPC but even as little as 60p can eat up a budget quite quickly if people are clicking but not buying.
I don't know what campaigns you did but I have had only 1 client that hasn't made their money back and more plus gaining new clients and gaining repeat business form leaflet drops and that was only because thier copy was poor and they could have targetted a more relavant area, so saying wasting money is a little misleading as its all relative from business to business

 

[rmc tiling]

Two years at college to learn tiling???

I think not, no no no, you is pulling my plonker.

Spread sticky, stick tile, repeat, rub in grout, finished. It don't take two years to learn that.

Somefink smells fishy???

£15-£20 a meter*, nearly fell off me chair laughing!!!!


*A half decent tiler can easily do 10 meters a day and be in the pub by 2 o'clock.

what an absolute idiot you are !!! im on here asking for help and advise and all you do is take the p*ss !!

do tell me then what i should be charging as your the expert ?

and btw to get a real qualification you have to do the 2 year course not like your bob the builder cowboy mates !!!!!

 

[estwig]

This real qualification in tiling, the one that takes two years to get.

What is it and who issues it??

 

[rmc tiling]

This real qualification in tiling, the one that takes two years to get.

What is it and who issues it??

its an ica level 2 which will then be converted to nvq level2 with on site experience . every tradesman will need the correct qualification soon when the government bring in the new laws so i hope you've got yours !!

look I'm only asking for help off people who have more experience than myself, if your not going to help then stop replying on my post !!!

 

[lockie]

lol rmc dont worry about estwig he uses the subtle sword of sarcasm in many posts. However he does know his stuff and can give good advice when he wants.

I have to admit i was surprised you have spent 2 years doing some tiling.Was that full time or one day a week ?

I think estwig is from the stable of what does a qualification matter, can you do the job or not ? type school.

Ive seen many "qualified locksmiths" fresh off their two day course yet met others with no formal qualifications who can do anything lock related.


Back on topic ppc only works if our website is up to scratch.There is no point doing it if the customer dont ring you because the website doesnt make them ring you.

Everything can work but you have to find out what works in your area.The ONLY way is test various things. If you do a leaflet drop and dont get a good response dont dismiss it as it could be the leaflet design that is wrong.

There are many many factors and variations to consider.If you dont know what to do pay a pro to do it. Ive used steve gibson to great effect.He gets results with his copy writing.

If you are doing leaflets post the leaflet design up in the marketing sections BEFORE doing the drop to get constructive feedback. It will be brutal and probably upset you but think of it as a way of saving money,swallow the pride and take note of the advice offered.

Its disheartening to get your ideas knocked down but sometimes its good but other times just ignore it and test it.

Im using video to great effect on my website. Had loads of knockers about it being very unproffessional looking videos but who cares they are getting results.I think the results are because they ARENT slick productions and customers can relate to them.

None of my competitors are doing it so i have edge for the moment.Even my supplier directs customers to my website as they know it shows off there products well which means more sales for them and me.

Take a look at stuff by jonathon jay and chris cardell for free tips and emails.They will bombard you with emails but you can get some good free stuff to help with your marketing.The jonathon jay seminar i did in january for £50 was money well spent,this is where i got the video ideas from.

You need to hook up with some kitchen fitters worth ringing around to see who you can pass work to.Its only a matter of time before one of them rings you with a job or passes on your number.

I pass loads of work to an alarm and cctv engineeer and vice versa.

good luck and just give if back to estwig...hes alright really

 

[estwig]

its an ica level 2 which will then be converted to nvq level2 with on site experience . every tradesman will need the correct qualification soon when the government bring in the new laws so i hope you've got yours !!

look I'm only asking for help off people who have more experience than myself, if your not going to help then stop replying on my post !!!

So you are not even properly qualified, for the amazingly technical skill of 'tiling'!!

Yet you want £15-20 a meter and you assume to be able to get your own work. You have also fibbed about spending two years to learn tiling, you ain't, we both know it. Maybe part time, but your implication is full time.

Sorry son, it ain't gonna happen just yet, get a job/sub contract work in your chosen trade (if you can call tiling a trade). Give it a couple of years and come back then.

Good luck.

 

[RLD Plastering and Tiling Services]

Don't take too much notice of estwig his bark's worse than his bite, when I first looked at starting up in business he tore shreds off me and probably rightly so as I didn't have any experience in what I was going to do which looking back probably saved me thousands in the long run. However if you are only recently qualified and have no site experience [qoute its an ica level 2 which will then be converted to nvq level2 with on site experience] the best thing to do is probably do some work for friends and family on the cheap then hopefully they will recommend you onto others also the kitchen and bathroom fitters is a top tip bus also try gumtree to advertise your services. Also how long you been advertising local papers as it takes approx 6 weeks for someone to notice your ad and start getting an influx of calls- I know it happened this way for me- leaflets you may need to drop some more again in six weeks time also try knocking on doors using the "I'm a new home improvement service in the area and you may have seen a leaflet you had dropped through your letterbox" people will either say no not interested or engage you in conversation where you can then sell your services.

Thanks

 

[ryansrs1]

Have to dissagre with those who say leafleting is not good, i say it is but target your areas/customers and re leaflet every so often (3,6, or 9 months). Remind your potential clients your not a 'here today, gone tommorow' business. Odviously the way the leaflet is set out will have a bearing on the response.

But totaly agree you must have a website and include the web address put on all your marketing campaigns (leaflets, business cards etc), more and more people are using the net as there main source when it comes to looking for a service as opposed to maybey YP a few years back.

Have you got a van?? If so get it sign written as it will be perminent advertising and who knows when a potential client will walk passed your van and make a not of your details.

Dont be shy, get out, dress tidy and got to who you potential clients could be. Take along some photos of your work with some business cards to leave with them.

Advertise on the free directories on the net.

And so long as you do a good service then the best way will be referals from happy clients.

Finaly dont give up, building up clients and referals takes time-a long time in most cases. You may feel you wana give up, DONT stick at it and persever youll get there (so long you do a good job)

Hope thats some help. Good luck.

Cheers

J

(PS sorry about the bad spelling)

 

[roofing solutions]

im suprised with 15 - 20 pound per metre, two of my mates are ceramic tilers and they both charge in the 25 - 30 pound per metre but they supply adhesive and grout for that. Out of the group of my mates who are tradesmen they are the only ones who are really busy so that must be a decent price. if you were charging at your low end of 15 per metre and you lay 10 metres in a day ( is that much don't know alot about your type of tiling?) you arn't going to make alot after out goings.

 

[buyfromtheuk]

Join my website. I will be happy to promote you and any other quality UK company for free.

 

[sirall]

hi and thanks for your reply.

so far i have just advertised in my local news paper and handed out some flyer's out side a local tiling shop aswell as leaving business cards in some shops. so far there hasn't been a great response to this .

i offer a standard floor and wall tiling service , i have just finished a two year collage course learning the trade and have done a few jobs over the course of the last year but i need to really push on now and work on a regular basis .

i charge what seems to be the standard 15-20 pound square metre depending on the job and what ties a used .

again thanks for your reply and i look forward to more help and advise.

ryan

Well Hey!!!

I would suggest advertising in various free ads site might help your cause. Since you've advertised in local newspaper that cost you. Why not try advertising in few free classified Advertisement sites.




Best of luck

 

[chez]

I am not experienced in the tile trade, but as a consumer, when I moved into a new house, we wanted our floor and walls tiled in the kitchen before the units were fitted, perhaps it is worth you contacting companies that sell the units and offering your services if they don't already have people working for them that do this - a little free web research is what you will need to do - find companies that fit kitchens and then have a look at what they offer, if they already offer tiles etc move on to the next.
This way you should be able to find a targeted list of companies to aim your services at.

Hope this helps
Cheryl

 

[InfiniteSafety]

Hiya

The majority of my construction clients are only working on social housing, NHS or local authority work.

They have got this work by being on the CHAS (contractors health and safety scheme) database. A lot of councils will only now accept companies which are on the database.

Also, have a look at doyourownpr website as it gives cost effective ways of promoting yourself.

If you'd like any further info, please do not hesistate to PM me or contact me via the infinitesafety website (co.uk!)

Hope this helps

Claire

 

[chez]

Hi Claire
i am a bit puzzled as I didn't add this thread, but thankyou for the advice and being a small business I will look at the website you have kindly given me. I am still finding my way around this site, so maybe it is my error.

Kind Regards
Cheryl

 

[chez]

Ah, sorry Claire, yes I see where I added a reply to another thread.
Just a bit confused - many thanks though

Cheryl

 

[maxine]

Have to dissagre with those who say leafleting is not good, i say it is but target your areas/customers and re leaflet every so often (3,6, or 9 months). Remind your potential clients your not a 'here today, gone tommorow' business. Odviously the way the leaflet is set out will have a bearing on the response.

But totaly agree you must have a website and include the web address put on all your marketing campaigns (leaflets, business cards etc), more and more people are using the net as there main source when it comes to looking for a service as opposed to maybey YP a few years back.

Have you got a van?? If so get it sign written as it will be perminent advertising and who knows when a potential client will walk passed your van and make a not of your details.

Dont be shy, get out, dress tidy and got to who you potential clients could be. Take along some photos of your work with some business cards to leave with them.

Advertise on the free directories on the net.

And so long as you do a good service then the best way will be referals from happy clients.

Finaly dont give up, building up clients and referals takes time-a long time in most cases. You may feel you wana give up, DONT stick at it and persever youll get there (so long you do a good job)

Think this is a really good post and agree with all of this.

In terms of targets for your leaflets, standing outside tile shops handing out leaflets is pretty good (works well for us anyway).

As for pricing think you are in the right range but can vary depending on where in the country you are, what your competitors are charging, and who you are working for ie; domestic or trade.

Maybe do some mystery shopping if domestic (ask friends and family to help) to be sure of this or as your prospective customers what they have been quoted by other people (be open minded as some will "round down" hoping you will match their price). If it helps we are between £18 - £25 psm for basic tiling and between £26-£32 for porcelain, mosaic, multi format and other more specialist stuff.

If you are going to work as subcontractor for plumbers, plasterers, builders, etc then be prepared to come down quite a bit on these prices as they will want to make profit on the charge out to the customer There is no way I would pay a subbie £20 psm as I am carrying all the risk if customers complain

Hope that helps and good luck

 

[G. Lasagne]

Cant you just charge a day rate, and work 9-5 and whatever you get done you get done.
I mean if i wanted a quote from a tiler i wouldnt expect to be charged per metre.
I dont charge per radiator when im putting a new heating system in, i charge whatever i want/need to make.
As far as advertising i would work on your copy, there was a great thread on here a while ago about different sales offers for newspaper advertising, there were some great examples.
I paid £250 for a local trade book which had a distribution of 10,000 and was distributed for 3 months making a total of 30000. i used a clever advert which was inspired from a previous advert CKG used. And i have had a great reponse so far it has generated about £2800 (profit) and i still have a month left.
What im saying is that its not all about where you advertise but how you advertise.
That goes for online and offline.
one i thought of the other day was giving leaflets to the burger van owners outside B&Q, wickes etc, when they sell there food they hand a leaflet out, strike some deal up, or even stick a poster on the side of the van.
you get the idea anyway.

 

[OfficeHounds]

hi all ,

I'm a noobie on here and wanted to say hello ! also i was hoping to get some advise on advertising my floor and wall tiling business in Liverpool to get myself established and start getting work more consistently !

Ive read some really good posts on here about writing to customers who have applied for planning permission but I'm having some difficulty wording the letter , any advise on this would be really appreciated .

any advise would be greatly appreciated ! thanks in advance !

Ryan

Hello Ryan
I'm a qualified English teacher, and I'd be happy to proofread a draft letter for you. If you're interested, please email it to [email protected]

I also recommend that you look into getting some leads from websites like My Workman and Rated People. You have to pay for the leads, but it's a good way to get work when business is a little slow.

 

[Eccy]

Hi mate, first of all let me say credit to you for seeking help on here.

Right, onto how to generate more business. The best advice on this thread is definitely the bit about gaining contacts in other trades. Try to make that your first priority. Try to also target clients who are going to need your services repeatedly - property developers being one.

With regard to using the Internet, use Google's Keyword Tool to find out how frequently people search for:

"liverpool tilers"
"tilers in liverpool"

... and any other terms you deem to be relevant. Then you have to assess whether the amount of people searching for tilers in your area warrants either a:

PPC Campaign
The creation of a basic website

All the best and let us know how you get on.

 

[Camille-I]

Maybe the best way in one sentence is : Do some paid ads over your community through the oftenly spotted media or other from. This is the fast and most effective way.