Advertising Marketing Getting New Business ???

Hey guys... I'd like to know everyones tips on how you get new customers. Especially the newer company's that rely on advertising and that don't have a huge customer base. What works best for you? Internet? Sealcoating/paving contractors? Door-to-door sales? Girls in Bikini's? Lol...Lets hear everyone's success stories of how you grew your business and help each other out :-)

Well I am still wanting to know a surefire way too because I have tried pounding the pavement with personally handing out business cards and that has worked some so I tried to advertise in the small biz section on craigslist and I received maybe 2 calls from that. I also tried all the local to my area buy/ sell/ trade pages on facebook and that seemed to generate some interests from people that didn't know the difference between Stripper and Striper, seriously the majority of people on facebook are uneducated or just plain dumb. I tried sending out Thank You cards with about 5 business cards to each of my customers that I have done work for and I received ZERO response from that. I also tried to team up with a couple sealcoater contractor but all they wanted from me was written free estimates so they can use my estimate to negotiate a better rate from the striping company they are currently working with because I got calls from those said companies from Tucson letting me know how I was being used but I never received one job from those said sealcoaters. I even tried contacting the area asphalt contractors and they already have their own striping crews that drive from Tucson or Phoenix, so to say I am all ears is an understatement

I mail a letter to property management companies or properties. This past winter I handwrote almost 1,000 addresses. Stuffed them with a signed letter introducing myself with what I do. I also included my business card. A lot of letters do come back marked "not at this address" but it's been very effective in getting me jobs... jobs of the good kind.

most of my work comes from pavers or larger striping companies. the best advice I can give is do every job you get to the best of your abilities and watch the work come in. it will take time but before you know it youll have more than you can do.

ncstripe1 wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #4

most of my work comes from pavers or larger striping companies. the best advice I can give is do every job you get to the best of your abilities and watch the work come in. it will take time but before you know it youll have more than you can do.

I've had problems in the past but I got a call over the weekend with one that I'd like to work with. I am currently working with them in terms of negotiating a price. Any advice?

TruColors wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #3

I mail a letter to property management companies or properties. This past winter I handwrote almost 1,000 addresses. Stuffed them with a signed letter introducing myself with what I do. I also included my business card. A lot of letters do come back marked "not at this address" but it's been very effective in getting me jobs... jobs of the good kind.

That is a great idea, so you have a nice "form" letter typed and you sign that before putting it an envelope and mailing it out. I am not sure I would want to hand write every address on the envelope, there is a program that will print addresses directly on the envelope that is already in the software for your printer, I also think Microsoft Word document also has that feature to print an address onto an envelope in the correct direction

ncstripe1 wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #4

most of my work comes from pavers or larger striping companies. the best advice I can give is do every job you get to the best of your abilities and watch the work come in. it will take time but before you know it youll have more than you can do.

This is just good solid advice in order to keep a name that other contractors will talk about in high regards and it usually weeds out the bottom feeders that will do a $7,000.00 job for $2,500.00 with their 4" rollers and aerosol cans

small town striping wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #6

TruColors wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #3

I mail a letter to property management companies or properties. This past winter I handwrote almost 1,000 addresses. Stuffed them with a signed letter introducing myself with what I do. I also included my business card. A lot of letters do come back marked "not at this address" but it's been very effective in getting me jobs... jobs of the good kind.

That is a great idea, so you have a nice "form" letter typed and you sign that before putting it an envelope and mailing it out. I am not sure I would want to hand write every address on the envelope, there is a program that will print addresses directly on the envelope that is already in the software for your printer, I also think Microsoft Word document also has that feature to print an address onto an envelope in the correct direction

ncstripe1 wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #4

most of my work comes from pavers or larger striping companies. the best advice I can give is do every job you get to the best of your abilities and watch the work come in. it will take time but before you know it youll have more than you can do.

This is just good solid advice in order to keep a name that other contractors will talk about in high regards and it usually weeds out the bottom feeders that will do a $7,000.00 job for $2,500.00 with their 4" rollers and aerosol cans

I handwrite because I think it adds a personal touch to it... but mostly... it's because we're shut down for about 5 months. This whole winter nonsense and stuff. Gotta stay busy somehow. Lol.

I hear ya

All good info so far...hope to see many more replays :-) We've had great results with Google AdWords but need to find some other effective ways to reach property managers, business owners etc.

Everyone's market differs but for us a couple of things that have worked well are: -Finding a couple of retail general contractors and getting on their bid lists, every new project I see going up I get a phone number and call their office to see if they still need a bid. About half of the time they ask me to bid it and I get about 1 out of 3 or 4 for those I bid. Some just want a bid to compare to their regular guy but some are still looking for the go to guy. -School District Maint Dept Directors, they do a lot during the summer -Calling realtors/brokers listed on strip and shopping centers to get on their bid list if they have one or get them a quote on a property I saw in need of restripe -

TruColors wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #5

ncstripe1 wrote on Apr 27, 2015:Go to #4

most of my work comes from pavers or larger striping companies. the best advice I can give is do every job you get to the best of your abilities and watch the work come in. it will take time but before you know it youll have more than you can do.

I've had problems in the past but I got a call over the weekend with one that I'd like to work with. I am currently working with them in terms of negotiating a price. Any advice?

stay on there work, get it done. usually a paver wants you there right behind the paver so it can be a pain BUT its good money and the relationship can last for decades. I would rather deal with 1 or 2 pavers I trust versus a new customer I know nothing about. I detest chasing money, it doesn't pay as well as striping. LOL