Self Marketing & Promotion Help Needed

[jaydebruyne]

I want to start advertising for private work.

1) because I need more cash as the baby is due in 2 months and
2) I would like to start building my own set of clients so when I venture out on my own in 5-6 years at least I'll have a few clients under my belt.

Only thing is I don't really know how to market myself since I'm only really going to be doing basic plumbing for now.

I don't want to come across like I don't have a clue (as I'll be learning as I go), but I also don't want to come across like I'm the bees-knees!!

I have a website but the content is sparse. I quite like to add a personal touch so I'm not just a business, more like the 'plumber-next-door' kind of thing. Personal, friendly, loyal etc.

Help????

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

First step I would take is business cards........much better then just writing your number down.

Second is honesty, if someone sakes you to fit an gas boiler and you arnt qualified just say sorry I don't cover that type of work but I know someone who does, and tack along with them for experience.

 

[jaydebruyne]

First step I would take is business cards........much better then just writing your number down.

Second is honesty, if someone sakes you to fit an gas boiler and you arnt qualified just say sorry I don't cover that type of work but I know someone who does, and tack along with them for experience.

Yeah I definitely wouldn't take on jobs I was comfortable (or qualified) in doing.. Just not worth it. But yes, I forgot about business cards.. cheers ch4 😉

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Another cheaper one is A6 fliers put up on shop windows advertising basic stuff like new taps, tap reseating leak repairs ect

 

[jaydebruyne]

I just picked up a leaflet on a6 flyer printing with quite a good deal.. Are they really effective?

 

[plumben]

I want to start advertising for private work.

1) because I need more cash as the baby is due in 2 months and
2) I would like to start building my own set of clients so when I venture out on my own in 5-6 years at least I'll have a few clients under my belt.

Only thing is I don't really know how to market myself since I'm only really going to be doing basic plumbing for now.

I don't want to come across like I don't have a clue (as I'll be learning as I go), but I also don't want to come across like I'm the bees-knees!!

I have a website but the content is sparse. I quite like to add a personal touch so I'm not just a business, more like the 'plumber-next-door' kind of thing. Personal, friendly, loyal etc.

Help????

I'm in this boat atm setting up on my own in April hopefully however ill be working for my current employer still

but so far I've got quite a few jobs in just by getting my own business cards and whenever I've been on a job or outside a job or wherever someone's recognised I'm in the trades just passed them my card and tell them to ring me, no matter what the job is I always go and have a look even if its just to let them down and let them know they can always call me in the future
however I always Let them know it'd be as a foreigner

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Depends where you are and what works in your area, I've got one up and have got an U/V install from it so far.

 

[plumben]

I just picked up a leaflet on a6 flyer printing with quite a good deal.. Are they really effective?

The only thing I find with flyers is you have to think realistic when I get flyers through the door, I usually give them a quick glance if I've got time but never really pay attention and they go straight in the recycling,

But when I get business cards through the door they usually go on the side if there of any potential use like Taxis

 

[jaydebruyne]

I think I'm going to start taking pictures of jobs I do too, add them to the website. I want to start building my empire for my family 😉

 

[plumben]

I always take pictures of jobs just for evidence of what work ive done if theres any complaints or problems
What the link to your website mate

 

[Paulplumb]

Drove past where a plumber was working the over day and he had left one of those swinging sign boards out the front of the house. Thought that was a good idea. Takes up precious van space though.

 

[plumben]

Drove past where a plumber was working the over day and he had left one of those swinging sign boards out the front of the house. Thought that was a good idea. Takes up precious van space though.

I've been looking on getting a canvas banner that I can hang over the frount wall or on a scaffolding or out the window on empty refurbs

 

[jaydebruyne]

I always take pictures of jobs just for evidence of what work ive done if theres any complaints or problems
What the link to your website mate

There isn't much on there at the mo, but its Tap & Hammer | Domestic Plumbing & DIY

 

[dancinplumba]

Am gobsmacked after looking at that, do you really think it is a simple job to replace a shower with built in pump to standard electric shower

 

[jaydebruyne]

Am gobsmacked after looking at that, do you really think it is a simple job to replace a shower with built in pump to standard electric shower

It was an electric shower I replaced

 

[Paulplumb]

Great site there Jayde

 

[dancinplumba]

It was an electric shower I replaced

So is like for like a simple job ? A diy job ?

 

[plumben]

That's a really good website you've got there mate

 

[missplumb]

why havent you used your website company logo on your business card?? Being recognised at a glance is very important IMO, someone sees your van flitting about and remembers they have your business card in the draw. Wont happen if every part of your advertising and stationary etc has a different image!!, Also, your homepage is a mix of your blog page and images page!!
And when you have completed a job, post some business cards in the neighbours doors.

 

[Ray Stafford]

And when you have completed a job, post some business cards in the neighbours doors.

^^^This

Word of mouth is the gold-standard of all advertising. But you can still help it along a bit. Make it easy for your happy customer to recommend you.

 

[jaydebruyne]

So is like for like a simple job ? A diy job ?

What?

 

[jaydebruyne]

why havent you used your website company logo on your business card?? Being recognised at a glance is very important IMO, someone sees your van flitting about and remembers they have your business card in the draw. Wont happen if every part of your advertising and stationary etc has a different image!!, Also, your homepage is a mix of your blog page and images page!!
And when you have completed a job, post some business cards in the neighbours doors.

It's on the reverse side of the card 😉 and my homepage will be a mixture of all posts from all categories.. I didn't want the same static page every time someone went on it...

 

[Ray Stafford]

Consider leafleting a special offer aimed at the sort of job you want.

Lots of customers with minor plumbing jobs may be putting them off, thinking that "its going to cost £100 just to get someone to the door". If you offer "small-job saturday" with a one-hour limit at £25, you might be surprised what you turn up.

OK, the established lads might not want to give up their Saturday for £25 per hour, but you might consider that a fair deal to build a clientele.

 

[lame plumber]

loads of my small jobs early on have now turned into boiler changes or heating installs 🙂

 

[jaydebruyne]

Consider leafleting a special offer aimed at the sort of job you want.

Lots of customers with minor plumbing jobs may be putting them off, thinking that "its going to cost £100 just to get someone to the door". If you offer "small-job saturday" with a one-hour limit at £25, you might be surprised what you turn up.

OK, the established lads might not want to give up their Saturday for £25 per hour, but you might consider that a fair deal to build a clientele.

That's a really good idea.. I'll think of something along those lines 😉 cheers Ray

 

[plumben]

That's a really good idea.. I'll think of something along those lines 😉 cheers Ray

Have you made a list of your expenses yet and what you need to earn just to break even, that'll help you work out what you can charge for small jobs just to get your name around and get you foot in the door to potential come back in a few months or years to do a big job
I can PM you a quick list I made up if you like

 

[jaydebruyne]

Have you made a list of your expenses yet and what you need to earn just to break even, that'll help you work out what you can charge for small jobs just to get your name around and get you foot in the door to potential come back in a few months or years to do a big job
I can PM you a quick list I made up if you like

That would be amazing mate, cheers 😉

 

[armyash]

Have you made a list of your expenses yet and what you need to earn just to break even, that'll help you work out what you can charge for small jobs just to get your name around and get you foot in the door to potential come back in a few months or years to do a big job
I can PM you a quick list I made up if you like

Can i jump and request a PM of the same list too please 🙂

 

[armyash]

I attended a self employment workshop 2 years ago, it covered a lot of basics but one thing i would like to say to jaydebruyne is don't set your prices too low because you are keen to get customers. Long term you will be doing yourself no favours.

Fair enough if you turn up to a job and it's just the matter of replacing a tap washer for a 90 year old pensioner then you are not going to charge her top rates (possibly). You need to think of when you have got a steady flow of customers and if you are charging too low you will end up working long days, trying to cram the jobs in just to get a wage when really like most people in life you want to earn decent money and be comfortable and have something to show for it. I know I do, I work far too hard and put up with carp to just get by. I bet it's the same for most of the guys on here. If we were going to be satisfied with getting the bills paid and affording a few beers we would all be in Tesco stacking shelves (nothing wrong with that, my mum does it).

Anyway the point i'm trying to make is setting your prices too low now can be just as bad as setting them too high. What happens if in two years time when you have a healthy client base along with extra knowledge and confidence you decide you should be charging more for your services? Some of the customers you have will go elsewhere as they will be under the impression that they are no longer receiving such a good deal. (in reality they are but in their mind the fact that you have put your prices up they think they are getting a raw deal when really you are charging what you should have been from the start)

I'm guilty of this too, but now I charge for private work what the firm i'm with charges - why shouldn't i? Sometimes I will charge more. Like my post from the other day i messed up and undercharged for work but that's down to experience, now i know to check jobs properly before starting them - i actually charged a decent amount but that was assuming they were straight forward. Turns out the amount of time I was there meant what i ended up with was a poor hourly rate.

If you are doing private work sell yourself with confidence, you might not do the work as quick as someone else but you are still a qualified tradesman. I was using my lack of confidence and experience as a reason to justify doing work cheap but customers don't know what training you have had, if you wasn't doing the work someone else will be. That's what i have been told don't undercharge because of your experience levels.

Another thing I got told on the workshop was every 12 months put your prices up 5%, you might lose some customers but the extra money you make from the work you do will start to balance it out and eventually if you are successful you will start to make more money from less work. All other areas of business raise their rates regularly why should we be different.

Anyway some great suggestions on here so far. I'm always looking for new ideas and things to try.

 

[armyash]

With the 5% yearly increase, you might not be able to get away with that for certain jobs obviously but i think the point was to gradually increase your prices each year, it helps keep up with rising prices of materials and how else will your business grow?.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Have you made a list of your expenses yet and what you need to earn just to break even, that'll help you work out what you can charge for small jobs just to get your name around and get you foot in the door to potential come back in a few months or years to do a big job
I can PM you a quick list I made up if you like

When you are making a list like this, its helpful to divide them into fixed and variable costs.

Fixed costs remain the same, whether you are working or not. Things like insurance, membership of competent person schemes, accountancy costs etc are fixed.

Variable costs increase and decrease with the volume of work - so fuel, consumables, wear and tear on tools are variable.

The point is that you have to pay your fixed costs regardles of whether you are working. You might work out that you have a £15 per hour "overhead" made up of £10 fixed cost and £5 variable cost. In this case, you might turn down work at £20 per hour, on the grounds that "I'm not working for a fiver an hour". However NOT WORKING still costs you that £10 in fixed costs, so unless you can do something with that hour (either higher paid work, or some investment in the business that will lead to higher paid work later) then you might consider doing that job, because the difference between doing it, and not doing it, is £15 per hour. (Earnings rate minus variable costs).

 

[wetdrip]

Skimmed most of the replies.
Do not hand out your business card or any personal contact details to customers your are working from on behalf of your current employer. If he finds out, he'll get rid of you. Your boss comes across as a bit heartless and expects too much from you.
If I was your employer and found out you were handing out cards to my customers I'd get rid of you.
Website is excellent. Probably the one of the best I've seen,as it's different, and keeps the viewer on the page, at least it did me. You must update more, though.
Having read your previous threads on here, you come across an honest plumber, who knows he's got much to learn and isn't afraid to lay his cards on the table and ask for help via the forum.

I like that. I like that alot.
Question you should ask yourself is: I'm I ready to hand out business cards and suchlike now, or should I get another year or so under my belt.

 

[Millsy 82]

Have you made a list of your expenses yet and what you need to earn just to break even, that'll help you work out what you can charge for small jobs just to get your name around and get you foot in the door to potential come back in a few months or years to do a big job
I can PM you a quick list I made up if you like

Do this first! And most importantly do it right check advertising prices as that caught me out.

I worked it out to cover all my outgoings including replacing tools, van maintenance and every thing I could think of was £315 a week! If you don't do gas and oil it will be a bit less as your pli and training costs will be less.

Also be very careful your boss at the moment doesn't find out as most do not like you doing work on the side so you may end up in a worse position.

 

[MarkAqua]

Skimmed most of the replies.
Do not hand out your business card or any personal contact details to customers your are working from on behalf of your current employer. If he finds out, he'll get rid of you. Your boss comes across as a bit heartless and expects too much from you.
If I was your employer and found out you were handing out cards to my customers I'd get rid of you.
Website is excellent. Probably the one of the best I've seen,as it's different, and keeps the viewer on the page, at least it did me. You must update more, though.
Having read your previous threads on here, you come across an honest plumber, who knows he's got much to learn and isn't afraid to lay his cards on the table and ask for help via the forum.

I like that. I like that alot.
Question you should ask yourself is: I'm I ready to hand out business cards and suchlike now, or should I get another year or so under my belt.

Exactly what i thought i was going to say myself. Well said.

Your website is very good, it's quite interactive, in that the customer can see your work through the blog and also they get a sense of knowing you through that too. I like that.

I will re-iterate what has been said previously though about low prices, don't do it. I know it's hard because you don't really see yourself at fully self-employed so you dont need to charge the prices to cover all your expenses and out goings Etc, but my advice is charge what you would charge as if you were relying on that job to provide money to feed the family. I.e run it like a business already.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Skimmed most of the replies.
Do not hand out your business card or any personal contact details to customers your are working from on behalf of your current employer. If he finds out, he'll get rid of you. Your boss comes across as a bit heartless and expects too much from you.
If I was your employer and found out you were handing out cards to my customers I'd get rid of you.
Website is excellent. Probably the one of the best I've seen,as it's different, and keeps the viewer on the page, at least it did me. You must update more, though.
Having read your previous threads on here, you come across an honest plumber, who knows he's got much to learn and isn't afraid to lay his cards on the table and ask for help via the forum.

I like that. I like that alot.
Question you should ask yourself is: I'm I ready to hand out business cards and suchlike now, or should I get another year or so under my belt.

I'm a pretty straight up guy, I would never, EVER hand out my personal card to a customer belonging to my boss or his company. When I'm out, wearing his company uniform I am not working for myself but representing his company, his efforts and his reputation (as well as learning to become a better plumber for myself and him). However, when I'm in a merchant in the same uniform I've had people ask me about private work and it would be handy to have some cards on me.

Thanks so much for the comments on the site, it made my day!! I don't have the greatest confidence in the world, although I can take criticism quite well, and little things that seem nothing to you mean absolutely gold to me.

Thanks 🙂

 

[jaydebruyne]

Also be very careful your boss at the moment doesn't find out as most do not like you doing work on the side so you may end up in a worse position.

He doesn't mind the engineers in his employ to do their own private jobs.. To be honest, if he did I'd probably not do it as I wouldn't want to risk my job with him.

Cheers for the advice on the money front, I'm crap with working stuff out so it's a BIG help! 😉

 

[MarkAqua]

The main thing is be confident in your ability. That doesn't mean go over and above and think you can blag it and then charge huge amounts. But it does mean that if you spend 4 hours changing a tap because you've had to drain the system and replace some grotty old valves then don't feel ashamed to charge for that! It isn't your fault it's taken so long. A lot of my private work now they don't even ask for a price at the start of the job. They just ask how much at the end.

 

[jaydebruyne]

The main thing is be confident in your ability. That doesn't mean go over and above and think you can blag it and then charge huge amounts. But it does mean that if you spend 4 hours changing a tap because you've had to drain the system and replace some grotty old valves then don't feel ashamed to charge for that! It isn't your fault it's taken so long. A lot of my private work now they don't even ask for a price at the start of the job. They just ask how much at the end.

I'm still working on the confidence thing 😉 To be honest my job is so pressurised to get as many jobs done as possible it sometimes doesn't give me a chance to stop and think about things. One of the reasons I want to get some private work is so I can take my time with them and work at a pace I want to work at (as well as earn some extra dosh and start getting some clients of my own).

But your nugget of advice is well needed and I'll etch it in my brain for both my private work and my work with the firm. I might even print it out and keep it in the van (I'm not joking!!).

Cheers Mark 🙂

 

[MarkAqua]

That's okay mate. I wish you the best. Glad I can help.

You have to think, what would YOU think if YOU were in your house and being told YOU had to spend £500 for a new tap.

Would you want some cocky little git to come in and give it the big'en or would you like a nice mellow fellow to come in and explain it to you.