The success of small and independent businesses depends completely on a steady stream of customers and clients paying for that business's services. This is especially important for the independent business owner whose budget and resources are limited, whose staff is small and the owners who do not have a corporate brand or marketing budget to rely upon for customer recognition. To compete in today's saturated heating and plumbing market, small business owners need their marketing efforts to reach as many eyes as possible. This can be difficult to accomplish on a small budget.
The following tips are just a few ways that the owners of small heating and plumbing companies put their best marketing foot forward:
1. Realize that marketing is a marathon and not a sprint. Marketing is not meant to be a quick fix. Real sales marketing takes commitment and patience. Business owners need to make sure that their company's marketing message is obvious in everything that is related to your business (employee uniforms, stationery, logo painted on the company car, business cards, etc). The more visible a company's marketing, the more customers it will attract.
2. The customer's happiness is a business owner's first priority. When the customer is happy he or she is more likely to recommend a company to friends and family members in need of that company's services. "Word of mouth" press is a valuable business asset, especially for independent business owners. Do more than your customers expect or hope for to keep them happy!
3. Avoid price fluctuations. If a project is going to cost more than originally estimated, notify the customer immediately and let him decide if he has the budget to continue. Offer a discount to keep his business and avoid raising the quoted cost as much as possible.
4. Pay attention to the company's business referral sources: advertisements, phone book listing, client referral, walk-ins, etc. Doing so can help small business owners avoid paying too much money for a marketing effort that is not working.
5. Build a website for the business. Most plumbing and heating professionals are not aware of how beneficial a website can be to an independent business owner. The site does not need to be fancy. A simple (but good looking) list of services, prices and contact information should be all that is needed to put a small heating and plumbing business on the world wide web.
These are some simple marketing ideas that all small business owners can put into practice today, to help them in the short run in a difficult economic climate as well as the long run in any climate. - 16732
The following tips are just a few ways that the owners of small heating and plumbing companies put their best marketing foot forward:
1. Realize that marketing is a marathon and not a sprint. Marketing is not meant to be a quick fix. Real sales marketing takes commitment and patience. Business owners need to make sure that their company's marketing message is obvious in everything that is related to your business (employee uniforms, stationery, logo painted on the company car, business cards, etc). The more visible a company's marketing, the more customers it will attract.
2. The customer's happiness is a business owner's first priority. When the customer is happy he or she is more likely to recommend a company to friends and family members in need of that company's services. "Word of mouth" press is a valuable business asset, especially for independent business owners. Do more than your customers expect or hope for to keep them happy!
3. Avoid price fluctuations. If a project is going to cost more than originally estimated, notify the customer immediately and let him decide if he has the budget to continue. Offer a discount to keep his business and avoid raising the quoted cost as much as possible.
4. Pay attention to the company's business referral sources: advertisements, phone book listing, client referral, walk-ins, etc. Doing so can help small business owners avoid paying too much money for a marketing effort that is not working.
5. Build a website for the business. Most plumbing and heating professionals are not aware of how beneficial a website can be to an independent business owner. The site does not need to be fancy. A simple (but good looking) list of services, prices and contact information should be all that is needed to put a small heating and plumbing business on the world wide web.
These are some simple marketing ideas that all small business owners can put into practice today, to help them in the short run in a difficult economic climate as well as the long run in any climate. - 16732
About the Author:
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about boilers, central heating, Wimbledon plumbers, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
