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1 members (Scott35),
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 156
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I have always liked the 5 foot rule. If someone is within five feet of you they will have my card in their hand. I am a little shy about doing this at times but they have the choice of throwing it away. I don't pressure anyone but just use a simple comment like "if you need an electrician don't be afraid to call me." Works great when your standing in line waiting around doing nothing. If they are interested you will know right away and get some great face time. Even if it leads to absolutely nothing it is great practice on your people skills for the price of a business card. Plus it helps pass the time waiting in a line.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 914
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If you come across some who says, "If you do this little job for me, and your price is real good, I have alot more work to throw you". Jeff, Dnkldorf speaks the truth here. There are lots of bottom feeders out there that promise you lots of future work just to get a good deal on their current project. Most of will pay for the current project, but you'll never get more work. Some will give you more work, but they always expect a really good deal. And others will use you on this project and good luck trying to ever get paid. So when you hear a potential customer say "...I have alot more work to throw you..." Seller Beware!
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 914
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As for ways to get business. I don't know what type of electrician you are (resi/comm), but this is how I got started.
I went to a store that sells ceiling fans and got them to recommend me to install the fans they sold. I didn't have to even give them commission, just excellent service for their customers and an occasional free service call for a DIY'er that screwed up their own install. Installed these fans pretty cheap, but I was fast and could make $300-$500 a day doing it. I always told the customer that I was a licensed electrician and could do other work for them. About 50% of the time this lead to more work. Even back then I gave flat rate pricing and the customers liked knowing exactly what the cost was and I liked trying to see how fast I could get the work done. I also gave exact appointment times and was very flexible on times, even working late at night or on weekends if the customer needed that. I could go on, but my main points are:
Often small projects lead to big projects.
Give appointment times and stick to them or call.
Be flexible.
Consider flat rate pricing.
Check in to hooking up with a lighting company or other retail outlet that sells things to be installed, maybe Jacuzzis.
Also, marketing is tough and most don't work. Be carefull in this area or you'll go broke trying to get work.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445 Likes: 3
Cat Servant Member
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I would like to recomend a little paperback book here. The author- long deceased- pioneered a lot of today's advertising, and his opinions are worth considering (even if you daily see ads that ignore his advice)
The book, actually two small books bundled together under one cover, is "My Life in Advertising/Scientific Advertising". If your local bookstore doesn't have it, Amazon does (for about $12, I think).
The author made a career of trying different things, one at a time, and documenting the results. Ad size, artwork, typeface, coupons, etc.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 53
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Jeff, was telling you get into doing new homes so you have to deal with a inspector and he/she will point things out to you if you fail, most likly cost you a re-inspection fee but that would be good for some learning. Also to meet these builders, do you have any home and garden shows around you? hot tub installs not bad work, actually once I was talking to a hot tub dealer same time as he selling a tub to a GC as a matter of fact, bottom line I installed more hot tubs and that GC turned out to be a good contact, directed more work to me then I could do at the time. Where I'm at Elec. Cont. have yellow pages but none have to do flyers and stuff like that, but that where I'm at, different enconomy every where you go...
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
Junior Member
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Jeff,
You've received some excellent advice -- I'll reinforce the "scatter business cards everywhere" theme and add a couple of points:
Get some decent pens printed up and provide them to wait staff at local restaurants, banks, any place where people fill out forms.
Also. . . this could be huge for you: Join a local BNI group (Business Networking International) or chamber of commerce networking group to swap leads. Most of these groups are crowded with real estate, insurance and other "white collar" professionals so when a "real" professional that actually does something shows up you'll be a celebrity.
I'll also agree with the advice about defining yourself. "Commercial/Residential" says nothing to differentiate yourself from anyone elese. Figure out why someone should call you then tell everyone to call you because of that.
Randall
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Posts: 5,445
Joined: January 2005
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