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#1805 06/01/01 02:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
Member
What forms of advertising do you use?

Which types offer the best returns?

Which should I consider to use given one at a time, each in priority?

Would rural areas makes an important differce here?

I've got business cards everywhere.
Word of mouth has been the biggest draw for me so far.


-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI
#1806 06/01/01 06:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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Member
Word of mouth is a make or break proposition out in Mayberry RFD.
The phone book is probably #1 for service calls, so Ace Electric will win out over Zippy Electric there...
[Linked Image]

#1807 06/01/01 06:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
'66,

Word of mouth is best. Print ad is worthless as is just about anything else you pay for except yellow pages.

Ace Electric only wins out if they answer the phone after hours & weekends. When I get an after hours call, I know that the customer has had about 10 no answer/answering machines or comments like "you want me there when?"

The best thing you can do is all those dinky little 1 hour service calls. For some reason I have found that those folks seem to remember you when they have something really decent to work on & remember how you helped them with their minor little job.

Tom


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
#1808 06/01/01 07:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
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Member
I get a 2-3 calls a month from a local churh bulletin. It is relatively inexpensive. $350.00 per yr. for a weekly (small) display ad. It easily pays for itself. I just signed up for a 5x8 display on shopping cart seat backrests. $100.00/mo. for 6 mo. on about 60 carts out of 300. It is an exclusive contract(one electrician, plumber, hvac, etc per store.)I am waiting to see how it works.The local weekly free newspaper is also reasonable at about $30/mo. for a small print ad.

#1809 06/01/01 08:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 60
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Member
My biggest draw is word of mouth. But it only works because I'm honest. I have heard some horror stories from customers about my competition.

I have tried those mini phone books, without much luck.

Also did the church thing, which worked out very well. I service about half of the parishioners at one church here locally.

#1810 06/02/01 09:47 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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Member
hmmmm,
maybe i'll go get some religion... [Linked Image]


( hey, i'm not proud when i'm hungry!)

[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 06-03-2001).]

#1811 06/03/01 06:29 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
i have had some luck with realtors, who all have web sites ( looking for $$$ flatlanders)

they check their e-mail often, which is usually advertised, so i do a mass mailing, specials on what they usually need, smokes, service upgrades, stuff that usually is needed for a property sale...

this only costs me my time...

[Linked Image]

#1812 06/04/01 06:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 60
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Member
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sparky:
[B]hmmmm,
maybe i'll go get some religion... [Linked Image]

I'm not religous, I just go to church to meet women. [Linked Image]

#1813 06/05/01 01:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 84
D
Member
I advertise in a weekly that has good circulation in my area. I work on the side (my regular job is electrical also) and I get all the call I need. In fact, I've stopped the ad for a while.

#1814 06/05/01 09:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
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Member
Quote
Originally posted by donles:
I advertise in a weekly that has good circulation in my area. I work on the side (my regular job is electrical also) and I get all the call I need. In fact, I've stopped the ad for a while.

donles,
I used to advertise in the weekly local. It was well worth it, but I did notice a lot of "bargain hunters". How about you?

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