How to Effectively Market Your Go Junk Business

Everyone has junk they need to dispose of. But some don’t have the time, the physical ability or the transportation to do it. And some might not even realize that junk hauling businesses such as yours exist. As a Go Junk franchise owner, you need to find a way to reach them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Community advertising and networking
   
   Entrepreneurs wanting to promote their Go Junk franchise should always start close to home.
   
   Post yard signs and postcards in your area: on street corners, telephone poles and bulletin boards. These attract a lot of business. You should also leave signs at the sites of your junk hauling jobs. That way, your customers can give glowing reviews of your work to their neighbors.
   
   A refrigerator magnet is an effective and long-lasting advertising tool. A customer may ignore it for months, but when the need arises, they will rush to the fridge and call you first. The magnet itself is a useful tool, so customers likely will keep it around, and it is easy to find when it’s needed.
   
   Another suggestion is offering free or discounted junk hauling job to local real estate agencies. Build relationships with businesses that are in a position to give referrals on a regular basis.
   
   And don’t forget to use your existing resources to advertise. The biggest and best example of this is your truck or van. With your Go Junk logo on the side, you are a traveling billboard. When you’re not driving, park your vehicle in plain sight of heavy-traffic areas.
2. Professional appearance counts
   
   A professional appearance and demeanor goes a long way in terms of repeat business and referrals. In service industries such as this, the small things make big impressions. Just because you don’t have a storefront doesn’t mean you should dress or act any less professionally.
   
   When you arrive at a junk hauling job wearing a Go Junk T-shirt, you look like a professional who takes pride in your job and your appearance. The visual representation also will help customers and potential customers remember you.
   
   When you arrive at your customer’s home, present your Go Junk business card. Your customer trusts you enough to invite you to his or her home and therefore deserves the sense of security that a simple card provides. Business cards are also handy when a passerby inquires about your junk hauling services or wants to pass them along to someone else.
3. Market your business effectively and efficiently
   
   Effective marketing is more than just placing your materials at the local tag office or a friend’s business. Consider distributing professional Go Junk color brochures door-to-door in residential neighborhoods. Saturate your area—send materials to storage units, real estate agents, neighborhood associations, and mailing and packaging businesses.
   
   Also consider creating news releases and submitting them to various agencies. Each new release should target a different aspect of your junk hauling business or tie into current events, such as a new city cleanup ordinance. You never know when one of your releases will generate interest for a media story.
4. Classified and Internet advertising
   
   An ongoing classified ad in your local newspaper or on its Web site is an excellent way to establish your junk hauling business. Even locally run TV commercials are within your scope of possible advertising tools.
   
   A one-time ad or a splashy campaign can be effective; however, because of the short time frame, it may not reach your intended audience or your prospects might not need your service at that particular time. However, a small, inexpensive ad that runs continuously for six months to a year will subtly permeate your market.

Tips & Warnings

• Go Junk provides a complete marketing tool kit, including resources mentioned above, as well as customized consulting to help you attract customers and get your junk hauling business off and running.