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Step 1
To begin you need a website, which you will have to either research and build your own or hire someone to do so for you, if you don't already have one. The website should include pictures of completed work, before and after shots. A nice picture of yourself and if you feel comfortable, a picture of you with your family, kids, dog, grandma. Melt some hearts here. Include a map to your business & contact info. This will legitimize your company and build trust. A link should be provided in your advertisements.
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Step 2
Your advertisements should always include- local licensed and insured. - business name, your full name, a company email address (not gmail.com) & your phone number.- Free estimates, prompt, dependable, competitive prices, quality guaranteed. Personalize it describe your services in general but don't make long lists. Include pictures of your finished work whenever possible. Try to avoid people assuming you are a big business or they will be afraid of big prices.
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Step 3
To begin advertising you should go online and begin placing ads. Start with Craigslist.org and place a free ad in your local area section and renew it as regularly as the site will allow, to keep it near the top.
Don't miss-categorize it by placing it in the "jobs" section. Everyone hates that and it will get flagged and removed. One trick I noticed with Craigslist is you may place multiple ads if you list each individual specialty separately. Example place an ad for painting, in the household section, one for drywall in the services section, one for carpentry in the skilled/trades section and so on.
There are limitations involved with Craigslist but you may be able to recruit some help in posting ads from friends & family. Let them use their email address anonymously and possibly phone number to lighten your load and free up your time. Just email them individual varied ad templates, excluding business name and have them keep the posts updated. Any leads have them forward to you and pay them a finders fee on any jobs you land. -
Step 4
Search online and take advantages of all the free ad forums you possibly can. Get your family and friends to help as much as possible as this can be time consuming but effective. Up in Maine, we all rushed to the store on Thursday mornings to grab a new Uncle Henrys. If you are lucky enough to have a weekly popular classified ad publication in your local area then put it to work for you. In a roundabout way, it gives people the impression that you are a trusted member of the community.
Comments
paint-it said
on 2/2/2009 Thorough and informative! Thanks! 5* and recommendation.
alienangel555 said
on 1/31/2009 More terrific information. I love how you made this a series. Very nice. 5 and recommend