Many people who have started their painting businesses face a major challenge of attracting clients. Marketing requires time and effort, but determining which strategies will effectively reach their target audiences can be daunting.
When considering your career as a painter, it is important to decide on the type of clients you wish to focus on: residential or commercial. While commercial clients provide longer contracts and larger projects, residential painting tends to have less time constraints and may provide more chances for artistic expression.
In this article, we will guide you through simple and practical marketing ideas for your residential painting business that can enhance your business plan.
Door-to-door marketing
Starting in this manner is the absolute best approach when you are at the beginning. Many individuals may be hesitant or lack the determination to engage in this activity. Consequently, you will have a greater number of potential clients available to you! Essentially, for each hour spent going from one door to another, you will obtain 1-2 opportunities for painting projects. We have conducted numerous marketing campaigns to ascertain this approximate figure.
Choose neighborhoods with higher income levels or neighborhoods that require paint every 8-10 years due to HOA regulations.
The majority of people will respond negatively, but a small number will respond affirmatively every hour.
To ensure a higher rate of success in closing deals, it is advisable to schedule a specific time for conducting the estimate rather than doing it immediately upon request. Though some individuals may anticipate an immediate estimate, it is important not to proceed unless specifically insisted upon. Arranging a designated time for the estimate, with all relevant decision-makers present, will greatly enhance the likelihood of securing the bid.
Referrals
If you offer excellent service and quality, you will receive a significant number of referrals, making them the most valuable leads. Many contractors lack reliability, effective communication, or proficiency in their work. Consequently, if a former customer recommends you, the probability of securing the job solely by appearing is 90%.
Lawn Signs
Investing in lawn signs is one of the most advantageous decisions you can make for your painting company.
When painting a house, inquire with your client if it would be permissible to place a lawn sign featuring your company’s information in their front yard.
It is an excellent method to obtain referrals because individuals can observe your work firsthand. Moreover, if the customer permits, you can keep the lawn sign displayed for several months after finishing the task. By doing so, you will attain months worth of free promotion.
When creating your lawn sign, it is important to ensure simplicity. Remember that the majority of individuals may not be able to perceive any minor intricacies displayed on your sign. Our lawn signs solely consist of our logo, company name, phone number, and a straightforward call-to-action: “Get a Free Estimate.”
Build a website
There are numerous user-friendly online platforms available, even though building a website may appear daunting.
To start off, your website does not have to be complex. A simple website should include your logo, contact details, service areas, provided services, links to your social media pages, and testimonials from satisfied customers.
Google My Business profile
When people search for your painting business name online, one of the first things that will appear is your Google My Business profile. It contains important details such as your location, contact information, hours of operation, and most significantly, an option for clients to rate your business.
It is inevitable that many individuals will seek information about a company online prior to deciding to engage with them. Therefore, it is advantageous for you to ensure that the information they come across portrays a positive initial impression.
Firstly, ensure that you claim your listing if you haven’t done so yet. Then, verify the accuracy of all the information and include any details that are currently missing, such as the year your business was established or the identity of your CEO.
Firstly, review existing feedback to determine its presence. In the event that no reviews are available, contemplate requesting customers to provide feedback by utilizing various communication methods mentioned, such as social media and direct and digital mailouts.
When a client gives a positive review, respond promptly by expressing your enjoyment in working with them and your anticipation to work with them again in the future.
In order to address a negative review from a client, it is crucial to initially verify its authenticity. After confirming that the reviewer was indeed a client, proceed to evaluate their concerns and thoroughly examine any relevant details regarding the respective job.
When considering your response, it is crucial to bear in mind that you should avoid engaging in an argument.
Flyer Drops
Although flyer drops have yielded some positive results, they can be costly. For instance, we distributed 5,000 flyers which led to approximately 15 inquiries and eight completed jobs. Nevertheless, the expense incurred for the flyer drop amounted to $2,000. Despite this advertising cost, we were able to make a profit from the eight jobs executed.
To effectively do a flyer drop, it is crucial to have an appealing flyer. Many individuals tend to overcrowd one flyer with excessive information about their company. However, considering the abundance of junk-mail/flyers already received, only a few significant headlines catch attention. Hence, it is advisable to keep the flyers concise and straightforward, while incorporating a time-limited special to motivate people to call promptly. Generating a sense of urgency is vital in this marketing approach.
Take advantage of online ads
Online advertisements can vary from pay-per-click ads on Google to ads on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Setting them up may require some time and effort at first, but once you find your rhythm, they can often operate automatically.
There are, in fact, numerous platforms available to handle and uphold these advertisements on your own.
If your target market spends a lot of time online, online ads can be of great assistance despite the need for an initial investment.
Begin by taking things slow, establishing a budget, and conducting thorough research. Gradually adjust and concentrate your approach to guarantee optimal value for your expenditure.
Make social media profiles
Social media profiles have a significant impact on your overall marketing strategy due to their integration into various initiatives.
Established social media profiles provide benefits to your Google My Business profile, website, business cards, and social ads.
Instead of being present on every platform, select the ones that suit you better and concentrate your efforts on those.
If you’re a house painter, Instagram can be a great platform for you to display your recent projects and satisfied customers, as it focuses on visual content.
By having a greater digital presence, you can potentially gain unexpected advantages such as receiving reviews, referrals, and other benefits. Additionally, the more prominent you are online, the simpler it is for others to locate you.
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