Advertiseing

[Nhbuilder]

What works for you guys , I have never really had to advertise. But now I want to get my name out there more. So what really works?

[jocobe]

Re: Advertiseing

What Dan said........ it's really interesting!

[Dancing Dan]

Re: Advertising

Anyone can use Analytics. I check my site about once a month - not sure what I'm learning from it but it's interesting information. I've learned that after Google, JLConline is the most frequent referring site. And I know what keywords people are using to get to my site.

[Livin'theDream]

Re: Advertiseing

You can also set up Google Analytics, which is free, to see exactly where the hits are coming from. Also how much time someone spends on a particular page, as well as the entire website.

Jocobe: Do you have to be signed up for Adwords in order to use Analytics? Or can you use it to see where your regular hits on Google originate?

Kathie

[jocobe]

Re: Advertiseing

Also, with Google Adwords you can set it up to only appear within a radius of your home base. Mine is set for thirty miles. My ad is viewed around 350 times a weeks and I'll get maybe up to six clicks a week. The clicks are what cost you; you can set a budget. It's cheap.

You can also set up Google Analytics, which is free, to see exactly where the hits are coming from. Also how much time someone spends on a particular page, as well as the entire website.

[GaryJR]

Re: Advertiseing

"What works for you guys"

A solid reputation with past clients = excellent referrals.

Constantly building relationships with others in the trades = One hand washers the other hand.

[BathRenewal]

Re: Advertiseing

One thing I forgot to mention. I've read that nearly 25% of Google searches are looking for local products and services. Now that figure is a year old from when I read it, so I would be willing to bet that the number is perhaps higher at this point.

So 1 out of every 4 people who punch in something on Google are looking how to get that product or service in their area. Now the reality is that number is far greater for searches related to our industry. I would guess that 1 out of 4 are looking for "how-to" information so they can DIY. But I'd bet 3 out of 4 people who search for "window replacements" are likely looking for someone who can do it for them.

As time passes, the phone book will go away. Everyone will just "Google" it.

[jocobe]

Re: Advertiseing

I'll second Google Adwords and Google Analytics. I mostly do small jobs and have gotten a lot of leads/orders from my website. One $7K job I got last fall was for a $1.37 click on my Google ad; pretty cost effective.

I advertised years ago in the yellow pages, what a waste of money. Now when the phone book is delivered I throw it right in the recycling container.

[BathRenewal]

Re: Advertiseing

Google Adwords! I'm getting a 10-15% click-through with about a 5% conversion. The clicks I'm paying for are high-quality clicks because I really target my keywords to the ad, and I'm not bidding on # 1-2. Bidding 1-2 is crazy. I'm paying half of what others are paying because my ad is more relevant (very targeted) and I write good copy on my ad to get the attention of the people I'm trying to reach.

I'm paying about 5 percent on every dollar I make for marketing with media. That's not too bad considering 3 percent of every dollar made spent on marketing is a respectable figure for a "mature" company.

And I would be willing to bet I'm getting the same people clicking who are also going to ServiceMagic's website, but I'm paying pennies on the dollar for each lead instead of the astronomical fee ServiceMagic charges.

NOTE: This is only part of an overall marketing strategy to use. Don't think Google Adwords will replace your other marketing efforts (especially if you don't know what the heck you're doing with Adwords). You can quickly lose your shirt if you don't set things correctly.

[JMS BUILDERS]

Re: Advertiseing

Nh,

I've found that the more you give the more you get back when it comes to this or any forum. Give the guys a story about yourself and what you hope to achieve and then they will help you out.

It's like the jobsite, you need to show initiative before people are going to help you out because nobody owes you anything.

Matt

The kid hit it on the head and should be a sticky in my opinion btw how ya been matt?

Yes I know thread drift at it's finest do I get points for honesty?

[David Meiland]

Re: Advertiseing

Thanks For the Help, I would post here before get help this site has really gone down hill. 95 views and nobody can say, hey I letter my truck, I make signs, I send out flyers. Thanks again for all the help.

This topic has been discussed very thoroughly. You should look back thru old threads in the Business Strategies folder. There is plenty there already posted.

[Nickymg]

Re: Advertiseing

Read JLC University - Marketing/Advertising System. I bumped it to the top for you.
Nicole

[Mike from NH]

Re: Advertiseing

I have done a good deal of advertizing myself with pretty crappy luck. I'm a full service drywall contractor targeting smaller remodels, additions, basements. Average sale is around $3000. So 2 years ago I decided to go the phone books. I was in 14 total, covering nearly 75 mile radius, and dominating about 5 books. $10,000 later it got me no where. I got on avarage 5-10 calls a month from other drywallers looking for work!

[m beezo]

Re: Advertiseing

How about some of the starting parts like..you got a company name, logo, letterhead, uniformed workers, work vehicles all the same color....

There are lots of things that can be considered advertising. Everything from the ones I mentioned to radio and TV, newspapers, e mail, newsletters, door hangers. Most of which require something more than a printer at home if you want to attract folks attention.

How much you want to spend?

What kind of return you want on your investment?

You want to buy zip code advertising for only certain areas of town or blanket the entire place?

Guess I am saying give us some more info, who you are, what you do, what you want to try to accomplish.

Let me give you a hint, the more specific and more information you are the better the answers will be.

[Jason Nigro]

Re: Advertiseing

We send out monthly newsletters to all our clients. You might try a networking group like BNI.