With the winter upon us, now is the perfect time to work on your business. With a down economy and the normal slowdown of remodeling work during the winter, now is the time to be reviewing and analyzing our entire business. We can be proactive and use this time to make changes to our business to be in a competitive position when the slowdown is over. The economy will turn around and those companies who are prepared for the inevitable increase in leads and business, will be ready to take advantage of a new and ever demanding customer. They will be anxious to catch up on long delayed projects. Many people are holding off on desired projects due to the uncertainty in the economy. This pent up demand will be released and the professional improved companies will be ready to take advantage of the opportunity. If you are not prepared you will miss out.
So what should you do to be prepared;
1. When is the last time you updated your website? (if you don't have one you may want to consider making it your top priority). Review your website pictures and text and make sure they reflect the company image you want to portray. Is your contact landing page complete with fields that are designed to acquire the right information from your prospects? Do you have a call to action on your pages? Do you have testimonials? Have you optimized the pages for SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
2. Customer retention programs; send out letters to all of your customers and strategic alliances. It is recommended that contractors should contact their customer base at least 6 times a year. If you have less than 100 clients why not send a special mailing once a month. If you have your client's e-mail addresses send out a monthly letter every month. Also, if you have any projects ongoing have you sent radius mailing to the neighbors? There are many on line services that will do this for you for less than $100.00.
3. Review your contract paperwork and make sure it is professional and compliant with local laws and ordinances.
4. Purchase an easy to remember phone vanity number.
5. Prepare for home shows.
6. Cut back on unnecessary overhead, review insurance, vehicle expense, and any other associated cost items.
7. Take a class on sales training.
8. Take a class on marketing.
9. Fine tune your business plan assuming you did one at the end of 2008.
10. Write a marketing plan and schedule your marketing programs.
11. Take your best clients out to dinner and thank them for their support.
12. Call all your past clients and let them know your still around and that you are offering new smaller cost effective services.
13. Read positive books, listen to positive Cd's, read industry related publications.
14. Join an association like NARI or your local builders association.
15. Join a networking group and attend every chamber networking event in your area.
Don't wait for the phone to ring or the snow to melt. Go for it now!
