Job-Site Selfies, Good Idea or Get a Life

             (Clearwater, Sidewalk Selfie)

I look through websites for good pictures and themes. I look for different angles at job sites that enhance the end product and highlight the craftsmanship. 

I see tons of pictures of finished work or before and afters. I always question is this a real pic from the company or do they pay for pics. Some companies use watermarks on their pictures to give them authenticity which I think is a great idea. Other companies take pictures while employees are present on the job and you can read the shirt or truck. That is usually the extent of pictures on websites.

I want to be different...

For the month of August, I will be taking selfies and videos at jobs to see if this resignates with my audience. My audience is Baby Boomers with disposable income that have just retired or will retire within 3 years that typically just moved. I can use these pictures for both blogs and social media.

My theory is these pictures and videos will come across genuine and authentic. 

Give me your thoughts on this, Good Idea or Get a Life?

Justin

How You Avoid Being a Commodity Contractor.

This is a follow up to last weeks, commodity contractor blog post.

I had the pleasure of having coffee with a very wealthy client that turned into a very expensive lunch and great conversation. Luckily, he paid.

Somehow our conversation between two men took a drastic turn when the topic of Nordstroms started. We have a local Nordstrom in Tampa that his wife was shopping at while we had coffee.

The only thing I knew about Nordstrom is they sold higher end clothing/shoes and to keep my wife away.

I asked, "Why does your wife like Nordstroms"
His answer was priceless, "My wife can spend hours in that store, they have a personal stylists that assists her every step of the way. She likes the layout of the store, very open and welcoming. She earns points on her Nordstrom Card toward future purchases. She goes to the other stores Neiman Marcus, and Saks but, really goes back to Nordstrom for the personal touch. Lastly, the stylist will call or email when they have new arrivals that fits her style."

I would typically space out while another man talked about a department store. I found myself asking more questions. I was curios to see buying habits of higher end customers. Customers that could choose to shop wherever they wanted but, found themselves spending thousands of dollars in one store.

My findings and how they pertain to Contractors:

Nordstroms has 5 competitors in the market place. They have carved a great niche with high end and personal services. The wide open store layout invites customers to freely walk through the store and take in everything Nordstroms has to offer. Lastly, the return policy is 100% Guarantee.

Enough about Nordstroms.

Ways not be a commodity and more like Nordstroms:

1. Position yourself as the expert. If you are the best at what you do, you dont need to talk about being the best. Show your expertise with articles, and answering questions on community dashboards. Highlight your projects through social media and be open to answer questions and let prospects freely look around.
2. When customers arent asking for your bid or price, but when they can get on your schedule. Welcome to the Nordstroms experience. You are the contractor they want and will wait until your avialable.
3. Your 100% satisfaction Guarantee. Offer that longer warranty, your business uses better materials and trades. Extend the guarantee and warranty.
4. BONUS. Stay in touch with your customer. Thank you card or pictures taken during their project with personal note from you. Bottle of wine with your label. Anything that keeps you top of mind.

Creating a higher end niche keeps you out of price wars. Spending more time on higher end will garnish higher profits and better referrals. How do you want to spend your time price wars or profits?

Want to know more about selling to higher end? Call me or send an email.

Justin 727-644-0160 or Justin@ContractorsNetworking.com

Defining Your Target Market or Following Competitors Target Market?

This is a follow up to Rock Star Contractor Mindset from 1/31/14.

I grab the mail every week to look at competitor ads. Over the past 3-5 years there has been a National company that advertises windows. Specifically any size window for $189.00 installed. I am sure you'll have seen the ads or commercials. I don't know how they can make money at $189.

Shortly after this $189 phenomenon, I started seeing competitors (Mom and Pop Window companies) trying to compete against this large national brand. The Mom and Pop companies didn't do the research needed to sustain. They started to go after this low hanging fruit and mimic the advertisement only to find out there is no pot of GOLD at the end of the rainbow. Unfortunately, this still happens today in 2014.

My 3 suggestions:

1. Take notes on competitors for ideas, dont copy there advertisements.
2. Find your unique selling proposition. The large national brand above can install any size window for $189, that is unique. 
3. Look at other industries for some ideas on how they target market. Some of the best ideas come from industries outside of Construction. Also, these companies outside of Construction aren't threatened when you call for questions.

The Mom and Pop's didn't last very long in the $189 arena and some went out of business. The others that made it through for little margins are glad to still be around.

Please leave a comment below.