Currently run a team of construction tradesmen who build for me personally. It's taken me a long time to reach the position of good hard working men who do a fair days work for a fair days pay.

I'm wanting to pass my experience and tradesmen onto the good people of Sheffield. Therefore giving them a building service they can trust where the emphasis is on the service and the customer and not about the builder. I feel that there is a certain lack of professionalism and trust in a minority which has it's effect on the majority.

Nevertheless does anyone have any ideas on how to market / advertise this service effectively ?

One of my ideas was see if people who own vans would allow me to put my de-cals on them. (like The SKY vans or Dyno Rod illuminous orange vans) I would in return pay their road tax for the year. Or something along those lines.

If you have any ideas that would be great.

The van idea could be a good one. Dalton Roofing operate that kind of service, a friend of mine had this done. The problem with that is that most people would rather you provide the van with the signage already on it, rather than have their own van painted.

You could do a lot worse than set up a website which advertises the services you provide. I would brainstorm some ideas, find out which avenues of promotion and advertising are realistically possible and pursue them.

How about looking up some trade magazines? You could negotiate a good deal for editorial and advertising space in the current climate, printed media are crying out for advertising opportunities at the moment.

Your usp is that your workmen care (more than anyone else)

Putting signs on the sides of van won't communicate that to your prospects (because everyone does it - right?)

If you go for a webiste - just don't put "Greenhill Builders" or whatever - show you care - have photos of workmen working in carpet slippers or whatever.

My old driving instructor (I don't know anyone who didn't pass first time with him) used to advertise very sparingly.

His advert?

A congratulations on passing your test message in the paper followed by a long list of names and then his phone number...

Get the idea ? Think different - because you obviously are...

Greenhill - are you a Sheffield-based business?

If so, try: thebigwebsite.org.uk as a place to start - there is a project within BiG (Enterprise Match) that can help with all aspects of Sales and Marketing.

Try either The Best Of Sheffield North or The Best Of Sheffield South websites. You get a 400 word write-up, link to your website, logo, pictures (builders in fluffy slippers?), testimonials from customers displayed. You have to get one of your customers to recommend you first as they really do only want you on the site if you're recommended.
You'll find them on Google.

Josie G
Freshaire Business Services
www.freshaire.co.uk
Copywriters l Sheffield l South Yorkshire

Currently run a team of construction tradesmen who build for me personally. It's taken me a long time to reach the position of good hard working men who do a fair days work for a fair days pay.

I'm wanting to pass my experience and tradesmen onto the good people of Sheffield. Therefore giving them a building service they can trust where the emphasis is on the service and the customer and not about the builder. I feel that there is a certain lack of professionalism and trust in a minority which has it's effect on the majority.

Nevertheless does anyone have any ideas on how to market / advertise this service effectively ?

One of my ideas was see if people who own vans would allow me to put my de-cals on them. (like The SKY vans or Dyno Rod illuminous orange vans) I would in return pay their road tax for the year. Or something along those lines.

If you have any ideas that would be great.

Hi, we have a marketing company, if you want any help we offer an initial free consultation to generate some ideas then Ultimately you can act on it.

One of my favourites for the construction industry is referal marketing. When you have completed a job give your customer a referal "voucher" with all your details etc and get them to give it to them to their family and friends, get them to tell them how good of a job you did them. Offer a good incentive such as a cash offer like £50 cheque/voucher as a thank you for refering you to them..... works a treat because you already have the trust factor.

Also, get your members of staff to "sell" your company and who ever gets a sale/job gets a prize. A client of ours (whos in the same industry) did that and he gave 2 tickets to tenerife to one of the lads because he got him a few thousand pounds worth of work in.

Let me know if we can be of any assistance to you, we offer printing, design and of course specialise in marketing! :thumbsup:

Thanks
John

Pro Marketing Business Solutions
0114 268 0404

Try either The Best Of Sheffield North or The Best Of Sheffield South websites. You get a 400 word write-up, link to your website, logo, pictures (builders in fluffy slippers?), testimonials from customers displayed. You have to get one of your customers to recommend you first as they really do only want you on the site if you're recommended.
You'll find them on Google.

Josie G
Freshaire Business Services
www.freshaire.co.uk
Copywriters l Sheffield l South Yorkshire

I thought they were just another online directory website with a few bells & whistles.

Our local council has a list of builders, plumbers etc which it recomends to householders, not sure how you get on the list but it might be worth asking.

We're going into a recession - most people will be putting off the idea of having anything but absolutely essential work being done.

OK - when you're on a job make sure it is easily identifiable that it's your firm doing the work - signs on vans etc.

A lot of people like myself get builders etc on word of mouth. Might be worth getting in touch with recent customers and offering them £50/£100 for any job coming your way on their recommendation.

Good luck - it's going to be a pretty tough time in the trade for the next couple of years.

Local council and yell.com seem to be a preference. And on these forums of course!

Hi, I suggested the Best Of Sheffield sites for advertising. Someone said they thought they were just another directory. I don't agree with this view. The fact that you have to be 'nominated' by a customer as being the best in your trade or profession makes a big difference. I'd suggest giving the site owners a call and discussing it with them.