Your Best Marketing Ideas!
What has been your most successful marketing tool in 2024? Is there anything new you are trying going in to 2025 and beyond? Mine has been word of mouth and literally making neighboring sites envious of how we take care of our clients. What has worked for you? What are you looking to try next? 😎Do you return phone calls?
Looking back at trends I've noticed emerging in this post-COVID era of business, one that stands out to me is how frequently I hear potential clients share I am the only contractor that answered the phone/returned their call. People are far too often transparent regarding what a hard time they are having getting in touch with someone, let alone procuring a proposal to complete the work. Being located in SE Michigan USA, I have to ask, is this just something that is a problem in my local market, or is this everywhere and something you've experienced as well? Also, how do you handle following up with calls that can't be answered as they come in? How long is too long to circle back??
Direct Call Leads
We only pay per qualified conversation with homeowners. After a few years of hunting down bad contacts, getting ghosted and wasting money on ads and ad managers we internally built out a system that only costs money when a homeowner directly calls us looking for our services. It’s been a gamechanger and we even started selling these calls to other roofers and other industries/home service companies because there’s no real risk. Either you talk to a homeowner who wants you to come out, or you don’t pay. They can be kind of expensive but our ROI is at about 3.4x for a while now using it so I’m never going back to our old methods…unless someone has a lower risk option that doesn’t consume a ton of time.From One Business Owner to Another: Here’s How to Level Up in 2025
Hey everyone, my name is Keith, and I’m a 26-year-old entrepreneur who owns a growing residential cleaning business. I’ve learned a lot over the years, and I wanted to share some advice that could help take your business to the next level in 2025. One thing that has consistently set my business apart is offering multiple cleaning options. I can’t tell you how many times clients have told me they chose my company over competitors because we gave them options beyond just “basic clean” or “deep clean.” Our most popular service is what I call a semi-deep cleaning. This option focuses on deep cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms (the areas most prone to build-up), while doing a basic clean for the rest of the home. Clients love it because it’s practical and affordable. The key here is giving clients the freedom to choose the level of service they want. Plus, having different price points makes booking a no-brainer. Another tip: charge flat-rate fees instead of hourly rates. I’ve found that clients appreciate knowing exactly what they’ll pay upfront. With flat rates, they don’t have to worry about surprise charges or feeling like the job was rushed because the cleaner was running out of time. It also allows you to price based on the condition and size of the home, which makes it easier to provide a fair and transparent quote. Here’s a small but powerful touch: always give your clients something to remember you by. When we arrive at a client’s home, we hand them something thoughtful like a brochure, referral card, or even just a simple “thank you” card. At the end of the cleaning, we leave them with a small gift, like a $2 candle or new dish sponge. Little gestures like these stick with clients and make your service memorable. It’s an easy way to stand out from other companies they’ve used in the past or might consider in the future.How Referral Systems Are Changing the Home Improvement Game
Referral programs aren’t new, but they’re becoming a huge part of the home improvement world. Homeowners want trusted pros, and contractors want more jobs—referrals make that happen. Why They Work People trust word-of-mouth over ads. A referral from a friend or neighbor carries weight, and when companies reward that, it’s a win-win for everyone. How People Are Using Them Homeowners save money – Discounts or perks for referring friends. Contractors grow their business – More jobs without spending big on ads. Loyalty programs – Earn rewards for multiple referrals. Community referrals – Nextdoor, Facebook groups, and forums are full of trusted recommendations. Make It Work for You If you're a contractor, a solid referral program can bring in quality leads without the heavy marketing costs. Try something simple—offer $50 off the next project for both the referrer and the new client when they book. It’s an easy way to keep customers coming back while bringing in new ones who already trust your work. Are you currently using a referral program with your business? Drop a comment!
