Best way to gain more clients?
Hello everyone! I am new to the entrepreneurial world. I recently started a lawn care and landscaping business. I am curious what have other had most success with when trying to gain more clients? Paying for ads on social media, go door to door and hand out flyers/cards? What's the best way to go about things?Price Transparency
None of the locals have any pricing on their websites. As a customer I hate searching for general pricing. I'm considering posting my trip fee and pricing for some of the more common tasks a handyman would do. Tough to do for more custom jobs or problematic installs, but it seems that letting a customer know up front that replacing a basic ceiling fan is $99 labor may save them, and me, some time. Thoughts?
How do contractors handle charging markups on materials without feeling guilty?
How do you get over the “guilt” of product markups. Of course when you’re offering a service that includes a product or material there’s going to be markups involved, but I always feel like I’m doing something wrong, almost like they’re going to go to the store and come back with “you charged me $17 per unit when the store only charged me $15 per” is there a way to get over this?
When Competitors Race to the Bottom: How you Can Push Back—Without Slashing Prices
The Pain Backflow work has become a Craigslist price-war: unlicensed techs quote 30 % below cost, plumbers toss in a “” freebies" to win a bigger job, and customers—squeezed by the economy—grab the cheapest line item they see. Result: we’re pitching value while they’re slinging bargain stickers, and it feels like we’re getting chopped at the knees. How do I handle these "Cheap competitors" and Hold the line on value?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!$200K in 2 Years: Here's How!
My 5-Step Process for Creating a Recurring Revenue Stream for Any Service 1. Identifying the Right Service Assessing Your Current Services List your current service offerings. Identify frequently requested or needed services by customers. Look for easy opportunities ("low-hanging fruit") where you can add value quickly. Understanding Customer Pain Points Conduct surveys or interviews with current customers to uncover recurring problems or unmet needs. Analyze customer feedback, reviews, and service history for trends. Conducting Competitive Analysis Research competitors' recurring service offerings. Identify market gaps that your business can fill effectively. Brainstorming Potential Services Examples include: Regular maintenance checks Seasonal services Safety inspections Ongoing support 2. Creating Your Recurring Revenue Model Designing Service Packages Develop tiered service packages (e.g., Basic, Premium, Deluxe). Define what each package includes, such as service frequency and additional benefits. Setting a Pricing Strategy Competitive Pricing: Compare with similar market offerings. Cost-Plus Pricing: Calculate costs and add a profit margin. Value-Based Pricing: Base prices on perceived customer value. Offer discounts for long-term commitments (e.g., annual subscriptions). Exclude material costs; instead, offer them as add-ons with a markup. Structuring Membership Programs Take the time to design the membership model and structure. Create exclusive programs offering: Priority scheduling Special discounts Foster community through email campaigns and newsletters. 3. Building and Testing the Service Operational Setup Develop clear processes for service delivery (e.g., scheduling, protocols). Train staff to maintain consistency and quality. Invest in tools and technology, such as CRM systems, scheduling software, and automation tools. Launching a Pilot Program Test the service with a small group of loyal customers. Collect feedback on the experience. Measure metrics like customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and operational performance. Making Adjustments Refine services based on feedback. Adjust pricing and processes as needed. Streamline operations for efficiency. 4. Bringing the Service to Market Crafting a Marketing Strategy Develop a compelling value proposition. Highlight benefits such as convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind. Utilizing Marketing Channels Leverage email marketing, social media, local ads, and direct mail. Create sales funnels tailored to each channel. Use testimonials, reviews, and case studies to build credibility. Sales Tactics Train your sales team to communicate the value of recurring services. Use upselling techniques to convert one-time customers to recurring clients. Introduce limited-time promotions or discounts to attract new customers. Retention Strategies Create nurturing sequences for customer engagement. Provide excellent customer service to maintain satisfaction. Regularly check in with customers and promptly address issues. Offer loyalty programs and incentives to retain clients. 5. Managing and Scaling Operational Management Use robust systems to manage subscriptions and memberships. Avoid overloading current systems or staff; rely on technology for efficiency. Continuously monitor service delivery and customer satisfaction. Scaling Up Expand offerings based on customer demand and market trends. Consider geographic expansion to reach new markets. Fostering Continuous Improvement Regularly review and refine service packages and pricing. Stay informed on industry trends and innovate services. Act on customer feedback to ensure ongoing improvements. Any questions feel free to reach out!
When a customer says, "That's too expensive," how do you respond?
What’s your go-to move when a customer pushes back on price? Do you ask a follow-up question? Offer different options? When do you know to walk away? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Kevin Cook and Rob Soper explain how: "Too expensive" usually isn't about price, it's about trust and value Asking the right questions beats defending your price Giving options (like good, better, best pricing) changes the conversation Want to put these tips into action? Download our free guide to handling price objections (includes scripts). Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
When should businesses increase prices to keep up with rising payroll costs?
When's the last time you updated your pricing model to match your payroll reality? For example, our direct payroll (before tax) is 38% while our indirect payroll is 10%. As of January 2, we increased rates for all recurring clients by 4% to offload the indirect percentage. Going forward, we increased all first-time services by 5%. Thoughts?
