For contractors who specialize in any sort of storm damage, it is a good day when a storm hits your area. It’s time for you and your team to go out and do what you do best, repair people’s properties.
Less than ideal when a storm hits however, are the storm chasers that come racing into town; ready to take your business and do repairs far below the standard of what you and your team can offer. Thankfully there are a few different ways to combat the storm chasers and get the jobs your company needs.
1) Direct Marketing
Getting your name, services, and reputation out to potential customers is one of the best ways to ensure that your company gets jobs, and one of the best ways to do that is by using direct marketing methods. Direct marketing methods are things like sending mailers to houses and knocking on doors; things that allow you to directly show potential clients what you and your company can do.
Mailers can be sent directly to affected areas and are designed to showcase your company. It gets your logo out so people recognize it, and it allows you to inform them about your services, your goals, and, most importantly, your local proximity to them. Because people today are so well-informed, most know that it is better to pick a local contractor than someone who swoops in and out, and mailers are a great way to let them know that you and your company are local.
Knocking doors, tedious as it can be, is another great way to directly market to potential customers. It gives you the opportunity to explain what your company does well, how it can help them, and potentially even get a look at the damage right then and there, and gives the property owner the chance to ask questions and raise any concerns. Knocking doors also gets your logo our in the community again, be in on your shirts, your hats, or your trucks, people will see it and it may encourage them to take the time to look into your business for their own repair.
2) Referrals and References
Referrals and references are an excellent way to get work in general, but are even more effective when it comes to getting work that storm chasers try and take. Many people want a contractor that they can trust, and tend to turn to other people to find it; people are likely to trust the opinions of the friends, family, and trusted associates within the industry.
If you can, find previous clients that will consent to be a part of a reference list for your company. This list can be used as a tool to help get potential customers to sign a contract with your company. Give the list to property owner’s who’s doors you may knock and who’s properties you may inspect; hearing that it was good to work with your company from other people may give potential customers the push they need to sign up with your company.
Creating relationships with realtors, insurance agents/brokers, and other contractors can also be a great way to keep business flowing to you. When a storm hits, people may call their insurance company first, or if the property is being bought or sold they may call their realtor. Having relationships with those insurance agents and realtors means that they can refer those clients to your company, making it easier for you to get your foot in the door to help them.
3) Reviews
Similar to references and referrals, having good reviews is a good way to get business in general, but also to combat storm chasers. People get a lot of information from the internet, so whether they are searching Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, or Facebook, it is important to have good reviews of your company on all sites that people use to find you. Good reviews make it more likely that people will call you, even if they still aren’t sure about hiring you; which gives you the opportunity to explain to them how you can help, and why they should choose you.