Growing Your Construction Business Through Effective Marketing

By Jassen Bowman

If you are a trades person, then you most likely think that you first and primary line of business is the trade that you are in. However, whether you are an electrician, a plumber, a handyman, a remodeling contractor, or anything else, it is important for you to realize that your first and foremost job in business is being a marketer and a salesperson. This may seem strange, but think of it like this: If you don't make sales, you don't have anything to work on.

So how do you go about doing inexpensive but effective marketing for this type of business? Let's discuss three methods that are inexpensive and will work in any area for any construction business.

Bandit Signs
Bandit signs, or yard signs, are commonly seen items for real estate investors and politicians, but they work just as well for the home repair business of any sort. The key to using yard signs is quantity. When you order yard signs, order laminated paperboard or corrugated plastic signs that are weather resistant. With metal sign holders, you'll spend $5 or $6 per sign. Get yourself 100 or 200 of them. Then, put them everywhere. Put them in the yards of the homes you're working on, put them in friends yards, put them anywhere you can get permission to do so.

Yard signs are what we call disposable advertising, because they will get stolen and destroyed by people. But if you have an effective marketing message on them, you will get phone calls.

Classified Ads
Classified ads are another inexpensive, but highly effective marketing method for construction trades. In particular, check out the service directory section of your local newspaper classifieds. For people that are specifically looking for a handyman or other contractor, they are most likely to look in this section. Also, check out your local Penny Saver, Thrifty Nickel, or American Classifieds. These classified papers are usually published weekly and are very inexpensive to advertise in, but can be very effective for the small contractor.

Business Cards
You may not think of business cards as a marketing vehicle, but they can be used very effectively. In particular, have business cards printed with a marketing message on them, rather than just your business name, address, phone number, etc. You can then use these business cards to network with, but also, more importantly, you can leave them in random places. Leave them on the counter at businesses you frequent. Leave them in telephone booths. Leave them as free bookmarks in home remodeling related books at your local bookstore. Simply developing the habit of leaving them everywhere you go will eventually get you business from this extremely cheap marketing method.

Remember, these marketing tips are only effective if you actually use them. So, start putting together some headlines and marketing messages, and get to marketing to grow your contractor business.

Jassen Bowman is a speaker, trainer, and writer in the field of how to earn extra money. The How To Earn headquarters site provides you with the resources to earn extra money in your spare time, reduce debt, and get your financial house in order. If you are a contractor or handyman, learn more about growing your construction business.