ForumsAdvertising, Sales and Marketing

MktgPwr

Yes, I did get your email, Thank you.

We work in Portland, Oregon and the surrounding metro area, I don't know how many people in total, but it is a large city.

Yes, the address on my business cards and on the web site are my home address, I have 50 acres, 9000 Sq Ft warehouse, and a 900 Sq Ft Wood working shop. Since I never have customers come to my office / home I have never felt the need to provide a store front. Do you think that is a mistake?

Yes we do have a Specialty, It would be Drywall and Acoustical ceilings, that was what I grew up doing. It was not untill 1990 that I began doing general contracting trade, or doing it all so to speak.

We do general, the local subs are typically Electrical, Plumbing, and Concrete, most of the time we try to keep the rest in house.

Yes, when we have a job going we are in the community through out the day. I have advertising on all of our rigs, three in total. I have heard from various people that the signage is working and people are seeing that form advertising.

Tim

*Unclefester: I too left a comment on your website, and I can identify with moving to a rural area but quite frankly I can see no problem with a 45 mile commute. However, looseing contact with customers should be a top priority and depending on website alone may not be the answer. I have read many good suggestions given to you here online, they may not be what you want to hear, but in the construction business it is not creative art, people know what to expect, excelence in workmanship goes a long way in telling the community what you can do. Word of mouth has always been the best tool a business can have. Answer the question, why did I move out in the rural area, and how can I generate business where I am. Who knows, you might create a housing development! Keep me posted on your progress. artforart *

Think WAY outside the box.

Consider this. Call your local newspaper, radio station or television station. Ask to speak to the editor or manager in charge of human interest stories.

Tell them you want to know what it takes to get a story out about your construction company wanting to start up a letter writing campaign to Ty Pennington of the Home Makeovers show (ABC) because you want to be the contractor they work with on a Portland Oregon Home Makeover project. Your story for the media would involve appealing to your local constituents (the general public) that you need their help to write to the show and get them to pick you to be the contractor when / if the show would come to Portland.

Not only would this be very effective in your community - it would be FREE.

Cheers!
Karen