posted
I was a little unsure about doing this - but i have just been going to places who have worn down signs and giving them my business card offering to give them an estimate.
I didn't want to sound pretentious or be like "hey you got a crappy sign ill make you a new one" But it is seeming to work. This was the first job I got from that so I am featuring it on my blog to try and drum up more business.
Does any one do this? Is it good business? Any other (cheap/free) ideas to help promote my new shop?
posted
"Any other (cheap/free) ideas to help promote my new shop? "
First step....letter up your vehicle. It's a rolling billboard and gives you direct contact with inquiring minds.
Have business cards at the ready. Keep some in your ride, some in your wallet and a stash in your shop. Throw a few around town on cork boards at local businesses (especially hardware stores...good for truck lettering and work site signs).
Push a niche. If you have good chops with an airbrush or hand lettering or pinstriping or cartooning, build on it. Throw a little in once in a while to remind customers what you're capable of.
Just a few thoughts... Happy hunting! Rapid
[ April 24, 2009, 11:42 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
I've often dropped in and left a business card behind. If you do have time on your hands, you could put together an informational brochure with a few before and afters as well as a sales pitch on the value of signs VS other advertising. Mike Jackson had an excellent article in the last(?) Signcraft. In it was a quote from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Website that points out the importance of signage.
I don't do any cold calling anymore, but I did a lot in the beginning. Today on the way home from an install I stopped in at a lumberyard/hardware in a small town about 70 miles North of here. I got chatting with the owner and he asked for some cards, in adddition to that I found out where they had their new town monuments done as well as what they cost. Information like that is always valuable, so when I do go into a place I will often ask for "advice" and tell them what I am working on. It always seems to open the door for new contacts and work.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Whenever I go somewhere and have time, I stop at places that I really don't need to go to. I sometimes buy coffee from a place that has horrible tasting coffee (I buy to-go and pour it out later), but the owner has a little jobs for me, and I meet other business people there. I find that people often have a sign job on the backburner, on their to-do list, so to say, but they'll mention it when they run into you. So be around and be seen, I've got many jobs this way.
posted
Ray mentioned vehicle graphics. Many years ago, a customer told me he'd seen my trucks all over town. Well... I only had one truck. It does work to keep your name in front of them.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Did anybody else notice the misspelling on the make-over sign?
I agree with everything said here, and would emphasize the power of networks. Whether it's through your place of worship, volunteer organizations, or even hobby related groups: try to get your path to cross as many others' paths as possible. It's really amazing how powerful this can be. But just be sure you conduct yourself to the highest ethical standards, even if you think it won't matter or no one will notice. Believe me, someone will notice and you will gain a reputation for your square dealing that can serve you very well over the years. Out-of-pocket cost: $0.
[ April 27, 2009, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: Brian Oliver ]
-------------------- Brian Oliver Paxton Signs Fort Collins, CO paxton@peakpeak.com www.paxtonsignsofcolorado.com Posts: 237 | From: ft. collins, colorado,usa | Registered: Mar 2001
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