posted
I've been told by a couple people that I should contact existing clients, to look for work. (It's really slow here) What I'm wondering about is wording. I don't want to sound like "Please give me some work..." Unless that's what works. I was thinking of a publicity-like tactic, where you make an announcement about some change; a new machine, a new manager, etc. Does anyone have experience with this?
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
One thing that happens sometimes, that you might focus on, is in many smaller towns, when the economy is slow, businesses cut back on signs. They mistakenly think that advertising is one of the "frills" that you can eliminate, when times are slow.
But it's a proven fact that advertising can convey to prospective customers that their business is doing OK, and 'come on in.' Talk to them about doing more.
Another thing I've done that's worked reasonably well, is to sympathize with their situation; and offer to help. Focus first on service....like "maybe you have a lighted sign that isn't working and don't know where to get it fixed."...or "maybe your business sign is faded and needs freshened up"....stuff like that. I've gone in, with the intention of just replacing bulbs, and come away with window lettering or banners, or other things to do.
Just a couple ideas...hope it helps!
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
With Christmas coming, a card with a, Thanks for your business this past year, May we both have a very prosperous New Year, just might put you in their minds.
-------------------- Donald Miner ABCO Wholesale Neon 1168 Red Hill Creek Dobson, NC Posts: 842 | From: North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
James, I have found that just getting out and being seen can help. usually someone will say "Bob I've been meaning to call you, I need ___________.
-------------------- Bob Sauls Sauls Signs & Designs Tallahassee, Fl
"Today I'll meet nice people and draw for them!" Posts: 765 | From: Tallahassee, Fl | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Nothing beats a shoeshine and a smile to get old clients to buy more. "I just stopped by to say hello and see how you guys are doing? How's your business?"
They say something indicating that their business is slow.
"Time to make something happen? You know I have a few ideas that might help you generate some traffic?" Do not mention price or how your business is, but focus on a positive attitude and how you are the source for more traffic.
"No thanks. We can't afford to spend anything right now? How is your business?"
"My business is always changing. I have had a good year, so far with some new ways that businesses use to generate more customers. Let me ask you something...What could you do that might pick things up a bit? What are you doing for business marketing right now? I bet I might know some ways others are using that might improve traffic...."
"Well, we always thought a new $20,000 LED sign would help out, but we can't afford that now....or maybe a big ad campaign or the radio?"
"No. I am thinking what could you say to your drive bys that might get a few more in? I am not talking about spending alot of dough, but just some inexpensive way to make something new happen."
"Well we could have a Winter Sale, I guess. Got any ideas how we could do that without spending much?"
"Let's see. How about some design of just 'Winter Sale' and maybe we could plaster it around here on the shelves and windows with some computer print showcards of tags or maybe a window sign or how about doing it on a piece of Coreplas that you can stick on your car windshield out front. I am talking inexpensive. Let's make something happen!"
Do not estimate price yet. Set the hook. Show them you want to genuinely help them generate some new business. Just your positive pro attitude will get them talking and even if all you do for them is a few hundred bucks worth of some POP materials, then they will be talking about you, for sure and will mention you to others. Sell them 'JUICE' and your creativity will win them over. Sure, you might not make alot of money, but alot of small jobs always lead to bigger ones when times get tight. Notihing beats the personal sales call and keep it professional. No talk about that sports team or those children or relative that you know in common. Just smile and sharpen your pencil!
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am a firm believer of being seen. Get involved or attend some of your local Chamber of Commerce events...networking is a great way to meet new contacts or renew old connections. I know a lot of people don't like cold calling....but I still find that if I head out and visit some of my customers it might remind them of something they have been putting off for a bit. Same for a new business...they might be reminded of some signs they have been putting off for a while too and just didn't know who to contact. Good Luck
-------------------- Patricia A. Raap Raap Signs 2615 Arthur Coopersville, MI 49404 616-677-0158 pat@raapsigns.com Posts: 576 | From: Coopersville, MI 49404 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
James, I've done what you have suggested. I go down my roladex file or pick a good customer or 10 who haven't called in a while and just say something like "Just touching base - how are things?" It's surprising the times that the client will say, "you know, I've been meaning to call you."
You don't come off as being needy, just that you are interested in their biz and are looking to help them out.
It can't hurt!
Good luck!
-------------------- Pat Neve, Jr. Sign Man, Inc. 4580 N. US 1 Melbourne, FL 32935 321-537-8675 Capt. Sign
posted
Go to Big Lots. Buy a case of small candy jars. Buy bags of candy. Get some nice stickers on clear for your jar and stick them on the inside...
Here, Joe... Just stopping by to say hello and drop off this jar of candy. I have been thinking about you and i haven't yacked at ya in quite awhile. So, let me know if I can help you out with anything..."
Every time Joe goes into that candy jar, he will think of you. Once a month, go back and fill the jar with different candy.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Businesses send, or give in person, all kinds of stuff they hope the prospective client will find useful and will be a reminder. Here's an inexpensive one from back in the days when everybody smoked, that the client wd see many times a day to remind him of you and subconsciously suggest to him the power of advertising.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have a couple of year end traditions that always generates a few extra jobs...
I make it a point in my travels to stop by and wish my customers well for the holidays. I think they appreciate a friendly handshake over a card. It also gives me the opportunity to field some questions and bounce around ideas at the same time.
I send out holiday emails with thanks for support to all my business contacts. Whether large or small jobs, everyone gets one. You'd be surprised at how many of them call or write back about projects they'd put off. It's great way to catch up on those "when you have some free time" jobs that seem to get put on the back burner all year.
Last, I run an ad thanking my customers for their support timed to hit around New Years.
Keeping your name out there always has positive effects.
Rapid
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks to everyone. I realized that I really do have some changes, so I think I'll make a web page and a flier that look like a newspaper front page. I like Bing's image service better than Google's; so I went and looked for newspapers there, and by golly, look what I found.
Disclaimer: I am not in any way endorsing any behavior, in fact, I could be, like wow man, mocking it, so there. But I just love that calligraphy look. I'm even thinking that if I make it as a vector file, I'll share it.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
Hey - guess what! You know the 'ad-City' I posted about the other day? I went and sold all the ads in a week's time. Since I went almost exclusively to repeat customers, I got 5 additional jobs simply because when I walked in the client had'nt seen me in quite a while and said, 'I'm glad you came in! - I've been meaning to call you about doin' this . . .' A couple of the jobs were just little things - but hey, bread is better with butter. I also got some good jobs; a wrecker to letter, a 8'x24' billboard, and a special customer gave me 6 canvases to paint for her store! So, I have work lined-up for the new year all because I popped in to sell an ad.
James, the sign business had always been a busy one for me except for the gradual-to sudden decline the past 3 years. One thing I've always loved about this business is NOT having to sell. People already want & usually need a sign. I've never had to present, and 'sell'; provoke, talk-up, entice or convince enough to make a purchase. I hate it and I'm no good at it. Selling a nicer sign job, an upgrade on the customer's imagination or original vision does'nt really fall into hard-sellin' either. Merely comparative art/layouts.
But like you, things have been slow here to. So from now on, if/when I'm slow again, I'm simply gonna spend some time stoppin' in to visit my regular customers!
It's a new kind of economy. I'm not sure how changes, or lack of them on the political landscape will affect the future. I'm hopping some party changes will excite & remotivate the economy - but alas, we can depend on nothing or no one to help us - best to plan on the idea that everything will hinder us and we must take all responsibility to motivate ourselves!
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic