Here’s part two of the article entitled, “Promoting your plumbing business”…
Because these chemicals are so dangerous, offer plumbing services to neighborhood schools and parent groups to speak about household chemical safety. Sending parents and children home with a well-written brochure about safety issues can put the company’s name in a good light in the community. If the brochure also has a peel-off label that parents can detach and affix to their telephone, there will not only be good will, but possibly some grateful new customers.
Custom printed labels on fixtures
When installing new plumbing fixtures for customers, attach a label with the company’s phone number and logo to the device’s instruction manual. Generally, homeowners will consult the instruction manual to troubleshoot problems before they call for professional help. If they cannot fix the problem on their own, you have provided them with an easy way to get in touch for help. Also attach a label to fixtures, such as the drain pipe contained in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. When the drain gets stopped up, the homeowner will see the phone number on the drain while trying to fix it on her or his own. If they cannot solve the problem, guess which company will probably be the first one they call.
Getting new customers
To attract new customers, offer a coupon for discount plumbing services to new renters and homeowners. Cultivate relationships with local realtors and give them coupons to hand out to clients who purchase or rent homes from them. Who knows? Those grateful realtors may also think of you first when they are rehabbing a home for sale or rent. Also provide discount coupons through Welcome Wagon and other similar companies who provide packages of gifts to new renters and homeowners.
Offering coupons
Along the same line, offer free plumbing inspections to homeowners and renters who are already living in the community. Don’t pass up this chance to educate potential customers about the need for regular maintenance to keep their home’s plumbing in tiptop shape. Offer coupons for these free inspections at local festivals, by door-to-door distribution, or at any other place where people gather. Of course, when conducting the inspection, be sure to offer them a maintenance checklist and a sticker for their phone or phone book so when they have trouble, Guess who will be the first plumber they call?
Social Media
Finally, don’t forget social media. Use Facebook for small business marketing. Use the company blog or facebook page to educate the public about proper maintenance of plumbing fixtures. Keep it more about education than sales, and create more customers in the long run. Offer them coupons for free home inspections or discounts on plumbing services to sweeten the deal. Make sure, though, that the coupon codes distributed through social media have an expiration date.
With these low-cost marketing ideas, promote the business throughout the community. With all of the good will and brand awareness created, there will be grateful customers spreading the word about the company all through the neighborhood.
