Adrian

What methods are you using to qualify customers? ... in other words, lately, they have simply been wasting my time, money and gas. I am at the point where I literally need help to find out which ones are pulling my chain, and which ones are for real. What ???'s are you asking them to find out their sincerity about a job other than timeline, and budget, and scope of project. Please help, and is there a surefire formula to keep their interest after the tirekicking. Thanks in advance.

James, that's awesome. Let me ask then How you handle new potential customers. What ??'s do you ask them to qualify. My whole intent with this thread is how to not waste my time and money, but rather, somewhat gaurantee that they are worth the time and effort it takes.

Not a question of doing good work. I have that dept. covered. My question is about getting a better feel for my potential customers mindset and budget and sincerity of the project. I am trying to save myself time and money.

I am not positioned well enough to sponsor a team ( although I love the idea ), but it does seem that I am at least getting my punches out there. I do have first time customers tell me that they have seen me scurrying around town though so it's a start. From the sound of things I am not doing it all wrong, just simply not pinpointing my demographics properly. I need to advertise smarter instead of just try and get my name out there. Since my relocation to Tx. I am definately feeling the lack of income since I am not pushing commercial as much as resi work. My own choice as I want to build on my woodworking skills. It's happening.... just not as fast as I would like. In Ga. I barely advertised at all due to the contractors that had me always hopping on comm. projects. Again my choice to focus more on resi's. But now I have some new ammo to work with. What is your sleep #? I love that approach.

Try Joe walters insurance agency or Nationwide. I have used both and are good to go. They do specialize in the PW industry.

awesome info. I'll be re-thinking my ads approach to the customers from here on. I have always taken the "sell it in 7 words or less" appoach, or you lose them. Thx. That's valuable info. Back to the revamping boards.

Good question Barry. Most responses are coming from newspaper ads in two papers. The papers are distributed in 3 cities around me. The T.V. ad is not pulling in any responses and I am discontinueing for Aug. indefinately. It's cool, but it's not working. Plus the usual 2-5 hits a week from Svc. Mgc. leads in which about half are tirekickers. I have just started an ad in a national circular called the "coffee news" which is distributed weekly to diners and coffee shops ( never tried that before).It is not a national ad though, only local area. Too early to tell on that one as it has only been out a week. For what it is worth, i will be trying an ad at the new local drive in theater which will air before the previews start. But mostly from the newspaper ads. Although there are alot of tirekickers in the newspaper ads, I still get some legit business fom them. I am sure I will keep those running as long as possible. Am I wasting too much bait by putting too many lures in the water?

What I really need is Mr. ********** to chime in and give me a swift kick in the pants like he has done annually for the past 3 years. He a real motivator and I know he has a few rules on qualifying customers. Cmon Ron, I have a strip of leather between my teeth and a book stuffed down my pants to ease the pain....... bring it!!!

I'm taking notes guys, thank you so far, but keep them coming, PLEASE!!!! All very good help. I have implemented alot of what has already been suggested. My close ratio is good, but there are still a few weeds to pull. On top of just trying to keep the phone ringing with usu. ad spaces around town and SM leads my ROI is just simply shabby. June and July have not been the most favorable months this year. Rain, school letting out ect. have allowed me quit a bit of bench time and PM for my equipment. Ironically as I am responding to this post I just recieved a call to do a deck resto and I applied some of these responses. I landed it over the phone. Thank you a thousand times over folks, but, please keep them coming. Someone out there must have a magic wand that they waved in my direction, or the good lord is simply tired of thumping me on the head. Please keep them coming. I REFUSE TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT,LOL.

Needs more of a description under the services section IMO. Very "to the point" otherwise.

cmon guys, help a brother out.

you two are kidding right? Although Brittney does have a nice pooper and she did get caught doing the nasty in the bushes outside of the rehab clinic, so I like her daring drive. WHAT DID I JUST SAY...... SOMEONE KILL ME.

Dream Theater ((They stand alone) Rage Against the Machine King Crimson Pink Floyd ( pre & post Syd) A perfect circle Tool UFO zep Terrible Ted ( Nugent) The Offended Homeless ACDC Trans Siberian Orchestra ( Al Pitrelli) Megadeth RAP IS NOT MUSIC!!!!!!!!! appearantly everything offered for consessions were all served with recycled materials, and, even the stage was recycled. What would the world be without music, no matter what the event. The music today is different for sure, but not total crap ( pushing it sometimes). Music is what brings everything together and makes the event if you ask me. I personally have played for benefits time and time again. Played with some pretty decent names as well. It all helps. Much better than sitting around *****ing about the situations and doing nothing at all to improve on them.

Is there anything that is safer to wear to keep from slipping on the stripper? ..... your helper

My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as well.

Sounds like you described a typical "tote". Those tanks usu. have what I call a "shark cage" around them and are mounted to a pallet. They can be found for around 75.00 used. Another 50.00 - 100. 00 bucks for plumbing and you are set. The down side to that tank vs. cylinder tank is it will surely block your rear view. I have used a tote for 4 years before I went to a cylinderder design. It's a good inexpensive way to get started on a tank setup as that design is plentiful. Vs. paying the retail gouge rate. Jon, will you be at the balloon fest in Oct.? Would like to meet you...... missed you past couple of times in ABQ.

Back Atcha, and to everyone else as well.

stumbled onto this and thought it was kinda funny. Glad everyone doesn't view flatwork this way. YouTube - Power washing your driveway?

whoa!!!!

The Death Clock - When Am I Going To Die? Nice knowing you guys. just for fun?

I think it looks great. Even with liitle sleep.

pay your taxes or they will find you in the afterlife.

I am leaning towards this idea....... Patriotic........ fewer words..... all the symbols people can relate to....... the walrus was Paul......... comments welcomed.

sorry, just kidding.

Hah!!!!!! it works as an avatar too. It may look small, but plastered all over the sides of Magilla the road hog will probably draw a lot of looks and calls. Yes Utopia beckons me and caffine urges it on. So what!!!!