What did you do first

[Little Buddy 14]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what you did for your first method of marketing. I was planning on doing 2 mailers of 1000 each with an emphasis on wood Restoration. I was just curious if you think i should stick with the emphasis on wood or go house wash or put pictures of both on the mailers.

Thanks, Joe

[PressureWashE 14]

To be honest, I would market the house washing first, Because you can be sure that everyone you are sending cards to, Lives in a house... Not everyone you send a card to will have a deck, unless you have done extensive research. Also for a new company, finding work is key, Once you know you are doing good, Go ahead and market specialties.

This is not gospel, But it has worked for me.

[big mike 14]

I would market the deck work first. Decks pay a much higher ROI than house washing. 2-3 decks from that mailing and it paid for itself.

[FullBlast 14]

I think I would do both. House washing is cheaper work but there is more people in need of it than decks.

Put them both on.

[tinsley 14]

try to do what everyone else is saying with the focus on house washing and put something in there about the restoration

[big mike 14]

but there is more people in need of it than decks

I'll respectfully disagree with that. In MN & WI just about every home has a deck, and they get beat up pretty bad by the weather. Mold isn't as much of a problem up here as it is in warmer climates, so homes don't get as bad. We do at least 3:1 decks to housewashes, and that's a steady number for at least the last 7 years.

Joe, I thought you were going to focus on wood restoration, no? If so, advertise what you want to focus on, and pick up the other stuff when you can. Just my 2 cents...

[James 625]

If you do a wood marketing campaign make sure you have a few done . Relatives, friends ect....

[PressurePros 249]

Good advice above from Jim. Deck restoration is not pressure washing. Longer learning curve.

I agree about the regional aspect of what to target. I often say that I could run a one line ad in the phone book that says "pressure washing" and 80% of my calls would still be for decks.

I've also found that you get a better return if you separate services and run campaigns. If you want the best lead generator in today's market, build a website and work hard on the SEO to get it ranked. Use postcards to get people to your website by using effective calls to action. An example would be "Download a FREE report on How Roof Cleaning Can Cut Your Energy Bills." Maybe support that with "Find out how to your roof cleaned for FREE". I'm going to run a program next year offering a free roof cleaning to every 25th person that requests an estimate. The only rule is they have to keep up a yard sign for 30 days.

[Little Buddy 14]

Good advice above from Jim. Deck restoration is not pressure washing. Longer learning curve.

I agree about the regional aspect of what to target. I often say that I could run a one line ad in the phone book that says "pressure washing" and 80% of my calls would still be for decks.

I've also found that you get a better return if you separate services and run campaigns. If you want the best lead generator in today's market, build a website and work hard on the SEO to get it ranked. Use postcards to get people to your website by using effective calls to action. An example would be "Download a FREE report on How Roof Cleaning Can Cut Your Energy Bills." Maybe support that with "Find out how to your roof cleaned for FREE". I'm going to run a program next year offering a free roof cleaning to every 25th person that requests an estimate. The only rule is they have to keep up a yard sign for 30 days.

This is what i was planning on doing. The mailers wouldn't be the selling point, my website will be. I want to filter them fromt he mailer to my website and into the gallery. I want them to have their expectations already fulfilled before they even pick up the phone. Once they see the gallery, they already know what kind of work to expect. Once they see the final product, they are already being sold the service without me even talking to them.

I think i am just going to have the restoration on the mailer. Once they get on the webiste, they will be able to see the other services. I agree with mike, there isn't a huge problem with mold up here, but everyone has a deck.

[Little Buddy 14]

What kind of call to action heading would i use for deck/fence restoration. You know something along the lines of "whats eating your roof" call to action. I'd like to hear what you guys come up with for wood restoration.

[Ron Musgraves 240]

If you do a wood marketing campaign make sure you have a few done . Relatives, friends ect....

Good stuff Jim, get the old year book out also.

[offduty 25]

I would go after residential house washing. I won't do a deck unless I am doing the house and then I try to talk the homeowner into staining the deck theirself so I don't have to make a return trip. I do roofs but explain to the homeowners that it is merely for looks, and only to wash it if they are putting it on the market, same with driveways. Washing houses is hands down, for me, the best money maker out there. Everything else is a necessary evil.

[PressurePros 249]

Just remember that customers buy products and services based solely on benefits to them. Think of ways owning a deck benefits a homeowner. A place for kids to be safe while mom is cooking, a gathering place for entertaining, an extension of living space, and added property value.

Jut try to think what would catch your attention. I threw together a quick one to to get your ideas flowing.

[TNRoofCleaner 16]

Nice Ken.