Deck builders

[Crownroyal 14]

I am starting to advertise to deck builders in my area and was looking for in put. I wrote a letter and was wondering what ya'll thought?

I would like to set up a crew and train them in wood only. I have noticed there aren’t very many companies that only do wood work around here and thought that maybe I'll tap the market and push the wood restoration to a higher level especially in the home shows. What types of ideas have worked for you guys to recieve their buisness or leads ?

Thanks for any ideas

Hello,

I recently attended the home show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and admired the beautiful craftsmanship that your company has put forth to produce such great decks and fences. I learned that for the most part it is left up to the consumer to locate someone to stain and/or seal his or her finished project. Usually that means your customer has to open a phone book and choose someone they aren’t truly familiar with or they attempt to tackle the project on their own. Often times the consumer isn’t educated on the products or techniques used to beautify and protect his or her investment. Buying Nike clubs won’t make me Tiger Woods and buying a sealer from your local hardware store won’t make the customer a wood restoration specialist.

I would like to work along side of your company to help educate your customers on how to achieve the best look possible with the work you have just completed, whether it’s a deck or fence. Dagan Exteriors has extensive knowledge about wood restoration and wood protection. I would be available to speak with the homeowner about beautifying and protecting their new investment, and explain that by using the correct technique and products, your carpentry will last generations and still astound all that see your work. I would like to help the homeowner remember who built their deck or fence and every time they look at it, be reminded of YOU and how your company provided top quality craftsmanship. Here at Dagan Exteriors I would like to propose that we take your quality work and make it last a lifetime.

I am sending along some pictures of my work and as well as some information about Dagan Exteriors so that you can see for yourself how much pride we take in the work we do and how satisfied our customers are. I would also like to meet with you when you have a spare half an hour and talk to you more about how we can help each other.

Thank you for your time,

Dan Mathis

President

( I got the tiger thing idea from a post here lol thought i was kind of down to earth).

Dan

Dagan Exteriors

NN VA

[JFife 14]

I think it's pretty good. The second paragraph is better than the first, in reasoning and salesmanship. If you send it out the way it is, it will be fine. If you want to fine tune it some more, give us a few days on here and give some of us an opportunity to help you polish it and it will be great. Either way, I think you'll accomplish what you need. It's just when I proof something, I try to be as active as possible, so my first take was that the first paragraph was a little boring, and I ended up "skimming" a couple sentences as opposed to absorbing them. I think you could drive a better point in the first paragraph than the "YOUR customer is forced to find someone, etc.". My idea??? Don't have one yet. But if you are interested in feedback, post back here and I'll stew on it for a day or so. Good luck,

[PressurePros 248]

I think it's excellent. I am a little unsure about the Tiger Woods statement. While it is "down to earth" it changes the professional pace of the letter. I would omit it. Nice job, Dan, well written and to the point. I like the first paragraph because it appeals to the vanity of the contractor and introduces the sales pitch without being overly "snowy".

[JFife 14]

Crown,

..I stand by what I said, but I'd forget it if I were you, because you just had someone say it is great. Maybe I'm an oddball. Ken is a great writer, and he likes it, so I'd go with it.

[JFife 14]

Okay, I think I've figured out a way I'd like it better. Try breaking it up into some more paragraphs, and maybe a bulleted-list of four things.

By using Dagan Exteriors:

*deck will be protected and maintain it's natural beauty

*benefit

*benefit

*and, your detailed craftmanship will be admired for years

I re-read the letter, and still got bored. Most businesspeople have a short reading attention span, that is why sales books all have three page chapters, listing, side bars, etc. These builders will be the same; so chop it up some and keep it brief. Leave the info like Ken said, remove tiger, chop it up, and send it out!!!

[Crownroyal 14]

Thanks guys I will be making a few changes and be on my way to sending it out. thanks again.

Dan

Dagan

Va

[James 624]

Remember the first finish is most important! Get them to understand that. Most deckbuilders have failed at sealing decks and give it up. Understanding what to do to new wood is very important to it's longevity. So you better have the answers.

I have two cedar strip jobs because of people and a builder not understanding cedar. Not understanding what to much sealers means and mill glaze.