How To Effectively Market Your Painting Contracting Company
Starting a company is one thing, but managing construction and trade businesses is another. Once the painting contracting company is up and running, most contractors face a common problem: generating leads and clients. Getting customers doesn’t just happen immediately. You need to put in some time and effort into marketing– from choosing the best strategies and skillfully executing them.
As a painter and business owner, you’ll have to identify your target audience and the types of clients you want to attract, commercial or residential. Job order costing would be different between the two. Commercial clients generally offer bigger jobs, longer contracts, and more money. However, residential painting jobs are typically less time-sensitive, giving more opportunities to work on more jobs.
In this article, we’ll give you a few marketing strategies that will help you build and grow your painting contracting business.
Marketing Strategies To Boost Your Painting Contracting Business
Set yourself apart from the competition
In whatever field you put up a business, the competition will always be a challenge. For your company to grow and succeed, leads should choose you over your competition.
In markets with intense competition, you would need a value proposition or the “why” you are the best painting contracting company. This isn’t necessarily a factor that would make your company eye-catching, like a hot pink van. Instead, it should be something that your potential customers would want and can benefit from, maybe special packages or lower prices.
1. Create a social media presence
Social media is arguably the best way to attract a following that could turn into potential customers. More than 233 million people in the US have social media accounts and that number is predicted to grow to 243 million by 2025.
With a large number of social media users, you would be able to amass a significant following if your social media activity is done right. You don’t have to be a part of all platforms; strategically choose the ones that best suit your field and business. Given that your business is painting, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are the best platforms to be active in as image-centered platforms. You can post before and after photos of your jobs, as well as the other services you offer.
More than that, there are some indirect benefits to social media. Because it’s easy to connect and share, your customer’s reviews, testimonials, and referrals can help gain more leads.
2. Develop a professional website
A company website allows viewers to access information on your company in one place easily. For better chances of getting leads to convert, the site should be clear, simple, easy to navigate, yet informative.
Initially, you’ll need a primary site that contains the essentials: contact information, logo, services, areas of service, positive client reviews, links to social media pages, and necessary forms. As you progress with your company, you can continue polishing it. You can even hire a professional developer to make the site cleaner.
Local SEO
An effective way to get your website out there is with SEO or search engine optimization. Include key terms about your location and services on your site and add to them several pages, headers, headlines, and footers to increase the chances of it being found online.
You can even create a team dedicated to SEO for better optimization. Writing content like articles that are related to painting also helps with SEO.
1. Claim and grow your Google My Business Profile
Before choosing a company to work for them, people will tend to do a quick online search. Being on top of that list is extremely beneficial because you are one of the best.
One of the first things that pop up when people search for your business online is your Google My Business Profile. On it would be your contact information, location/s, business hours, and a chance for clients to rate your business.
To make a Google My Business profile, you must first claim your listing. After that, verify that all the information you put is accurate and add any that may be missing. Next, check if there are already existing reviews. If there are none, ask customers to leave one through any acceptable communication strategy, direct mail, digital mail, social media, or even through your website.
When they leave a positive review, send them a short message about how you liked working with them and hope to again in the future. This will show that you genuinely care about your clients, making them want to work with you also.
If they leave a negative review, go over the issue/s and the details about the job. Once you’ve understood the reason behind the review, you can start to resolve any issue. And instead of providing a counter and defensive statement that could lead to an argument, tell them that you appreciate the critiques they offered. This will show that you value their opinion and are open to improvements.
2. Take advantage of online ads.
Running ads online is another highly efficient way to attract a substantial number of potential clients. There’s various types to choose from, from ads on social media to Google pay-per-click ads.
Although it would require a chunk of investment, online ads take very little time to set up and you can essentially run it on autopilot once it’s programmed. There are even tools that can help you manage and maintain these ads on your own.
Online ads are one of the best marketing strategies if your target market spends a lot of their time online.
3. Connect with mail– direct and digital
Whether directly or digitally, mail will always be a great way to get the word out about your company and its services.
For traditional direct mail, think of print advertising techniques like flyers and hang on doors. While this method’s target is more general, a wider net will be cast and give you more opportunity to reach new clients.
On the other hand, digital mail is widely more convenient than traditional mail. You can send newsletters, special offers, and additional information with just a click of a button. For example, you have a painting discount promo inline with the summer. Instead of printing thousands of copies for this flyer announcement, you can send an email that will directly notify the people of your special offer. There is even software available that can automate the email campaign and manage your list.
4. Promote customer reviews through various platforms
A customer’s word is an exciting thing in the painting business. One good review can turn into ten different job orders. When other people see the rave reviews you have been receiving; they will be motivated to choose you as their painting contractor. This is why it’s critical to encourage your existing clients to leave reviews, hopefully, good ones.
If they leave a less-than-desirable comment, get to the bottom of it and then work out how to resolve it. When they see that you are willing to take criticism, they may want to work with you again.
Make sure you keep in touch with the ones who left good comments. Maintaining a positive relationship with them can ensure repeat business from them.
5. Hit the streets and get physical
In the world today, everything is done digitally and virtually. So, it’s natural to shift towards digital and virtual methods of marketing. And although these are relatively more efficient than traditional methods, like print media or cold calling, the latter still holds a level of effectiveness. And because painting is a physical service, it would benefit a lot from some door-to-door work.
Create and print up a professional ad about your services with an introductory offer. Ensure the flyer has all the necessary information: website, contact details, services, and location. To cater to modern technology, you can add a QR code that will direct the person to your website. Leave these on houses or other buildings that look like they need to be painted or repainted. This can narrow down your target market by targeting those who specifically need your service.
Cold calling won’t necessarily work in your situation as painting is a physical and visual job. So, it would be better to strike up a conversation if they are around. This is also an excellent opportunity to hand them a business card. Make sure that your card is simple, professional-looking, and contains all necessary information.
Manage your reputation
A well-managed reputation can get you plenty of leads, referrals, and loyal clients. While several factors build a painting contractor’s reputation, the most important is customer satisfaction.
When a customer likes your service overall, word will spread and get a high volume of job orders. To make sure this happens, be sure that you and your team keep a good attitude. When the client senses a negative attitude from you or your team, they will reciprocate it and the experience will not be enjoyable for anyone. More importantly, give the best quality of work. A construction scheduling software will significantly help you stay organized and monitor the whole painting project. Moreover, you should have excellent construction crew management to ensure that everyone is productive and the project progresses efficiently.
If you’re a painting contractor in need of effective and efficient project management software, use Pro Crew Schedule’s Painting Contractor Software. Sign up today and get a free 30-day trial with all its features and no strings attached. Request a demo here.
