Painting contractors are guilty until proven innocent, at least that’s what it feels like sometimes when at your first appointment to give a bid.
Most people check us out online or ask a friend who they’ve used for painting but they still have a suspicion. They have heard every horror story about contractors ripping people off, overcharging, under delivering, ruining their favorite rose bush and so on, the stories are endless!
How do we legitimize our company and set ourselves apart?
1. Credentials – Show them! Start with having copies of your license, insurance and bond easily available to show at a moments notice. It should be straight forward with expiration dates and with a way to “Check it out for yourself” (a phone number to call, the link to your state or county agency to show you are up to date and legitimate). The DYB System talks about putting these exact items on your website under “Why Us?”.
2. Testimonials – Last night I stopped by a job we just finished up for Susan. She chose us out of 5 people she got estimates from. Why did she choose us? I asked her!
Susan replied
“I went to your website and saw all of your video testimonials then saw your reviews online. You had so many nice things people have said, how could I go wrong choosing you.”
Does your website and online presence show that you do everything you say you do?
Do you have a designated page on your website for Video Testimonials? Have you started asking for Video testimonials? The system for creating this yourself is in “The Cafe” Click here to get the system for $1!
3. Company Brand – Is your branding consistent throughout your business? Do your employees represent your brand and company well? Do you have a logo?
I introduced Susan to the crew the first day of the job, I answered her questions and she was comfortable with the crew. I mentioned to her right before I left that the next day I would have to switch out the crew leader as I needed him to help setup for our Paint it Forward job this Saturday.
What I forgot to do is introduce her to the new crew leader…. and Susan let me know.
Lesson learned, always introduce your lead painters to your clients. Our branding was all consistent on our van to our t-shirts but it was missing a face, the face of that job on that day… The Crew Leader.
We are now putting together Crew Leader Profiles, our plan is to post them on our website and send the links to our clients before we start the jobs.
Setting yourself apart so you stand out as the obvious choice takes much work, would you like help to get there?
Develop your own brand, learn unique things that will set you apart?
You’ve come to the right place! Join today for $1 The Cafe has several courses that will help you develop systems to make your business thrive and not to mention the friendships you will create with like minded painting contractors in our very active DYB Facebook group.
