Standing out from the crowd is no easy task. Customers have hundreds of businesses to choose from, and you need to give them a clear reason to pick you. Everyone says you need a unique value proposition—and that’s true to an extent. But here’s the catch: if you can’t get in front of people, they’ll never hear it. No matter how good it is. Therefore, this article covers two critical and connected sections:
- How to get in front of more people
- How to have people remember & choose your business
Part 1: How to Get in Front of More People
Getting noticed is the first step. Without visibility, even the best businesses in the city can struggle with lead gen.
1.) Go Online
According to TrustedTradesMan.co, 87% of customers research tradespeople online before making contact, and 72% won’t call a business that doesn’t have a professional online presence. If you don’t have an online presence, you could be missing out on 3/4 of your potential lead volume! All you need to do is build some social media profiles, create your online listings, and slap together a website. It’s a lot, it can be finicky, but it’s worth it. Even if you have to hire someone out, DO IT. An online presence is well worth the investment.
2.) Take it Outside
Door knocking is not what it used to be. Gone are the days when salespeople could waltz into a customer’s house and leave with a check for a new vacuum, roof, and set of cookware. However, you can still make sales this way. It costs more time than your budget, and it’s a good way to get your name out there! So why not try? Studies show door knocking has an average success rate of 2% if done well. Some even see the comeback of door-knocking sales on the horizon due to online scams.
3.) Strive for Referrals & Reviews
Referrals are often the lifeblood of new businesses. Nearly every business gets its start from family, friends, and referrals. If you do good work, make sure people talk about it! Leave a sign in their yard, share photos online, ask them to leave you a review. Happy customers are great, but happy customers who are willing to shout your name from the rooftops are GOLD.
4.) Use Lead Generation
Some business owners just don’t have time to work on their online presence, deliver on projects, communicate with customers, process payroll, ensure documentation is up to date, and make sure they’ve had something to eat today. Knowing when and when not to outsource is the mark of a good business owner. Consider outsourcing lead generation. Whether it’s through Google Ads, Local Service Ads, call centers, or SEO, see if it’s a good fit. Exclusive leads that can change the game.
5.) Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
You thought you’d leave here without hearing about a UVP? Wrong! UVPs are those little things that have BIG rewards. Here’s a list of UVPs for a few different industries:
HVAC: Same-day service, no service call fee, extended warranties
Roofing: Free inspections, free estimates, BBB accredited
Carpet Cleaning: Clear pricing, green products, discounts available
Water Damage Restoration: 24/7 Emergency Services, IICRC certified, works with insurance
Remodeling Services: Free Estimates, showroom tours, locally owned & operated, years of experience
See! It’s not too hard.
“They make my phone ring more than I expected…way more than I expected. They deliver the kind of service I can build my business around.”
— Tom Allen, Scene Cleaners
Now that we’ve covered 5 valuable ways to get in front of more customers, stay tuned for next time, where we cover Part 2: How to Make Customers Remember Your Name. Trust us, it’s going to be a wild ride.