Gene Smith & Associates

'The Home Improvement Contractor' is my new book on business strategies for contractors and business owners. Let's suppose you have been in the home improvement business (Or any business for that matter) for a few years and have 25 or 30 customers, (Clients) but you still have to prospect all the time just to keep the lights on. What if there is a better way? What if that better way got your phone to ring every day, and you were getting all the business you could handle? Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Well, there is a better way and it can work for you, it just takes a little planning to make it happen. The bottom line is how much money are you carrying to the bank every day? OK...here it is! Business Strategy #1 Stay In Touch With Your Clients! "Profit in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your project or service, and that bring friends with them." W. Edwards Deming The world has changed all around us and the way we do business has changed. If you haven't been engaged in marketing for your business, then this is the time to take a look at the possibilities that await you. If you are a full service contractor and have been in business for a while, then you have customers (Lets call all your customers clients from here on out...and I'll tell you why a little later) in your file cabinet or database. Don't overlook your old customers. Okay, so I called them customers this time because most of them bought from you one time because you never contacted them again. They are your bread and butter. The most important business strategy is working with your existing clients. So, if this is true, why is it that this is the last place we look for new business when in fact, it should be the first? Who are the people who know and trust you? Yep! You got it, they are your clients. You do not have to look elsewhere to find business, its right under your nose. These are the people who know and trust you, so our number one strategy is working with your existing CLIENTS.