Free Recorded Seminar – Low Cost – High Impact Marketing

View this Recording of this Seminar

If you’re in construction, I don’t have to tell you how dismal the industry is. Times are tough and the economic outlook is bleak. At least that’s what the media keeps telling us.

The truth is there is still a lot of commerce going on. Just take a look at the parking lots at the malls and restaurants. They’re full of shoppers.

Did you know that there are contractors that are actually growing their businesses right now? You heard right, growing. They’re doing it and not by cutting prices.

What are these contractors doing?

• Actively marketing their business
• Continually educating themselves
• Watching their expenses

I recently had the pleasure of talking with Joy Gendusa, CEO of PostcardMania to discuss marketing. We talked about how business owners are paralyzed right now because of what’s going on in the economy. People just don’t know what to do next.

Joy’s company works with businesses of all sizes to help them get unstuck and she knows what she’s talking about. She started her company in 1998 and has grown it into a very successful business employing over 150 people with revenues of 22 million.

If you haven’t seen it, you need to check out her website PostcardMania. Her company helps businesses set up and implement post card mailing campaigns from start to finish. She also offers a ton of free marketing advice that all of us can use right now. It’s good stuff!

Joy has a wealth of information to share and has agreed to do an online seminar with us. Joy will discuss some strategies and techniques you can use to market your business and get the leads coming in again.

One thing you’ll notice right away is that her philosophy of helping people is very apparent. Even if you never work with her company you’ll come away from this seminar with a lot of good information that you can implement into your business right away.

I look forward to having you join us for this free seminar

Dan Baumann

PS. If you decide to work with PostcardMania, just mention my name Dan Baumann and you’ll receive 1000 free postcards with your first order.

Do You Really Need a Website in Your Business?

Can a website make that much difference in your company?

It really doesn’t matter what the economic climate is. If you’re not online, you are losing business to your competition who is.

Remember 10 years ago? When you needed a service or product, you would go to the yellow pages and find what you were looking for. How about today? If you’re like most consumers, you probably open your computer and search online for information. You can bet that your potential customers are doing the same thing.

Ask yourself -

• Are the people looking for the services you offer able to find you online?
• Do you have a website or want to improve what you already have?
• Has it been a couple of years since you updated your site?
• Do you know how search engines work?

In the 17 minute video below, you’ll get some tips about how your website can become a better source of leads for your company.

I’m not going to mince words here – You have to have a website and you have to get involved online if you really want to be found on the internet. Best of all, it’s really not that hard to do.

How much time did you spend marketing your business in the last few months? Did all of that marketing drive people to your website? You need to get every advantage you can today and your website must be a large part of it.

Join us for an online seminar at
MyConstructionBiz.com on February 6 and 7 to discover:

• Getting Started with a Website
• Posting Information on the Web
• Getting Noticed (Search Engine Optimization, or SEO)
• Developing Content
• Using and Editing Graphics (Photos)
• Making Friends on the Internet
• Blogging
• Email Marketing (Permission-based Email)

If you want to kick start or energize your website, the information in this seminar will get you there.

You can find out more about this seminar here:

I’ve been asked by many about this class and here are a few things you may want to know.

This website class is for everyone that wants to learn more about the internet. If you don’t have a site, you’ll learn how to set one up and what to put on it. If you have a site you’ll learn how to enhance it and get better search results.

This is a 9 hour information packed seminar over 2 days. I know it’s impossible for everyone to make that sort of a commitment so it will be recorded, edited and available for viewing online and/or download for all members at MyConstructionBiz.com (MCB).

This seminar is open to all members at MyConstructionBiz.com. Membership at MCB is a one-time payment of $97.00 and then if you decide to stay on, it’s only $12.95 per mo.

The web is here to stay people! Get on it and get involved in it. Your efforts will be rewarded for years to come.

Please use the comment box below if you have any questions.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Dan Baumann

PS – After you watch this 17 minute video posted at HardhatConnect.com, go ahead and create a free online account and make me your friend. It’s easy and will give you a chance to experience and get involved in an online community focused on the construction industry.

Thinking Outside the Box!

It’s time to dust off my Blog and give it another shot. Blogs are a great way to communicate with your clients but only if you post new information to them regularly. I’m going to make a commitment to use this blog to keep you informed and educated in 2009. So here goes.

As much as the holidays are a wonderful time of year I’m glad they’re almost over so we can get back to business. December was a lousy month for many involved in the construction industry and consulting and education was no exception. We need to take proactive steps to make sure 2009 turns out to be a good year.

To start out in January I’ll be starting a new round of education for Chief Architect users. Here’s the new schedule. There are many new topics in January that we’ll be covering including

• Finishing the Working Drawing series
• Using Spreadsheets
• Advanced Roofs
• Slabs and Moldings

I’m also putting together a new class on creating and maintaining a website. Watch for more information on this soon.

A new monthly membership plan has been added to make it easy for you to access the new classes.

I’ve talked with some of my fellow consultants and many contractors recently and it’s become obvious that with the hard times that we’re experiencing many of you have slashed your education and marketing budgets. Don’t to it.

The successful contractors that are staying busy during this downturn have a common thread as to why they are busy. They continue with their education and increase (not decrease) their marketing budget. If you don’t stay on top of things and don’t get the word out that you’re not a well kept secret how can you expect to get new leads coming in.

These contractors are good at thinking “Outside of the Box” I’m sure many of you have heard this term and it goes with an article I did a few weeks back called “Prime the Pump” I know these are simply clichés but when times are tough sometimes these silly sayings will spark some imaginative thinking.

So when you’re struggling coming up with new ideas that can spur some business think about the  ”9 Dots”  See if you have what it takes. Draw 9 dots on a piece of paper like the illustration. Now connect all 9 dots using 4 lines without raising your pencil off the paper. (Hint – think outside of the box)

Connect the 9 Dots with 4 Lines without raising your pencil

Now go ahead and watch the short video I put together and then come back and make a comment about some of the ways that you are “Thinking Outside of the Box” in your business. Let’s get this thread going with lots of good ideas.

Also try searching “Think Outside the Box” You’ll get some great articles.

Remember to leave your comments!

Good Question & Good Blog

Someone asked a great question on a recent blog that I thought would make a good topic.  Jim asked about putting your ‘real’ name on blog posts and blog comments.  He wondered if there were any security issues surrounding this.  Here’s my response…

“To answer your question, no it’s not a dumb question at all! You can feel free to use your real name. Getting your name (& website) on the internet is good for business. Google & other search engines like finding you & your company out there & it should help you get noticed more. So, go ahead & I’d encourage you to put your website link in as well, especially if you have a blog to link to….”

The benefit to social marketing on the internet is to get your name and your company out there to potential clients so you can tell your story.  An active website, blog, and blog comments all help.

We have a great example for you of how a contractor can utilize a blog.   Here’s a blog that one of our webinar clients, Advanced Contracting has begun.  Great job Patty! 

http://aciremodel.com/blog/

Let us know if you’ve started blogging, we’d like to see it.

Thanks-
Caron

What to Blog? – Good Question

One question we get from contractors often is – “What should I blog about?” 
Good question.  Let’s see if I can give you a good answer. 

A blog is a new format to share “news”.  What is “news” is pretty subjective, but that’s the beauty of the internet, if you don’t find a blog or website newsworthy, then you don’t have to read it.  That said, if you think something is newsworthy, great, blog about it.

Some suggestions for contractors or designers -

• Open House – talk about an upcoming Open House you are hosting
• Trade Show – tell people where you’ll be, what contest you’re offering, invite them to come by 
• Community Event – talk about one you’re participating in, even if it’s for a favorite charity
• Post Event – after the event is over, talk about what you did, what was interesting, surprising, or even disappointing
• Green – it’s the new buzz word.  If you’re doing something in this area (a project, your business, your home), talk about it
• Designers – talk about a particularly nice design feature you’ve done, show pictures, talk about how the client loved it, quote them too
• How To – talk about a fairly simple home repair or project that homeowners can do, include pictures or video if you’re ready.  It makes you the expert & if they struggle, maybe they’ll call you to take over.
• You – if nothing else, talk about you & what you’re doing, build a relationship with your future clients.  If they like you, they’ll hire you.

Hopefully these ideas will give you a start.  Go ahead, have fun with it. 
Let us know what you’ve blogged about.  We’d love to hear about it & read it.