What is the best way to market a hi business?

[Andy Jarchow]

Hello,

Who do you (home inspectors) market to the client or the realtor?

If you don’t mind sharing what marketing has worked the best for you?

I just started my hi business in Nov. of 09 and things are finally starting to pick up. Do you guys have months that are really slow or maybe no inspections at all? If so do you have a side job for those slow times?

What months are the slow ones?

Have a great day and thank you for your time!
mk

[Bruce Ramsey]

You started a new business during a period where home sales were the slowest in over a decade during the slowest months of the year?

Home inspection 'season' is spring through fall. People want to put their house on the market in Spring with the hopes to sell by Summer so they can move during the Summer so the kids can start in the new school in the Fall. Oct/Nov through about Feb is the slow period of the year.

Experienced home inspectors put aside money during the busy season to carry through the slow season. Sales still occur during the slow season, just fewer. The better your referral base, the better your marketing system, the more you stay busy.

Several inspectors in my area have taken part time jobs during the last year to keep cash flowing. Over 300 inspectors did not renew they license last Oct due to the poor economy. We only 1400 to start with. Roughly 20% of the inspectors state wide quit at the time you started. Yeah, your business is probably really slow.

[Andy Jarchow]

You started a new business during a period where home sales were the slowest in over a decade during the slowest months of the year?

Home inspection 'season' is spring through fall. People want to put their house on the market in Spring with the hopes to sell by Summer so they can move during the Summer so the kids can start in the new school in the Fall. Oct/Nov through about Feb is the slow period of the year.

Experienced home inspectors put aside money during the busy season to carry through the slow season. Sales still occur during the slow season, just fewer. The better your referral base, the better your marketing system, the more you stay busy.

Several inspectors in my area have taken part time jobs during the last year to keep cash flowing. Over 300 inspectors did not renew they license last Oct due to the poor economy. We only 1400 to start with. Roughly 20% of the inspectors state wide quit at the time you started. Yeah, your business is probably really slow.


I thought you were suppose to get in when the markets down?? :confused: Never mind I think that’s the stock market. :(

Things just happened this way. Maybe it’s a good time. I don’t have as much competition!:rolleyes:
Thank you for your answers! :D

[Ted Menelly]

I thought you were suppose to get in when the markets down?? :confused: Never mind I think that’s the stock market. :(

Things just happened this way. Maybe it’s a good time. I don’t have as much competition!:rolleyes:
Thank you for your answers! :D

1. Google map placement

2. Then probably paid adds that will get you at the top of the page. There are companies out there that can keep you at the top for flat fees and not pay per click. Look into that. Pay per click can be hell on the wallet. For a few hundred a month you can stay on top most of the time for your key words and not on the right column.

3. The third would be organic search...it used to be number one. Be in the top three on organic search and you used to be very busy. Now it is the map for Google local business listings and then the paid adds at the top.

4. To do better on 2 and three think about article submissions. That will give you a boost.

5. Get into a job that pays well. Has retirement benefits . Pays full medical. This is like any business. Unless you bust your ass and constantly spend money you will not do well at all.

[Andy Jarchow]

1. Google map placement

2. Then probably paid adds that will get you at the top of the page. There are companies out there that can keep you at the top for flat fees and not pay per click. Look into that. Pay per click can be hell on the wallet. For a few hundred a month you can stay on top most of the time for your key words and not on the right column.

3. The third would be organic search...it used to be number one. Be in the top three on organic search and you used to be very busy. Now it is the map for Google local business listings and then the paid adds at the top.

4. To do better on 2 and three think about article submissions. That will give you a boost.

5. Get into a job that pays well. Has retirement benefits . Pays full medical. This is like any business. Unless you bust your ass and constantly spend money you will not do well at all.

Thank you Ted,

I started working on the web site thing about a week ago (good advice). I have a site but it is not listed in the search engines… I’m getting quotes now.

I agree with some of #5. I worked at a few jobs factory, police officer, and city utility. They all had decent pay, great benefits, but I was not happy. Every inspection I schedule I schedule it when I want to do one. If I want the day off I don’t schedule any for that day. I don’t have to work nights 11-7a, weekends, or holidays. I don’t have a boss telling me how to do my inspection or report… I love working for myself. I do agree in order to be successful you have to work hard and it takes money to make money. I also would like to add AND treat your clients fair (do your best for each one of them). I am up for the challenge. I take pride in a job well done and a smile on my clients face because they know they received there monies worth. I love it!!

Thanks again
mk

[Dan Harris]

[
I don’t have a boss telling me how to do my inspection or report… I love working for myself.

You may want to consider doing some additional research on having your own business, opposed to having a boss.
If you make it in this or any other business that deals directly with the customer, you will find it is far harder to please a few hundred customers a year, than 1 boss. :)

If you are in a Lic. state, you will have the state telling how to do your inspection, and what is required in your inspection report.

[Andy Jarchow]

You may want to consider doing some additional research on having your own business, opposed to having a boss.
If you make it in this or any other business that deals directly with the customer, you will find it is far harder to please a few hundred customers a year, than 1 boss. :)

If you are in a Lic. state, you will have the state telling how to do your inspection, and what is required in your inspection report.

So far after 6 months I've had no problems with clients. I enjoy working with them. I only see them once too… However I do have some minor issues with realtors on occasion.

Yes we do have to be licensed in WI so I have to follow the minimum standard which I don’t see as a problem because I do way more anyway. I don’t have a boss telling me I have to do just the standards or what extra things I should do. What report to use. What equipment to use, and many other things you don’t have control over when you work for the man.

Thank you for your thoughts
Have a great day!
mk

[Lisa Endza]

If you don’t mind sharing what marketing has worked the best for you?

I just started my hi business in Nov. of 09 and things are finally starting to pick up. Do you guys have months that are really slow or maybe no inspections at all? If so do you have a side job for those slow times?

Do your marketing when you are slow. Here are more than 200 things you can do to grow your business If you aren't inspecting today... work on building your business. - InterNACHI (http://www.nachi.org/success.htm)

[Dan Harris]

Do your marketing when you are slow. Here are more than 200 things you can do to grow your business [/url]

Ahh Lisa..I believe you forgot what site you are on.
Most of the professional home inspectors on this site, believe that it takes more skills to market home inspections, than what it takes to sell used cars, or alumium siding :)

[Dan Harris]

So far after 6 months I've had no problems with clients. I enjoy working with them. I only see them once too… However I do have some minor issues with realtors on occasion.

Yes we do have to be licensed in WI so I have to follow the minimum standard which I don’t see as a problem because I do way more anyway. I don’t have a boss telling me I have to do just the standards or what extra things I should do. What report to use. What equipment to use, and many other things you don’t have control over when you work for the man.

Thank you for your thoughts
Have a great day!
mk

I'm not trying to discourage you. Just disclosing my experiences from the past 30 yrs of being self employed in service related business's

If you think realtors are a concern, wait a few years when you have to deal with your customer when they have a problem, or go to sell their home and some newby inspector recommends additional evaluation on non existant defects, and a hungry contractor agrees that everything requiring additional evaluation needs to be replaced.

[Ron Bibler]

If you want the best google listing Buy this name for your web site.

( www.Pulaskihomeinspection.com ) its Available. Dotster has it for sale $ 15.95 a year

https://secure.dotster.com/DDS/?siteid=4798&domain=Find+a+Domain&submit=


Best

Ron
Santa Rosa California Home Inspection - Exterminating & Thermal Imaging (http://www.santarosacahomeinspection.com)

[Lisa Endza]

Most of the professional home inspectors on this site, believe that it takes more skills to market home inspections, than what it takes to sell used cars, or alumium sidingThat's pretty funny coming from you Dan, especially since you are a member of an association (ASHI) that has no entrance requirements and you are in a licensed state (Arizona) that has no continuing education requirements. :D

[Ron Bibler]

That's pretty funny coming from you Dan, especially since you are a member of an association (ASHI) that has no entrance requirements and you are in a licensed state (Arizona) that has no continuing education requirements. :D

Lisa Please stop. we have a guy that needs some help with home inspection Buz...

Go above the BS.

Best

Ron

[Lisa Endza]

My apologies. Dan suckers me in every now and then.

[Brian Johnson]

Word of Mouth is the best advertising money I ever spent!

[Andy Jarchow]

Word of Mouth is the best advertising money I ever spent!
What is word of the month??:confused:

[Andy Jarchow]

If you want the best google listing Buy this name for your web site.

( www.Pulaskihomeinspection.com (http://www.Pulaskihomeinspection.com) ) its Available. Dotster has it for sale $ 15.95 a year

https://secure.dotster.com/DDS/?siteid=4798&domain=Find+a+Domain&submit=


Best

Ron
Santa Rosa California Home Inspection - Exterminating & Thermal Imaging (http://www.santarosacahomeinspection.com)
Thank you Ron. I'm working with someone to hook me up..

[Andy Jarchow]

What is word of the month??:confused:
OOOOOOOO word of mouth ;)

Do you advertise to realtors at all? Briing them candy, leave your brochures with them...

[Andy Jarchow]

Do your marketing when you are slow. Here are more than 200 things you can do to grow your business If you aren't inspecting today... work on building your business. - InterNACHI (http://www.nachi.org/success.htm)
Thanks I will check this out!:D

[imported_John Smith]

Lisa, do you have a photo?

[imported_John Smith]

Maybe that didnt sound right. Dont misinterpret my request for a photo. I meant of the InterNachi propaganda. Maybe I should have said a .pdf.

[John Dirks Jr]

I market directly to the potential client. I do it via website. My referrals from past clients are always growing as well.

Make 'em love you it will get gradually better as time goes by.

[Ron Bibler]

I market directly to the potential client. I do it via website. My referrals from past clients are always growing as well.

Make 'em love you it will get gradually better as time goes by.

Brown nose...:D

Best

Ron

Just messing with ya John... Dang Dude...L.O.L.

[Ted Menelly]

Yes.....................kiss................kiss.. ........................kiss.

There is a lot to say about being a brown nose. Handle it right an d the world is at your door step. Handle it wrong and you land flat on your ass.

[Nick Ostrowski]

Lisa, do you have a photo?
Pics......pics........pics........pics..........

[Ted Menelly]

Pics......pics........pics........pics..........


Hm

What's that all about?

[Rick Hurst]

There is a lot to say about being a brown nose. Handle it right an d the world is at your door step. Handle it wrong and you land flat on your ass.

Don't brown nose. You'll just smell s*&# the rest of the day.:D

[Ted Menelly]

Don't brown nose. You'll just smell s*&# the rest of the day.:D

That is a pretty disgusting pick there Rick. Sad but true but anyone of us that does not like someone but are nice to them anyway for the sake of future business is a brown nose :D

[Stuart Brooks]

My apologies. Dan suckers me in every now and then.

Actually - INACHI does have a lot of marketing information for inspectors. :)

There are people out there who will sell you a sure-fire method to become a million-dollar inspection business, all most overnight. :mad:

I know one guy who has made more money selling a book on how to become a home inspector than he ever made inspecting.:eek:

It takes 3 or more years to build up a viable business and you will have to hustle. It helps if you have a spouse who has a good career and makes decent money or you have no other expenses. :rolleyes:

Learning what works for you is a personal experience that only you can find. Oh, and you will probably have to work on weekends, holidays, or whatever to make it. At least for a while. Don't miss a phone call and don't tell a prospective client you can't talk to him or her - you can just keep it brief if you are in an inspection. ;)

[Nathan Butler]

In addition to stopping by the realtor offices to chat and refill the candy jar, I like to send little e-mail messages to the realtors and office managers. Granted a plain text e-mail is fine, but when I'm really trying to market a new service to just get the name recognized I'll send out an HTML e-mail that pops in as a webpage for a little more recognition.

Unfortunately Microsoft Outlook and a log of the other e-mail programs don't let you send a webpage the way it is supposed to be. Being a creature of necessity, I wrote my own e-mail program that sends webpages from my website for example instead of just sending a "Where now doing business in your area" kind of e-mail they get something like this: Room and Rafter Home Inspection - Realtor (http://www.roomandrafter.com/email/Realtor.htm) in their e-mail.

We all have to balance our income versus expense for almost every client, so I'm more than happy to let anyone use the software if they would like. It's function over form, so don't look for any super neat graphics.. just get in send it and get out. I also can't gurantee it will work with every e-mail service, but it does a good job with my sites that are hosted with GoDaddy.com

One note - if you are sending it to multiple people make sure you seperate each address with a "," then a space. and you will need a little bit of information to do the setup. I'll help with what I can.
http://www.roomandrafter.com/Software/HTMLSetup.msi

[Rick Hurst]

In addition to stopping by the realtor offices to chat and refill the candy jar, I like to send little e-mail messages to the realtors and office managers.

Thats so sweet!:rolleyes: