Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: when to brag

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,096

    Default when to brag

    When considering marketing;

    It's nice when a veteran inspector can say, "I've been inspecting for 20 years and I've done 5000 inspections"

    On the other hand you don't expect a new inspector to open up with, "I'm brand new to the business and I haven't done a single inspection yet"

    So, at what point do you think is is helpful to an inspectors marketing message to begin boasting about how long they've been in business or how many inspections they've done?

    Crawl Space Creeper

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Posts
    1,630

    Default Re: when to brag

    I don't think length of time in the business really has anything to do with experience. Is an inspector who averages 100 inspections a year for 10 years considered to have more experience than an inspector who averages 250 but has only been in business 5 years?

    When reading resumes of prospective employees I consistently see references to length of time. "I've been a home inspector for 4 years", but when I ask them during the phone interview I find that in 4 years of inspecting they've done 50 verifiable inspections.

    MinnesotaHomeInspectors.com
    Minnesota Home Inspectors LLC
    ASHI #242887 mnradontesting.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: when to brag

    Years in business is one the best marketing tools there is. Any marketing consultant with a clue will tell you that. The assumption is that if you're in business you're making a living at the profession in question.

    Years in business means you've weathered storms (like the current housing crisis, for example). Sure, you could work one day a year at the profession but most people can't feed a family and live their life doing that. People doing that are generally weeded out.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: when to brag

    Consumers are impressed by longevity and are probably more likely to have confidence in hiring somebody who has been in business for a number of years. If you have the years, tout it.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Posts
    1,630

    Default Re: when to brag

    I agree with both Matt and Nick that number of years in the business is a great marketing tool. However, it can be extremely deceptive to people who equate longevity with experience. Very similar to the online HI Certification. It's a great marketing tool to the uninformed but is it really what you're looking for in a HI?

    MinnesotaHomeInspectors.com
    Minnesota Home Inspectors LLC
    ASHI #242887 mnradontesting.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: when to brag

    Quote Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr View Post
    So, at what point do you think is is helpful to an inspectors marketing message to begin boasting about how long they've been in business or how many inspections they've done?
    Five years seems to be a nice round number that would lend some credibility.
    But in the real world, you use what you have. Tout your certifications, training, background, tools, etc.
    I think the savvy consumer will be trying to see what you DON'T say more than what is said. Sometimes the silence on a subject is deafening.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •