Best time to Start Marketing a new business or service

Walt Edwards

Walt Edwards

Member
I plan on getting started full time PWing around Mar 09. I will be limited on time from Mar till Jun, becuase I retire from the Military in Oct 09 and start burning up all my leave in Jun. My question is....When to start advertising prior to my planned start date.:confused:

Do you find that your advertising get results 2 weeks, a month or even longer from the date your advertising campaign (I know, a bad choice of word) starts.

Thanks

Walt
 
Don't worry, advertising campaign is exactly the right term!

How much experience do you have and how much work are you willing to take on? What type of advertising are you planning on doing? What is your market (residential, commercial, roofs, flatwork, etc.)?
 
Hey Chris, Thanks for the reply. On the experience, well that's a long story, but I'll try to keep it brief. I started this business part time out of nessecity when I was a deputy sheriff in 2000. I was looking for something to do to supplement my income and decided on PWing. I was lucky enough to run across a very honest guy in my area, who was willing to help me get started. He convinced me to purchase a trailer mounter hot water rig, which I have not regretted. He showed me the ropes a little, gave me a couple of jobs and linked me up with the guys at Xterior in Raleigh, NC, they have also been a big help.

My experience is limited mainly to Residential house and flatwork. I did the Wolman Contractor cert thing and have done a few decks with great success. I've even been call back on one years later for repeat business.

I'd like to break into the Commerial area in flatwork and keep the residential part going. My 5 year plan is to expand into other areas, the idea is to have a crew working on all areas, Wood, Hoods, Residential, Commercial.

As far as how much to take on, well, as soon as I retire from the Military, I'll take on as much as one person can accomplish. Hopefully I can add a helper after a couple of years. That'll probably be my son (the little guy in my pic) He'll should have finished college by then and ready to be a businesman.

Sorry for the long post, but that's my short story
 
If you want commercial, start advertising now. Go ahead and start sending info to property managers and get relationships started.
 
Thanks Ashley, You guys are a tribute to this Board. I hope to develope my business to a point where I will be able to help others here.
 
ckingclean said:
Don't worry, advertising campaign is exactly the right term!

How much experience do you have and how much work are you willing to take on? What type of advertising are you planning on doing? What is your market (residential, commercial, roofs, flatwork, etc.)?
Click to expand...


Didn't know if you caught onto what I meant by Campaign, but with the election over, Campaign may not be a word most want the hear.
 
It's not a bad idea to advertise early but be careful. You might get someone that wants the service immediately. I find with my advertising, I get some response immediately (within a few days) or they wait a month or more. It's not really something you can predict.

I would start working on my business in the mean time. Get your systems together, accounting, marketing materials, business plan, etc. Make sure everything is ready to go so you can bust out of the gate 100% ready when the time comes.
 
ckingclean said:
It's not a bad idea to advertise early but be careful. You might get someone that wants the service immediately. I find with my advertising, I get some response immediately (within a few days) or they wait a month or more. It's not really something you can predict.

I would start working on my business in the mean time. Get your systems together, accounting, marketing materials, business plan, etc. Make sure everything is ready to go so you can bust out of the gate 100% ready when the time comes.
Click to expand...


I agree and thanks for the words of caution. What I may do for now is use Ashley's idea to at least make contact with some PM's and introduce the business. Sort of a litmus test (?? spelling) to see what there needs are.
 
Go Get Em!
 
Walt- what branch of service are you in. I did for years Navy 82-86 and never regretted it. I think all Americans should have to serve 2 yrs after they get out of H.S. The country would always be better off for that and also so would the young men and woman who served there country honorably.

Since you aew resident of NC you should look up Celeste Gorthrop who runs
http://www.pwnc.org/ There all about networking and the info you learn there is priceless. She also runs Contractor events site that list Contractor Roundtables around the country for Powerwashing contractors to attend. Idon't have the link for the site in my memory but I'm sure someone will list it here or do a search for it.
 
Clean County PW said:
Walt- what branch of service are you in. I did for years Navy 82-86 and never regretted it. I think all Americans should have to serve 2 yrs after they get out of H.S. The country would always be better off for that and also so would the young men and woman who served there country honorably.

Since you aew resident of NC you should look up Celeste Gorthrop who runs
http://www.pwnc.org/ There all about networking and the info you learn there is priceless. She also runs Contractor events site that list Contractor Roundtables around the country for Powerwashing contractors to attend. Idon't have the link for the site in my memory but I'm sure someone will list it here or do a search for it.
Click to expand...

Yes, I familiar with Celeste. They have provided some useful knowledge and have invited me up to their place. It's about 1.5 hours away and I plan to make that trip soon.

I'm currently fulltime with the NC Army National Guard. Been a member since I was 17 y/o. Joined in 1979. Went fulltime in 87 as AGR (Active Guard Reserve) and other than a brief exit in 1998-2001, I 've been active ever since. Will hit my 30 year mark next Oct. That'll give me 20 active (full military retirement) and 30 total. When I first joined the Guard, I was (still am) a volunteer fireman. I saw the Guard as a larger version of that, hurricanes, floods, etc. Little did I know how much the Guard would be used in my last 8 years. Server one tour in Iraq in 2004. An interesting trip to say the least. Everyone should experience something like that once in their life. I sure make you appreciate AMERICA.

Thanks to all for your support while I re-build this business and if my plan works out, in 5 to 7 years, I'll be like Ron. Just sit around on the PC chatting, Answering the cell and coordinating my workers, sponsoring RT's and jsut racking in the money. ( Just kidding RON)
 
Clean County PW said:
Walt- what branch of service are you in. I did for years Navy 82-86 and never regretted it. I think all Americans should have to serve 2 yrs after they get out of H.S. The country would always be better off for that and also so would the young men and woman who served there country honorably.

Since you aew resident of NC you should look up Celeste Gorthrop who runs
http://www.pwnc.org/ There all about networking and the info you learn there is priceless. She also runs Contractor events site that list Contractor Roundtables around the country for Powerwashing contractors to attend. Idon't have the link for the site in my memory but I'm sure someone will list it here or do a search for it.
Click to expand...

Yes, I familiar with Celeste. They have provided some useful knowledge and have invited me up to their place. It's about 1.5 hours away and I plan to make that trip soon.

I'm currently fulltime with the NC Army National Guard. Been a member since I was 17 y/o. Joined in 1979. Went fulltime in 87 as AGR (Active Guard Reserve) and other than a brief exit in 1998-2001, I 've been active ever since. Will hit my 30 year mark next Oct. That'll give me 20 active (full military retirement) and 30 total. When I first joined the Guard, I was (still am) a volunteer fireman. I saw the Guard as a larger version of that, hurricanes, floods, etc. Little did I know how much the Guard would be used in my last 8 years. Server one tour in Iraq in 2004. An interesting trip to say the least. Everyone should experience something like that once in their life. I sure make you appreciate AMERICA.

Thanks to all for your support while I re-build this business and if my plan works out, in 5 to 7 years, I'll be like Ron. Just sit around on the PC chatting, Answering the cell and coordinating my workers, sponsoring RT's and jsut racking in the money. ( Just kidding RON):) :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top