Contractor Update

Labels: Construction Deal, ConstructionDeal.com, facebook, social media, social media marketing, twitter

One of the nice things about being based in sunny Southern California is that ConstructionDeal.com is close to the entertainment industry. And the industry has come a knockin'..

A production company is looking for an Engineer. And not just any engineer. A structural engineer who also wants to be on a cable television show!

Could that be you?

They are looking for a male, age 30 – 50, with a broad engineering background, to be the host of a new series on a major cable network, to be produced by Original Productions – the
masterminds behind the shows “Deadliest Catch”, “Ice Road Truckers”, and “Monster Garage”.

Here's more from their press release they sent us:

If you are a male between the ages of 35 – 45; if you are physically fit, infectiously passionate about structural engineering, and committed to improving our country’s infrastructure; if you have a genuine and deep concern about structures and can articulate their problems for an audience to understand; we want to meet you for the chance to host a revolutionary new series that will expose the dangers of our great country’s dilapidated, failing infrastructures and consequently, advocate for restoration and repair. At this pivotal moment in America’s history, bridges, dams, and roads are crumbling and decaying right underneath our feet – and often, we don’t even know it’s happening. When infrastructure fails, empires collapse: it’s time to take matters into our own hands!!

The show will have this engineer be an advocate for the American people. Someone who will look out for us and our infrastructure. This engineer will need to guts to point out the problems and to stand toe-to-toe with the people responsible to demand accountability.

Again... is that person you?

If so, go ahead and contact the production company - - and tell them that ConstructionDeal.com sent you over. Please contact casting directors at Metal Flowers Media: www.metalflowersmedia.com or send an email to casting@metalflowersmedia.com. You may also visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/metalflowersmedia.

Labels: Engineers, Television

Labels: Blog, blogger, Blogging, blogs, Construction Deal, ConstructionDeal.com, Marketing, Webinar

Sorry the long hiatus away from the Contractor Update. We've been incredibly busy here at ConstructionDeal.com. We've increased our marketing staff to help bring our contractors more construction jobs, remodeling jobs, drywall jobs... you name it, we're working on it.

And we've got a brand new look coming to our website starting in April. You might say our website has been... Under Construction.

Also, I wanted to address something. I've been noticing a problem with a few contractors and construction industry companies out there. You've all been joining Twitter, MySpace, FaceBook and some of you are even writing blogs hosted by Blogger, Wordpress and others.

I think that's great. You're marketing your companies and getting your names and faces out there for the world to see (and find you.) But writing a blog provides a lot of valuable "content" that search engines love to see on websites. Content, especially content that is regularly updated, is what attracts Google, Yahoo!, MSN, and all those other search engines to find your website and push you up in the rankings on their pages.

If you're high on those "organic" rankings for your site, it means people could find your company and your services... at no cost. Yes, free! No yellow pages ad, no paying for flyers, no... construction lead fees. Bad for me. Good for you.

So, instead of giving all your content to Google and Yahoo!, give all that credibility to your website. You can still use Blogger and Wordpress to host the blog, but put it on the FTP server (ask your hosting company) that you're using to host your company's website.

The same people who helped you set up your site can help you make sure your blog is also on your site, giving you lots of fresh and helpful content to boost your website up naturally. This blog, for example, is written using Google's Blogger. But you wouldn't know it because the blog URL (or, website address) is www.ConstructionDeal.com/ContractorBlog. But to the search engines, even Google, it looks like it's part of our website because it's hosted on our FTP server instead of on Google's servers.

Which means I get the credit for what I write and not Google. And you should to. Talk to your hosting company if you write a blog and it's not part of your website. You can transfer everything you've ever written over to it. And it's not hard at all.

Labels: Blogging, construction jobs, ConstructionDeal.com

Referrals are the lifeblood of any small service business. Sounds like common sense but you'd be surprised how many contractors and service professionals do not make an effort to get additional business and referrals from past clients.

Even if you do large, one-time jobs for clients, you should always be reminding your previous customers about your business. If a property owner doesn't need your services, they may know people who do. The most important thing to do is keep your business name on the tips of their tongues. Don't make them dig out your business card from the junk drawer. Or try to remember you from two years ago. It won't happen.

There are a number of things you can do - You don't have to do all of them but you need to do some of them:

• Occasionally call past clients to make sure things are good.
  
• Send out monthly or quarter newsletters in email or direct mail form.
  
• Send out promo items they can use - fridge magnets, calendars, mouse pads, T-shirts, anything that will keep your company name in front of them.
  
• Mail them holiday cards every year with a coupon inside.
  
• Drop off flyers or mail reminder post cards to them.

Set aside some of your marketing budget to do whatever you can to increase your referrals. When things slow down for the holiday, take some time to put together a marketing plan that includes reaching out to previous clients.

Related Posts:
Referral Sales
Keeping Your Customers

What Is ConstructionDeal.com?
We're a website that matches contractors to homeowners and business owners who have renovation, building, installation and repair projects.

We provide leads for all types of contractors who are looking to expand their businesses. We've been helping service professionals for over 5 years. We scour the country looking for construction jobs, remodeling leads, design projects and every sort of commercial or residential improvement job lead.

Not a member yet? Join at no cost. Get a free Contractor Directory listing. See if we have had any past construction or remodeling job leads for you in the past. If you like what you see, you can become a Premium Member and expand your business.

It's that simple.

Labels: Contractor Referrals, Referrals, Small Business Advice

During a recessionary period, it's easy to focus on all the bad news. Markets are down, consumers aren't buying anything, and our tax dollars are bailing out the big banks. What will make the most sense for you and your business is to focus on the positive. If you're not as busy as before, use this time to innovate.

Did you know that most new products and services emerge from major companies during recessions? This is because it's hard to invent something new when you're too busy and the money is rolling in. While a lot of your competitors are crying in their beers, you need to innovate, expand, experiment or shift directions.

An example - say you're a general contractor. You've always been asked by clients about design plans and ideas. But you don't really know what good design is. You'd like to increase revenue by offering designs on all your kitchen remodeling projects. In tough economic times, help your business by studying design, taking classes, interviewing designers, and practicing the craft. When the good times come around again, you have not only added a new service to your business, you have doubled the opportunity for more revenue and higher profits.

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Sales Mistakes - The Follow-Up
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Are you a contractor looking for more construction job leads, remodeling leads, or leads for whatever services you offer? We can help.

If you're not already a free member of ConstructionDeal.com, you can register your business at no cost. Select your cities and services and see if we have a past history of leads in your area. If you like what you see, you can become a Premium Member and start getting more qualified leads today.

Labels: Contractor Advice, Small Business Advice