Why Offline Businesses Are Losing Money and Need Your Help
I walked in the house last night and my blushing bride was none to happy. It seems that our less than studious neighbors have let their grass grow to chest high heights and with all the rain we have had a nice little tick explosions has occurred. She stopped counting the number but it was high enough that she requested (demanded really) that we have the yard spraid to kill the little blood suckers.
Not a problem I told her - we had just had the yard sprayed a few months back so I would just call them back. Problem was I can't find them. I am sure they are out there but I've slept since then and to be honest I have no clue what their business name is or how to get in contact with them.
That is their problem, not mine. See I have someone coming to spray the yard tomorrow regardless of the fact I can't find the original business. I have a problem and I want it solved now.
Another quick story. When I first bought my house I had the carpets cleaned. Six months later I had them cleaned again. It is has been over a year since I had my carpets done and they are due.
What's the problem you say? Well think about this - if you sell a service and you know that every 3 to 6 months the person is going to need it again don't you think you'd set something up that allows you to contact the customer and remind them the service is due?
Seriously, the yard spray cost me $75 bucks. I think I am suppose to have it done 3 to 4 times a year. So they got my first $75 but lost out on the rest. That is at least $225 a year and I am not going anywhere and either are my neighbors so lets say I stay in this house another 10 years and I get it sprayed 3 times a year that is $2,800 they missed out on because they couldn't make the effort to contact me to buy a service that:
1. I needed and had to have it done again
2. I was willing to pay for
3. I was satisfied with the results and would use them again
4. I would refer others to
It's no wonder so many businesses fail to make all the money they can.
Tim
So how do you help them? Find a service business that offers services on a monthly, quarterly, annual basis.
Offer to setup an auto responder for them to existing clients a couple of weeks before the service is set to be needed again. Offer the customer a coupon to send out for them to book again, a referral program, etc.
Make it totally hands off for them except to collect the email addresses (which you tell the customer they collect to send out a customer service survey). Then set everything up and profit.
Best part of it - once you do one pest control company in town, you can use the exact system to do another one.
Show them with proof how they can make money from your service so that it is an investment, not an expense.
Bill Skywalker Edwards
Address-O-Lite
You might not like what I say - but I believe it.
Build it, make money, then build some more
Some old school smarts would help - and here's to Rob Toth for his help. Bloody good stuff, even the freebies!