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I need suggestions for immediate results for a friend's business

by Jeremy James
17 replies
Hey guys,

I have a friend who has a excavation company in a small town in rural Georgia. This economy has really hurt him, but, he is barely hanging on. He still has all of his equipment - and, has had to take some very small jobs just to make it, and, even some of those don't have any profit in it, but, allow him to keep going.

He is set up to be able to travel - I know that earlier this year, he bid on a job in South Florida, but, was under cut by someone by nearly 1/2 (after he shaved a good bit off what he would normally charge.)

Being that 90+% of his business is commercial and maybe even government, what could I do to get him some business? I am not going to charge him a dime, but, I wanted to do this to bless him - he has been very good to me.

Jeremy
#business #friend #results #suggestions
  • Profile picture of the author fasteasysuccess
    One big thing is the positioning. Is he another x or the person others look at as the authority and right choice? When he's just another x...he's a commodity and then it comes down to price shopping.
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  • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
    I see this person as a Google Pay Per Click client.

    Determine his range of operation, optimize the web site for this region, and dominate the PPC advertising for this category.

    I'm talking multiple keywords, and regions.

    That is the best way to get their phone ringing right now.

    Do some massive keyword research for this niche, and dominate it.

    That's what I would do if it were my friend. You can have this up and running within 24 hours for them.

    Be more than happy to donate some spare time to this effort if it will help save some local jobs.

    Just let me know.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy James
    I hope you don't mind if I ask what would probably be interpreted as an unintelligent question.

    How does PPC work with this situation?
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    • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
      A Pay Per Click campaign would make them visible, relevant and allow their to phone ring with people or companies who are currently or very active in their current line of business today.

      People who are quoting active jobs right now, and they only pay if someone clicks on their ad.

      As I said, I would be more than happy to help with keyword research or whatever, if it would make a difference now, while I have the time.

      Excavation, is a rather broad term. Do they dig basements, swimming pools, parking lots, wells, cable lines? What is their operating area, what equipment do they currently operate? Dozers, Cranes, Trench Diggers? Depending on what they do, a well organized PPC campaign, can get them in front of that person tomorrow.

      cma01, had some great ideas for future projects, which should be followed, a PPC campaign can capture that business right now.

      I want to add that the OP wanted immediate results.

      There is no better way to get immediate results online, other than by dominating the first page of Google, Yahoo, and Bing with PPC ads.

      That's the only way I know of that you can go from page 200 to page one multiple times overnight.



      Originally Posted by Jeremy James View Post

      I hope you don't mind if I ask what would probably be interpreted as an unintelligent question.

      How does PPC work with this situation?
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      • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
        Originally Posted by Digital Traffic View Post

        A Pay Per Click campaign would make them visible, relevant and allow their to phone ring with people or companies who are currently or very active in their current line of business today.

        People who are quoting active jobs right now, and they only pay if someone clicks on their ad.

        As I said, I would be more than happy to help with keyword research or whatever, if it would make a difference now, while I have the time.

        Excavation, is a rather broad term. Do they dig basements, swimming pools, parking lots, wells, cable lines? What is their operating area, what equipment do they currently operate? Dozers, Cranes, Trench Diggers? Depending on what they do, a well organized PPC campaign, can get them in front of that person tomorrow.

        cma01, had some great ideas for future projects, which should be followed, a PPC campaign can capture that business right now.

        I want to add that the OP wanted immediate results.

        There is no better way to get immediate results online, other than by dominating the first page of Google, Yahoo, and Bing with PPC ads.

        That's the only way I know of that you can go from page 200 to page one multiple times overnight.
        I don't believe this at all. OP, please note that this is one person's opinion.
        Overnight? The ads have to be approved first right?

        There are better ways of getting immediate results online.
        How about.... press releases? Get published on a news site, and you will be on the first page of Google. Create compelling videos, optimize them, and submit them to several directories.... these will be on the first page of Google. Articles? Social Media? JV's? Need I go on?

        Don't think spending money on a PPC Campaign to fund out of your own pocket, is your only option.

        OP - I would be happy to help you in my spare time as well.
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        - Neale Donald Wilson -
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        • Profile picture of the author Bill Jenkins
          Banned
          I highly recommend you look up gary halberts dollar bill letter and mail it to prospective clients. I've used this letter with astonishing success many times.

          Probably the most effective letter for gaining new offline business I know of. You should have no trouble finding the letter on Google. Just search for it.

          Bill.
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  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    Jeremy,

    Has he been certified as an SBA and does he qualify as any type of minority?

    Government projects usually have set asides for small businesses in their contracts, but the businesses have to be certified. If he's a white male, he's probably SOL unless you can find some other angle.

    Being certified won't get him the job, but it will give him an opportunity to bid and there are also some mentoring/training programs that are available to go with it.

    Other than that, I think I would have him head to the closest Metro area that has development going on, find where the general contractors congregate and start networking.

    The City of Houston has regular networking meetings for their prime contractors and small business owners. I would see if there is something like that in your area.

    Other than that, put together a little press/media kit for him, set him up with a decent web site with project pictures and testimonials, and then start researching all you can about the commercial development going on in the area. Look up to see what planning hearings are going on, watch the papers, check the city and county office building departments for permits issued and then contact the developers and general contractors and present his services.

    ETA: If he mostly does commercial work, I really don't think PPC is going to work for him. Developers and general contractors don't find their subs on Google, they go with who they know and people they've used before.

    The *only* time they might go to the internet is if they are an out of area company that is bidding on a contract that requires set asides for small business. And even then, they will go to the directory list of certified contractors.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy James
    I think that we'll leave government work off of the platter. I would like him to get some commercial work, though.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hugh Thyer
      1. Customer reactivation letter. Write to all past clients with a special offer.

      2. Offline (yes OFFLINE) monthly newsletter to his biggest clients.

      3. Better proposals which make people want to hire him, even though he costs more. Price is NOT the only reason people buy. In fact it's rarely the top reason either. People only ever buy on price when they're not given any other reason.

      If you want some more detail on these things PM me because they're important to do correctly.
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      • Profile picture of the author David_Nilsson
        Originally Posted by Hugh Thyer View Post

        1. Customer reactivation letter. Write to all past clients with a special offer.
        I can't believe it took this long for someone to suggest this. Great job Hugh.

        Have him contact his past clients, thank them for the past business that they have done together, like Hugh said make them a special offer (time/number limited).

        Cheers
        Dav
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  • Profile picture of the author MIB Mastermind
    He could always lease out any equipment/machinery thats not currently being used, this could help free up some quick cash and help to pay some of his overheads.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    Attention needs to be focused on General Contractors & Construction Managers since his business type is considered a "sub-contractor" & the major chunk of his work would go through them....I would focus state wide....

    I would have him contact them in person or by phone...ask for up-coming projects to bid. I would also follow up with a qualification letter / brouchure or newsletter every couple of months...(keep the companies name fresh in their minds)

    Road contractors, Utilities contractors, (gas, electric, cable, etc...), Home builders, Larger Masonry contractors & Demolition contractors use excavation companies too....I've been in construction over 30 years & thats where I would concentrate my efforts...

    If he is not already "certified" for government work then it's pretty much a waste of time to pursue it....it's a long process to get certified & if your after instant results it would be non productive.

    BUT.....

    I would have him keep tuned into the government projects....it's quite possible that he can joint venture with a "certified" contractor to team up on larger projects....

    * I would still go through the certification process for future / long term plans...

    Speaking of joint ventures...do not rule out his competition....some may have projects that are too large for them & could use the additional manpower / equipment to stay on schedule....

    I personally do not see how PPC would help him....

    Good luck,

    ~ Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Never let your customer move at his own pace. Motivate him, and do it often or your competition will do it for you.

    PPC has one glaring weakness. It's success is entirely dependent on the customer to decide to take action. In this case I would imagine that the escavater is in a race against time before he redlines.

    Aggressive measures are needed. Personal contact, postcard offers, proposals via mail.
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  • Profile picture of the author rafterman
    I'd say web 2. Hubpages will get indexed in about 2 hours. Sometimes less. Backlink and you'll rank.
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