Advice on starting a business..

Patrick

Patrick

Goalkeeper
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
 


All of the above plus word of mouth.
People trust other people's opinions when it comes to that sort of thing.

Leaflets through the door are good because even if it goes straight in the bin, its been looked at before it is binned just to make sure it's nothing important.
 
Patrick said:
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
Click to expand...

Most people throw flyers away and see them as junk mail tbh.

It’ll end up in the bin with a myriad of fast food menus.

I’d go with online.
 
Patrick said:
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
Click to expand...
Due diligence but, good luck in any case.
 
Patrick said:
Haha unintentionally, but the inbox button is there for anyone needing some work ;)

Nice one, yeah I totally agree its just trying to balance my time efficiently.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately putting the word out will be time consuming and not time efficient. Especially in the early days. But hopefully you will reap the benefits eventually.
 
Is your customer likely to be the public?
Is it not worth doing it for larger firms too (honest ones tho) while you spread the word?
 
Patrick said:
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
Click to expand...
Horses for courses
cleaning,take away,painter and decorator etc ,leaflet drops and supermarket ads.Construction sounds a bit more specialised or are you just a one man builder set up ?
 
Patrick said:
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
Click to expand...
Leaflets are good for small jobs. Local paper is pointless. Google adwords might e worth a try. I wouldn't bother with yell.

The biggest thing is word of mouth.

lambro said:
Depends on the cost of leaflets/distribution which Id say would easily be more costly than online targeting.
Click to expand...

It can be surprisingly effective for certain stuff.
 
Patrick said:
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
Click to expand...

In the early days, you'll not know which is going to bring in the most work so, you'll need to attack it from all sides.

Get the following:

1. Facebook Business Site: keep it up to date. Befoire and after photos are a winner. Ask for endorsements and likes.
2. Stick an Ad on Gumtree
3. Get your business listed on Google.
4. Yellow pages listing if they aren't ridiculously pricy these days.
5. Check a Trade, My Builder, Checked and Vetted: any or all of these as per your budget.

If you're a bricklayer, chances are other tradesmen will use you as a subbie. Get some cards and get them stuck round where other trades go e.g. Toolstation, Screwfix, Roll Vans, Barbers etc. Most supermarkets have a noticeboard as well. Don't be afraid to ask people to recommend you if you've done work for them. Most of my work comes from word of mouth and meeting people personally at trade shows (IT Consultancy work).

Leaflets are good if you are targeting homeowners. You need to do multiple drops a few weeks apart. It's all about building awareness of who you are and what you do. Target specific areas at differnet times e.g. SR6 week one, SR5 week two, SR4 week 3, Sr3 week 4 and then start again at SR6, take two weeks off and run round them once again. Make sure the leaflets give your name, number, website (FB or custom website link). If you've done work already, try to get photos and get them on there too if the price of printing isn't mental. Ask customers before you put photos of their property on though. If you have a friendly customer who would be willing to endores you, stick their comments on e.g. "Patrick did a wonderful job at a reasonable cost and cleaned up well afterwards", Mr Hounslow, Ryhope

When you do get work, ask where they found you and you'll easily be able to work out which marketing works the best.

Best of Luck. It'll be the best decision you've made.
 
Last edited:
Patrick said:
Morning everyone,

I am currently in the process of setting up a small construction business (mainly specialising in bricklaying) and am wanting to get some opinions on how people find local businesses. Do people still take notice of leaflets/flyers or an ad in a local paper.. or do you usually seek any of the stuff you need doing online? ie facebook or google ads etc?
Click to expand...

In terms of online advertising Facebook ads are the cheaper option but much less likely to convert for a construction business. It does get your name out there though.

The real money is getting yourself to the top of Google with paid search, but it's extremely competitive so be prepared to shell out if you want to compete.

Don't let anyone take your eyes out for a website either, you can do one yourself for next to nowt.
 
MackemBob said:
5. Check a Trade, My Builder, Checked and Vetted: any or all of these as per your budget.
Click to expand...
This. Had some doors and windows done recently and went on a mix of recommendations and what I could find on these sites.

Also needed some advice on possible asbestos in the house. Didn't really know where to start so I picked the highest rated company on Check a Trade and rang them.

Might not help right away getting things off the ground, but the bloke who came round had a little form for me to fill in and post off to rate him. He did a good job so I will. Long term that'll be a big help to his business.

Discopants91 said:
Don't let anyone take your eyes out for a website either, you can do one yourself for next to nowt.
Click to expand...
If you do this make sure you do a decent job of it though, an amateurish site will reflect on you.
 

Back
Top