Marketing ???

[FreedMan]

After looking through old threads and coming up empty I've got a question for those of you who either own or work for small companies; specifically private locators and consultants. What have you found to be the best marketing methods besides word of mouth. Mailings? Office visits? UCC meetings?

I've been slingin' paint for a lot of years, and during most of that time I didn't give a thought to hanging my own shingle. Part of the appeal of this job, for me at least, is in having very little contact with people for most of the work day - ah, solitude, my best friend - but now, I gotta go out and sell this thing (me) and find the right niches and angles to make it work.

I've spent close to half my life working for the other guy with very little to show for it and though I don't expect to get rich by any stretch, I figure if I can get this thing rolling I can at least begin to have some control over when and where I'm going every day, and the option of saying, "No" when some clueless clown wants mission impossible on a moment's notice. Can't do that very often, but working to build somebody else's dream you don't get t say it at all except maybe the day you walk out the door.

Who's done this? What works? What doesn't?

[Goldenboy]

Did you check with your states one call center. Most will list your website on the one call center website under private locators.

[FreedMan]

Yes Golden, I'm waiting for a call back from them now, and have been registering my website everywhere I can think of online. Also putting together an extensive list of possible clients across several counties in my area and planning to spend a week and burn lots of gas paying them visits.

Right now I feel like the best investment I could make would be in truck graphics, getting my logo on each side and something on the tailgate so everywhere I go I'm a rolling billboard. I know there have to be others on the Vine doing this in other states and I'm hoping to compare notes. Thanks for the input.

[[HAF]Foxtrot]

Saw your post earlier and read this one. Hate to hear about the layoffs. I imagine theres only one company you could have came from since you said Central NC. Seeing that CUS's layoff's were yesturday, the only other option would be the minority locating company in the area.

Are you doing this solo? If so I would be more then happy to get in on this with you as well. I live and work in central NC and was planning on doing something like this myself on the side unless it got big. However you have two other very successful companies doing private locating. Both have GPR technology as well. With that said, if you are interested in my offer, send me a private message I would be more then happy to talk to some contractors in the area. Some of which are very influential in the greater Greensboro area.

[FreedMan]

Thanks Foxtrot, I sent you a message. Odds are we know each other. I'm aware of the two big boys in the area and not in the least intimidated, but that's all I'm gonna say in the open. I'm easy to find so shoot me a message back or an email. I'm not in the market for partnerships at the moment, but won't rule it out down the road either. Options are good things to have.

[Linerider]

Face to face visits work well. Cold calling is a waste of time - get introductions. Contact everyone you know in the biz and get their bosses name. An introduction is worth 20 cold calls. Traditional blanket type advertising is a money drainer. Yellow pages etc are a must. Also, cover your vehicles (wife's mini-van, too) with decals and BIG phone numbers. make it easy for them to get a hold of you.

my 2cents....

[FiosKing]

Freed have you thought about putting in a bid on maybe a small contract in your state? i agree with above get decals on every car you can find, ask your friends to put a decal on a window ect... I used to own a company and that was personally my best advertising tool

[FreedMan]

Decals are indeed my next step, and I'm working on making contact with a couple of smaller utilities in the area. Yellow pages are exorbitantly expensive in my area and will have to wait for now. Sounds like I'm on the right track so far, thanks for the input folks.

[orangeboots]

checked out your web site rel nice. just my 2 cents but as a way to cover overhead etc i would offer property corner locating bet i get asked at least once a week and nobody but survey companies around here offer that service they charge 300 bucks to come out with a schonfeld pin finder and spray the corners

[FreedMan]

Great idea, and one I've thought of once or twice but somehow always forget about it when I'm sitting in front of the computer. Thanks.