Planning For The Future: Lead Generation & More

Planning Ahead For Landscaping

While it can be a bit difficult to see out in front of our feet these days, it is important for us to remember that brighter and more prosperous days are ahead. Planning for the future during this crisis is one of the best things we can do for our business, for our wellness, and for the future of the American economy.

While to the naked eye, the shutdown has by all appearances put a stop to economic activities. However, the data shows that in reality, homeowners are still shopping, a lot. One thing they are shopping for is contractors for the many projects that have become extremely prominent form many days spent at home. This increase in demand means that it’s a prime opportunity for contractors to wrangle up a number of future jobs.

What should you be doing? First, put one foot in front of the other and for a contractor, that means lead generation. Sign up with CraftJack today to start receiving leads in your area.

Lead Generation

Generating leads is likely the toughest part of a pro’s business. An essential part of your lead generation strategy is having an effective, timely, and accurate website. Make sure that your website is up to date with all the recent changes. It’s important to provide any changes to your contact information and to post new policies and changes you have or will make due to the recent crisis.

Let your future and current customers know that you will be following all the latest safety protocols once you are able to get back up and running. You want to give homeowners the peace of mind that they can confidently move forward with their projects and keep their family safe at the same time. 

Once your website is updated, make sure that any business directories, like Google My Business, have the right information as well. Next, see how your website ranks when you do a search for local contractors. If your business isn’t showing up on the first page, it is time to optimize your content to change that around.

Generating content and using social media is also important to get your name out to potential customers. During this time, writing blogs and posting tutorials, how to’s, positive encouragement, charitable acts by you and your business, positive reviews, fun survival tips, and feel-good stories will help your brand connect with your homebound clients and future customers. 

Time & Cost-Effective Lead Generation

As you know, these things alone will not guarantee quality leads, nor will they guarantee that homeowners will find you when they need you. A majority of homeowners look to business directories like ImproveNet to help them make trade-specific decisions of which contractor to hire for important projects. These business directories provide homeowners with a sense of trust not only with listings of local businesses but they also provide ratings and reviews that help them make well-thought-out decisions.

At CraftJack, we utilize the leads generated from ImproveNet and other landing pages to help you build your business. We provide you with timely, verified, local leads that you can turn into future jobs. CraftJack not only provides you with the tools to help you with lead generation and follow-up, but they assign you a personalized account manager to help you set up your profile, give you personalized guidance, and keep leads coming your way.

While CraftJack will provide you with the quality and verified leads you need, you will have to win the job. Here’s how.

Provide Virtual, Contact-Free Estimates

If the project is outside, be willing to go do an estimate right away. If there is an opportunity for the homeowner to send video footage, measurements and pictures to complete an estimate, then, by all means, adopt that forward-thinking approach to estimates. When the stay-at-home order is lifted, make all effort to evaluate the home and the project and turn in a cost proposal as soon as possible.

Build Relationships

Right now is a great time to develop a rapport and provide excellent callback and response service to future clients. Calling back leads in a timely manner projects professionalism and efficiency to homeowners. Because you have a little extra time, get to know them and the purpose of the project so that you can offer them the best options and materials and build a lasting client/contractor relationship.

Call your loyal customers. Ask them if they have any future projects in the works. One of the best things you can do for your business is to continue to build relationships with the community around you. It is not only good for you to put one foot in front of the other, but it is also healthy and positive during this time that homeowners can plan for the future completion of projects on their to-do lists.  

These helpful apps can help you engage in face-to-face conversations while following stay-at-home guidelines:

  •   FaceTime for iPhone
  •   Google Hangouts for Android
  •   Zoom Meetings

Sending out an email to your loyal customers is a great way to show them you care and are thinking about them, but also to remind them that you are available for essential projects as well as future project estimates. If you plan to send out a weekly email with updates, DIY tips, and other information, use an email provider to schedule in advance.

Demonstrate knowledge of current sanitary practices

Show future clients that you are aware of current safety standards and are constantly alerted to any new changes that come from the CDC and OSHA that are created to maintain safe conditions for the continuation of projects.Let clients know specifically what you will and can do when you come into their homes, including:

  •   Contactless estimates and billing
  •   Disinfection of all surfaces touched by you and your crew
  •   Shoe covers to eliminate germ tracking

Be Flexible

One thing all of this has taught us is how to adapt on the fly. Be flexible with changing dates for homeowners. Let them know upfront that you will do your best to honor the project start and finish dates, but that like them, you have little control over what direction this crisis will go. Exude confidence and patience, and it will go a long way to persuade customers that you are the right person for the job whenever the time comes. The present can be very difficult with all the uncertainty. 

Let CraftJack, with its Pro Lead Manage App for iOS and Android that allows you to access and track leads, contact homeowners directly, request reviews, help you and your business to get through today by planning for tomorrow.