advertising and finding work??

[Steviec]

just wondered if anyone could give me a bit of advise of how best to go about advertising as a self employed tiler, what works best or how to go about getting work, or even work for someone else/site work.
cheers.

[david campbell]

websites,local newspapers,business cards @ tile sheds,diy stores,plumber merchants.contact local bathroom/kitchen companies,business cards to anyone who walks within 5metres,word of mouth let everyone know what you are doing

[mercedism]

You haven't even put your location in your profile, you have got to start thinking business, business. Like David said get yourself out there to everyone.

[chris.tiling]

take pictures of everything and make sure you leave them with the tile stores - where you keep going in to get yourself known etc. Do everything you say you will when you say you will do it - we all hate unreliable people, so dont be one yourself. You will be surprised how many people continue to not show up when they agreed.

[andy allen]

try your local parish mag

cheap to advertise and a lot of people prefer to use local tradesmen

[andy8758]

Clarksons Top Five Publicity Self Promotion Gimics....

1. Get 500 A5 leaflets printed, and completely cover your car with them - water based glue adhesive of course. Then leave car in B n Q car park over the weekend. To really make this work, try covering your girlfriend/wife/ father/best mate's car as well. Of course the true professional will then get the their cars parked in the High Street, or Tesco's car park.

2. This one costs u 50 quid. Go into your local tile shed, and chat up the guy/gal/old codger on the till. Offer them £50 for every customer they refer to you who gives you a job. Then send a mate in a week later to ask the till op who they recommend for local tiuling - if they give your name, you pop back a week later and give the till op £50. Then see how may people they refer to you!

3. Tile your front garden - yes fully tile your front garden with the latest marble/slate slab tiles. Then stick up a sign in the garden - "Tiling by Toms Tiling" or whatever... Course this dont work if you live in a cul-de-sac or some village in the middle of Dartmoor.

4. Get yourself one of those WW1 Zeppelin type Ballooons, and paint your business name and phone number on it. Then inflate it high above your house. To really make an impact, try inflating it above the flight path at your local airport - the publicity when you get arrested for endangering public safety - just to promote your humble business.... priceless!

5. Get your lawn mower out, and take a drive into the nearest corn field at 3 am one morning. Then cut the field to create a crop circle with "Toms Tiles, Tel 01774 344566" or whatever. When the farmer takes a law suit out against you, maximise TV interest by claiming you are a "HUMBLE TRADESMAN WOT HAS BEEN STITCHED UP."

And if none of that works, try getting some a picture of some tiles, and "I love Toms Tiling" tattooed on the left breast of ur missus - course she has to wear low cut tops.... oh dear, this is starting to get smutty. Lol.

[Daz]

Hi & welcome,

This is what has worked for me....

1. Van sign writing. I have picked up loads of jobs because the customer had seen my van. A cheap option is magnetic signs which could be attached to van or car depending on your choice of transportation.

2. Networking with all local tile suppliers. Get yourself into all your local tile suppliers but don't say you are a new tiler, tell them that you have just moved to the area and you would like to know if they are happy to help you build new contacts and establish yourself locally. In return you would be happy to send your customers to them for their tiles and you will purchase materials too.

3. Ask at doctors surgeries, post office counters etc. if you can leave a few business cards for their customers. I've even got cards left at the collections counter at Ardex .

4. Print some cheap flyers (never had to do this myself) and leaflet cars at the local superstore carparks.

5. Get to know as many of your local tradesmen as possible and make friends with them, this will always get you work.

So far, you will have had little capital outlay. If you are still struggling for work after the above then contact your local newspaper and discuss the cost of a small classified ad in their tradesmen section.

Remember that this is only lead generation, you will still need to quote the jobs and win the business so practice your customer service skills on friends and family too.

Good luck .

[whitebeam]

Get some t-shirts with your name, what you do and a phone number on them