Plumbers - just WTF is wrong with them?

[technodup]

037 said:

Genuinely interested in what your service is?

I did write a longer reply but my PC just crashed and I lost it...

I'm a marketer, so I help open minded trades make more money by actually addressing customers needs properly. A few simple, (and I mean simple) changes can mean a lot more money.

For example I can write a quote better than 99.9% of trades guys. No question (I've seen a lot of quotes). My quote will win the job 9 times out of 10, and I'll be more expensive. Now I'm not interested in building or whatever, so I can show anyone how to do it for a fee. Dependent on the average job value/age of trades guy that alone can be worth hundreds of thousands of extra profit.

BUT it requires an open mind, an element of change, AND a (small) investment of (tax deductible) cash. And that is where most will stick to what they know. Which is fine, if everybody used me the competitive advantage would be lost (although I'd be rich!). Their trouble comes with the next downturn, when they resort to spunking money on advertising. Which if you don't know how to do it will cost a lot and provide little.

I suppose you could say I help turn tradespeople into businesspeople. Some want to run a business, some want to run around. I help the former. The latter can keep running around.

[Alucidnation]

Interesting.

Good to see I am in the 0.1%, as i have never had to employ anyones services to help my business.

[Spudler]

technodup said:

037 said:

Genuinely interested in what your service is?

I did write a longer reply but my PC just crashed and I lost it...

I'm a marketer, so I help open minded trades make more money by actually addressing customers needs properly. A few simple, (and I mean simple) changes can mean a lot more money.

For example I can write a quote better than 99.9% of trades guys. No question (I've seen a lot of quotes). My quote will win the job 9 times out of 10, and I'll be more expensive. Now I'm not interested in building or whatever, so I can show anyone how to do it for a fee. Dependent on the average job value/age of trades guy that alone can be worth hundreds of thousands of extra profit.

BUT it requires an open mind, an element of change, AND a (small) investment of (tax deductible) cash. And that is where most will stick to what they know. Which is fine, if everybody used me the competitive advantage would be lost (although I'd be rich!). Their trouble comes with the next downturn, when they resort to spunking money on advertising. Which if you don't know how to do it will cost a lot and provide little.

I suppose you could say I help turn tradespeople into businesspeople. Some want to run a business, some want to run around. I help the former. The latter can keep running around.

Good luck with that!

Do you know the construction industry inside out?

Also, alot of trades work on recommendation and customers only require a ballpark.
Pretty sure your number of interested parties would be extremely small.

[technodup]

Alucidnation said:

Interesting.

Good to see I am in the 0.1%, as i have never had to employ anyones services to help my business.

Firstly I bet that's not actually true, but it's entirely typical of the problem.

Trades are quite happy to charge for their expertise, but not willing to pay for others'. Because they don't think they need it.

There's none so blind as will not see.

[roofer]

technodup said:

037 said:

Genuinely interested in what your service is?

I did write a longer reply but my PC just crashed and I lost it...

I'm a marketer, so I help open minded trades make more money by actually addressing customers needs properly. A few simple, (and I mean simple) changes can mean a lot more money.

For example I can write a quote better than 99.9% of trades guys. No question (I've seen a lot of quotes). My quote will win the job 9 times out of 10, and I'll be more expensive. Now I'm not interested in building or whatever, so I can show anyone how to do it for a fee. Dependent on the average job value/age of trades guy that alone can be worth hundreds of thousands of extra profit.

BUT it requires an open mind, an element of change, AND a (small) investment of (tax deductible) cash. And that is where most will stick to what they know. Which is fine, if everybody used me the competitive advantage would be lost (although I'd be rich!). Their trouble comes with the next downturn, when they resort to spunking money on advertising. Which if you don't know how to do it will cost a lot and provide little.

I suppose you could say I help turn tradespeople into businesspeople. Some want to run a business, some want to run around. I help the former. The latter can keep running around.

You may get some success from one man band/domestic trades. In the commercial world, you would be swallowed whole.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

technodup. Have you a website? I'm happy to keep an open mind and look at what you do.

[Alucidnation]

technodup said:

Alucidnation said:

Interesting.

Good to see I am in the 0.1%, as i have never had to employ anyones services to help my business.

Firstly I bet that's not actually true, but it's entirely typical of the problem.

Trades are quite happy to charge for their expertise, but not willing to pay for others'. Because they don't think they need it.

There's none so blind as will not see.

Sorry to disappoint you but yes, its true.

I have plenty of work to keep me busy for many months, similar to many other trades posting here.

Good luck with your business venture.

[justanother5tar]

I've got to say, some of the attitudes of the people in here are one of the biggest factors making me want to leave my trade.

Being called a neanderthal and a baffoon is a right kick in the after spending years learning my trade, and putting everything I can into jobs I do.

[Alucidnation]

justanother5tar said:

I've got to say, some of the attitudes of the people in here are one of the biggest factors making me want to leave my trade.

Being called a neanderthal and a baffoon is a right kick in the after spending years learning my trade, and putting everything I can into jobs I do.

Being in the construction industry, you should have thicker skin than that!

Aaaaaanyway, everyone knows that plumbers are failed electricians.

[Efbe]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

technodup. Have you a website? I'm happy to keep an open mind and look at what you do.

Kermit,
Totally off topic, but... 1967 Mustang with leather seats. Leather looks to be from 1967 too! has come apart at the seams, and feels really brittle. Possible to save, or better just to get new covers?

[technodup]

Spudler said:

Good luck with that!

Do you know the construction industry inside out?

Also, alot of trades work on recommendation and customers only require a ballpark.
Pretty sure your number of interested parties would be extremely small.

I know fk all about construction, I don't need to. I know about people, and what makes them buy. This is where the misunderstanding comes in, trades think it's all about materials, processes etc. It isn't.

A lot of trades work on recommendation when times are good. Going by the numbers of adverts, business cards, Facebook pages, websites etc that I see daily the market out there is huge. Because invariably they are utterly ste.

But they're changing. There are others out there doing similar things, training the next generation to be a million miles better than the current lot. It really isn't hard. Unlike most trades I have a very specific client in mind, and I won't be whoring myself to everyone. Nor is it my bread and butter.

But appreciate the concern.

[justanother5tar]

Alucidnation said:

Being in the construction industry, you should have thicker skin than that!

Aaaaaanyway, everyone knows that plumbers are failed electricians.

I can take banter and all the st that comes with the job.

It's the ever worsening attitude towards us that gets on me tits.

[Spudler]

technodup said:

Nor is it my bread and butter.

Just as well.
You have fk all chance if you know zero about the industry, even if you're dumb enough to think you don't even need to.

[technodup]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

technodup. Have you a website? I'm happy to keep an open mind and look at what you do.

This one won't be live for another week or two.

In the meantime I'd be happy to look at one of your quotes FOC. If I can improve it I'll explain the principle for free. If I can't I'll tell you.

I don't need the sensitive bits e.g. price, address etc. Just the meat.

Feel free to PM.

[roofer]

Spudler said:

technodup said:

Nor is it my bread and butter.

Just as well.
You have fk all chance if you know zero about the industry, even if you're dumb enough to think you don't even need to.

+ 1

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

technodup said:

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

technodup. Have you a website? I'm happy to keep an open mind and look at what you do.

This one won't be live for another week or two.

In the meantime I'd be happy to look at one of your quotes FOC. If I can improve it I'll explain the principle for free. If I can't I'll tell you.

I don't need the sensitive bits e.g. price, address etc. Just the meat.

Feel free to PM.

Is it just the quote element of obtaining business that you focus on? If so all of my quotes are verbal face to face, and I secure around 60% of people I get in front of. I got the impression that your offering stretched a little wider than this?

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

Efbe said:

Kermit,
Totally off topic, but... 1967 Mustang with leather seats. Leather looks to be from 1967 too! has come apart at the seams, and feels really brittle. Possible to save, or better just to get new covers?

I would suggest better to replace, sound a little far gone for what I do. I'd suggest giving these guys a call, shouldn't be too far from you, they're excellent at what they do

http://www.bielawskissheffieldtrimming.co.uk/

[GG89]

technodup said:

037 said:

Genuinely interested in what your service is?

I did write a longer reply but my PC just crashed and I lost it...

I'm a marketer, so I help open minded trades make more money by actually addressing customers needs properly. A few simple, (and I mean simple) changes can mean a lot more money.

For example I can write a quote better than 99.9% of trades guys. No question (I've seen a lot of quotes). My quote will win the job 9 times out of 10, and I'll be more expensive. Now I'm not interested in building or whatever, so I can show anyone how to do it for a fee. Dependent on the average job value/age of trades guy that alone can be worth hundreds of thousands of extra profit.

BUT it requires an open mind, an element of change, AND a (small) investment of (tax deductible) cash. And that is where most will stick to what they know. Which is fine, if everybody used me the competitive advantage would be lost (although I'd be rich!). Their trouble comes with the next downturn, when they resort to spunking money on advertising. Which if you don't know how to do it will cost a lot and provide little.

I suppose you could say I help turn tradespeople into businesspeople. Some want to run a business, some want to run around. I help the former. The latter can keep running around.

When I go to price my jobs (usually through recommendation) I have a good chat with the client and usually give them a verbal quote so your quote example wouldn't work for me. Any other examples? I'm busy throughout the year, year after year but I'm interested hear what you do. No offence but it sounds like general marketing bullst - In my trade people go on strong recommendations followed by good communication.

[ex1]

justanother5tar said:

Alucidnation said:

Being in the construction industry, you should have thicker skin than that!

Aaaaaanyway, everyone knows that plumbers are failed electricians.

I can take banter and all the st that comes with the job.

It's the ever worsening attitude towards us that gets on me tits.

You have your fellow trades people to blame for that but therein lies the opportunity. Set yourself apart by actually doing what you say you are going to do, do it well and manage expectations, come in on time and on budget it will set you apart from 99% of those I have experienced.

[GG89]

ex1 said:

justanother5tar said:

Alucidnation said:

Being in the construction industry, you should have thicker skin than that!

Aaaaaanyway, everyone knows that plumbers are failed electricians.

I can take banter and all the st that comes with the job.

It's the ever worsening attitude towards us that gets on me tits.

You have your fellow trades people to blame for that but therein lies the opportunity. Set yourself apart by actually doing what you say you are going to do, do it well and manage expectations, come in on time and on budget it will set you apart from 99% of those I have experienced.

Stop hiring s.