Free advertising - no profit job?
Discussion
I am just kicking off a one man band blind company.
My outgoings are next to nothing, the business has not even started yet but I have my first job. I went for a haircut yesterday and they have no blinds, so I mentioned I was starting up, and they have given me the job.
My quote has been accepted, and I will make a small profit..but I have now found out I can get can get some blinds made up with the hairdressers name printed on them for the same price as I am charging for the job.
The hair dresser is not expecting this...
So..should I do the job for free, and get good word of mouth, or take the small profit?
I am thinking I should do it for free and have a really happy customer that talks too all the locals ...
My outgoings are next to nothing, the business has not even started yet but I have my first job. I went for a haircut yesterday and they have no blinds, so I mentioned I was starting up, and they have given me the job.
My quote has been accepted, and I will make a small profit..but I have now found out I can get can get some blinds made up with the hairdressers name printed on them for the same price as I am charging for the job.
The hair dresser is not expecting this...
So..should I do the job for free, and get good word of mouth, or take the small profit?
I am thinking I should do it for free and have a really happy customer that talks too all the locals ...
Tell them that you can carry on with the order (plain blinds) for the sum you quoted, or - hey how about this great idea - they can have their name on them for £x extra.
Why get your first job, with a small profit, then voluntarily throw it away? As one of my directors said once: 'If you want to go bankrupt, put your feet up and enjoy it, there's no point working for it'.
Why get your first job, with a small profit, then voluntarily throw it away? As one of my directors said once: 'If you want to go bankrupt, put your feet up and enjoy it, there's no point working for it'.
Would the fact that I am in a village, not a city, change your view?
In a village , this could be a really good move! The profit from the job was going to be small anyway.
It is a tiny job...the actual install will only take an hour if that, but obviously there is running around to be done.
We really are talking tiny profits here, I would only make £30 on top of the cost of the two tiny blinds...
In a village , this could be a really good move! The profit from the job was going to be small anyway.
It is a tiny job...the actual install will only take an hour if that, but obviously there is running around to be done.
We really are talking tiny profits here, I would only make £30 on top of the cost of the two tiny blinds...
I'd just go with what you quoted them for, if you do the work well and professional they would still be singing your praises. I don't think giving them more premium blinds for no extra money would give you any better reputation if I'm honest.
You can of course tell them available and put your fee on top!
You can of course tell them available and put your fee on top!
Akiraprise said:
I'd just go with what you quoted them for, if you do the work well and professional they would still be singing your praises. I don't think giving them more premium blinds for no extra money would give you any better reputation if I'm honest.
You can of course tell them available and put your fee on top!
Also a good idea. She jumped on my original estimate so I think she would be happy with an extra £30 to have custom printed blinds...You can of course tell them available and put your fee on top!
It could backfire (sort of).
Firstly, it may not be the marketing network effect that you are hoping for. Secondly, it might get known that you can provide customised blinds for the same price of off-the-shelf stuff.
I'd offer them discounted, but still with profit. Encourage word of mouth by doing a great job in terms of fitting, completing the job earlier than quoted, etc.
Firstly, it may not be the marketing network effect that you are hoping for. Secondly, it might get known that you can provide customised blinds for the same price of off-the-shelf stuff.
I'd offer them discounted, but still with profit. Encourage word of mouth by doing a great job in terms of fitting, completing the job earlier than quoted, etc.
jammy_basturd said:
It could backfire (sort of).
Firstly, it may not be the marketing network effect that you are hoping for. Secondly, it might get known that you can provide customised blinds for the same price of off-the-shelf stuff.
I'd offer them discounted, but still with profit. Encourage word of mouth by doing a great job in terms of fitting, completing the job earlier than quoted, etc.
More good advice. I will offer her the options tomorrow I think.Firstly, it may not be the marketing network effect that you are hoping for. Secondly, it might get known that you can provide customised blinds for the same price of off-the-shelf stuff.
I'd offer them discounted, but still with profit. Encourage word of mouth by doing a great job in terms of fitting, completing the job earlier than quoted, etc.
I am still prepared to do her a great deal though, I think it will be in my best interests in the long run.
Shuvi McTupya said:
Would the fact that I am in a village, not a city, change your view?
In a village , this could be a really good move! The profit from the job was going to be small anyway.
It is a tiny job...the actual install will only take an hour if that, but obviously there is running around to be done.
We really are talking tiny profits here, I would only make £30 on top of the cost of the two tiny blinds...
Other village business owner: 'Hey Mr Hairdresser, those new blinds are great! Where did you get them?'In a village , this could be a really good move! The profit from the job was going to be small anyway.
It is a tiny job...the actual install will only take an hour if that, but obviously there is running around to be done.
We really are talking tiny profits here, I would only make £30 on top of the cost of the two tiny blinds...
Mr Hairdresser: 'I got them from that new outfit Shuvitupya Blinds. He was really good'.
Other village business owner: 'Cool. How much were they, if you don't mind me asking?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'Only £100'.
Other village business owner: 'Awesome, what's his number?'
Bingo, another zero profit job.
What's better, one job at a profit or two jobs at no profit? How much do you want to earn a living? (ie 25K pa = 833 £30 profit jobs)
Forget the grapevine. With the occasional lucky exception, business is still business. What makes the difference is how you sell it. And if your village is like mine, stick an advert in the local free neighbourhood rag.
Simpo Two said:
Other village business owner: 'Hey Mr Hairdresser, those new blinds are great! Where did you get them?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'I got them from that new outfit Shuvitupya Blinds. He was really good'.
Other village business owner: 'Cool. How much were they, if you don't mind me asking?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'Only £100'.
Other village business owner: 'Awesome, what's his number?'
Bingo, another zero profit job.
What's better, one job at a profit or two jobs at no profit? How much do you want to earn a living? (ie 25K pa = 833 £30 profit jobs)
Forget the grapevine. With the occasional lucky exception, business is still business. What makes the difference is how you sell it. And if your village is like mine, stick an advert in the local free neighbourhood rag.
Understood Mr Hairdresser: 'I got them from that new outfit Shuvitupya Blinds. He was really good'.
Other village business owner: 'Cool. How much were they, if you don't mind me asking?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'Only £100'.
Other village business owner: 'Awesome, what's his number?'
Bingo, another zero profit job.
What's better, one job at a profit or two jobs at no profit? How much do you want to earn a living? (ie 25K pa = 833 £30 profit jobs)
Forget the grapevine. With the occasional lucky exception, business is still business. What makes the difference is how you sell it. And if your village is like mine, stick an advert in the local free neighbourhood rag.
I will feel it out tomorrow. £20 extra for the personalised option shouldn't break the bank...
Shuvi McTupya said:
Simpo Two said:
Other village business owner: 'Hey Mr Hairdresser, those new blinds are great! Where did you get them?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'I got them from that new outfit Shuvitupya Blinds. He was really good'.
Other village business owner: 'Cool. How much were they, if you don't mind me asking?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'Only £100'.
Other village business owner: 'Awesome, what's his number?'
Bingo, another zero profit job.
What's better, one job at a profit or two jobs at no profit? How much do you want to earn a living? (ie 25K pa = 833 £30 profit jobs)
Forget the grapevine. With the occasional lucky exception, business is still business. What makes the difference is how you sell it. And if your village is like mine, stick an advert in the local free neighbourhood rag.
Understood Mr Hairdresser: 'I got them from that new outfit Shuvitupya Blinds. He was really good'.
Other village business owner: 'Cool. How much were they, if you don't mind me asking?'
Mr Hairdresser: 'Only £100'.
Other village business owner: 'Awesome, what's his number?'
Bingo, another zero profit job.
What's better, one job at a profit or two jobs at no profit? How much do you want to earn a living? (ie 25K pa = 833 £30 profit jobs)
Forget the grapevine. With the occasional lucky exception, business is still business. What makes the difference is how you sell it. And if your village is like mine, stick an advert in the local free neighbourhood rag.
I will feel it out tomorrow. £20 extra for the personalised option shouldn't break the bank...
Make sure your postcards are printed (ie professional looking) rather than hand written. You can easily knock some up on a computer then get them printed as photos at boots.
extraT said:
if your happy to lose the profit, just ask what they want. At no extra cost they will bite your hand off, but take advantage, tell them you will not make a profit and you are happy to do it, but in return you want them to tell EVERYONE!
But they won't. I had a couple of smart A5 display units with a business card holder in a hairdressers, an estate agent and a stationer. The estate agent threw his away and the hairdreser's is always been tucked out of sight in favour of something else, though the stationer's is still there. I also had photos on display at the doctor's surgery. In the course of several years I got no work or even leads from any of them. In conclusion the chances of someone going in and (1) seeing it (2) reading it (3) being interested (4) taking a card (5) making contact are virtually zero. The only plus side is that it's free. So you may as well do it, but don't expect anything to happen.Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff