[natehobbs13]

dose any one know what to do durring winter to get some good inside jobs

 

[Z paint]

its also because the economy might be going into a reccession plus winter is always bad for painters...alot of painters offer discounts in the winter especially around the holidays

 

[plainpainter]

I don't offer discounts - my theory, is if they can afford to have you in their home - they can afford to pay full price.

 

[Dave Mac]

Offer discounts in the summer and fall for bookings in the winter.

call interior desighners, and real estate agents, hand out flyers, go knock on some doors,

 

[timhag]

dose any one know what to do durring winter to get some good inside jobs

Sept,Oct,and Nov is when you want to start getting your winter schedule booked. If ya have some knowledge repairing pipes and drywall, we are getting lots of calls for frozen pipe repair and of course drywall repair leading to painting the complete room. Also, freezing gutters leads to inside ceiling and wall repair. You may wanna become friends with a roofer and plumber, networking goes a long way:yes:

 

[paulingrad]

Or put a blonde wig on and hit the docks.:sailor:

 

[Brian]

Get in touch with past customers, either by phone or mail. Send a letter, postcard, or newsletter. If you can't come up with anything, check out Retention Central. Ask for referrals. Hand out door hangers.

And later this year, prepare for winter by doing as timhag and Dave Mac suggest.

Brian Phillips

 

[vermontpainter]

I'm reading a good book right now that has a helpful section on marketing that includes the tips that Tim and Dave mention, only in the context of a more comprehensive model marketing plan. Its a good idea to have a plan in place and be consistent about it. Its really hard to generate leads at the time that you actually need the work. Under pressure in the winter, its hard to give it away, and its hard not to give it away.

 

[Rich]

a little late to be looking for inside jobs now-you may want to go work for someone else and let them supply the paycheck instead of trying to find a miracle cure now. We are only 1 month into the winter...did all the work you lined up run out already?

 

[Kelly Painting]

Everyones advice is good.... all I can add is to be in the know....

Be around the coffee shops..the lunch places..the paint stores
Just be seen.... I have landed numerous jobs just by being in the right place at the right time. If people don't see you or your truck sometimes they don't think about you.

 

[PressurePros]

In words as eloquent as Beavis or Butthead could cite.. Winter sucks.

I gave up chasing winter work. When two of my guys that were union painters moved on my days of offering interior painting left with them. If you have ladders and a truck, which I assume are the bare essentials for a painter, look into subcontracting for a cable company doing collections/disconnects. I did it my first year in residential (I had a bucket truck) and was making between $1300-$2000 per week.

 

[chipster]

In words as eloquent as Beavis or Butthead could cite.. Winter sucks.

I gave up chasing winter work. When two of my guys that were union painters moved on my days of offering interior painting left with them. If you have ladders and a truck, which I assume are the bare essentials for a painter, look into subcontracting for a cable company doing collections/disconnects. I did it my first year in residential (I had a bucket truck) and was making between $1300-$2000 per week.

So how many folks a week did you disconnect a week to make $2000 a week?

 

[PressurePros]

Actually not that many. I made a percentage of the money I collected. Nothing like knocking on someone's door with a hard hat and climbing gear on and politely telling them they need to pay you or the three kids in their living room are going to have no cable very shortly.

 

[Rich]

look into subcontracting for a cable company doing collections/disconnects. I did it my first year in residential (I had a bucket truck) and was making between $1300-$2000 per week.

I've heard this is good money, but I didn't realize it was that good

 

[Wing 54]

I was new back in the business last spring. Had a good summer and fall, but booked most all in spring. I couldn't do any winter booking because had to have a knee replaced in Dec. Have been doing physical therapy now and can't get an answer when can start climbing ladders again. What stinks is since no business booked and don't know when I can start promising dates until all Dr. releases come.

Any thoughts on advertising and when bid start list with as soon as can get back to work.

Problem is I don't think I'd book job with painter on those terms if I was client.

GF keeps telling me to be patient.

Funny thing is she wants me to be sure to be ready for Daytona Bike Week in March.

What's your thoughts.

 

[Wickedgood!]

I've heard of painters, having ladders and such.. Hanging Christmas lights during the season.. Charge so much per foot and or decoration, and then get a signed contract to come back for a flat rate to take then down.. I know, it's the middle of Jan but whatever, keep it in mind for next year..

Wg

 

[Joewho]

I went to IL from sept. to early dec. Had 3 good jobs lined up for when I got back. All fell through. This is a yearly ritual. I try to overbook to anticipate it. But, usually they fail. No, no signed contracts on the work in advance.

But, something else did come through.
And that was due to being on Angieslist. I did some work for retirees and wasn't going to charge anything except a serice charge. The wound up giving me over 100% more than I charged and put me on AL. You can't join AL, a customer has to put your name there, and then they bug the crap out of you to advertise, which I've never done. I like it because it levels the playing field. I have a 100% "A" rating across the board and that's better than the very best company in las vegas.

I've never had to write a contract for Angieslist customers. All have been the "right" kind of customers and I've gotten tipped more from them than anyone else. The customers aren't the typical "general public" you get from mass advertising.
Bottom side is that I bid low to get my foot in the door, have gone out of my way to please them because they rate you on several levels. In the end, I think it pays off in the lean times.

 

[timhag]

Bottom side is that I bid low to get my foot in the door

If the site is all that,,,,,you should not have to do this.