How 15 Minutes a Day Will Keep Your Business Booming

Construction contractors sometimes make the mistake of relying too heavily on existing clients. In order to grow your business – and prevent down periods – you have to consistently reach out for new work. For many contractors, fishing for business is the worst part of the job, but if you spend your time wisely, you can make all the contacts you need in just 15 minutes a day.

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, there are three (3) simple tasks you can complete to keep business booming:

1. Keep in touch with your current clients.

The easiest way to land a new client is by keeping an existing one happy. That’s true for repeat work, as well as jobs you get through referrals. Your customers will value your services even more if you make them feel important, so remember to stay in touch.

Depending on the project in progress, you may want to reach out to a current client once a week or once a day via email or text. Share news on the progress, and ask about any concerns they may have. You can also ask for advice when appropriate. This is proven to be one of the most effective ways to generate trust, but it’s also one of the hardest things for a professional to do.

What kinds of questions should you ask? Ask questions that rely on their experiences as your client. You can find out a lot about the popularity of promotional signs, work hours and other issues that affect your business. Whether you glean any useful information or not from these communications, you’ll leave a lasting positive impression with this individual. Most people love to provide advice and talk about their own views on topics.

2. Network over the Internet.

It’s easy to make new contacts when you’re online. A quick search will turn up networking sites for your industry, as well as your area. Take a look at relevant association blogs and newsletters. Check in with the local builders association and Chamber of Commerce, and keep an eye on what your competition is doing too. Half of making the right contacts is knowing where to look.

You can follow through with these networking opportunities online as well. Consider commenting on blog posts, participating on message boards or volunteering to provide photos for existing articles. At other times, your search will highlight events that are worth attending in-person. By regularly staying in the loop, you’ll learn about chances to exhibit your business, too.

3. Spend time on social media.

Business use is much different from the mundane personal posts you might have read on major social networks. Your Twitter, Facebook, Vine and Instagram accounts have the power to attract a variety of potential customers.

How will you make the most impact? It depends on the platform. While YouTube is best for sharing informational and how-to videos, Twitter is exceptional at handling customer service. Facebook and LinkedIn, on the other hand, are the best choices for posting announcements, photos of your projects and design ideas, and special offers.

Just remember that one post can be shared millions of times, so what you say can impact you for years to come. A good rule of thumb is to ensure every post is both positive and relates to your business. Politics, religion and public criticism are best left to your personal pages.

Ultimately, focus on creating a steady flow of work for your company. Keep your current customers happy, but don’t forget to reach out to more. The Internet can make this process a fast, easy part of your daily routine. Using social media sites, networking resources and basic email, you can make a positive impression on potential clients with just a few minutes of your time.