The purpose of any business is to make money. Money comes from customers, and let's face it: even if you are a skilled handyman or pet sitter, there is no work to do unless you have customers and build a long-term working relationship with them.
Therefore the biggest all-time question is how to find customers for a new/existing business, build trust & receive positive feedback for further recommendations.
When you finish reading this article, you will know how to market your business and where to get leads from, especially in large cities such as Washington DC, and the DMV area (Alexandria (VA), Rockville (MD), Gaithersburg (MD), etc.), where competition might be higher than in smaller towns across the US.
"It takes months to find a customer...seconds to lose one." - Vince Lombardi.
Freelancers, market yourself properly!
If you are a handyman working through platforms like iProWide, make sure to write an excellent presentation of your skills, and don't be shy.
Tip:
Don’t be shy to stand out and show your talent. Try focusing on the benefits offered to your clients. For example, one of the main benefits of hiring a handyman is the fact that the work will be done by a professional, and customers won’t have to worry about buying a bunch of expensive instruments to fix one tube in the kitchen. Offer referrals if available.
Tip:
Offer a discount for new customers. This is a great way to get new clients when you are starting. You can offer 5-15% off the average market price for the first 15-20 clients, build up the portfolio and referrals, and then gradually increase the cost to the desired level.
Where to get leads for handyman work in the DC area?
Now let’s talk about the main part - where to get leads. As a handyman or any other service-based business, your business won’t run without customers. Here are the most popular places to find customers in the DC & DMV area (it can be applied to other big cities too):
Facebook ads - try running ads on a small budget from time to time. There is a lot of freedom on how you want your ad to look and what kind of service you want to promote. Start with a small budget, and make sure you analyze the results.
iProWide - is a free app that allows you to find clients in your area. You can download it now and post a free ad about the services that you offer. The cool thing about this app is that it has a live map that allows you to see clients looking for Service Providers like you are in your area!
Craigslist - yes, it's still popular! This is another awesome way to check on some available gigs and opportunities!
Local FB groups - connect and build relationships with people in groups and advertise your services. It takes time but is worth the effort. When people know who you are from personal interactions in comments and messages, and they know what service you offer - you leave no room for competitors! We both know that human connection is better than any advertisement.
Networking - your referral net is probably one of the easiest ways to attract more clients. Make sure you do your job well, and word of mouth will bring you more clients every week!
Don’t forget to build up social media!
Since we live in the 21st century, it's a good idea to be present on at least one social media platform. It could be IG if you are targeting young adults or FB if you are looking for a mix of young and middle age populations. Want to have fun? Register on TikTok or post shorts on YouTube.
Tip: What matters the most is consistency. Make it a habit to post:
Pictures of your projects Before and After
Some fun videos of the working process
Photos & stories from your happy customers
Share some personal info, such as your biography and path toward your career
Don't be perfect, be yourself, people love that!
Ask your clients for testimonials and post those too! Video testimonials are the best way to attract new clients since they are honest and have real reviews from your clients. It automatically builds up the trust between you and potential clients when they hear positive experiences about your work.
We hope this article gave you an overview of how to market your business and find new customers for your business in the DMV area and not only! The best way to keep your cash flow when starting a service-based business is to learn how to retain your clients. Read more about it in our next article.
Cheers!
iProWide team
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