I own a small company that does assembly work. What is the best way to get my name out to potential customers?
149249
Advertise in Local Papers, Local Cable, and/or Local Radio Stations
782356
Craigslist.org is a great place to promote yourself. Yardsigns promoting your services as well as a magnetic sign on your car. Visibility, visibility, visibility.\n\nGet your clients to do a referal program ... like a free service for two new client referals. It doesn't come much cheaper than this.
667466
Most of your customers would be local, or need a place local to where you are to store their possesions if they are outside the area.\n\nThe best way is with newspapers and the phone book.  If your on a busy street, make sure you have a sign that gets noticed.  Any local advertising, such as high school football games or yearbooks, if you can go for it some radio spots or late night tv commercials.  Local newspapers, county papers, and don't forget the auto trade or RV magazines and maybe those free local deli publications for various purposes or those mailer coupon people in your area.  \n\nAdvertising is a cost of doing business, and you need to have a budget as part of your overhead and consideration for what rent you charge.  As a local business owner, check out your local chamber of commerce.  If you can afford a website, contact me.  (ok, maybe uncalled for).\n\nAlso, if you have other friends or aquaintences in the business, ask them what they do.  Sponsor a little league team.  Check out those business card people you see that distribute them in restaurants.  Find out what works best for you.\n\nI'm sure you already know not to limit your customers to people but also other businesses, like seasonal ones, or flea markets that need you kind of service, but I'm sure there are many more.
232330
sell an ad in the corner (sponsored by yada yada), which will cost just about what you expect to rent the machine and buy blank cards with the logo on them for. Find a sponsor that is related to your thingy and let them participate somehow (low key advertising, product placement, something of that sort)
707174
There are a number of awesome business plan books at your local library that will help you with the form (and samples) that will help you fill in the details. The problem with what benefits to provide to employees is that each has its cost which might not be approved by Management. Since I dont know what you have now, it's hard to suggest what better would be. Ask the employees what they'd like to see? Personally I would love an employer to offer a match on a 401K plan, tuition reimbursement, disability insurance, and discount buying plans. In regards to training, send the retail staff out in the field with installers (and get those installers into the office) so each can see what it's like on the other side. Any kind of trade publications and/or video training seminars would be great but don't make it so employees have to do it on their own time. Take time with the employees so they get a better overview not only of their jobs but of the company. Now how to increase sales??? Definately get a referral program going for customers to have reason to spread the word about your company to others. Word of mouth is the cheapest possible form of advertising and most effective. Don't forget to "tip" customers that refer others to you. If you dont have a website, get one and advertise it every where you can. Also, find other businesses that you can cross-refer to your clients and for them to refer to theirs. You dont want to work with competition but if you sell tile but not carpet, pair up with those who sell carpet but not tile. You get the point. There are lots of low cost ways to advertise your business. Check out the book (I found at library) called "Marketing without Money" by Nicholas E Bade. There are 300 tips on how to get your company name out there... surely a few will work for you. Does any of this help???
636312
The fastest and easiest way is to search using www.google.com and using precise statements on what your wanting. The next best thing is to call a business that maybe similar to the one your starting and find out which local manufactures they get their materials from.
721774
You have a good idea to start small and work up from there. You need to make sure all your paper work is in order before you do anything. Make sure your drivers are good drivers. Then start contacting local companies that ship out to get loads. As you start there will be a lot more that will come along with a  good reputation. Good Luck
859242
I usually store names,phone #,address,and each order from first to last.Depending on your type of business you will need different tools.I use Diamond Touch POS by Rocklin Technologies , located in Texas.This program has everything -from great customer database to very effective labor/food cost control.I very strongly recommend checking into it.I do not know if it will help you , but purchase a copy of Pizza Today at any bookstore and you will find numerous ads any sort of program you may need.Even if they do not advertise exactly what you are looking for, you may still contact the company to find what they offer for your particular sector.
718674
One of the most effective things you can do is ad some height to your table.  Get some large pieces of foam board and put literature, pictures, ect (information about your company) and most importantly, your company name in large letters.  Make some sort of stand for them so they stand up from the table.  This will draw people's eyes immediately to your table. Get some sort of small centerpiece (I usually use a small vase of flowers.  It has to be small because it shouldn't take away from your display.\nIf you are supplied with a table cloth, great.  If not, bring a white table cloth to drape on the table.  Then arrange business cards (lots of them) and any displays that you have on the top of the table.  Note: Always stand to the side or in front of the table.  Standing behind it sometimes looks as though you are trying to distance yourself from a possible customer, whereas standing to the side or in front of your table communicates openness.\nBest of luck.
872018
First you want to register the business then get bonded and insured. This is a good starting point and are a plus when your pitching to a potential customer. It says "we are safe to let into your home and you will be compensated if something gets broken".  As far as charges go call some of the local cleaning companies and pose as a potential client and get their rates. Then go below them at least at first. Once you get a customer or two and if you do a good job  word should spread. Word of mouth is very vital as far as gaining new clients. Good Luck!
64757
You can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm. The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business. \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area to look for newly opened businesses, buildings or facilities. Then introduce yourself to the landlords ­ your potential clients ­ and request for an opportunity to bid on their cleaning contract. \n\n3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the facility (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)\n\n4.  Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the janitorial business. Aside from newly opened buildings, get a list of companies that are downsizing or laying off cleaning staffs.\n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other building owners or entrepreneurs in your area.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. \n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\n\n\nFor detailed information I suggest you read the following books:\n\n- Janitorial Service Businesses : Strategies for Promoting, Estimating, and Bidding Cleaning Services \n- The Janitorial Contractors Bible \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business \n- Cleaning Up for a Living: Everything You Need to Know to Become a Successful Building Service Contractor \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business
885148
Depends who the company is and size.Try going to your area manager,if you have one and try sorting things out that way.If you don't have any luck,go over their heads and go straight to company manager.
279500
Focus on a niche and do not try to be like Walmart which offers everything to everybody. Specialize on a particular product line/groups and be the best in it. Then offer the best customer service.\n\nAn example of how to go about it is the approach used by Tony Roeder of RedWagons.com http://www.powerhomebiz.com/OnlineSuccess/redwagons.htm . Because Walmart and ToysRUs only offer a limited number of Red Flyer wagons, he decided to carry almost the full inventory and focus on that entirely. And he's been very successful - he was even featured by Yahoo Stores and that's where I saw him and interviewed him.\n\nThe article "10 Ways Small Businesses Can Compete With the Big Boys"  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol113/compete.htm offers tips on how a small business can compete with the WalMarts of the world (may not always be successful, but gives small businesses a fighting chance):\n\n1. Provide exceptional customer service\n2. Pamper your existing customers.\n3. Consider collaborating with similar businesses.\n4. Use "loss leaders."\n5. Develop a niche and focus on it.\n6. Take care of your employees.\n7. Use technology to your advantage. \n8. Present a very professional image.\n9. Emphasize the uniqueness of your products. \n10. Give your store character.\n\nHere are some articles that may be helpful to you:\nFocus on Your Niche http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol62/niche.htm \n5 Steps to Creating a Profitable Niche for Your Small Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/012006/niche.htm
31692
When at all possible, call your customers by their names.  "And how is  your little daughter, Susie?" will go a long way to creating loyalty.  Little personal touches like photos on display.  Other, more specific ideas would depend on what your business is.  If its a hardware place, encourage customers to bring in before & after photos of their projects for your bulletin board.  If it's a cooking store or groceries store, have a place for people to post recipes, especially for a spotlighted item.  Anything to create a repore (sp?) between you and the customers.\n\nAnd, of course, CUSTOMER SERVICE!  Help them decide between two colors for painting their bedroom.  Special order what they need.  Try to carry a unique product WalMart wouldn't waste shelf space for.  Take the time to teach them to use an item.  \n\nAnd keep prices low, especially on the big items.  Then push the little assesories.  "Don't forget the batteries.  This calls for 4 AAA."
212761
1. Do it yourself. Read your industry publications, local newspapers or other publications you think your competitors may use to advertise their business. If you have access to services like Lexis Nexis, check it to see if ads are included in the items they pick up (I know press mentions are included, but not sure with ads)\n\n2. Hire a press clipping service. They will give you everyday copies of where you were mentioned, and your competitor if you include them in your contract.
1123296
Do a simple professional message. Funny messages get annoying fast or might be misinterpreted:\n\nThank you for calling the xyz company. Unfortunately we are unable to answer the phone at this time as we are assisting other clients. Please leave your name number and a brief message and we will return you call as soon as we can.\nThank you for calling the xyz company.\n\nWhen outside of business hours:\nThank you for calling the xyz company. Unfortunately you have reached us outside of our normal business hours. Our business hours are....mon through fri... sat and sunday. You are important to us so please leave your name number and a brief message and we will return you call as soon as we can or please call us back during our business hours\nWe appreciate your interest in teh xyz company\n\n\nCall different companies outside of business hours and cheat of of their message
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The first step to becoming an authorized repair center for any manufacturer is to contact their local head office. Ask for someone in customer service and ask them who you should be contacting. \nManufacturers normally have authorized repair centers spread out evenly over a standard customer base. That means that the more potential customers there are in an area, the more authorized shops there can be. Some companies guard their territories more than others. Keep in mind that being an authorized repair center means that you will be representing the company in your area. Compaq will, as any other company would, want your place of business to reflect well on them. They will give you standards that you may have to adhere to regarding the cleanliness of your store, parking availability, store size etc. They may also tell you that you will need to carry a certain amount of spare parts, and or product, in order to service their customers properly. This may mean a large financial investment on your part. Not to mention the manuals and any special tools that may be required. \nIt's not just a matter of getting a sticker for your door. It's a commitment to represent a major manufacturer to their customers. \nGood luck, and don't settle on just one manufacturer. Approach them all. Even Dell, as they may not be totally satisfied with the representation that they have in your area.