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Magic4u02 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 08:55 PM

The first step you really need to do ASAP is to get your marketing materials together and in order and in shape to the target markets you have set up.

This may mean several things I would like to point out:
1) logo design and brand image. I can not stress how important it is to have a logo and brand mark that is strong and updated and not OuTdated. It needs to be top quality and set you apart from your competition.

2) Website: A website is your service and business open 24 hours a day seven days a week. It can be a gateway for suspects and prospects to find out more about you on their own time as well as give you feedback as well as even possible work using a form page you have set up. Your marketing materials should show and highlight your website. If you do the website, make sure to include samples or before and after shots of the work you have done.

3) Broshure or information packet: These can be done in folders that has information sheets that can be printed on your stationary. This give a very professional look, keeps costs down but also allows you to customize each kit to whomever your trying to target. It works great.

Sample info sheets can include:
- Bio or history of your company
- Quotes from satified customers
- Samples of before and after shots of homes and work you have done
- Client listings of satisfied clients you have done work for
- Letters of reference from good name businesses that carry a lot of weight in your community
- Listings of the features and BENEFITS that make your company different from the rest. What sets you apart from the others
- Business card in the folder
- Business card magnet they can keep on their fridge

These are all great things that can be in your info packets and since each are on your stationary, they can be updated easily as info changes and will not cause you to have to run a totally new 4 color print job piece.

Once these materials are finished, then you must determine your companies USP. This stands for your Unique Selling Propisition. This is a sentence or two that really defines in a nutshell what your company is, what you provide and why your different then the others. It is this USP that your materials will always fall back on and rely upon going further.

You also should get yourself a Contact Management Software. I use ACT and it works great for keeping all clients, suspects and prospects all in a database. This is your KEY tool in keeping all client transactions in one centeral location as well as keep all your leads figured out.

Every transaction, sale or conversatiuon to any client or lead is placed into this database. What is great about it is the ability to do e-mail merging. This makes it simple to send out personalized e-mails to all your leads in a push of the button.

I could go on, but I will leave it at this for now. It is more then enough information to keep you busy for a while. If you or anyone else has particular questions or want more details, PLEASE post here or PM me and I will be happy to help you out.

Kyle