You guys should check out RRs Marketing forum at http://www.gogetforum.com/?mforum=marketing for very detailed advice. 

As a side note, Dominic, you may want to ask Russel if he would post some of his stuff here for HIP users to peruse.

Mark - I did not do emails 27 years ago and letters are not very personal.  I did marketing in person, in person, in person.  Among many other things, I created a small 1/2 page topical note, on colored paper.  One month it was foundation, next exterior, next roof, and so forth - and I printed them and dropped them off at each realty office (around here I could do 6 or 7,000 in a week) and had them placed in each agent's mailbox.  I used the same color each month and the agents got used to that color coming from me.  After seeing these different topics each month they began looking forward to the next month.  They began to call.  The first agent to call me in Oct 1981 still calls!  What does that tell you?  Since then she has her own office and I am on the "Diamond List" of vendors suggested by them.  I don't know where you are, but make a routine of visiting and cultivating relationships.

I am an old guy and email does nothing for me.  Maybe to keep in touch when something good happens, but not for marketing.  As Scoutmaster, I use it in my Boy Scout troop to keep everyone informed as to calendars, events, meeting agendas, etc., but not for critical notifications or one-on-one meetings.  When I got my MBA 300 years ago, communication was defined as - Input, Function, Output, Feedback.  Email does not meet those criteria unless someone notifies you that they got it (input), are working on your input (function) and then get back to you with a report of result (output).  Then you measure the result (feedback).  THAT is communication!  In person meetings with agents, from office to office, I think is critical.

Aram has some good suggestions too.  I think they may be meant for you.

Some ideas work and some don't.  But don't be afraid to throw them out there.  AND, what works with some people does not with others, and so forth.  So try it all...

You are a package, which I suggested in a marketing post a while ago.  Wrap yourself up pretty, present yourself well, and do a job that others recognize as having value!  There isn't another of you - so you do have value!!

I read a book, maybe written before you were born but applies today, called "Jonathan Livingston Seagull."  You might consider it.  There is a line in there that says something like, "You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true.  You may have to work for it however..."  Also, ANYTHING written by Og Mandino is so cool your socks will curl (Markanich gives him 10 toes up!).  Try "The Greatest Salesman in the World" first.  If you like it, move on from there.  Starting out in business, I had the 10 scroll titles on my wall...  Mr. Mandino is dead now, but had a very interesting life story.

I have a plaque in my office, of a quote by Michaelangelo, that says, "I am still learning."  He was 87 when he said that and died at 93.  THERE is another incredible life history.

Starting out in business is difficult at best.  You need really big cajones (cajón is a Spanish word for big holder or big box and the plural has a street slang meaning).  You get it I'm sure.  Being in business for yourself is hard work.  People sometimes say to me how cool it must be to set my own hours, do my own thing, control my own time.  Um, no...  you work harder for yourself than you would EVER work for someone else.  I know I do!

Call me any time.  My cell is 703-585-7560.

Aram/Jay/Dominic,

Thanks very much for the constructive responses.  I think I get it .  I've got to get more aggressive and probably creative (like you Jay with the topicl notes).  I'm confident that once I let people know that I'm available and the service I offer things will pick up.  Probably trying a number of different methodologies will prove successful.  Being I'm located in a rural area (Jay, I'm located in Rappahannock County, approx. 20 miles from Warrenton and/or Culpeper), I'm just trying to find the most cost-effective way to market myself and reach people given gas prices and the state of the economy.  But I also realize you have to spend money - to make money!!

Dom, great idea.  I'm in the midst of creating a sample report not only for my website but also to present to the real estate folks.       

Jay, you have some outstanding ideas.  One idea that I've been thinking of trying (not sure that this will work) is to offer a discount to persons that volunteer their time.  I’m going to test run this idea with my church.  We have a group that does prison ministries.  I would offer people a discount if they would go and volunteer their time one day in the prison ministry.  Then have the head ministry guy sign off on a form and bam... they get a discount, the church gets volunteers, they get a good feeling for helping others and hopefully they or a prisoner finds God.  How can anyone loose with this idea.  You can do this for cleaning roads, Jesus House, homeless shelters, etc.

Fundamentally I’m trying to get people involved in their communities and help other. Some will love this idea, and others will snub their nose at the mere thought of volunteering.

I also offer a discount for emergency personnel, teachers, and military.  They serve our communities every day or put up with our wild and crazy kids.  So why not give a little back. 

Oh yes, I get ya.

Hey Scott,

Welcome to the message board!

I think you'll find most of the guys on this site get their website through us. David Macy (who is on this board) told me yesterday he received 3 calls through his site during the day. I know many inspectors who get 75%-90% of their business through the web. To find out more info click on Website hosting at the top of this site. All inspectors get 3 months free to try it out so you really have nothing to lose. It's $19.99 a month after that since you use Home Inspector Pro. You can see lots of other inspectors sites listed on the Website Hosting page, or check out the last board on this forum which is for website hosting and look in the link exchange thread, lots of guys have posted their site info there.

Hey John,

The sites looking great, especially since you've just had it for a few days! I like the sample report too. Once you get started on search engine optimization you'll be able to get nice rankings with your site and domain name. I like your logo, lol.

HAHAHA. I can see your full name being on the report. "Hairy Legged Cowboy Inspections, LLC"