Your phone rings… A potential customer is calling YOU for an estimate…
What is your process for taking that call?
Unfortunately, most painting contractors don’t have one and it costs them a ton of $$$ and makes them look very unprofessional!
Once you have a simple process for answering the customer call-in, it will make your life a lot easier and put you on the right path to landing more of your painting estimates!
The tip we are sharing with you today will help you:
- Improve your brand & image and stand out from the competition
- Sound more professional and trustworthy
- Quickly build a strong bond with potential clients
- Save you time
- Stay organized
- Collect the most important information and make the bidding process a lot easier
Let’s get started…
There are a few specific things you want to do and say, EVERY TIME a prospect calls you…
Here is a quick outline for creating a professional call-in - information gathering script.
- Be polite, have an up-beat attitude and answer your phone with the same greeting every time.
Example: Thank you for calling (Your Painting Business) how can we help make your home more beautiful? Followed by these questions…
- “What zip code is the home that is being painted located in…?”
Asking this question allows you to track where your business is coming from.
- “How did you hear about us?”
Again, this is a great way to track which advertising or marketing campaign is working best.
- “Are you looking for interior or exterior painting?” and “Is this paint project for your personal residence or an investment property?”
- “How long has it been since the last time (area indicated) has been painted?”
- “How quickly are you looking to have the work done?”
- “Have you begun selecting your colors yet?”
- “What is the best time to meet to give you an estimate for the project, with all of the decision makers present?”
That last question will save you a ton of time and frustration!
There is nothing worse than spending 30/45 minutes evaluating a job, answering the homeowners questions and outlining the benefits of using your services, only to be told that they have to check with someone else before they can make a final decision!
Try not to do estimates unless all decision makers are going to be there.
Now all you have to do is get their address and set up a time to bid the paint job.
One more KEY question to ask is: “Do you have an email address?”
Getting an email address gives you a chance to market to them again in the future… even if you don’t land the first job.
After all, they called you for a painting estimate and that means:
- They are most likely NOT DIYers.
- They are willing to pay a painting contractor to do the work for them, and
- Your advertising and/or marketing was affective!
It is perfectly fine to send special offers or promotions to people who asked you to do an estimate for them, regardless if they accepted your initial bid or not!
Following up with your NO’s a few times a year, with different offers and special promotions can skyrocket your profits!
Hope this helps improve your “Customer Call-In” process.
What do you think of the tips we are sharing on this blog?
Please leave us a comment…