Roofers Marketing 101

On the post called ADVERTISING truck signs were mentioned. Ironically this new pick-up pulled up beside me. OMGosh first I was laughing about the duct tape and then I realized they had no phone number or website. I digitized their logo to protect the innocent.

I posted the photo here http://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/soapbox/

The easiest sale is a repeat customer. Next is a referral. After that you are bidding against 3-15 other roofers from chuckinthetruck to the national boys. Do the math. My trucks are covered, my yard signs are in, my salesmen knock on doors, we have coffee and donuts on jobsites in the morning with someone to answer questions for anyone walking their dogs or jogging. We put up 4' tall A frames to direct people to job sites. Our website is up and working. www.getdistinctive.com, we have facebook and twitter. We do some radio and are considering television. 6% of our budget is marketing and advertising. Also, my salesman are required to go thru a box of 1000 business cards every 4 months. minimum.

One size does not fit all. The Lovely Mrs Ciak is now traveling with me "two are better than one." Our last trip included visiting presidential library's on our route. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

So back to my original thought. If you want people to call you you put your phone number on the sign. If you don't want people to call you don't. I will assume that the roofing truck in question wasn't thinking because it look like he duct taped over something. AND I would never have a sign on my truck without a number because my business is marketing and advertising (and CoffeeShop) and I would have to make fun of myself if I didn't.

For you multi business fellows - magnetic door signs. Order them from my friend Judy she'll get you a deal. Rymanprinting@gmail.com

No problem Tim. I'm an open book. What your seeing is an Older contractor 35yrs+ in the roofing business. I made my mark in the community. Now I am paid living and travel expenses + a very handsome amount. Semi retired and enjoying life without the headaches of running a roofing business. Anyone who is in the trade, installer to owners knows what I'm talking about honestly. There is life on the other side. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

Old fashioned here. I still have my ph# on my truck signs. It's required here, but only one in any 5 'contrator' looking trucks have signs. :)

Roofguy Said: Im with Vickie on this. Anytime I look at a pickup with just a logo, and its not a national name brand company like AT&T, I see it as pretentious. I see it as some local guy who wants to appear bigger than he is.

If you have no need to promote your company, why put anything on your truck at all? If youre so well recognized, just show up to the job and everyone who matters will know who you are.

Were all playing a game of numbers here. If you have more work than you can handle, rather than turning some away by making it difficult for people to contact you, why not bump your price a little to balance out the work?

The charge of pretentiousness.. Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.. Either shows ignorance meaning of the word or jealousy. The logo is a decades long professional stamp also a legal matter. To be fair, roofing is not my main source of income. My new profession pays me handsomely and provides benefits roofing never could. When home, repairs are the mainstay roofing. Bumping prices is the repair business. Huge % profit low overhead and supply cost. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

Holy cow, I am really shocked.

Sorry Vickie, no number here either. but the serious ones keep calling.

but I have to say, if I was new at it, I would have my number on the truck.

No number here........when you've been applying roof systems for decades in your home town, the market comes to you. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

No number either......... but with that said, if he'd only used whole pieces and squared his lines, I'll be most people would drive by and not even notice the duct tape.

Just like a roof, it's all in the details, Baby.

Old School you said it, you've got enough work. That would be the only reason to NOT put your phone number on the truck. I can see a Logo or name on a truck if you are trying to signify that you are a business working on a jobsite. But there are a lot of people driving past your truck that are too bashful to stop and ask for a card. If you are working they don't want to disturb you.

Vickie,

Just the company name and "Four Generations of Service" on the doors and tailgate of my truck. No phone number, (we don't have a web site). Lettering/logo is custom designed and cut vynl, colored to contrast door color.

I'm not interested in business from people looking for a "roofing contractor". I am, however, interested in working for individuals who have identified us as a competent, trustworthy contractor, usually through referrals or having watched us conduct business in their neighborhood. For those discriminating homeowners, we will gladly produce a business card when asked, after a short chat about who we are and what we are about.

With this particular philosophy, we keep very busy.

We have worked very hard to build and keep our reputation. We are grateful for each customer who, by requesting we work for them, validates our business model.